January 4/Octave Day of Holy Innocents

Under the 1960 rubrics, the season is Nativitytide, and the three readings care from Romans 7: 1-9.

In the 1953 breviary, however, the day is celebrated as the Octave Day of the feast of the Holy Innocents.  In this case, the Invitatory antiphon, hymn and collect are as for the feast; the psalms and antiphons are those of the day of the week; the versicle at the end of nocturn I and chapter at the end of Nocturn II are of the season.  The first two readings and responsories are as for 1960; the third reading and responsory are set out below. 

Lectio 1: De Epistola ad Romanos - An ignoratis, fratres (scientibus enim legem loquor), quia lex in homine dominatur quanto tempore vivit? Nam quæ sub viro est mulier, vivente viro, alligata est legi: si autem mortuus fuerit vir ejus, soluta est a lege viri. Igitur, vivente viro, vocabitur adultera si fuerit cum alio viro: si autem mortuus fuerit vir ejus, liberata est a lege viri, ut non sit adultera si fuerit cum alio viro.

Reading 1: Know you not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) that the law hath dominion over a man, as long as it liveth? For the woman that hath a husband, whilst her husband liveth is bound to the law. But if her husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. Therefore, whilst her husband liveth, she shall be called an adulteress, if she be with another man: but if her husband be dead, she is delivered from the law of her husband; so that she is not an adulteress, if she be with another man.

R. Sancta et immaculata virginitas, quibus te laudibus efferam nescio: * Quia quem coeli capere non poterant, tuo gremio contulisti. V. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui. R. Quia quem coeli capere non poterant, tuo gremio contulisti.

R. O Mary, how holy and how spotless is thy virginity! I am too dull to praise thee! * For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain. V. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb. R. For thou hast borne in thy breast Him Whom the heavens cannot contain.

Lectio 2: Itaque fratres mei, et vos mortificati estis legi per corpus Christi: ut sitis alterius, qui ex mortuis resurrexit, ut fructificemus Deo. Cum enim essemus in carne, passiones peccatorum, quæ per legem erant, operabantur in membris nostris, ut fructificarent morti. Nunc autem soluti sumus a lege mortis, in qua detinebamur, ita ut serviamus in novitate spiritus, et non in vetustate litteræ.

Reading 2: Therefore, my brethren, you also are become dead to the law, by the body of Christ; that you may belong to another, who is risen again from the dead, that we may bring forth fruit to God. For when we were in the flesh, the passions of sins, which were by the law, did work in our members, to bring forth fruit unto death. But now we are loosed from the law of death, wherein we were detained; so that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

R. Nesciens Mater Virgo virum, péperit sine dolóre: * Salvatórem sæculórum, ipsum Regem Angelórum, sola Virgo lactábat ubere de cælo pleno. V. Domus pudici péctoris templum repénte fit Dei: intacta nesciens virum, verbo concépit Fílium. R. Salvatórem sæculórum, ipsum Regem Angelórum, sola Virgo lactábat ubere de cælo pleno.

R. The Virgin-Mother that knew not a man, bore, but travailed not.* She fed the Saviour of the world, The King of Angel hosts above, Jesus, our Redeemer blest, From the fountain of her breast. V. Soon rises in that modest shrine, The Temple of the Lord Divine; The stainless and unwedded one, Within her womb conceived the Son. R. She fed the Saviour of the world, The King of Angel hosts above, Jesus, our Redeemer blest, From the fountain of her breast.

Lectio 3: Quid ergo dicemus? lex peccatum est? Absit. Sed peccatum non cognovi, nisi per legem: nam concupiscentiam nesciebam, nisi lex diceret: Non concupisces. Occasione autem accepta, peccatum per mandatum operatum est in me omnem concupiscentiam. Sine lege enim peccatum mortuum erat. Ego autem vivebam sine lege aliquando: sed cum venisset mandatum, peccatum revixit.	Reading 3: What shall we say, then? Is the law sin? God forbid. But I do not know sin, but by the law; for I had not known concupiscence, if the law did not say: Thou shalt not covet.  But sin taking occasion by the commandment, wrought in me all manner of concupiscence. For without the law sin was dead.  And I lived some time without the law. But when the commandment came, sin revived.
R. Parvulus natus est nobis, et fílius datus est nobis, et factus est principátus super humerum ejus: * Et vocábitur Admirábilis, Deus Fortis V. Multiplicabitur ejus imperium et pacis non erit finis R. Et vocábitur Admirábilis, Deus Fortis V. Gloria Patri… R. Et vocábitur Admirábilis, Deus Fortis	R. A child is born to us, and a son is given to us, and the government is upon his shoulder: * And his name shall be called, Wonderful, God the Mighty V. His empire shall be multiplied, and there shall be no end of peace R. And his name shall be called, Wonderful, God the Mighty V. Glory be… R. And his name shall be called, Wonderful, God the Mighty.

