III. classis
Tempora: Feria Tertia in Rogationibus
1. The martyrs' triumphs let us sing, Their blood poured forth for Christ the King, And while due hymns of praise we pay, Our thankful hearts cast grief away. 2. The world its terrors urged in vain; They recked not of the body's pain; One step, and holy death made sure The life that ever shall endure. 3. To flames the martyr saints are hailed; By teeth of savage beasts assailed; Against them, armed with ruthless brand And hooks of steel, their torturers stand. 4. The mangled frame is tortured sore, The holy life-drops freshly pour; They stand unmoved amidst the strife, By grace of everlasting life. 5. Redeemer, hear us of thy love, That, with the martyr host above, Hereafter, of thine endless grace, thy servants also may have place. Amen.
Judge thou, O Lord, them that wrong me: * overthrow them that fight against me.
Take hold of arms and shield: * and rise up to help me.
Bring out the sword, and shut up the way against them that persecute me: * say to my soul: I am thy salvation.
Let them be confounded and ashamed * that seek after my soul.
Let them be turned back and be confounded * that devise against me.
Let them become as dust before the wind: * and let the Angel of the Lord straiten them.
Let their way become dark and slippery; * and let the Angel of the Lord pursue them.
For without cause they have hidden their net for me unto destruction: * without cause they have upbraided my soul.
Let the snare which he knoweth not come upon him: and let the net which he hath hidden catch him: * and into that very snare let them fall.
But my soul shall rejoice in the Lord; * and shall be delighted in his salvation.
All my bones shall say: * Lord, who is like to thee?
Who deliverest the poor from the hand of them that are stronger than he; * the needy and the poor from them that strip him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Unjust witnesses rising up * have asked me things I knew not.
They repaid me evil for good: * to the depriving me of my soul.
But as for me, when they were troublesome to me, * I was clothed with haircloth.
I humbled my soul with fasting; * and my prayer shall be turned into my bosom.
As a neighbour and as an own brother, so did I please: * as one mourning and sorrowful so was I humbled.
But they rejoiced against me, and came together: * scourges were gathered together upon me, and I knew not.
They were separated, and repented not: they tempted me, they scoffed at me with scorn: * they gnashed upon me with their teeth.
Lord, when wilt thou look upon me? * rescue thou my soul from their malice: my only one from the lions.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I will give thanks to thee in a great church; * I will praise thee in a strong people.
Let not them that are my enemies wrongfully rejoice over me: * who have hated me without cause, and wink with the eyes.
For they spoke indeed peaceably to me; * and speaking in the anger of the earth they devised guile.
And they opened their mouth wide against me; * they said: Well done, well done, our eyes have seen it.
Thou hast seen, O Lord, be not thou silent: * O Lord, depart not from me.
Arise, and be attentive to my judgment: * to my cause, my God, and my Lord.
Judge me, O Lord my God according to thy justice, * and let them not rejoice over me.
Let them not say in their hearts: It is well, it is well, to our mind: * neither let them say: We have swallowed him up.
Let them blush: and be ashamed together, * who rejoice at my evils.
Let them be clothed with confusion and shame, * who speak great things against me.
Let them rejoice and be glad, who are well pleased with my justice, * and let them say always: The Lord be magnified, who delights in the peace of his servant.
And my tongue shall meditate thy justice, * thy praise all the day long.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Be not emulous of evildoers; * nor envy them that work iniquity.
For they shall shortly wither away as grass, * and as the green herbs shall quickly fall.
Trust in the Lord, and do good, * and dwell in the land, and thou shalt be fed with its riches.
Delight in the Lord, * and he will give thee the requests of thy heart.
Commit thy way to the Lord, and trust in him, * and he will do it.
And he will bring forth thy justice as the light, and thy judgment as the noonday: * be subject to the Lord and pray to him.
Envy not the man who prospereth in his way; * the man who doth unjust things.
Cease from anger, and leave rage; * have no emulation to do evil.
For the evildoers shall be cut off: * but they that wait upon the Lord shall inherit the land.
