I. classis

In Annuntiatione Beatæ Mariæ Virginis

Tempora: Feria Quarta infra Hebdomadam Passionis

Ad Matutinum

Incipit

Invitatorium

Hymnus

1. The God whom earth, and sea, and sky Adore, and laud, and magnify, Who o'er their threefold fabric reigns, The Virgin's spotless womb contains. 2. The God, whose will by moon and sun And all things in due course is done, Is borne upon a maiden's breast, By fullest heavenly grace possest. 3. How blest that mother, in whose shrine The great artificer divine, Whose hand contains the earth and sky, Vouchsafed, as in his ark, to lie. 4. Blest, in the message Gabriel brought; Blest, by the work the Spirit wrought; From whom the great desire of earth Took human flesh and human birth. 5. All honour, laud, and glory be, O Jesu, Virgin-born to thee; All glory, as is ever meet, To Father and to Paraclete. Amen.

Nocturnus I

Psalmus 8

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!

  1. Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.

    2. For thy magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

  2. Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.

    3. Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, * that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.

  3. Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.

    4. For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: * the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.

  4. Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?

    5. What is man that thou art mindful of him? * or the son of man that thou visitest him?

  5. Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Angelis, † glória et honóre coronásti eum: * et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.

    6. Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: * and hast set him over the works of thy hands.

  6. Omnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas: ínsuper et pécora campi.

    7. Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields.

  7. Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.

    8. The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, * that pass through the paths of the sea.

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

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

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

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

Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb.

Psalmus 18

O Holy Mother of God * thou hast yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.

The heavens shew forth the glory of God, * and the firmament declareth the work of his hands.

  1. Dies diéi erúctat verbum, * et nox nocti índicat sciéntiam.

    2. Day to day uttereth speech, * and night to night sheweth knowledge.

  2. Non sunt loquélæ, neque sermónes, * quorum non audiántur voces eórum.

    3. There are no speeches nor languages, * where their voices are not heard.

  3. In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: * et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.

    4. Their sound hath gone forth into all the earth: * and their words unto the ends of the world.

  4. In sole pósuit tabernáculum suum: * et ipse tamquam sponsus procédens de thálamo suo.

    5. He hath set his tabernacle in the sun: * and he, as a bridegroom coming out of his bride chamber,

  5. Exsultávit ut gigas ad curréndam viam, * a summo cælo egréssio ejus.

    6. Hath rejoiced as a giant to run the way: * his going out is from the end of heaven,

  6. Et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus: * nec est qui se abscóndat a calóre ejus.

    7. And his circuit even to the end thereof: * and there is no one that can hide himself from his heat.

  7. Lex Dómini immaculáta, convértens ánimas: * testimónium Dómini fidéle, sapiéntiam præstans párvulis.

    8. The law of the Lord is unspotted, converting souls: * the testimony of the Lord is faithful, giving wisdom to little ones.

  8. Justítiæ Dómini rectæ, lætificántes corda: * præcéptum Dómini lúcidum illúminans óculos.

    9. The justices of the Lord are right, rejoicing hearts: * the commandment of the Lord is lightsome, enlightening the eyes.

  9. Timor Dómini sanctus, pérmanens in sǽculum sǽculi: * judícia Dómini vera, justificáta in semetípsa.

    10. The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for ever and ever: * the judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves.

  10. Desiderabília super aurum et lápidem pretiósum multum: * et dulcióra super mel et favum.

    11. More to be desired than gold and many precious stones: * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

  11. Etenim servus tuus custódit ea, * in custodiéndis illis retribútio multa.

    12. For thy servant keepeth them, * and in keeping them there is a great reward.

  12. Delícta quis intélligit? † ab occúltis meis munda me: * et ab aliénis parce servo tuo.

    13. Who can understand sins? from my secret ones cleanse me, O Lord: * and from those of others spare thy servant.

  13. Si mei non fúerint domináti, tunc immaculátus ero: * et emundábor a delícto máximo.

    14. If they shall have no dominion over me, then shall I be without spot: * and I shall be cleansed from the greatest sin.

  14. Et erunt ut compláceant elóquia oris mei: * et meditátio cordis mei in conspéctu tuo semper.

    15. And the words of my mouth shall be such as may please: * and the meditation of my heart always in thy sight.

  15. Dómine, adjútor meus, * et redémptor meus.

    16. O Lord, my helper, * and my redeemer.

  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.

O Holy Mother of God * thou hast yielded a pleasant odor like the best myrrh.