OR (For the Octave Day of the Holy Innocents):

 

Reading 3 - Sermo sancti Augustíni Epíscopi: Nascénte Dómino, luctus cœpit, non cælo, sed mundo: indícitur mátribus lamentátio, Angelis exsultátio, infántibus transmigrátio. Deus est, qui natus est: Innocéntes illi debéntur víctima, qui venit damnáre mundi malítiam. Agnélli debent immolári, quia Agnus futúrus est crucifígi, qui tollit peccáta mundi. Sed oves úlulant matres, quia agnos perdunt sine voce balántes. Grande martýrium, crudéle spectáculum! Exímitur machæra, et nulla intérvenit causa: sola stridet invídia, cum qui natus est, nulli fáciat violéntiam. Sed oves cérnimus matres: quæ super agnos lugent: Vox in Rama audíta est, plorátus et ululátus magnus. Pígnora sunt, non crédita, sed creáta; non depósita, sed expósita.

The Lord is born, and sorrow breaks out, not in heaven but on earth; to mothers is proclaimed lamentation, to angels joy, to children translation. God is born, and innocence must be offered up to Him Who cometh to condemn the malice of the world. The Lamb that takes away the sins of the world is come to be crucified, and the tender flock is brought to the sacrifice. But the mothers will lament over them whose inarticulate bleating is silenced for ever. Let us turn a look on this great martyrdom, this heart-rending sorrow. The sword is drawn, though there is no offence to punish, only jealousy shrieking for Him Who is born, and does no violence. And here are mothers weeping over the lambs of the flock. In Ramah was there a voice heard, weeping and great mourning. which shall be returned hereafter, but they are pledges taken without being given, impounded without being entrusted.

R. Céntum / quadragínta quátuor míllia, qui empti sunt de terra, † hi sunt qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: * Vírgines enim permansérunt, ídeo regnant cum Deo, et Agnus Dei cum illis. V. Isti sunt qui venérunt ex magna tribulatióne, † et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni. R. Vírgines enim permansérunt, ídeo regnant cum Deo, et Agnus Dei cum illis. V. Gloria Patri... R.  Virgines...

R. A hundred and forty-four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth; these are they which were not defiled with women. * For they remained virgins; therefore are they kings before God, and the Lamb of God is with them. V. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. R. For they remained virgins; therefore are they kings before God, and the Lamb of God is with them.

NR 190-1

 

January 3 /Octave Day of St John

In the 1960 calendar, January 3 is a feria in Nativitytide; in the earlier calendar, the Octave Day of St John the Evangelist.

1960:

Invitatory antiphon

Christus natus est nobis: * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.

LR 54

Hymn

Christe, Redémptor ómnium, Ex Patre, Patris Unice, Solus ante princípium Natus ineffabíliter,	Christ, the Father's only Son, Whose death for all redemption won, Before the worlds, of God most high, Begotten all ineffably.
Tu lumen, tu splendor Patris, Tu spes perénnis ómnium, Inténde quas fundunt preces Tui per orbem fámuli.	The Father's Light and Splendor Thou their endless Hope to Thee that bow: Accept the prayers and praise today That through the world Thy servants pay.
Meménto, salútis auctor, Quod nostri quondam córporis, Ex illibáta Vírgine Nascéndo, formam súmpseris.	Salvation's author, call to mind how, Taking the form of humankind, Born of a Virgin undefiled, Thou in man's flesh becamest a Child.
Sic praesens testátur dies, Currens per anni círculum, Quod a solus sede Patris Mundi salus advéneris;	Thus testifies the present day Through every year in long array, That Thou, salvation's source alone Proceedest from the Father's Throne.
Hunc caelum, terra, hunc mare, Hunc omne quod in eis est, Auctórem advéntus tui Laudans exsúltat cántico.	Whence sky, and stars, and sea's abyss, and earth, And all that therein is, shall still, With laud and carol meet, The Author of thine Advent greet.
Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo Redémpti sánguine sumus, Ob diem natális tui Hymnum novum concínimus.	And we who, by Thy precious Blood From sin redeemed, are marked for God, On this, the day that saw Thy Birth, Sing the new song of ransomed earth.
Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui natus es de Vírgine, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu, In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.	Glory to you O Lord, Who wast born of the Virgin; Whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Ghost Forevermore. Amen.