For yet a little while, and the wicked shall not be: * and thou shalt seek his place, and shalt not find it.
But the meek shall inherit the land, * and shall delight in abundance of peace.
The sinner shall watch the just man: * and shall gnash upon him with his teeth.
But the Lord shall laugh at him: * for he foreseeth that his day shall come.
The wicked have drawn out the sword: * they have bent their bow.
To cast down the poor and needy, * to kill the upright of heart.
Let their sword enter into their own hearts, * and let their bow be broken.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Better is a little to the just, * than the great riches of the wicked.
For the arms of the wicked shall be broken in pieces; * but the Lord strengtheneth the just.
The Lord knoweth the days of the undefiled; * and their inheritance shall be for ever.
They shall not be confounded in the evil time; and in the days of famine they shall be filled, * because the wicked shall perish.
And the enemies of the Lord, presently after they shall be honoured and exalted, * shall come to nothing and vanish like smoke.
The sinner shall borrow, and not pay again; * but the just sheweth mercy and shall give.
For such as bless him shall inherit the land: * but such as curse him shall perish.
With the Lord shall the steps of a man be directed, * and he shall like well his way.
When he shall fall he shall not be bruised, * for the Lord putteth his hand under him.
I have been young, and now am old; * and I have not seen the just forsaken, nor his seed seeking bread.
He sheweth mercy, and lendeth all the day long; * and his seed shall be in blessing.
Decline from evil and do good, * and dwell for ever and ever.
For the Lord loveth judgment, and will not forsake his saints: * they shall be preserved for ever.
The unjust shall be punished, * and the seed of the wicked shall perish.
But the just shall inherit the land, * and shall dwell therein for evermore.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom: * and his tongue shall speak judgment.
The law of his God is in his heart, * and his steps shall not be supplanted.
The wicked watcheth the just man, * and seeketh to put him to death.
But the Lord will not leave him in his hands; * nor condemn him when he shall be judged.
Expect the Lord and keep his way: and he will exalt thee to inherit the land: * when the sinners shall perish thou shalt see.
I have seen the wicked highly exalted, * and lifted up like the cedars of Libanus.
And I passed by, and lo, he was not: * and I sought him and his place was not found.
Keep innocence, and behold justice: * for there are remnants for the peaceable man.
But the unjust shall be destroyed together: * the remnants of the wicked shall perish.
But the salvation of the just is from the Lord, * and he is their protector in the time of trouble.
And the Lord will help them and deliver them: * and he will rescue them from the wicked, and save them, because they have hoped in him.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation; * nor chastise me in thy wrath.
For thy arrows are fastened in me: * and thy hand hath been strong upon me.
There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: * there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins.
For my iniquities are gone over my head: * and as a heavy burden are become heavy upon me.
My sores are putrified and corrupted, * because of my foolishness.
I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: * I walked sorrowful all the day long.
For my loins are filled with illusions; * and there is no health in my flesh.
I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: * I roared with the groaning of my heart.
Lord, all my desire is before thee, * and my groaning is not hidden from thee.
My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me, * and the light of my eyes itself is not with me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
My friends and my neighbours * have drawn near, and stood against me.
And they that were near me stood afar off: * and they that sought my soul used violence.
And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things, * and studied deceits all the day long.
But I, as a deaf man, heard not: * and as a dumb man not opening his mouth.
And I became as a man that heareth not: * and that hath no reproofs in his mouth.
For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: * thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God.
For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: * and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me.
For I am ready for scourges: * and my sorrow is continually before me.
For I will declare my iniquity: * and I will think for my sin.
But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: * and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied.
They that render evil for good, have detracted me, * because I followed goodness.
Forsake me not, O Lord my God: * do not thou depart from me.
Attend unto my help, * O Lord, the God of my salvation.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
I said: I will take heed to my ways: * that I sin not with my tongue.
I have set guard to my mouth, * when the sinner stood against me.
I was dumb, and was humbled, and kept silence from good things: * and my sorrow was renewed.
