I. classis

Festum Sanctissimi Corporis Christi

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Ad Matutinum

Incipit

Invitatorium

O come, and let us worship Christ, Of all the nations Lord, * Who doth, to them that feed on Him, The Bread of Life afford.

Hymnus

1. At this our solemn feast, Let holy joys abound, And from the inmost breast Let songs of praise resound; Let ancient rites depart, And all be new around, In ev'ry act and voice and heart. 2. Remember we that eve, When, the last supper spread, Christ, as we all believe, The lamb, with leavenless bread, Among his brethren shared, And thus the law obeyed, Of old unto their sires declared. 3. The typic lamb consumed, The legal feast complete, The Lord unto the twelve His body gave to eat; The whole to all, no less The whole to each, did mete With his own hands, as we confess. 4. He gave them, weak and frail, His flesh, their food to be; On them, downcast and sad, His blood bestowèd he: And thus to them he spake, “Receive this cup from me, And all of you of this partake.” 5. So he this sacrifice To institute did will, And charged his priests alone That office to fulfil:

Nocturn 1

Psalmus 1

The Lord brought forth His fruit in the season of His death, * even that fruit whereof if any man eat, he shall live for ever.

Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * nor sat in the chair of pestilence.

  1. Sed in lege Dómini volúntas ejus, * et in lege ejus meditábitur die ac nocte.
  2. But his will is in the law of the Lord, * and on his law he shall meditate day and night.

  3. Et erit tamquam lignum, quod plantátum est secus decúrsus aquárum, * quod fructum suum dabit in témpore suo:
  4. And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, * which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season.

  5. Et fólium ejus non fluet: * et ómnia quæcúmque fáciet, prosperabúntur.
  6. And his leaf shall not fall off: * and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.

  7. Non sic ímpii, non sic: * sed tamquam pulvis, quem prójicit ventus a fácie terræ.
  8. Not so the wicked, not so: * but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.

  9. Ideo non resúrgent ímpii in jucio: * neque peccatóres in concílio jusrum.
  10. Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: * nor sinners in the council of the just.

  11. Quóniam novit Dóminus viam jusrum: * et iter impiórum períbit.
  12. For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: * and the way of the wicked shall perish.

  13. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  14. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  15. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
  16. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Lord brought forth His fruit in the season of His death, * even that fruit whereof if any man eat, he shall live for ever.

Psalmus 4

His faithful ones which are increased by the fruit of His corn and His wine * do lay them down in peace and sleep in Christ.

When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: * when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me.

  1. Miserére mei, * et exáudi oratiónem meam.
  2. Have mercy on me: * and hear my prayer.

  3. Fílii hóminum, úsquequo gravi corde? * ut quid dilígitis vanitátem et quǽritis mencium?
  4. O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? * Why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?

  5. Et scitóte quóniam mirificávit Dóminus sanctum suum: * Dóminus exáudiet me cum clamávero ad eum.
  6. Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: * the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.

  7. Irascímini, et nolíte peccáre: quæ dícitis in córdibus vestris, * in cubílibus vestris compunmini.
  8. Be ye angry, and sin not: * the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.

  9. Sacrificáte sacrifícium justítiæ, et speráte in mino. * Multi dicunt: quis osténdit nobis bona?
  10. Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: * many say, Who sheweth us good things?

  11. Signátum est super nos lumen vultus tui, mine: * dedísti lætítiam in corde meo.
  12. The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: * thou hast given gladness in my heart.

  13. A fructu fruménti, vini et ólei sui * multipliti sunt.
  14. By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, * they are multiplied.

  15. In pace in idípsum * dórmiam et requiéscam;
  16. In peace in the selfsame * I will sleep, and I will rest:

  17. Quóniam tu, Dómine, singuláriter in spe * constituísti me.
  18. For thou, O Lord, singularly * hast settled me in hope.

  19. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  20. 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.

His faithful ones which are increased by the fruit of His corn and His wine * do lay them down in peace and sleep in Christ.

Psalmus 15

Us, being many, hath the Lord made one body, * for we are all partakers of that one cup, which is not the communion of the blood of bulls, but of God Himself.

Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee. * I have said to the Lord, thou art my God, for thou hast no need of my goods.

  1. Sanctis, qui sunt in terra ejus, * mirificávit omnes voluntátes meas in eis.
  2. To the saints, who are in his land, * he hath made wonderful all my desires in them.

  3. Multiplicátæ sunt infirmitátes eórum: * póstea accelerarunt.
  4. Their infirmities were multiplied: * afterwards they made haste.

  5. Non congregábo conventícula eórum de sanguínibus, * nec memor ero nóminum eórum per lábia mea.
  6. I will not gather together their meetings for blood offerings: * nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips.

  7. Dóminus pars hereditátis meæ, et cálicis mei: * tu es, qui restítues hereditátem meam mihi.
  8. The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: * it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.

  9. Funes cecidérunt mihi in præcláris: * étenim heréditas mea præclára est mihi.
  10. The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places: * for my inheritance is goodly to me.

  11. Benedícam Dóminum, qui tríbuit mihi intelléctum: * ínsuper et usque ad noctem increpuérunt me renes mei.
  12. I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: * moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.

  13. Providébam Dóminum in conspéctu meo semper: * quóniam a dextris est mihi, ne comvear.
  14. I set the Lord always in my sight: * for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.

  15. Propter hoc lætátum est cor meum, et exsultávit lingua mea: * ínsuper et caro mea requiéscet in spe.
  16. Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: * moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.

  17. Quóniam non derelínques ánimam meam in inférno: * nec dabis sanctum tuum vidére corruptiónem.
  18. Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; * nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.

  19. Notas mihi fecísti vias vitæ, adimplébis me lætítia cum vultu tuo: * delectatiónes in déxtera tua usque in finem.
  20. Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance: * at thy right hand are delights even to the end.

  21. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  22. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  23. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
  24. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Us, being many, hath the Lord made one body, * for we are all partakers of that one cup, which is not the communion of the blood of bulls, but of God Himself.

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.

Lectiones

Benedictio:

Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.

Lectio 1
De Epístola prima beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Corínthios
1 Cor 11:20-22

Conveniéntibus ergo vobis in unum, iam non est Domínicam cenam manducáre. Unusquísque enim suam cenam præsúmit ad manducándum. Et álius quidem ésurit, álius autem ébrius est. Numquid domos non habétis ad manducándum et bibéndum? aut Ecclésiam Dei contémnitis, et confúnditis eos, qui non habent? Quid dicam vobis? Laudo vos? In hoc non laudo.

When you come therefore together into one place, it is not now to eat the Lord's supper. For every one taketh before his own supper to eat. And one indeed is hungry and another is drunk. What, have you not houses to eat and to drink in? Or despise ye the church of God; and put them to shame that have not? What shall I say to you? Do I praise you? In this I praise you not.

Benedictio:

Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adiuváre dignétur.

Lectio 2
1 Cor 11:23-26

Ego enim accépi a Dómino quod et trádidi vobis, quóniam Dóminus Iesus, in qua nocte tradebátur, accépit panem, Et grátias agens fregit, et dixit: Accípite, et manducáte: hoc est corpus meum, quod pro vobis tradétur: hoc fácite in meam commemoratiónem. Simíliter et cálicem, postquam cœnávit, dicens: Hic calix novum testaméntum est in meo sánguine: hoc fácite, quotiescúmque bibétis, in meam commemoratiónem. Quotiescúmque enim manducábitis panem hunc, et cálicem bibétis, mortem Dómini annuntiábitis donec véniat.

For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which he was betrayed, took bread. And giving thanks, broke, and said: Take ye, and eat: this is my body, which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of me. In like manner also the chalice, after he had supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of me. For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall show the death of the Lord, until he come.

Benedictio:

Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.

Lectio 3
1 Cor 11:27-32

Itaque quicúmque manducáverit panem hunc, vel bíberit cálicem Dómini indígne, reus erit córporis et sánguinis Dómini. Probet autem seípsum homo: et sic de pane illo edat, et de cálice bibat. Qui enim mandúcat et bibit indígne, iudícium sibi mandúcat et bibit, non diiúdicans corpus Dómini. Ideo inter vos multi infírmi et imbecílles, et dórmiunt multi. Quod, si nosmetípsos diiudicarémus, non útique iudicarémur. Dum iudicámur autem, a Dómino corrípimur, ut non cum hoc mundo damnémur.

Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and of the blood of the Lord. But let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of the chalice. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord. Therefore are there many infirm and weak among you, and many sleep. But if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged. But whilst we are judged, we are chastised by the Lord, that we be not condemned with this world.

Nocturn 2

Psalmus 19

The Lord remember our offering, * and accept our burnt-sacrifice.

May the Lord hear thee in the day of tribulation: * may the name of the God of Jacob protect thee.

  1. Mittat tibi auxílium de sancto: * et de Sion tueátur te.
  2. May he send thee help from the sanctuary: * and defend thee out of Sion.

  3. Memor sit omnis sacrifícii tui: * et holocáustum tuum pingue fiat.
  4. May he be mindful of all thy sacrifices: * and may thy whole burnt offering be made fat.

  5. Tríbuat tibi secúndum cor tuum: * et omne consílium tuum confírmet.
  6. May he give thee according to thy own heart; * and confirm all thy counsels.

  7. Lætábimur in salutári tuo: * et in nómine Dei nostri magnifibimur.
  8. We will rejoice in thy salvation; * and in the name of our God we shall be exalted.

  9. Impleat Dóminus omnes petitiónes tuas: * nunc cognóvi quóniam salvum fecit Dóminus Christum suum.
  10. The Lord fulfil all thy petitions: * now have I known that the Lord hath saved his anointed.

  11. Exáudiet illum de cælo sancto suo: * in potentátibus salus déxteræ ejus.
  12. He will hear him from his holy heaven: * the salvation of his right hand is in powers.

  13. Hi in cúrribus, et hi in equis: * nos autem in nómine Dómini, Dei nostri invobimus.
  14. Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: * but we will call upon the name of the Lord, our God.

  15. Ipsi obligáti sunt, et cecirunt: * nos autem surréximus et erécti sumus.
  16. They are bound, and have fallen: * but we are risen, and are set upright.

  17. Dómine salvum fac regem: * et exáudi nos in die, qua invocavérimus te.
  18. O Lord, save the king: * and hear us in the day that we shall call upon thee.

  19. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  20. 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 Lord remember our offering, * and accept our burnt-sacrifice.

Psalmus 22

The Lord prepareth His Table before us * in the presence of our enemies.

The Lord ruleth me: and I shall want nothing. * He hath set me in a place of pasture.

  1. Super aquam refectiónis eduvit me: * ánimam meam convértit.
  2. He hath brought me up, on the water of refreshment: * he hath converted my soul.

  3. Dedúxit me super sémitas justiæ: * propter nomen suum.
  4. He hath led me on the paths of justice, * for his own name’s sake.

  5. Nam, etsi ambulávero in médio umbræ mortis, non timébo mala: * quóniam tu mecum es.
  6. For though I should walk in the midst of the shadow of death, I will fear no evils, * for thou art with me.

  7. Virga tua, et báculus tuus: * ipsa me consota sunt.
  8. Thy rod and thy staff, * they have comforted me.

  9. Parásti in conspéctu meo mensam, * advérsus eos, qui tríbulant me.
  10. Thou hast prepared a table before me * against them that afflict me.

  11. Impinguásti in óleo caput meum: * et calix meus inébrians quam præclárus est!
  12. Thou hast anointed my head with oil; * and my chalice which inebriateth me, how goodly is it!

  13. Et misericórdia tua subsequétur me * ómnibus diébus vimeæ.
  14. And thy mercy will follow me * all the days of my life.

  15. Et ut inhábitem in domo mini, * in longitúdinem diérum.
  16. And that I may dwell in the house of the Lord * unto length of days.

  17. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spitui Sancto.
  18. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  19. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæcurum. Amen.
  20. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Lord prepareth His Table before us * in the presence of our enemies.

Psalmus 41

Let them that keep holiday around the table of the Lord * make the voice of joy and praise to be heard [in the house of God.]