LR54-5

[For St John: Invitatory and hymn as for the feast, from the Common of Apostles; psalms, antiphons and versicle of the day]

Nocturn I

Versicle

V. Speciosus forma prae filiis hominum. R. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis.

V. Thou art fairer than the children of men. R. Grace is poured into thy lips.

Reading 1: De Epístola ad Romános - Quid ergo dicémus? permanébimus in peccáto ut grátia abúndet? Absit. Qui enim mórtui sumus peccáto, quómodo adhuc vivémus in illo? An ignorátis quia quicúmque baptizáti sumus in Christo Iesu, in morte ipsíus baptizáti sumus? Consepúlti enim sumus cum illo per baptísmum in mortem: ut quómodo Christus surréxit a mórtuis per glóriam Patris, ita et nos in novitáte vitæ ambulémus. Si enim complantáti facti sumus similitúdini mortis eius: simul et resurrectiónis érimus.

From the letter of blessed Apostle Paul to the Romans - What shall we say, then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?  God forbid. For we that are dead to sin, how shall we live any longer therein?  Know you not that all we, who are baptized in Christ Jesus, are baptized in his death?  For we are buried together with him by baptism into death; that as Christ is risen from the dead by the glory of the Father, so we also may walk in newness of life.  For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection.

R. Congratulámini mihi, / omnes qui dilígitis Dóminum: † Quia, cum essem párvula, plácui Altíssimo, * Et de meis viscéribus génui Deum et hóminem. V. Beatam me dicent omnes generatiónes, quia ancíllam húmilem respéxit Deus. R. Et de meis viscéribus génui Deum et hóminem.

R. Rejoice with me, all ye that love the Lord. For while I was yet little I pleased the Most High, * And from my womb have I brought forth God and man. V. All generations shall call me blessed, for God hath regarded the lowliness of His hand-maiden. R. And from my womb have I brought forth God and man.

NR [159]

Reading 2: Hoc sciéntes, quia vetus homo noster simul crucifíxus est, ut destruátur corpus peccáti, et ultra non serviámus peccáto. Qui enim mórtuus est, iustificátus est a peccáto. Si autem mórtui sumus cum Christo, crédimus quia simul étiam vivémus cum Christo, sciéntes quod Christus resúrgens ex mórtuis iam non móritur: mors illi ultra non dominábitur. Quod enim mórtuus est peccáto, mórtuus est semel: quod autem vivit, vivit Deo. Ita et vos existimáte vos mórtuos quidem esse peccáto, vivéntes autem Deo, in Christo Iesu Dómino nostro.

Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin may be destroyed, to the end that we may serve sin no longer. For he that is dead is justified from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall live also together with Christ:  Knowing that Christ rising again from the dead, dieth now no more, death shall no more have dominion over him. For in that he died to sin, he died once; but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God: So do you also reckon, that you are dead to sin, but alive unto God, in Christ Jesus our Lord.

R. Confirmátum est / cor Vírginis, in quo divína mystéria, Angelo nuntiánte, concépit: † tunc speciósum forma præ fíliis hóminum castis suscépit viscéribus: * Et benedícta in ætérnum, † Deum nobis prótulit et hóminem. V. Domus pudíci péctoris templum repénte fit Dei: † intácta nésciens virum, verbo concépit Fílium. R. Et benedícta in ætérnum, † Deum nobis prótulit et hóminem.

R. The heart of the Virgin was fixed, when the Angel declared unto her the mystery of God, and she conceived, then did she receive in her pure womb Him That is fairer than the children of men.* And, she that is blessed for ever, brought forth for us God and man. V. Soon rises, in that modest shrine, The Temple of the Lord Divine The stainless and unwedded one, Within her womb conceived the Son. R. And, she that is blessed for ever, brought forth for us God and man.

NR 208-9

Reading 3: Non ergo regnet peccátum in vestro mortáli córpore ut obediátis concupiscéntiis eius. Sed neque exhibeátis membra vestra arma iniquitátis peccáto: sed exhibéte vos Deo, tamquam ex mórtuis vivéntes: et membra vestra arma iustítiæ Deo. Peccátum enim vobis non dominábitur: non enim sub lege estis, sed sub grátia. Quid ergo? peccábimus, quóniam non sumus sub lege, sed sub grátia? Absit. Nescítis quóniam cui exhibétis vos servos ad obediéndum, servi estis eius, cui obedítis, sive peccáti ad mortem, sive obeditiónis ad iustítiam? Grátias autem Deo quod fuístis servi peccáti, obedístis autem ex corde in eam formam doctrínæ, in quam tráditi estis. Liberáti autem a peccáto, servi facti estis iustítiæ.

Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, so as to obey the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of iniquity unto sin; but present yourselves to God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of justice unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you; for you are not under the law, but under grace. What then? Shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know you not, that to whom you yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants you are whom you obey, whether it be of sin unto death, or of obedience unto justice. But thanks be to God, that you were the servants of sin, but have obeyed from the heart, unto that form of doctrine, into which you have been delivered.  Being then freed from sin, we have been made servants of justice.

R. Benedícta / et venerábilis es, Virgo María, † quæ sine tactu pudóris invénta es mater Salvatóris: * Iacébat in præsépio, et fulgébat in cælo. V. Dómine, audívi audítum tuum, et tímui: † considerávi ópera tua, et expávi: † in médio duórum animálium. R. Iacébat in præsépio, et fulgébat in cælo.

R. Blessed and worshipful art thou, O Virgin Mary; from thee, still maiden undefiled, the Saviour came a little Child. * He Whose glory filled the heavens lay in a manger. V. O Lord, I have heard thy speech and was afraid; I considered thy works and trembled. O Thou That dwellest between the two living creatures! R. He Whose glory filled the heavens lay in a manger.

NR 209

[Or, For St John:

 

Reading 3: Ex Tractatu sancti Augustíni Epíscopi in Joánnem - In quátuor Evangéliis, vel pótius quátuor libris uníus Evangélii, sanctus Joánnes Apóstolus non immérito secúndum intelligéntiam spiritálem áquilæ comparátus, áltius multóque sublímius áliis tribus eréxit prædicatiónem suam: et in ejus erectióne étiam corda nostra érigi vóluit. Nam céteri tres Evangelístæ tamquam cum hómine Dómino in terra ámbulant, et de divinitáte ejus pauca dixérunt: istum autem quasi pigúerit in terra ambuláre, sicut ipso exórdio sui sermónis intónuit, eréxit se non solum super terram, et super omnem ámbitum áëris et cæli, sed super omnem étiam exércitum Angelórum, omnémque constitutiónem invisibílium Potestátum: et pervénit ad eum, per quem facta sunt ómnia, dicéndo: In princípio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum.

A lesson is from a treatise of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo - Of the Four Evangelists, or, rather, the Four Writers of the one Evangel, the holy Apostle John has not unworthily been compared by spiritual writers to an eagle, because of the lofty and glorious flight of his teaching, soaring above the other three; a flight that raises not himself alone, but also the hearts of all, whosoever will hear him. The other three writers walk with the Lord upon earth, as with a man, and enlarge little upon His Godhead; but John, as though it had wearied him to walk upon earth, in the very first words of his writing, rises not above the earth only, or above the firmament, and the heavens, but above every angel, and above every power of things unseen, and flies directly to him by whom all things were made, saying In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

 

R. Valde / honorándus est beátus Ioánnes, † qui supra pectus Dómini in cena recúbuit: * Cui Christus in cruce Matrem vírginem vírgini commendávit. V. Virgo est eléctus a Dómino, atque inter céteros magis diléctus. R. Cui Christus in cruce Matrem vírginem vírgini commendávit. V. Gloria... R. Cui Christi...

R. Very worshipful is blessed John, which leaned on the Lord's Breast at supper. * To Him did Christ upon the Cross commit His mother, maiden to maiden. V. The Lord chose him for his clean maidenhood, and loved him more than all the rest. R. To him did Christ upon the Cross commit His mother, maiden to maiden.

Nocturn II

Chapter and versicle

Et: Tu in príncipio, Dómine, terram fundásti: * et ópera mánuum tuárum sunt caeli.	And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens.
V. Vidérunt omnes fines terrae, allelúia. R. Salutáre Dei nostri, allelúia.	V. All the ends of the earth have seen. R. The salvation of our God, alleluia.

[Or, For St John, chapter and versicle of an apostle, collect of the feast.]   

January 2/Octave day of St Stephen

In the 1960 rubrics, the Benedictine Office is of January 2, but in earlier calendars it is either the Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus (said on the first Sunday of the year, but on January 2 if the Sunday falls on January 1, 6 or 7) or the Octave Day of St Stephen (in which case the first two readings are as in the 1960 Office, the third reading is Patristic).   

