I. classis

Die Octavæ Nativitatis Domini

Vespera de sequenti; nihil de præcedenti

Ad Vesperas

Incipit

Psalmus 109

O wondrous interchange! * the Creator of mankind, taking upon him a living body, vouchsafed to be born of a pure Virgin: and by his Humanity, which was begotten in no earthly wise, hath made us partakers of his Divinity.

The Lord said to my Lord: * Sit thou at my right hand:

  1. Donec ponam inimícos tuos, * scabéllum pedum tuórum.

    2. Until I make thy enemies * thy footstool.

  2. Virgam virtútis tuæ emíttet Dóminus ex Sion: * domináre in médio inimicórum tuórum.

    3. The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: * rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.

  3. Tecum princípium in die virtútis tuæ in splendóribus sanctórum: * ex útero ante lucíferum génui te.

    4. With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: * from the womb before the day star I begot thee.

  4. Jurávit Dóminus, et non pœnitébit eum: * Tu es sacérdos in ætérnum secúndum órdinem Melchísedech.

    5. The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: * Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.

  5. Dóminus a dextris tuis, * confrégit in die iræ suæ reges.

    6. The Lord at thy right hand * hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.

  6. Judicábit in natiónibus, implébit ruínas: * conquassábit cápita in terra multórum.

    7. He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: * he shall crush the heads in the land of many.

  7. De torrénte in via bibet: * proptérea exaltábit caput.

    8. He shall drink of the torrent in the way: * therefore shall he lift up the head.

  8. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

    9. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  9. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

    10. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

O wondrous interchange! * the Creator of mankind, taking upon him a living body, vouchsafed to be born of a pure Virgin: and by his Humanity, which was begotten in no earthly wise, hath made us partakers of his Divinity.

Psalmus 112

When thou wast born * all ineffably of a Virgin, then were the Scriptures fulfilled; thou camest down like the dew upon the fleece of wool, to bring salvation unto all mankind; we praise thee, O our God.

Praise the Lord, ye children: * praise ye the name of the Lord.

  1. Sit nomen Dómini benedíctum, * ex hoc nunc, et usque in sǽculum.

    2. (bow head) Blessed be the name of the Lord, * from henceforth now and for ever.

  2. A solis ortu usque ad occásum, * laudábile nomen Dómini.

    3. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.

  3. Excélsus super omnes gentes Dóminus, * et super cælos glória ejus.

    4. The Lord is high above all nations; * and his glory above the heavens.

  4. Quis sicut Dóminus, Deus noster, qui in altis hábitat, * et humília réspicit in cælo et in terra?

    5. Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: * and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?

  5. Súscitans a terra ínopem, * et de stércore érigens páuperem:

    6. Raising up the needy from the earth, * and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:

  6. Ut cóllocet eum cum princípibus, * cum princípibus pópuli sui.

    7. That he may place him with princes, * with the princes of his people.

  7. Qui habitáre facit stérilem in domo, * matrem filiórum lætántem.

    8. Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, * the joyful mother of children.

  8. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

    9. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  9. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

    10. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

When thou wast born * all ineffably of a Virgin, then were the Scriptures fulfilled; thou camest down like the dew upon the fleece of wool, to bring salvation unto all mankind; we praise thee, O our God.

Psalmus 121

In the bush which Moses saw * unconsumed, we recognize the preservation of thy glorious virginity: holy Mother of God, intercede for us.

I rejoiced at the things that were said to me: * We shall go into the house of the Lord.

  1. Stantes erant pedes nostri, * in átriis tuis, Jerúsalem.

    2. Our feet were standing * in thy courts, O Jerusalem.

  2. Jerúsalem, quæ ædificátur ut cívitas: * cujus participátio ejus in idípsum.

    3. Jerusalem, which is built as a city, * which is compact together.

  3. Illuc enim ascendérunt tribus, tribus Dómini: * testimónium Israël ad confiténdum nómini Dómini.

    4. For thither did the tribes go up, the tribes of the Lord: * the testimony of Israel, to praise the name of the Lord.

  4. Quia illic sedérunt sedes in judício, * sedes super domum David.

    5. Because their seats have sat in judgment, * seats upon the house of David.

  5. Rogáte quæ ad pacem sunt Jerúsalem: * et abundántia diligéntibus te:

    6. Pray ye for the things that are for the peace of Jerusalem: * and abundance for them that love thee.

  6. Fiat pax in virtúte tua: * et abundántia in túrribus tuis.

    7. Let peace be in thy strength: * and abundance in thy towers.

  7. Propter fratres meos, et próximos meos, * loquébar pacem de te:

    8. For the sake of my brethren, and of my neighbours, * I spoke peace of thee.

  8. Propter domum Dómini, Dei nostri, * quæsívi bona tibi.

    9. Because of the house of the Lord our God, * I have sought good things for thee.

  9. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

    10. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  10. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

    11. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

In the bush which Moses saw * unconsumed, we recognize the preservation of thy glorious virginity: holy Mother of God, intercede for us.

Psalmus 126

The Root of Jesse hath budded, * the Star hath come out of Jacob, the Virgin hath borne the Saviour: we praise thee, O our God.

Unless the Lord build the house, * they labour in vain that build it.