As the hart panteth after the fountains of water; * so my soul panteth after thee, O God.

  1. Sitívit ánima mea ad Deum fortem vivum: * quando véniam, et apparébo ante fáciem Dei?
  2. My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; * when shall I come and appear before the face of God?

  3. Fuérunt mihi lácrimæ meæ panes die ac nocte: * dum dícitur mihi quotídie: Ubi est Deus tuus?
  4. My tears have been my bread day and night, * whilst it is said to me daily: Where is thy God?

  5. Hæc recordátus sum, et effúdi in me ánimam meam: * quóniam transíbo in locum tabernáculi admirábilis, usque ad domum Dei.
  6. These things I remembered, and poured out my soul in me: * for I shall go over into the place of the wonderful tabernacle, even to the house of God:

  7. In voce exsultatiónis, et confessiónis: * sonus epulántis.
  8. With the voice of joy and praise; * the noise of one feasting.

  9. Quare tristis es, ánima mea? * et quare contúrbas me?
  10. Why art thou sad, O my soul? * and why dost thou trouble me?

  11. Spera in Deo, quóniam adhuc confitébor illi: * salutáre vultus mei, et Deus meus.
  12. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.

  13. Ad meípsum ánima mea conturta est: * proptérea memor ero tui de terra Jordánis, et Hermóniim a monte dico.
  14. My soul is troubled within myself: * therefore will I remember thee from the land of Jordan and Hermoniim, from the little hill.

  15. Abýssus abýssum ínvocat, * in voce cataractárum tuárum.
  16. Deep calleth on deep, * at the noise of thy flood-gates.

  17. Omnia excélsa tua, et fluctus tui * super me transiérunt.
  18. All thy heights and thy billows * have passed over me.

  19. In die mandávit Dóminus misericórdiam suam: * et nocte cánticum ejus.
  20. In the daytime the Lord hath commanded his mercy; * and a canticle to him in the night.

  21. Apud me orátio Deo vi meæ, * dicam Deo: Suscéptor meus es.
  22. With me is prayer to the God of my life. * I will say to God: Thou art my support.

  23. Quare oblítus es mei? * et quare contristátus incédo, dum afflígit me inicus?
  24. Why hast thou forgotten me? * and why go I mourning, whilst my enemy afflicteth me?

  25. Dum confringúntur ossa mea, * exprobravérunt mihi qui tríbulant me inimíci mei.
  26. Whilst my bones are broken, * my enemies who trouble me have reproached me;

  27. Dum dicunt mihi per síngulos dies: Ubi est Deus tuus? * quare tristis es, ánima mea? et quare contúrbas me?
  28. Whilst they say to me day by day: Where is thy God? * Why art thou cast down, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?

  29. Spera in Deo, quóniam adhuc confitébor illi: * salutáre vultus mei, et Deus meus.
  30. Hope thou in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.

  31. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  32. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  33. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
  34. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Let them that keep holiday around the table of the Lord * make the voice of joy and praise to be heard [in the house of God.]

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.

Lectiones

Benedictio:

Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.

Lectio 1
iv in opusculo

Sermo sancti Thomæ Aquinátis Lectio iv in opusculo 57 Imménsa divínæ largitátis benefícia, exhíbita pópulo christiáno, inæstimábilem ei cónferunt dignitátem. Neque enim est, aut fuit aliquándo tam grandis nátio, quæ hábeat deos appropinquántes sibi, sicut adest nobis Deus noster. Unigénitus síquidem Dei Fílius, suæ divinitátis volens nos esse partícipes, natúram nostram assúmpsit, ut hómines deos fáceret factus homo. Et hoc ínsuper, quod de nostro assúmpsit, totum nobis cóntulit ad salútem. Corpus namque suum pro nostra reconcilatióne in ara crucis hóstiam óbtulit Deo Patri, sánguinem suum fudit in prétium simul et lavácrum; ut redémpti a miserábili servitúte, a peccátis ómnibus mundarémur. Ut autem tanti benefícii iugis in nobis manéret memória, corpus suum in cibum, et sánguinem suum in potum, sub spécie panis et vini suméndum fidélibus derelíquit.