Psalmus 23

Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed * the tender idylls of the play.

The earth is the Lord’s and the fulness thereof: * the world, and all they that dwell therein.

  1. Quia ipse super mária fundávit eum: * et super flúmina præparávit eum.

    2. For he hath founded it upon the seas; * and hath prepared it upon the rivers.

  2. Quis ascéndet in montem Dómini? * aut quis stabit in loco sancto ejus?

    3. Who shall ascend into the mountain of the Lord: * or who shall stand in his holy place?

  3. Innocens mánibus et mundo corde, † qui non accépit in vano ánimam suam, * nec jurávit in dolo próximo suo.

    4. The innocent in hands, and clean of heart, * who hath not taken his soul in vain, nor sworn deceitfully to his neighbour.

  4. Hic accípiet benedictiónem a Dómino: * et misericórdiam a Deo, salutári suo.

    5. He shall receive a blessing from the Lord, * and mercy from God his Saviour.

  5. Hæc est generátio quæréntium eum, * quæréntium fáciem Dei Jacob.

    6. This is the generation of them that seek him, * of them that seek the face of the God of Jacob.

  6. Attóllite portas, príncipes, vestras, † et elevámini, portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.

    7. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall enter in.

  7. Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? † Dóminus fortis et potens: * Dóminus potens in prǽlio.

    8. Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord who is strong and mighty: the Lord mighty in battle.

  8. Attóllite portas, príncipes, vestras, † et elevámini, portæ æternáles: * et introíbit Rex glóriæ.

    9. Lift up your gates, O ye princes, and be ye lifted up, O eternal gates: * and the King of Glory shall enter in.

  9. Quis est iste Rex glóriæ? * Dóminus virtútum ipse est Rex glóriæ.

    10. Who is this King of Glory? * the Lord of hosts, he is the King of Glory.

  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.

Sing for us again and again before this maiden's bed * the tender idylls of the play.

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 Isaía Prophéta
Isa 7:10-15

Et adiécit Dóminus loqui ad Achaz, dicens: Pete tibi signum a Dómino Deo tuo in profúndum inférni, sive in excélsum supra. Et dixit Achaz: Non petam, et non tentábo Dóminum. Et dixit: Audíte ergo, domus David: Numquid parum vobis est, moléstos esse homínibus, quia molésti estis et Deo meo? Propter hoc dabit Dóminus ipse vobis signum. Ecce virgo concípiet, et páriet fílium, et vocábitur nomen eius Emmánuel. Butýrum et mel cómedet, ut sciat reprobáre malum, et elígere bonum.

And the Lord spoke again to Achaz, saying: Ask thee a sign of the Lord thy God either unto the depth of hell, or unto the height above. And Achaz said: I will not ask, and I will not tempt the Lord. And he said: Hear ye therefore, O house of David: Is it a small thing for you to be grievous to men, that you are grievous to my God also? Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and his name shall be called Emmanuel. He shall eat butter and honey, that he may know to refuse the evil, and to choose the good.

Benedictio:

Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adiuváre dignétur.

Lectio 2
Isa 11:1-5

Et egrediétur virga de radíce Iesse, et flos de radíce eius ascéndet. Et requiéscet super eum Spíritus Dómini: spíritus sapiéntiæ et intelléctus, spíritus consílii et fortitúdinis, spíritus sciéntiæ et pietátis; Et replébit eum spíritus timóris Dómini: non secúndum visiónem oculórum iudicábit, neque secúndum audítum áurium árguet: Sed iudicábit in iustítia páuperes, et árguet in æquitáte pro mansuétis terræ: et percútiet terram virga oris sui, et spíritu labiórum suórum interfíciet ímpium. Et erit iustítia cíngulum lumbórum eius: et fides cinctórium renum eius.

And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth: and he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins.

Benedictio:

Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.

Lectio 3
Isa 35:1-7

Lætábitur desérta et ínvia, et exsultábit solitúdo, et florébit quasi lílium. Gérminans germinábit, et exsultábit lætabúnda et laudans: glória Líbani data est ei: decor Carméli et Saron, ipsi vidébunt glóriam Dómini, et decórem Dei nostri. Confortáte manus dissolútas, et génua debília roboráte. Dícite pusillánimis: Confortámini, et nolíte timére: ecce Deus vester ultiónem addúcet retributiónis: Deus ipse véniet, et salvábit vos. Tunc aperiéntur óculi cæcórum, et aures surdórum patébunt. Tunc sáliet sicut cervus claudus, et apérta erit lingua mutórum: quia scissæ sunt in desérto aquæ, et torréntes in solitúdine. Et quæ erat árida, erit in stagnum, et sítiens in fontes aquárum.

