II. classis

Commemoratio Baptismatis Domini Nostri Jesu Christi

Tempora: Feria III infra Hebdomadam I post Epiphaniam

Ad Matutinum

Incipit

Invitatorium

Christ appeared to us, * O come, let us worship Him.

Hymnus

1. Why, impious Herod, vainly fear That Christ the Saviour cometh here? He takes no earthly realms away Who gives the crown that lasts for aye. 2. To greet His birth the Wise Men went, Led by the star before them sent; Called on by light, towards light they pressed, And by their gifts their God confessed. 3. In holy Jordan's purest wave The heavenly Lamb vouchsafed to lave; That He, to whom was sin unknown, Might cleanse His people from their own. 4. New miracle of power divine! The water reddens into wine: He spake the word: and poured the wave In other streams than nature gave. 5. All glory, Lord, to thee we pay For thine Epiphany to-day: All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

Nocturnus I

Psalmus 28

Give unto the Lord, O ye sons of God, * worship the Lord in His holy courts.

Bring to the Lord, O ye children of God: * bring to the Lord the offspring of rams.

  1. Afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem, afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.

    2. Bring to the Lord glory and honour: bring to the Lord glory to his name: * adore ye the Lord in his holy court.

  2. Vox Dómini super aquas, Deus majestátis intónuit: * Dóminus super aquas multas.

    3. The voice of the Lord is upon the waters; the God of majesty hath thundered, * The Lord is upon many waters.

  3. Vox Dómini in virtúte: * vox Dómini in magnificéntia.

    4. The voice of the Lord is in power; * the voice of the Lord in magnificence.

  4. Vox Dómini confringéntis cedros: * et confrínget Dóminus cedros Líbani.

    5. The voice of the Lord breaketh the cedars: * yea, the Lord shall break the cedars of Libanus.

  5. Et commínuet eas tamquam vítulum Líbani: * et diléctus quemádmodum fílius unicórnium.

    6. And shall reduce them to pieces, as a calf of Libanus, * and as the beloved son of unicorns.

  6. Vox Dómini intercidéntis flammam ignis: * vox Dómini concutiéntis desértum: et commovébit Dóminus desértum Cades.

    7. The voice of the Lord divideth the flame of fire: * The voice of the Lord shaketh the desert: and the Lord shall shake the desert of Cades.

  7. Vox Dómini præparántis cervos, et revelábit condénsa: * et in templo ejus omnes dicent glóriam.

    8. The voice of the Lord prepareth the stags: and he will discover the thick woods: * and in his temple all shall speak his glory.

  8. Dóminus dilúvium inhabitáre facit: * et sedébit Dóminus Rex in ætérnum.

    9. The Lord maketh the flood to dwell: * and the Lord shall sit king for ever.

  9. Dóminus virtútem pópulo suo dabit: * Dóminus benedícet pópulo suo in pace.

    10. The Lord will give strength to his people: * the Lord will bless his people with peace.

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

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

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

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

Give unto the Lord, O ye sons of God, * worship the Lord in His holy courts.

Psalmus 45

It is a river, the streams whereof make glad, * alleluia, the city of God, alleluia.

Our God is our refuge and strength: * a helper in troubles, which have found us exceedingly.

  1. Proptérea non timébimus dum turbábitur terra: * et transferéntur montes in cor maris.

    2. Therefore we will not fear, when the earth shall be troubled; * and the mountains shall be removed into the heart of the sea.

  2. Sonuérunt, et turbátæ sunt aquæ eórum: * conturbáti sunt montes in fortitúdine ejus.

    3. Their waters roared and were troubled: * the mountains were troubled with his strength.

  3. Flúminis ímpetus lætíficat civitátem Dei: * sanctificávit tabernáculum suum Altíssimus.

    4. The stream of the river maketh the city of God joyful: * the most High hath sanctified his own tabernacle.

  4. Deus in médio ejus, non commovébitur: * adjuvábit eam Deus mane dilúculo.

    5. God is in the midst thereof, it shall not be moved: * God will help it in the morning early.

  5. Conturbátæ sunt Gentes, et inclináta sunt regna: * dedit vocem suam, mota est terra.

    6. Nations were troubled, and kingdoms were bowed down: * he uttered his voice, the earth trembled.

  6. Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

    7. The Lord of armies is with us: * the God of Jacob is our protector.

  7. Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dómini, † quæ pósuit prodígia super terram: * áuferens bella usque ad finem terræ.