My heart grew hot within me: * and in my meditation a fire shall flame out.
I spoke with my tongue: * O Lord, make me know my end.
And what is the number of my days: * that I may know what is wanting to me.
Behold thou hast made my days measurable: * and my substance is as nothing before thee.
And indeed all things are vanity: * every man living.
Surely man passeth as an image: * yea, and he is disquieted in vain.
He storeth up: * and he knoweth not for whom he shall gather these things.
And now what is my hope? Is it not the Lord? * And my substance is with thee.
Deliver thou me from all my iniquities: * thou hast made me a reproach to the fool.
I was dumb, and I opened not my mouth, because thou hast done it: * remove thy scourges from me.
The strength of thy hand hath made me faint in rebukes: * thou hast corrected man for iniquity.
And thou hast made his soul to waste away like a spider: * surely in vain is any man disquieted.
Hear my prayer, O Lord, and my supplication: * give ear to my tears.
Be not silent: for I am a stranger with thee, * and a sojourner as all my fathers were.
O forgive me, that I may be refreshed, before I go hence, * and be no more.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
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:
Ille nos benedícat, qui sine fine vivit et regnat.
Christo ígitur passo in carne, et vos eádem cogitatióne armámini: quia qui passus est in carne, désiit a peccátis: Ut iam non desidériis hóminum, sed voluntáti Dei, quod réliquum est in carne vivat témporis. Súfficit enim prætéritum tempus ad voluntátem géntium consummándam his qui ambulavérunt in luxúriis, desidériis, vinoléntiis, comessatiónibus, potatiónibus, et illícitis idolórum cúltibus. In quo admirántur non concurréntibus vobis in eándem luxúriæ confusiónem, blasphemántes. Qui reddent ratiónem ei qui parátus est iudicáre vivos et mórtuos. Propter hoc enim et mórtuis evangelizátum est: ut iudicéntur quidem secúndum hómines in carne, vivant autem secúndum Deum in spíritu. Omnium autem finis appropinquávit.
Christ therefore having suffered in the flesh, be you also armed with the same thought: for he that hath suffered in the flesh, hath ceased from sins: That now he may live the rest of his time in the flesh, not after the desires of men, but according to the will of God. For the time past is sufficient to have fulfilled the will of the Gentiles, for them who have walked in riotousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and unlawful worshipping of idols. Wherein they think it strange, that you run not with them into the same confusion of riotousness, speaking evil of you. Who shall render account to him, who is ready to judge the living and the dead. For, for this cause was the gospel preached also to the dead: that they might be judged indeed according to men, in the flesh; but may live according to God, in the Spirit. But the end of all is at hand.
Quorum festum cólimus, ipsi intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.
Estóte ítaque prudéntes, et vigiláte in oratiónibus. Ante ómnia autem, mútuam in vobismetípsis caritátem contínuam habéntes: quia cáritas óperit multitúdinem peccatórum. Hospitáles ínvicem sine murmuratióne. Unusquísque, sicut accépit grátiam, in altérutrum illam administrántes, sicut boni dispensatóres multifórmis grátiæ Dei. Si quis lóquitur, quasi sermónes Dei: si quis minístrat, tamquam ex virtúte, quam adminístrat Deus: ut in ómnibus honorificétur Deus per Iesum Christum: cui est glória et impérium in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Be prudent therefore, and watch in prayers. But before all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves: for charity covereth a multitude of sins. Using hospitality one towards another, without murmuring, As every man hath received grace, ministering the same one to another: as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If any man speak, let him speak, as the words of God. If any man minister, let him do it, as of the power, which God administereth: that in all things God may be honoured through Jesus Christ: to whom is glory and empire for ever and ever. Amen.