The land that was desolate and impassable shall be glad, and the wilderness shall rejoice, and shall flourish like the lily. It shall bud forth and blossom, and shall rejoice with joy and praise: the glory of Libanus is given to it: the beauty of Carmel, and Saron, they shall see the glory of the Lord, and the beauty of our God. Strengthen ye the feeble hands, and confirm the weak knees. Say to the fainthearted: Take courage, and fear not: behold your God will bring the revenge of recompense: God himself will come and will save you. Then shall the eyes of the blind be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as a hart, and the tongue of the dumb shall be free: for waters are broken out in the desert, and streams in the wilderness. And that which was dry land, shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water.

Nocturnus II

Psalmus 44

In thy comeliness and thy beauty, * go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

My heart hath uttered a good word; * I speak my works to the King.

  1. Lingua mea cálamus scribæ: * velóciter scribéntis.

    2. My tongue is the pen of a scrivener * that writeth swiftly.

  2. Speciósus forma præ fíliis hóminum, † diffúsa est grátia in lábiis tuis: * proptérea benedíxit te Deus in ætérnum.

    3. Thou art beautiful above the sons of men: grace is poured abroad in thy lips; * therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.

  3. Accíngere gládio tuo super femur tuum, * potentíssime.

    4. Gird thy sword upon thy thigh, * O thou most mighty.

  4. Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua: * inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

    5. With thy comeliness and thy beauty * set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.

  5. Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.

    6. Because of truth and meekness and justice: * and thy right hand shall conduct thee wonderfully.

  6. Sagíttæ tuæ acútæ, pópuli sub te cadent: * in corda inimicórum Regis.

    7. Thy arrows are sharp: under thee shall people fall, * into the hearts of the king’s enemies.

  7. Sedes tua, Deus, in sǽculum sǽculi: * virga directiónis virga regni tui.

    8. Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: * the sceptre of thy kingdom is a sceptre of uprightness.

  8. Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * proptérea unxit te, Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ præ consórtibus tuis.

    9. Thou hast loved justice, and hated iniquity: * therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.

  9. Myrrha, et gutta, et cásia a vestiméntis tuis, a dómibus ebúrneis: * ex quibus delectavérunt te fíliæ regum in honóre tuo.

    10. Myrrh and stacte and cassia perfume thy garments, from the ivory houses: * out of which the daughters of kings have delighted thee in thy glory.

  10. Astitit regína a dextris tuis in vestítu deauráto: * circúmdata varietáte.

    11. The queen stood on thy right hand, in gilded clothing; * surrounded with variety.

  11. Audi, fília, et vide, et inclína aurem tuam: * et oblivíscere pópulum tuum, et domum patris tui.

    12. Hearken, O daughter, and see, and incline thy ear: * and forget thy people and thy father’s house.

  12. Et concupíscet Rex decórem tuum: * quóniam ipse est Dóminus Deus tuus, et adorábunt eum.

    13. And the king shall greatly desire thy beauty; * for he is the Lord thy God, and him they shall adore.

  13. Et fíliæ Tyri in munéribus * vultum tuum deprecabúntur: omnes dívites plebis.

    14. And the daughters of Tyre with gifts, * yea, all the rich among the people, shall entreat thy countenance.

  14. Omnis glória ejus fíliæ Regis ab intus, * in fímbriis áureis circumamícta varietátibus.

    15. All the glory of the king’s daughter is within, * in golden borders, clothed round about with varieties.

  15. Adducéntur Regi vírgines post eam: * próximæ ejus afferéntur tibi.

    16. After her shall virgins be brought to the king: * her neighbours shall be brought to thee.

  16. Afferéntur in lætítia et exsultatióne: * adducéntur in templum Regis.

    17. They shall be brought with gladness and rejoicing: * they shall be brought into the temple of the king.

  17. Pro pátribus tuis nati sunt tibi fílii: * constítues eos príncipes super omnem terram.

    18. Instead of thy fathers, sons are born to thee: * thou shalt make them princes over all the earth.

  18. Mémores erunt nóminis tui: * in omni generatióne et generatiónem.

    19. They shall remember thy name * throughout all generations.

  19. Proptérea pópuli confitebúntur tibi in ætérnum: * et in sǽculum sǽculi.

    20. Therefore shall people praise thee for ever; yea, * for ever and ever.

  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.