  1. Nisi Dóminus custodíerit civitátem, * frustra vígilat qui custódit eam.

    2. Unless the Lord keep the city, * he watcheth in vain that keepeth it.

  2. Vanum est vobis ante lucem súrgere: * súrgite postquam sedéritis, qui manducátis panem dolóris.

    3. It is vain for you to rise before light, * rise ye after you have sitten, you that eat the bread of sorrow.

  3. Cum déderit diléctis suis somnum: * ecce heréditas Dómini fílii: merces, fructus ventris.

    4. When he shall give sleep to his beloved, * behold the inheritance of the Lord are children: the reward, the fruit of the womb.

  4. Sicut sagíttæ in manu poténtis: * ita fílii excussórum.

    5. As arrows in the hand of the mighty, * so the children of them that have been shaken.

  5. Beátus vir qui implévit desidérium suum ex ipsis: * non confundétur cum loquétur inimícis suis in porta.

    6. Blessed is the man that hath filled the desire with them; * he shall not be confounded when he shall speak to his enemies in the gate.

  6. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

    7. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  7. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

    8. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Root of Jesse hath budded, * the Star hath come out of Jacob, the Virgin hath borne the Saviour: we praise thee, O our God.

Psalmus 147

Lo, Mary hath brought forth * the Saviour of whom when John saw him, he did proclaim: Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, alleluia.

Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: * praise thy God, O Sion.

  1. Quóniam confortávit seras portárum tuárum: * benedíxit fíliis tuis in te.

    2. Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates * he hath blessed thy children within thee.

  2. Qui pósuit fines tuos pacem: * et ádipe fruménti sátiat te.

    3. Who hath placed peace in thy borders: * and filleth thee with the fat of corn.

  3. Qui emíttit elóquium suum terræ: * velóciter currit sermo ejus.

    4. Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: * his word runneth swiftly.

  4. Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: * nébulam sicut cínerem spargit.

    5. Who giveth snow like wool: * scattereth mists like ashes.

  5. Mittit crystállum suam sicut buccéllas: * ante fáciem frígoris ejus quis sustinébit?

    6. He sendeth his crystal like morsels: * who shall stand before the face of his cold?

  6. Emíttet verbum suum, et liquefáciet ea: * flabit spíritus ejus, et fluent aquæ.

    7. He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.

  7. Qui annúntiat verbum suum Jacob: * justítias, et judícia sua Israël.

    8. Who declareth his word to Jacob: * his justices and his judgments to Israel.

  8. Non fecit táliter omni natióni: * et judícia sua non manifestávit eis.

    9. He hath not done in like manner to every nation: * and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them.

  9. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

    10. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  10. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

    11. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Lo, Mary hath brought forth * the Saviour of whom when John saw him, he did proclaim: Behold the Lamb of God that taketh away the sins of the world, alleluia.

Capitulum Responsorium Versus

Titus 2:11-12

Appáruit grátia Dei Salvatóris nostri ómnibus homínibus, † erúdiens nos, ut abnegántes impietátem, et sæculária desidéria, * sóbrie, et iuste, et pie vivámus in hoc sǽculo.

The grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world.


Hymnus

1. Jesus, the Ransomer of man, Who, ere created light began, Didst from the sovereign Father spring, His power and glory equalling. 2. The Father’s Light and Splendor Thou, Their endless hope to Thee that bow; Accept the prayers and praise to-day That through the world Thy servants pay. 3. Salvation’s Author, call to mind How, taking form of humankind, Born of a Virgin undefiled, Thou in man’s flesh becam’st a Child. 4. Thus testifies the present day, Through every year in long array, That Thou, salvation’s source alone, Proceedest from the Father’s throne. 5. The heavens above, the rolling main And all that earth’s wide realms contain, With joyous voice now loudly sing The glory of their new-born King. 6. 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. 7. O Lord, the Virgin-born, to Thee Eternal praise and glory be, Whom with the Father we adore And Holy Ghost forevermore. Amen.

Versus


Canticum: Canticum B. Mariæ Virginis

1. My soul + * doth magnify the Lord. 2. And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour.

  1. Quia respéxit humilitátem ancíllæ suæ: * ecce enim ex hoc beátam me dicent omnes generatiónes.

    2. Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.

  2. Quia fecit mihi magna qui potens est: * et sanctum nomen ejus.

    3. Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is his name.

  3. Et misericórdia ejus a progénie in progénies * timéntibus eum.

    4. And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him.

  4. Fecit poténtiam in bráchio suo: * dispérsit supérbos mente cordis sui.

    5. He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.

  5. Depósuit poténtes de sede, * et exaltávit húmiles.

    6. He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble.

  6. Esuriéntes implévit bonis: * et dívites dimísit inánes.

    7. He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.

  7. Suscépit Israël púerum suum, * recordátus misericórdiæ suæ.

    8. He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy:

  8. Sicut locútus est ad patres nostros, * Abraham et sémini ejus in sǽcula.

    9. As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

  9. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

    10. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  10. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

    11. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Oratio

Orémus.

Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fecúnda, humáno géneri prǽmia præstitísti: † tríbue, 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 the Blessed Mary, hast given unto mankind the rewards of everlasting life; grant, we beseech thee, that we may continually feel the might of her intercession, through whom we have worthily received the Author of our life, our Lord Jesus Christ, thy Son:
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.

Conclusio