Caríssimi, nolíte peregrinári in fervóre, qui ad tentatiónem vobis fit, quasi novi áliquid vobis contíngat: Sed communicántes Christi passiónibus gaudéte, ut et in revelatióne glóriæ eius gaudeátis exsultántes. Si exprobrámini in nómine Christi, beáti éritis: quóniam quod est honóris, glóriæ, et virtútis Dei, et qui est eius Spíritus, super vos requiéscit. Nemo autem vestrum patiátur ut homicída, aut fur, aut malédicus, aut alienórum appetítor. Si autem ut Christiánus, non erubéscat: gloríficet autem Deum in isto nómine: Quóniam tempus est ut incípiat iudícium a domo Dei.
Dearly beloved, think not strange the burning heat which is to try you, as if some new thing happened to you; But if you partake of the sufferings of Christ, rejoice that when his glory shall be revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you be reproached for the name of Christ, you shall be blessed: for that which is of the honour, glory, and power of God, and that which is his Spirit, resteth upon you. But let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or a railer, or a coveter of other men's things. But if as a Christian, let him not be ashamed, but let him glorify God in that name. For the time is, that judgment should begin at the house of God.
Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.
Néreus et Achílleus fratres, eunúchi Fláviæ Domitíllæ, a beáto Petro una cum ipsa eiúsque matre Plautílla baptizáti, cum Domitíllæ persuasíssent, ut virginitátem suam Deo consecráret, ab eius sponso Aureliáno, quod Christiáni essent accusáti, in Póntiam ínsulam relegántur. Mox verbéribus cæsi, ut idólis immolárent, et Tarracínam perdúcti, equúlei et flammárum cruciátibus superátis, secúri percússi sunt; quorum córpora ab Auspício eórum discípulo Romam deláta, via Ardeatína sunt sepúlta. Flávia Domitílla vero, quæ sacrum virginitátis velámen a beáto Cleménte Papa accéperat, et ipsa in ínsulam Póntiam deportáta, et post diutúrna víncula Tarracínam dedúcta, iúdicis iussu incénso eius cubículo, una cum virgínibus Theodóra et Euphrósyna, collactáneis suis, gloriósam mortem oppétiit nonis maii, Traiáno imperatóre; quarum córpora Cæsárius diáconus sepelívit. Pancrátius, nóbili génere in Phrýgia natus, puer quatuórdecim annórum Romæ baptizátus, Diocletiáno et Maximiáno imperatóribus, comprehénditur, et, cum diis sacrificáre constánter renuísset, datis cervícibus, illústrem martýrii corónam consecútus est; cuius corpus ab Octavílla matróna clam via Aurélia sepúltum est.
The brothers Nereus and Achilleus were eunuchs of Flavia Domitilla and were baptized by St. Peter at the same time as she herself and her mother Plautilla. Because they persuaded Domitilla to consecrate her virginity to God, they were accused of being Christians by Aurelian, who had been betrothed to her, and were sent to the island of Ponza. Soon afterwards, they were scourged in an effort to make them sacrifice to idols, and were taken to Terracina, where, after they had overcome the torture of the rack and flaming torches, they were beheaded. Their bodies were taken to Rome by their disciple Auspicius and buried on the Ardeatine Way. As for Flavia Domitilla, who had received the sacred veil of a virgin from Pope St. Clement, she also was deported to the island of Ponza, and after a long imprisonment was taken to Terracina. There, by the judge's orders, her dwelling was set on fire, and she won a glorious death, along with the virgins Theodora and Euphrosyna, her foster-sisters, on May 7, under Emperor Trajan. Their bodies were buried by the Deacon Caesarius. Pancras, born of a noble Phrygian family, was baptized in Rome at the age of fourteen. Under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, he was arrested; and when he firmly refused to sacrifice to the gods, he was beheaded and so won the glorious crown of martyrdom. His body was buried secretly on the Via Aurelia by the matron Octavilla.
Orémus.
Semper nos, Dómine, Mártyrum tuórum Nérei, Achíllei, Domitíllæ atque Pancrátii fóveat, quǽsumus; beáta solémnitas: † et tuo dignos reddat obséquio.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: † qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, * per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
May the holy feast of thy Martyrs, Nereus, Achilleus, Domitilla and Pancras, ever comfort us, we beseech thee, O Lord, and make us worthy to serve thee.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.