From the Sermons of St. Thomas Aquinas !17th or 57th of his Opuscula, or Lesser Works The immeasurable benefits, which the goodness of God hath bestowed on Christian people, have conferred on them also a dignity beyond all price. “For what nation is there so great, who hath gods so nigh unto them, as the Lord, our God, is unto us?” (Deut. i7.) The Only-begotten Son of God, being pleased to make us “partakers of the Divine nature,” (2 Pet. i. 4,) took our nature upon Him, being Himself made Man that He might make men gods. And all, as much of ours as He took, He applied to our salvation. On the Altar of the Cross He offered up His Body to God the Father as a sacrifice for our reconciliation He shed His Blood as the price whereby He redeemeth us from wretchedness and bondage, and the washing whereby He cleanseth us from all sin. And for a noble and abiding memorial of that so great work of His goodness, He hath left unto His faithful ones the Same His very Body for Meat, and the Same His very Blood for Drink, to be fed upon under the appearance of bread and wine.

Benedictio:

Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.

Lectio 2

O pretiósum et admirándum convívium, salutíferum et omni suavitáte replétum! Quid enim hoc convívio pretiósius esse potest? in quo non carnes vitulórum et hircórum, ut olim in lege, sed nobis Christus suméndus propónitur verus Deus. Quid hoc Sacraménto mirabílius? In ipso namque panis et vinum in Christi corpus et sánguinem substantiáliter convertúntur; ideóque Christus, Deus et homo perféctus, sub módici panis et vini spécie continétur. Manducátur ítaque a fidélibus, sed mínime lacerátur; quinímmo, divíso Sacraménto, sub quálibet divisiónis partícula ínteger persevérat. Accidéntia autem sine subiécto in eódem subsístunt, ut fides locum hábeat, dum visíbile invisibíliter súmitur aliéna spécie occultátum; et sensus a deceptióne reddántur immúnes, qui de accidéntibus iúdicant sibi notis.

How precious a thing then, how marvelous, how health-giving, how furnished with all dainties, is the Supper

Benedictio:

Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.

Lectio 3

Nullum étiam sacraméntum est isto salúbrius, quo purgántur peccáta, virtútes augéntur, et mens ómnium spirituálium charísmatum abundántia impinguátur. Offértur in Ecclésia pro vivis et mórtuis, ut ómnibus prosit, quod est pro salúte ómnium institútum. Suavitátem dénique huius Sacraménti nullus exprímere súfficit, per quod spirituális dulcédo in suo fonte gustátur; et recólitur memória illíus, quam in sua passióne Christus monstrávit, excellentíssimæ caritátis. Unde, ut árctius huius caritátis imménsitas fidélium córdibus infigerétur, in última cena, quando Pascha cum discípulis celebráto, transitúrus erat de hoc mundo ad Patrem, hoc Sacraméntum instítuit, tamquam passiónis suæ memoriále perénne, figurárum véterum impletívum, miraculórum ab ipso factórum máximum; et de sua contristátis abséntia solátium singuláre relíquit.

Than this Sacrament can anything be more health-giving? Thereby are sins purged away, strength renewed, and the soul fed upon the fatness of spiritual gifts. This Supper is offered up in the Church both for the quick and dead it was ordained to the health of all, all get the good of it. Than this Sacrament can anything be more furnished with dainties The glorious sweetness thereof is of a truth such that no man can fully tell it. Therein ghostly comfort is sucked from its very well-head. Therein a memorial is made of that exceeding great love which Christ showed in time of His sufferings. It was in order that the boundless goodness of that His great love might be driven home into the hearts of His faithful ones, that when He had celebrated the Passover with His disciples, and the last Supper was ended, “the Lord Jesus, knowing that His hour was come that He should depart out of this world unto the Father, having loved His own which were in the world, He loved them unto the end,” (John xiii. 1,) and instituted this Sacrament, this Sacrament, the everlasting “forth-showing of His death until He come again,” (1 Coxi. 26,) this Sacrament, the embodied fulfilment of all the ancient types and figures, this Sacrament, the greatest miracle which He ever wrought, and the one mighty joy of them that now have sorrow, till He shall come again, and their heart shall rejoice, and their joy no man take from them. (John xvi. 22.)