    8. Come and behold ye the works of the Lord: what wonders he hath done upon earth, * making wars to cease even to the end of the earth.

  8. Arcum cónteret, et confrínget arma: * et scuta combúret igni.

    9. He shall destroy the bow, and break the weapons: * and the shield he shall burn in the fire.

  9. Vacáte, et vidéte quóniam ego sum Deus: * exaltábor in Géntibus, et exaltábor in terra.

    10. Be still and see that I am God; * I will be exalted among the nations, and I will be exalted in the earth.

  10. Dóminus virtútum nobíscum: * suscéptor noster Deus Jacob.

    11. The Lord of armies is with us: * the God of Jacob is our protector.

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

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

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

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

It is a river, the streams whereof make glad, * alleluia, the city of God, alleluia.

Psalmus 46

Sing praises to our God, sing praises * sing praises unto our King, sing ye praises with understanding.

O clap your hands, all ye nations: * shout unto God with the voice of joy,

  1. Quóniam Dóminus excélsus, terríbilis: * Rex magnus super omnem terram.

    2. For the Lord is high, terrible: * a great king over all the earth.

  2. Subjécit pópulos nobis: * et Gentes sub pédibus nostris.

    3. He hath subdued the people under us; * and the nations under our feet.

  3. Elégit nobis hereditátem suam: * spéciem Jacob, quam diléxit.

    4. He hath chosen for us his inheritance, * the beauty of Jacob which he hath loved.

  4. Ascéndit Deus in júbilo: * et Dóminus in voce tubæ.

    5. God is ascended with jubilee, * and the Lord with the sound of trumpet.

  5. Psállite Deo nostro, psállite: * psállite Regi nostro, psállite.

    6. Sing praises to our God, sing ye: * sing praises to our king, sing ye.

  6. Quóniam Rex omnis terræ Deus: * psállite sapiénter.

    7. For God is the king of all the earth: * sing ye wisely.

  7. Regnábit Deus super Gentes: * Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.

    8. God shall reign over the nations: * God sitteth on his holy throne.

  8. Príncipes populórum congregáti sunt cum Deo Abraham: * quóniam dii fortes terræ veheménter eleváti sunt.

    9. The princes of the people are gathered together, with the God of Abraham: * for the strong gods of the earth are exceedingly exalted.

  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.

Sing praises to our God, sing praises * sing praises unto our King, sing ye praises with understanding.

Versus

Pater

Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum: advéniat regnum tuum: fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra. Panem nostrum cotidiánum da nobis hódie: et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris:


℣. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:
℟. Sed líbera nos a malo.

Absolutio. Exáudi, Dómine Iesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis: Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Benedictio:

Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.

Lectio 1
De Epístola prima ad Corínthios
1 Cor 5:1-5

Omníno audítur inter vos fornicátio, et talis fornicátio qualis nec inter gentes, ita ut uxórem patris sui áliquis hábeat. Et vos infláti estis: et non magis luctum habuístis, ut tollátur de médio vestrum qui hoc opus fecit. Ego quidem absens córpore, præsens autem spíritu, iam iudicávi ut præsens, eum, qui sic operátus est, In nómine Dómini nostri Iesu Christi, congregátis vobis et meo spíritu, cum virtúte Dómini nostri Iesu, Trádere huiúsmodi sátanæ in intéritum carnis, ut spíritus salvus sit in die Dómini nostri Iesu Christi.

It is absolutely heard, that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as the like is not among the heathens; that one should have his father's wife. And you are puffed up; and have not rather mourned, that he might be taken away from among you, that hath done this deed. I indeed, absent in body, but present in spirit, have already judged, as though I were present, him that hath so done, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, you being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus; To deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Benedictio:

Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adiuváre dignétur.

Lectio 2
1 Cor 5:6-8

Non est bona gloriátio vestra. Nescítis, quia módicum ferméntum totam massam corrúmpit? Expurgáte vetus ferméntum, ut sitis nova conspérsio, sicut estis ázymi. Etenim Pascha nostrum immolátus est Christus. Itaque epulémur: non in ferménto véteri, neque in ferménto malítiæ, et nequítiæ: sed in ázymis sinceritátis et veritátis.

Your glorying is not good. Know you not that a little leaven corrupteth the whole lump? Purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new paste, as you are unleavened. For Christ our pasch is sacrificed. Therefore let us feast, not with the old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.

Benedictio:

Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.