1960 rubrics

Invitatory antiphon

Christus natus est nobis: * Veníte, adorémus.

Unto us a Christ is born, * O come, let us worship Him.

LR 54

Hymn

Christe, Redémptor ómnium, Ex Patre, Patris Unice, Solus ante princípium Natus ineffabíliter,	Christ, the Father's only Son, Whose death for all redemption won, Before the worlds, of God most high, Begotten all ineffably.
Tu lumen, tu splendor Patris, Tu spes perénnis ómnium, Inténde quas fundunt preces Tui per orbem fámuli.	The Father's Light and Splendor Thou their endless Hope to Thee that bow: Accept the prayers and praise today That through the world Thy servants pay.
Meménto, salútis auctor, Quod nostri quondam córporis, Ex illibáta Vírgine Nascéndo, formam súmpseris.	Salvation's author, call to mind how, Taking the form of humankind, Born of a Virgin undefiled, Thou in man's flesh becamest a Child.
Sic praesens testátur dies, Currens per anni círculum, Quod a solus sede Patris Mundi salus advéneris;	Thus testifies the present day Through every year in long array, That Thou, salvation's source alone Proceedest from the Father's Throne.
Hunc caelum, terra, hunc mare, Hunc omne quod in eis est, Auctórem advéntus tui Laudans exsúltat cántico.	Whence sky, and stars, and sea's abyss, and earth, And all that therein is, shall still, With laud and carol meet, The Author of thine Advent greet.
Nos quoque, qui sancto tuo Redémpti sánguine sumus, Ob diem natális tui Hymnum novum concínimus.	And we who, by Thy precious Blood From sin redeemed, are marked for God, On this, the day that saw Thy Birth, Sing the new song of ransomed earth.
Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui natus es de Vírgine, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu, In sempitérna sǽcula. Amen.	Glory to you O Lord, Who wast born of the Virgin; Whom with the Father we adore, and Holy Ghost Forevermore. Amen.

LR54-5

[OR: for St Stephen, invitatory and hymn of the feast.]

Nocturn I

Versicle

V. Tamquam sponsus. R. Dóminus procédens de thálamo suo.

V. The Lord is as a bridegroom. R. Coming out of his chamber.

Readings and responsories

Reading 1: De Epístola ad Romános - Iustificáti ex fide, pacem habeámus ad Deum per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum: per quem et habémus accéssum per fidem in grátiam istam, in qua stamus, et gloriámur in spe glóriæ filiórum Dei. Non solum autem, sed et gloriámur in tribulatiónibus: scientes, quod tribulátio patiéntiam operátur, patiéntia autem probatiónem, probátio vero spem, spes autem non confúndit: quia cáritas Dei diffúsa est in córdibus nostris per Spíritum Sanctum, qui datus est nobis.

From the letter of blessed Apostle Paul to the Romans - Being justified therefore by faith, let us have peace with God, through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access through faith into this grace, wherein we stand, and glory in the hope of the glory of the sons of God. And not only so; but we glory also in tribulations, knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience trial; and trial hope; And hope confoundeth not: because the charity of God is poured forth in our hearts, by the Holy Ghost, who is given to us.

R. Ecce / Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccáta mundi: † ecce de quo dicébam vobis: Qui post me venit, ante me factus est: * Cuius non sum dignus corrígiam calceaménti sólvere. V. Qui de terra est, de terra lóquitur: † qui de cælo venit, super omnes est. R. Cuius non sum dignus corrígiam calceaménti sólvere.

R. Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Which taketh away the sins of the world; behold Him of Whom I said unto you: He That cometh after me is preferred before me * Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose. V. He that is of the earth speaketh of the earth; He That cometh from heaven is above all. R. Whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.

LR 64-4/NR 203-4

Reading 2: Ut quid enim Christus, cum adhuc infírmi essémus, secúndum tempus, pro ímpiis mórtuus est? Vix enim pro iusto quis móritur: nam pro bono fórsitan quis áudeat mori. Comméndat autem caritátem suam Deus in nobis: quóniam cum adhuc peccatóres essémus, secúndum tempus, Christus pro nobis mórtuus est: multo ígitur magis nunc iustificáti in sánguine ipsíus, salvi érimus ab ira per ipsum.