Nocturn 3

Psalmus 42

I will go unto the Altar of God * I will feed on Christ, Which is the Renewer of my youth.

Judge me, O God, and distinguish my cause from the nation that is not holy: * deliver me from the unjust and deceitful man.

  1. Quia tu es, Deus, fortitúdo mea: quare me repulísti? * et quare tristis incédo, dum afflígit me inicus?
  2. For thou art God my strength: * why hast thou cast me off? and why do I go sorrowful whilst the enemy afflicteth me?

  3. Emítte lucem tuam et veritátem tuam: ipsa me deduxérunt, et adduxérunt in montem sanctum tuum, * et in tabercula tua.
  4. Send forth thy light and thy truth: * they have conducted me, and brought me unto thy holy hill, and into thy tabernacles.

  5. Et introíbo ad alre Dei: * ad Deum, qui lætíficat juventem meam.
  6. And I will go in to the altar of God: * to God who giveth joy to my youth.

  7. Confitébor tibi in cíthara, Deus, Deus meus: * quare tristis es, ánima mea? et quare contúrbas me?
  8. To thee, O God my God, I will give praise upon the harp: * why art thou sad, O my soul? and why dost thou disquiet me?

  9. Spera in Deo, quóniam adhuc confibor illi: * salutáre vultus mei, et Deus meus.
  10. Hope in God, for I will still give praise to him: * the salvation of my countenance, and my God.

  11. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spitui Sancto.
  12. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  13. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæcurum. Amen.
  14. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

I will go unto the Altar of God * I will feed on Christ, Which is the Renewer of my youth.

Psalmus 80

The Lord hath fed us * with the finest of the wheat, and with honey out of the Rock hath He satisfied us.

Rejoice, O God, our helper: * sing aloud to the God of Jacob.

  1. Súmite psalmum, et date týmpanum: * psaltérium jucúndum cum thara.
  2. Take a psalm, and bring hither the timbrel: * the pleasant psaltery with the harp.

  3. Buccináte in Neoménia tuba, * in insígni die solemnitátis vestræ.
  4. Blow up the trumpet on the new moon, * on the noted day of your solemnity.

  5. Quia præcéptum in Israël est: * et judícium Deo Jacob.
  6. For it is a commandment in Israel, * and a judgment to the God of Jacob.

  7. Testimónium in Joseph pósuit illud, cum exíret de terra Ægýpti: * linguam, quam non nóverat, auvit.
  8. He ordained it for a testimony in Joseph, when he came out of the land of Egypt: * he heard a tongue which he knew not.

  9. Divértit ab onéribus dorsum ejus: * manus ejus in cóphino serviérunt.
  10. He removed his back from the burdens: * his hands had served in baskets.

  11. In tribulatióne invocásti me, et liberávi te: exaudívi te in abscóndito tempestis: * probávi te apud aquam contradictiónis.
  12. Thou calledst upon me in affliction, and I delivered thee: * I heard thee in the secret place of tempest: I proved thee at the waters of contradiction.

  13. Audi, pópulus meus, et contestábor te: Israël, si audíeris me, non erit in te deus recens, * neque adorábis deum aliénum.
  14. Hear, O my people, and I will testify to thee: * O Israel, if thou wilt hearken to me; there shall be no new god in thee: neither shalt thou adore a strange god.

  15. Ego enim sum Dóminus Deus tuus, qui edúxi te de terra Ægýpti: * diláta os tuum, et implébo illud.
  16. For I am the Lord thy God, who brought thee out of the land of Egypt: * open thy mouth wide, and I will fill it.

  17. Et non audívit pópulus meus vocem meam: * et Israël non inténdit mihi.
  18. But my people heard not my voice: * and Israel hearkened not to me.

  19. Et dimísi eos secúndum desidéria cordis eórum: * ibunt in adinventiónibus suis.
  20. So I let them go according to the desires of their heart: * they shall walk in their own inventions.