Lectio 3
1 Cor 5:9-11

Scripsi vobis in epístola: Ne commisceámini fornicáriis. Non útique fornicáriis huius mundi, aut aváris, aut rapácibus, aut idólis serviéntibus: alióquin debuerátis de hoc mundo exiísse. Nunc autem scripsi vobis non commiscéri: si is, qui frater nominátur, est fornicátor, aut avárus, aut idólis sérviens, aut malédicus, aut ebriósus, aut rapax: cum huiúsmodi nec cibum súmere.

I wrote to you in an epistle, not to keep company with fornicators. I mean not with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or the extortioners, or the servers of idols; otherwise you must needs go out of this world. But now I have written to you, not to keep company, if any man that is named a brother, be a fornicator, or covetous, or a server of idols, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner: with such a one, not so much as to eat.

Nocturnus II

Psalmus 65

Let all the earth worship thee, and sing unto thee * let them sing praises to thy name, O Lord.

Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to his name; * give glory to his praise.

  1. Dícite Deo: Quam terribília sunt ópera tua, Dómine! * in multitúdine virtútis tuæ mentiéntur tibi inimíci tui.

    2. Say unto God, How terrible are thy works, O Lord! * in the multitude of thy strength thy enemies shall lie to thee.

  2. Omnis terra adóret te, et psallat tibi: * psalmum dicat nómini tuo.

    3. Let all the earth adore thee, * and sing to thee: let it sing a psalm to thy name.

  3. Veníte, et vidéte ópera Dei: * terríbilis in consíliis super fílios hóminum.

    4. Come and see the works of God; * who is terrible in his counsels over the sons of men.

  4. Qui convértit mare in áridam, in flúmine pertransíbunt pede: * ibi lætábimur in ipso.

    5. Who turneth the sea into dry land, in the river they shall pass on foot: * there shall we rejoice in him.

  5. Qui dominátur in virtúte sua in ætérnum, óculi ejus super Gentes respíciunt: * qui exásperant non exalténtur in semetípsis.

    6. Who by his power ruleth for ever: his eyes behold the nations; * let not them that provoke him be exalted in themselves.

  6. Benedícite, Gentes, Deum nostrum: * et audítam fácite vocem laudis ejus,

    7. O bless our God, ye Gentiles: * and make the voice of his praise to be heard.

  7. Qui pósuit ánimam meam ad vitam: * et non dedit in commotiónem pedes meos.

    8. Who hath set my soul to live: * and hath not suffered my feet to be moved:

  8. Quóniam probásti nos, Deus: * igne nos examinásti, sicut examinátur argéntum.

    9. For thou, O God, hast proved us: * thou hast tried us by fire, as silver is tried.

  9. Induxísti nos in láqueum, posuísti tribulatiónes in dorso nostro: * imposuísti hómines super cápita nostra.

    10. Thou hast brought us into a net, thou hast laid afflictions on our back: * thou hast set men over our heads.

  10. Transívimus per ignem et aquam: * et eduxísti nos in refrigérium.

    11. We have passed through fire and water, * and thou hast brought us out into a refreshment.

  11. Introíbo in domum tuam in holocáustis: * reddam tibi vota mea, quæ distinxérunt lábia mea.

    12. I will go into thy house with burnt offerings: * I will pay thee my vows, which my lips have uttered,

  12. Et locútum est os meum, * in tribulatióne mea.

    13. And my mouth hath spoken, * when I was in trouble.

  13. Holocáusta medulláta ófferam tibi cum incénso aríetum: * ófferam tibi boves cum hircis.

    14. I will offer up to thee holocausts full of marrow, with burnt offerings of rams: * I will offer to thee bullocks with goats.

  14. Veníte, audíte, et narrábo, omnes, qui timétis Deum: * quanta fecit ánimæ meæ.

    15. Come and hear, all ye that fear God, * and I will tell you what great things he hath done for my soul.

  15. Ad ipsum ore meo clamávi, * et exaltávi sub lingua mea.

    16. I cried to him with my mouth: * and I extolled him with my tongue.

  16. Iniquitátem si aspéxi in corde meo, * non exáudiet Dóminus.

    17. If I have looked at iniquity in my heart, * the Lord will not hear me.

  17. Proptérea exaudívit Deus, * et atténdit voci deprecatiónis meæ.

    18. Therefore hath God heard me, * and hath attended to the voice of my supplication.

  18. Benedíctus Deus, * qui non amóvit oratiónem meam, et misericórdiam suam a me.

    19. Blessed be God, * who hath not turned away my prayer, nor his mercy from me.

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

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

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

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

Let all the earth worship thee, and sing unto thee * let them sing praises to thy name, O Lord.