For why did Christ, when as yet we were weak, according to the time, die for the ungodly? For scarce for a just man will one die; yet perhaps for a good man someone would dare to die.  But God commendeth his charity towards us; because when as yet we were sinners, according to the time, Christ died for us; much more therefore, being now justified by his blood, shall we be saved from wrath through him.

R. Dies / sanctificátus illúxit nobis: † veníte, gentes, et adoráte Dóminum: * Quia hódie descéndit lux magna in terris. V. Hæc dies quam fecit Dóminus, † exsultémus et lætémur in ea. R. Quia hódie descéndit lux magna in terris.

R. This day which is breaking is holy; O come, ye Gentiles, and worship the Lord.* For this day is much light come down unto us from heaven. V. This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. R. For this day is much light come down unto us from heaven.

NR 204

Reading 3: Si enim cum inimíci essémus, reconciliáti sumus Deo per mortem Fílii eius: multo magis reconciliáti, salvi érimus in vita ipsíus. Non solum autem: sed et gloriámur in Deo per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, per quem nunc reconciliatiónem accépimus. Proptérea sicut per unum hóminem peccátum in hunc mundum intrávit, et per peccátum mors, et ita in omnes hómines mors pertránsiit, in quo omnes peccavérunt.

For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son; much more, being reconciled, shall we be saved by his life. And not only so; but also we glory in God, through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received reconciliation. Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned.

R. Benedíctus / qui venit in nómine Dómini, † Deus Dóminus, et illúxit nobis: * Allelúia, allelúia. V. Hæc dies quam fecit Dóminus, † exsultémus et lætémur in ea. R. Allelúia, allelúia.

R. Blessed be He That cometh in the name of the Lord! God is the Lord Who hath showed us light.* Alleluia, Alleluia. V. This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it. R. Alleluia, Alleluia.

NR 205

OR

 

Reading 3:  Sermo sancti Augustíni Epíscopi - Christus caput Mártyrum prior passus est pro nobis, relínquens vobis exémplum, ut sequámini vestígia ejus. Cujus passiónis vestígia prosecútus beatíssimus Stéphanus, confiténdo Christum lapidátus a Judǽis, corónam méruit tamquam suo sibi nómine pósitam. Stéphanus enim Græce, Latíne coróna appellátur. Jam coróna nomen habébat, et ídeo palmam martýrii suo nómine præferébat. Qui cum lapidarétur, non solum non exspectábat de persecutóribus reportáre vindíctam, sed eis pótius a Deo véniam postulábat.

From the Sermons of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo. Christ, the Captain of the Martyrs, hath first suffered for us, leaving us an example that we should follow His steps. And truly, Blessed Stephen followed them, when, having confessed Christ, he was stoned to death by the Jews, and obtained the crown which his name had foreshown. For the meaning of the Greek name Stephanos is a crown. Already he had a crown for his name, a foreshadowing of the martyr's palm which he bears in heaven. Then they stoned him he did not rejoice at the thought that God would take vengeance on his persecutors. On the contrary, he prayed that they might be forgiven.

 

R. Stéphanus / autem plenus grátia et fortitúdine, * Faciébat prodígia et signa magna in pópulo. V. Surrexérunt quidam de synagóga disputántes cum Stéphano: † et non póterant resístere sapiéntiæ, et Spiritui qui loquebátur. R. Faciébat prodígia et signa magna in pópulo. V. Gloria patri... R. Faciebat

R. And Stephen, full of grace and power * Did great wonders and miracles among the people. V. There arose certain of the synagogue, disputing with Stephen; and they were not able to resist the wisdom, and the Spirit which spake. R. Did great wonders and miracles among the people.

NR 177

Nocturn II

Chapter and versicle

Et: Tu in príncipio, Dómine, terram fundásti: * et ópera mánuum tuárum sunt caeli.	And: Thou in the beginning, O Lord, didst found the earth: and the works of thy hands are the heavens.
V. Vidérunt omnes fines terrae, allelúia. R. Salutáre Dei nostri, allelúia.	V. All the ends of the earth have seen. R. The salvation of our God, alleluia.

Collect

Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fecúnda, humáno géneri prǽmia præstitísti: † tribue, quǽsumus; ut ipsam pro nobis intercédere sentiámus, * per quam merúimus auctórem vitæ suscípere, Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.

O God, who, by the fruitful virginity of blessed Mary, hast bestowed upon mankind the reward of eternal salvation: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may experience her intercession, through whom we have been made worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son. Amen.

[OR: For St Stephen, chapter and versicle of a martyr, collect of the feast.]