  21. Si pópulus meus audísset me: * Israël si in viis meis ambulásset:
  22. If my people had heard me: * if Israel had walked in my ways:

  23. Pro níhilo fórsitan inimícos eórum humiliássem: * et super tribulántes eos misíssem manum meam.
  24. I should soon have humbled their enemies, * and laid my hand on them that troubled them.

  25. Inimíci Dómini mentíti sunt ei: * et erit tempus eórum in cula.
  26. The enemies of the Lord have lied to him: * and their time shall be for ever.

  27. Et cibávit eos ex ádipe fruménti: * et de petra, melle saturávit eos.
  28. And he fed them with the fat of wheat, * and filled them with honey out of the rock.

  29. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  30. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  31. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
  32. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Lord hath fed us * with the finest of the wheat, and with honey out of the Rock hath He satisfied us.

Psalmus 83

It is at thine Altar, O Lord, * that we do feed on Christ, for Whom our heart and our flesh crieth out.

How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! * my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.

  1. Cor meum, et caro mea: * exsultavérunt in Deum vivum.
  2. My heart and my flesh * have rejoiced in the living God.

  3. Etenim passer invénit sibi domum: * et turtur nidum sibi, ubi ponat pullos suos.
  4. For the sparrow hath found herself a house, * and the turtledove a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones:

  5. Altária tua, Dómine virtum: * Rex meus, et Deus meus.
  6. Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, * my king and my God.

  7. Beáti, qui hábitant in domo tua, mine: * in sǽcula sæculórum laubunt te.
  8. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: * they shall praise thee for ever and ever.

  9. Beátus vir, cujus est auxílium abs te: ascensiónes in corde suo dispósuit, in valle lacrirum * in loco, quem suit.
  10. Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: * in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps, in the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.

  11. Etenim benedictiónem dabit legislátor ibunt de virtúte in virtem: * vidébitur Deus deórum in Sion.
  12. For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: * the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.

  13. Dómine, Deus virtútum, exáudi oratiónem meam: * áuribus pércipe, Deus Jacob.
  14. O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: * give ear, O God of Jacob.

  15. Protéctor noster, áspice, Deus: * et réspice in fáciem Christi tui.
  16. Behold, O God our protector: * and look on the face of thy Christ.

  17. Quia mélior est dies una in átriis tuis: * super míllia.
  18. For better is one day in thy courts * above thousands.

  19. Elégi abjéctus esse in domo Dei mei: * magis quam habitáre in tabernáculis peccarum.
  20. I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, * rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.

  21. Quia misericórdiam et veritátem díligit Deus: * grátiam et glóriam dabit minus.
  22. For God loveth mercy and truth: * the Lord will give grace and glory.

  23. Non privábit bonis eos qui ámbulant in innocéntia: * Dómine virtútum, beátus homo qui sperat in te.
  24. He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: * O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.

  25. Glória Patri, et lio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
  26. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

  27. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
  28. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

It is at thine Altar, O Lord, * that we do feed on Christ, for Whom our heart and our flesh crieth out.

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.

Lectiones

Benedictio:

Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.

Lectio 1
Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Ioánnem
Ioannes 6:56-59

In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus turbis Iudæórum: Caro mea vere est cibus, et sanguis meus vere est potus. Et réliqua.

At that time: Jesus said unto the multitudes of the Jews: My Flesh is meat indeed, and My Blood is drink indeed. And so on.

Homilía sancti Augustíni Epíscopi
Tractatus 26 in Ioannem, sub finem

Cum cibo et potu id áppetant hómines, ut neque esúriant, neque sítiant: hoc veráciter non præstat, nisi iste cibus et potus, qui eos, a quibus súmitur, immortáles et incorruptíbiles facit; id est, socíetas ipsa Sanctórum, ubi pax erit et únitas plena atque perfécta. Proptérea quippe, sicut étiam ante nos hoc intellexérunt hómines Dei, Dóminus noster Iesus Christus corpus et sánguinem suum in eis rebus commendávit, quæ ad unum áliquid redigúntur ex multis. Namque áliud in unum ex multis granis confícitur: áliud in unum ex multis ácinis cónfluit. Dénique iam expónit, quómodo id fiat, quod lóquitur; et quid sit manducáre corpus eius, et sánguinem bíbere.