Psalmus 71

The kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents * unto the Lord the King.

Give to the king thy judgment, O God: * and to the king’s son thy justice:

  1. Judicáre pópulum tuum in justítia, * et páuperes tuos in judício.

    2. To judge thy people with justice, * and thy poor with judgment.

  2. Suscípiant montes pacem pópulo: * et colles justítiam.

    3. Let the mountains receive peace for the people: * and the hills justice.

  3. Judicábit páuperes pópuli, et salvos fáciet fílios páuperum: * et humiliábit calumniatórem.

    4. He shall judge the poor of the people, and he shall save the children of the poor: * and he shall humble the oppressor.

  4. Et permanébit cum sole, et ante lunam, * in generatióne et generatiónem.

    5. And he shall continue with the sun, and before the moon, * throughout all generations.

  5. Descéndet sicut plúvia in vellus: * et sicut stillicídia stillántia super terram.

    6. He shall come down like rain upon the fleece; * and as showers falling gently upon the earth.

  6. Oriétur in diébus ejus justítia, et abundántia pacis: * donec auferátur luna.

    7. In his days shall justice spring up, and abundance of peace, * till the moon be taken away.

  7. Et dominábitur a mari usque ad mare: * et a flúmine usque ad términos orbis terrárum.

    8. And he shall rule from sea to sea, * and from the river unto the ends of the earth.

  8. Coram illo prócident Æthíopes: * et inimíci ejus terram lingent.

    9. Before him the Ethiopians shall fall down: * and his enemies shall lick the ground.

  9. Reges Tharsis, et ínsulæ múnera ófferent: * reges Arabum et Saba dona addúcent.

    10. The kings of Tharsis and the islands shall offer presents: * the kings of the Arabians and of Saba shall bring gifts:

  10. Et adorábunt eum omnes reges terræ: * omnes Gentes sérvient ei:

    11. And all kings of the earth shall adore him: * all nations shall serve him.

  11. Quia liberábit páuperem a poténte: * et páuperem, cui non erat adjútor.

    12. For he shall deliver the poor from the mighty: * and the needy that had no helper.

  12. Parcet páuperi et ínopi: * et ánimas páuperum salvas fáciet.

    13. He shall spare the poor and needy: * and he shall save the souls of the poor.

  13. Ex usúris et iniquitáte rédimet ánimas eórum: * et honorábile nomen eórum coram illo.

    14. He shall redeem their souls from usuries and iniquity: * and their names shall be honourable in his sight.

  14. Et vivet, et dábitur ei de auro Arábiæ, † et adorábunt de ipso semper: * tota die benedícent ei.

    15. And he shall live, and to him shall be given of the gold of Arabia, for him they shall always adore: * they shall bless him all the day.

  15. Et erit firmaméntum in terra in summis móntium, † superextollétur super Líbanum fructus ejus: * et florébunt de civitáte sicut fenum terræ.

    16. And there shall be a firmament on the earth on the tops of mountains, above Libanus shall the fruit thereof be exalted: * and they of the city shall flourish like the grass of the earth.

  16. Sit nomen ejus benedíctum in sǽcula: * ante solem pérmanet nomen ejus.

    17. Let his name be blessed for evermore: * his name continueth before the sun.

  17. Et benedicéntur in ipso omnes tribus terræ: * omnes Gentes magnificábunt eum.

    18. And in him shall all the tribes of the earth be blessed: * all nations shall magnify him.

  18. Benedíctus Dóminus, Deus Israël, * qui facit mirabília solus.

    19. Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel, * who alone doth wonderful things.

  19. Et benedíctum nomen majestátis ejus in ætérnum: * et replébitur majestáte ejus omnis terra: fiat, fiat.

    20. And blessed be the name of his majesty for ever: * and the whole earth shall be filled with his majesty. So be it. So be it.

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

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

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

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

The kings of Tarshish and the isles shall bring presents * unto the Lord the King.

Psalmus 85

All nations whom Thou hast made shall come * and worship before thee, O Lord.

Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me: * for I am needy and poor.

  1. Custódi ánimam meam, quóniam sanctus sum: * salvum fac servum tuum, Deus meus, sperántem in te.

    2. Preserve my soul, for I am holy: * save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.

  2. Miserére mei, Dómine, quóniam ad te clamávi tota die: † lætífica ánimam servi tui, * quóniam ad te, Dómine, ánimam meam levávi.

    3. Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to thee all the day. * Give joy to the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.

  3. Quóniam tu, Dómine, suávis et mitis: * et multæ misericórdiæ ómnibus invocántibus te.

    4. For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild: * and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee.

  4. Auribus pércipe, Dómine, oratiónem meam: * et inténde voci deprecatiónis meæ.

    5. Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer: * and attend to the voice of my petition.

  5. In die tribulatiónis meæ clamávi ad te: * quia exaudísti me.

    6. I have called upon thee in the day of my trouble: * because thou hast heard me.

  6. Non est símilis tui in diis, Dómine: * et non est secúndum ópera tua.

    7. There is none among the gods like unto thee, O Lord: * and there is none according to thy works.

  7. Omnes gentes quascúmque fecísti, vénient, et adorábunt coram te, Dómine: * et glorificábunt nomen tuum.

    8. All the nations thou hast made shall come and adore before thee, O Lord: * and they shall glorify thy name.

  8. Quóniam magnus es tu, et fáciens mirabília: * tu es Deus solus.

    9. For thou art great and dost wonderful things: * thou art God alone.

  9. Deduc me, Dómine, in via tua, † et ingrédiar in veritáte tua: * lætétur cor meum ut tímeat nomen tuum.

    10. Conduct me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth: * let my heart rejoice that it may fear thy name.

  10. Confitébor tibi, Dómine, Deus meus, in toto corde meo, * et glorificábo nomen tuum in ætérnum.

    11. I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, * and I will glorify thy name for ever:

  11. Quia misericórdia tua magna est super me: * et eruísti ánimam meam ex inférno inferióri.

    12. For thy mercy is great towards me: * and thou hast delivered my soul out of the lower hell.

  12. Deus iníqui insurrexérunt super me, † et synagóga poténtium quæsiérunt ánimam meam: * et non proposuérunt te in conspéctu suo.

    13. O God, the wicked are risen up against me, and the assembly of the mighty have sought my soul: * and they have not set thee before their eyes.

  13. Et tu, Dómine, Deus miserátor et miséricors, * pátiens, et multæ misericórdiæ, et verax.

    14. And thou, O Lord, art a God of compassion, and merciful, * patient, and of much mercy, and true.

  14. Réspice in me, et miserére mei, † da impérium tuum púero tuo: * et salvum fac fílium ancíllæ tuæ.

    15. O look upon me, and have mercy on me: * give thy command to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid.

  15. Fac mecum signum in bonum, † ut vídeant qui odérunt me, et confundántur: * quóniam tu, Dómine, adjuvísti me, et consolátus es me.

    16. Shew me a token for good: that they who hate me may see, and be confounded, * because thou, O Lord, hast helped me and hast comforted me.

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

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

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

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

All nations whom Thou hast made shall come * and worship before thee, O Lord.

Versus

Pater

Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum: advéniat regnum tuum: fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra. Panem nostrum cotidiánum da nobis hódie: et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris:


℣. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:
℟. Sed líbera nos a malo.

Absolutio. Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádiuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Benedictio:

Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.

Lectio 4
Sermo sancti Gregórii Nazianzéni
Oratio in sancta Lumina

Non possum cohibére lætítiæ voluptátem, sed mente extóllor, et affícior: et própriæ pusillitátis oblítus, offícium magni Ioánnis, immo pótius famulátum subíre conténdo, ac géstio: et licet non sim præcúrsor, de erémo tamen vénio. Christus ergo illuminátur, immo pótius fulgóre suo nos illúminat: Christus baptizátur, simul et nos descendámus, ut cum ipso páriter ascendámus.

I am not able to restrain the outbursts of my happiness. I feel changed and elated. I forget my own meanness while I undertake and try to discharge the office of the great John. It is true that I am not the Forerunner, but at least I come from the desert. Christ is enlightened, or rather, He enlighteneth us with His own light. Christ is baptized; let us go down with Him into the water, that we may come up with Him.

Benedictio:

Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.

Lectio 5

Ioánnes baptízat, et accédit Iesus, sanctíficans quidem et ipsum, qui baptízat, præcípue tamen ut et véterem Adam sepéliat in aquis, et ante ómnia, ut per hæc sanctificéntur aquæ Iordánis: ut sicut erat spíritus et caro, ita et his, qui baptizándi erant, in spíritu et aqua sanctificatiónis succéssio traderétur. Non súscipit Baptísta, conténdit Iesus. Ego, inquit, opus hábeo a te baptizári. Lucérna dicit ad Solem, et vox lóquitur ad Verbum.