By use of meat and drink men would fain that “they shall hunger no more, neither thirst any more,” (Apoc. vii. 16,) and yet there is but one Meat and one Drink, Which doth work in them that feed thereon that “this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal put on immortality,” (1 Cox53,) namely communion with that general assembly and Church of God's holy children, who are “kept in perfect peace,” (Isa. xxvi. 3,) and are “all one,” (John xvii. 11,) fully and utterly. And therefore it is, as men of God before our time have taken it, that our Lord Jesus Christ hath set before us His Body and His Blood in the likeness of things which, from being many, are reduced into one. In one loaf are many grains of corn, and one cup of wine the juice of many grapes. And now He giveth us to know how that which He spake cometh to pass, and how indeed “this Man can give us His Flesh to eat,” and His Blood to drink.

Benedictio:

Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.

Lectio 2

Qui mandúcat carnem meam et bibit meum sánguinem, in me manet, et ego in illo. Hoc est ergo manducáre illam escam, et illum bíbere potum, in Christo manére, et illum manéntem in se habére. Ac per hoc, qui non manet in Christo, et in quo non manet Christus, proculdúbio nec mandúcat spiritáliter carnem eius, nec bibit eius sánguinem, licet carnáliter et visibíliter premat déntibus Sacraméntum córporis et sánguinis Christi: sed magis tantæ rei sacraméntum ad iudícium sibi mandúcat et bibit, quia immúndus præsúmpsit ad Christi accédere Sacraménta, quæ áliquis non digne sumit, nisi qui mundus est; de quibus dícitur: Beáti mundo corde, quóniam ipsi Deum vidébunt.

“He that eateth My Flesh, and drinketh My Blood, dwelleth in Me, and I in him.” To dwell in Christ, therefore, and to have Him dwelling in us, is to “eat of that Bread and drink of that Cup,” (1 Coxi. 28,) and he which dwelleth not in Christ, and in whom Christ dwelleth not, without all doubt doth not spiritually eat His Flesh nor drink His Blood, although he do carnally and visibly press the Sacrament with his teeth but, contrariwise, he “eateth and drinketh damnation to himself,” because he dareth to draw nigh filthy to that secret and holy thing of Christ, whereunto none draweth nigh worthily, save he which is pure, even he which is of them concerning whom it is said: “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God.” (Matth. 8.)

Benedictio:

Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.

Lectio 3

Sicut, inquit, misit me vivens Pater, et ego vivo propter Patrem: et qui mandúcat me, et ipse vivet propter me. Ac si díceret: Ut ego vivam propter Patrem, id est, ad illum tamquam ad maiórem réferam vitam meam, exinanítio mea fecit, in qua me misit: ut autem quisquam vivat propter me, participátio facit, qua mandúcat me. Ego ítaque humiliátus vivo propter Patrem: ille eréctus vivit propter me. Si autem ita dictus est, Vivo propter Patrem, quia ipse de illo, non ille de ipso est; sine detriménto æqualitátis dictum est. Nec tamen dicéndo, Et qui mandúcat me, et ipse vivet propter me; eándem suam et nostram æqualitátem significávit, sed grátiam mediatóris osténdit.

“As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father, so he that eateth Me, even he shall live by Me.” This is as though He said: The Father hath sent Me into the world (John x. 36,) and I have emptied Myself

Oratio

Orémus.

Deus, qui nobis sub Sacraménto mirábili passiónis tuæ memóriam reliquísti: tríbue, quǽsumus; ita nos Córporis, * et Sánguinis tui sacra mystéria venerári; * ut redemptiónis tuæ fructum in nobis iúgiter sentiámus:
Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, * per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.

O God, under a marvelous sacrament you have left us the memorial of thy Passion; grant us, we beseech thee, so to venerate the sacred mysteries of thy Body and Blood, that we may ever perceive within us the fruit of thy Redemption.
Who livest and reignest with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.

Conclusio