John is baptizing. Jesus cometh. He cometh that He may make holy him who baptizeth Him; He cometh to bury the old Adam in the waters; He cometh to hallow the blessed flood of Jordan. He Who is Flesh and Spirit cometh to open for all that should ever be baptized that power of generation whereby new peoples are constantly begotten of water and the Holy Ghost. The Baptist will not receive Him. Jesus striveth with him. I, saith John, have need to be baptized of thee. Thus speaketh the candle to the Sun, the voice to the Word.

Benedictio:

Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.

Lectio 6

Ascéndit Iesus de aqua, secum quodámmodo demérsum edúcens et élevans mundum: et vidit non dívidi cælum, sed aperíri, quod sibi ac nobis post se aliquándo Adam ille conclúserat; sicut et ígneo gládio paradísus fúerat conclúsus. Spíritus Sanctus testimónium pérhibet: simília namque sibi ipsa concúrrunt. De cælo testimónium defértur: inde enim erat ille, cui testimónium perhibétur.

Jesus came up out of the water, having, in a manner, washed the whole world, and brought it up with Him. And He saw the heavens opened not divided, even those heavens which Adam had once shut upon himself and us his descendants, when the cherub's fiery sword barred the gates of Paradise. And the Holy Spirit bare witness, witness unto Him Who is of One Substance with Himself. And witness was given from Heaven, unto Him that came down from heaven.

Nocturnus III

Psalmus 86

This man was born in her, * and the Highest Himself hath established her.

The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains: * The Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.

  1. Gloriósa dicta sunt de te, * cívitas Dei.

    2. Glorious things are said of thee, * O city of God.

  2. Memor ero Rahab, et Babylónis * sciéntium me.

    3. I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.

  3. Ecce alienígenæ, et Tyrus, et pópulus Æthíopum, * hi fuérunt illic.

    4. Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, * these were there.

  4. Numquid Sion dicet: † Homo, et homo natus est in ea: * et ipse fundávit eam Altíssimus?

    5. Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? * and the Highest himself hath founded her.

  5. Dóminus narrábit in scriptúris populórum, et príncipum: * horum, qui fuérunt in ea.

    6. The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, * of them that have been in her.

  6. Sicut lætántium ómnium: * habitátio est in te.

    7. The dwelling in thee * is as it were of all rejoicing.

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

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

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

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

This man was born in her, * and the Highest Himself hath established her.

Psalmus 95

O worship the Lord, * alleluia, in His holy temple, alleluia.

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * sing to the Lord, all the earth.

  1. Cantáte Dómino, et benedícite nómini ejus: * annuntiáte de die in diem salutáre ejus.

    2. Sing ye to the Lord and bless his name: * shew forth his salvation from day to day.

  2. Annuntiáte inter gentes glóriam ejus, * in ómnibus pópulis mirabília ejus.

    3. Declare his glory among the Gentiles: * his wonders among all people.

  3. Quóniam magnus Dóminus, et laudábilis nimis: * terríbilis est super omnes deos.

    4. For the Lord is great, and exceedingly to be praised: * he is to be feared above all gods.

  4. Quóniam omnes dii Géntium dæmónia: * Dóminus autem cælos fecit.

    5. For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: * but the Lord made the heavens.

  5. Conféssio, et pulchritúdo in conspéctu ejus: * sanctimónia et magnificéntia in sanctificatióne ejus.

    6. Praise and beauty are before him: * holiness and majesty in his sanctuary.

  6. Afférte Dómino, pátriæ Géntium, † afférte Dómino glóriam et honórem: * afférte Dómino glóriam nómini ejus.

    7. Bring ye to the Lord, O ye kindreds of the Gentiles, bring ye to the Lord glory and honour: * bring to the Lord glory unto his name.

  7. Tóllite hóstias, et introíte in átria ejus: * adoráte Dóminum in átrio sancto ejus.

    8. Bring up sacrifices, and come into his courts: * adore ye the Lord in his holy court.

  8. Commoveátur a fácie ejus univérsa terra: * dícite in Géntibus quia Dóminus regnávit.

    9. Let all the earth be moved at his presence. * Say ye among the Gentiles, the Lord hath reigned.

  9. Etenim corréxit orbem terræ qui non commovébitur: * judicábit pópulos in æquitáte.

    10. For he hath corrected the world, which shall not be moved: * he will judge the people with justice.

  10. Læténtur cæli, et exsúltet terra: † commoveátur mare et plenitúdo ejus: * gaudébunt campi, et ómnia quæ in eis sunt.

    11. Let the heavens rejoice, and let the earth be glad, let the sea be moved, and the fulness thereof: * the fields and all things that are in them shall be joyful.

  11. Tunc exsultábunt ómnia ligna silvárum a fácie Dómini, quia venit: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.

    12. Then shall all the trees of the woods rejoice before the face of the Lord, because he cometh: * because he cometh to judge the earth.

  12. Judicábit orbem terræ in æquitáte, * et pópulos in veritáte sua.

    13. He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with his truth.

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

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

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

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

O worship the Lord, * alleluia, in His holy temple, alleluia.

Psalmus 96

Worship God, * alleluia, all ye His Angels, alleluia.

The Lord hath reigned, let the earth rejoice: * let many islands be glad.

  1. Nubes, et calígo in circúitu ejus: * justítia, et judícium corréctio sedis ejus.

    2. Clouds and darkness are round about him: * justice and judgment are the establishment of his throne.

  2. Ignis ante ipsum præcédet: * et inflammábit in circúitu inimícos ejus.

    3. A fire shall go before him, * and shall burn his enemies round about.

  3. Illuxérunt fúlgura ejus orbi terræ: * vidit et commóta est terra.

    4. His lightnings have shone forth to the world: * the earth saw and trembled.

  4. Montes, sicut cera fluxérunt a fácie Dómini: * a fácie Dómini omnis terra.

    5. The mountains melted like wax, at the presence of the Lord: * at the presence of the Lord of all the earth.

  5. Annuntiavérunt cæli justítiam ejus: * et vidérunt omnes pópuli glóriam ejus.

    6. The heavens declared his justice: * and all people saw his glory.

  6. Confundántur omnes, qui adórant sculptília: * et qui gloriántur in simulácris suis.

    7. Let them be all confounded that adore graven things, * and that glory in their idols.

  7. Adoráte eum, omnes Angeli ejus: * audívit, et lætáta est Sion.

    8. Adore him, all you his angels: * Sion heard, and was glad.

  8. Et exsultavérunt fíliæ Judæ: * propter judícia tua, Dómine:

    9. And the daughters of Juda rejoiced, * because of thy judgments, O Lord.

  9. Quóniam tu Dóminus Altíssimus super omnem terram: * nimis exaltátus es super omnes deos.

    10. For thou art the most high Lord over all the earth: * thou art exalted exceedingly above all gods.

  10. Qui dilígitis Dóminum, odíte malum: * custódit Dóminus ánimas sanctórum suórum, de manu peccatóris liberábit eos.

    11. You that love the Lord, hate evil: * the Lord preserveth the souls of his saints, he will deliver them out of the hand of the sinner.

  11. Lux orta est justo, * et rectis corde lætítia.

    12. Light is risen to the just, * and joy to the right of heart.

  12. Lætámini, justi in Dómino: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctificatiónis ejus.

    13. Rejoice, ye just, in the Lord: * and give praise to the remembrance of his holiness.

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

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

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

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

Worship God, * alleluia, all ye His Angels, alleluia.

Versus

Pater

Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum: advéniat regnum tuum: fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra. Panem nostrum cotidiánum da nobis hódie: et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris:


℣. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:
℟. Sed líbera nos a malo.

Absolutio. A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.
℟. Amen.
Benedictio:

Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.

Lectio 7
Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Ioánnem
Ioannes 1:29-34

In illo témpore: Vidit Ioánnes Iesum veniéntem ad se, et ait: Ecce Agnus Dei, ecce qui tollit peccátum mundi. Et réliqua.

At that time, John saw Jesus coming to him, and he saith: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who taketh away the sin of the world. And so on.

Homilía sancti Augustíni Epíscopi
Tract. 6 in Ioann., ante med.

Antequam veníret Dóminus ut baptizarétur a Ioánne in Iordáne, nóverat eum illis vócibus, ubi ait: Tu ad me venis baptizári? ego a te débeo baptizári. Sed ecce Dóminum nóverat, nóverat Fílium Dei. Unde probámus quod iam nóverat, quia ipse baptizáret in Spíritu Sancto? Antequam veníret ad flúvium, cum multi ad Ioánnem cúrrerent baptizári, ait illis: Ego quidem baptízo vos in aqua: qui autem post me venit, maior me est: cuius non sum dignus corrígiam calceaménti sólvere: ipse vos baptizábit in Spíritu Sancto, et igni. Iam et hoc nóverat.

John knew Jesus even before He came to be baptized of him in Jordan, as we perceive by the words I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest Thou to me? Behold, how he knew that He was the Lord, how he knew that He was the Son of God! How do we prove that he knew that He it was Who should baptize with the Holy Ghost? Before the Lord came to the river, when many betook themselves to John to be baptized of him, the Baptist said I indeed baptize you with water but One Mightier than I cometh; the latchet of Whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose He shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire. (Luke iii. 16.) Behold, John knew this also.

Benedictio:

Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.

Lectio 8

Quid ergo per colúmbam dídicit, ne mendax póstea inveniátur, (quod avértat a nobis Deus opinári) nisi quamdam proprietátem in Christo talem futúram, ut quamvis multi minístri baptizatúri essent, sive iusti, sive iniústi, non tribuerétur sánctitas baptísmi nisi illi, super quem descéndit colúmba, de quo dictum est: Hic est qui baptízat in Spíritu Sancto? Petrus baptízet, hic est qui baptízat: Paulus baptízet, hic est qui baptízat: Iudas baptízet, hic est qui baptízat. Nam si pro diversitáte meritórum baptísma sanctum est: quia divérsa sunt mérita, divérsa erunt baptísmata: et tanto quisque áliquid mélius putátur accípere, quanto a melióre vidétur accepísse.

Yet John saith: I knew Him Now, how are we to explain this without calling John a liar? and God forbid that we should ever even think anything of the kind. Was it not that when the Dove descended on Christ, John then for the first time knew Him to have that peculiar attribute, that, whosoever should baptize with His Baptism, whether they were themselves just or unjust, the virtue of the Sacrament should proceed, not from them, but from Him on Whom abode the Dove; so that He is the real Baptizer in every Christian Baptism until the end of time, and it is in this sense that it is said of Him the Same is He Which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost Whether it be Peter, or Paul, or Judas, that performeth the ceremony, the real Baptizer and effectual Worker is Christ. For if the holiness of the baptism depended on the holiness of the particular officiator, no two baptisms would be exactly alike, and every one would be supposed to be more or less regenerated according as the minister who baptized him was more or less of a saint.

Benedictio:

Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.

Lectio 9

Ipsi sancti, (intellégite, fratres) boni pertinéntes ad colúmbam, pertinéntes ad sortem civitátis illíus Ierúsalem, ipsi boni in Ecclésia, de quibus dicit Apóstolus: Novit Dóminus qui sunt eius; diversárum gratiárum sunt, non omnes pária mérita habent. Sunt álii áliis sanctióres, sunt álii áliis melióres. Quare ergo si unus ab illo, verbi grátia, iusto, sancto baptizétur, álius ab álio inferióris mériti apud Deum, inferióris gradus, inferióris continéntiæ, inferióris vitæ; unum tamen et par et æquále est quod accepérunt, nisi quia hic est, qui baptízat?

Now, my brethren, understand me. The saints themselves, those good men who appertain to the Dove, those good men whose portion is in Jerusalem, those good men in the Church, of whom the Apostle saith: the Lord knoweth them that are His, (2 Tim. ii. 19,) these good men differ one from another by diversities of graces, and are not all of the same worthiness. Some are holier than others, and some are better than others. Supposing then for the sake of argument that A is baptized by B, a righteous saint, and C is baptized by D who is less worthy in the sight of God, who hath attained only a lower degree in godliness, who is not so chaste, and whose life is not so good as B's, yet A and C receive just the same thing. And how is this, unless it be that it is Christ Himself Who is the effectual Baptizer?

Reliqua omittuntur, nisi Laudes separandæ sint.

Oratio

Orémus.

Deus, cuius Unigénitus in substántia nostræ carnis appáruit: † præsta, quǽsumus; ut per eum, quem símilem nobis foris agnóvimus, * intus reformári mereámur: †
Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, * per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.

O God, Whose only-begotten Son appeared in the substance of our flesh, grant, we beseech thee, that we who acknowledge His outward likeness to us may deserve to be inwardly refashioned in His image.
Who with thee liveth and reigneth, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.

Conclusio