In thy comeliness and thy beauty, * go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

Psalmus 45

God shall help * her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.

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.

God shall help * her with His countenance: God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved.

Psalmus 86

O Holy Mother of God * all we who dwell in thee are in gladness.

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.

O Holy Mother of God * all we who dwell in thee are in gladness.

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 Leónis Papæ
Sermo 2 de Nativ. Domini

Deus omnípotens et clemens, cuius natúra bónitas, cuius volúntas poténtia, cuius opus misericórdia est, statim ut nos diabólica malígnitas venéno suæ mortificávit invídiæ, prædestináta renovándis mortálibus suæ pietátis remédia, inter ipsa mundi primórdia præsignávit; denúntians serpénti futúrum semen mulíeris, quod nóxii cápitis elatiónem sua virtúte contéreret, Christum scílicet in carne ventúrum; Deum hominémque signans, qui natus ex Vírgine, violatórem humánæ propáginis incorrúpta nativitáte damnáret.

The Almighty and merciful God, Whose nature is goodness, Whose will is power, and Whose work is mercy, did, at the very beginning of the world, as soon as the devil's hatred had mortally poisoned us with the venom of his envy, foretell those remedies which His mercy had foreordained for our healing. He bade the serpent know that there was to be a Seed of the woman Who should yet bruise the swelling of his pestilential head; this Seed was none other than the Christ to come in the flesh, that God and Man in one Person, Who, being born of a Virgin, should, by His undefiled birth, damn the seducer of man.

Benedictio:

Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.

Lectio 5

Nam quia gloriabátur diábolus hóminem sua fraude decéptum divínis caruísse munéribus, et immortalitátis dote nudátum, duram mortis subísse senténtiam, seque in malis suis quoddam de prævaricatóris consórtio invenísse solátium; Deum quoque, iustæ severitátis exigénte ratióne, erga hóminem, quem in tanto honóre condíderat, antíquam mutásse senténtiam: opus fuit, dilectíssimi, secréti dispensatióne consílii ut incommutábilis Deus, cuius volúntas non potest sua benignitáte privári, primam pietátis suæ dispositiónem sacraménto occultióre compléret; et homo diabólicæ iniquitátis versútia actus in culpam, contra Dei propósitum non períret.

The devil rejoiced that by his fraud he had so deceived man as to make him lose the gifts of God, forfeit his privilege of eternal life, bring himself under the hard sentence of death, and find in his misery a certain comfort in the accomplice of his guilt; he rejoiced also that God, in His just anger, was changed towards man, whom He had made in such honour. But, dearly beloved brethren, that Unchangeable God, Whose Will cannot be divorced from His goodness, by His own secret counsel carried out in a mysterious way His original purpose of goodness, and man, who had been led into sin by the wicked craft of the devil, perished not to disappoint that gracious purpose of God.

Benedictio:

Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.

Lectio 6

Adveniéntibus ergo tempóribus, dilectíssimi, quæ redemptióni hóminum fúerant præstitúta, ingréditur hæc ínfima Iesus Christus, Dóminus noster, de cælésti sede descéndens, et a patérna glória non recédens, novo órdine, nova nativitáte generátus: novo órdine, quia, invisíbilis in suis, visíbilis factus est in nostris; incomprehensíbilis, vóluit comprehéndi; ante témpora manens, esse cœpit ex témpore; universitátis Dóminus servílem formam, obumbráta maiestátis suæ dignitáte, suscépit; impassíbilis Deus, non dedignátus est homo esse passíbilis; et immortális, mortis légibus subiacére.

Then therefore, dearly beloved brethren, the fulness of that time came, which God had appointed for our Redemption, our Lord Jesus Christ entered this lower world, came down from His heavenly throne, and, while He left not that glory which He hath with the Father before the world was, was incarnate by a new order and a new birth new, in that He Who is Invisible among His own, was made visible among us; He Who is Incomprehensible, willed to be comprehended; He Who is before the ages, began to be in time; the Lord of all shadowed the glory of His Majesty, and took upon Him the form of a servant; the Impassible God vouchsafed to become a man subject to suffering; and the Immortal laid Himself under the laws of death.

Nocturnus III

Psalmus 95

Joy to thee, * O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled down all the heresies in the whole world.

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.

Joy to thee, * O Virgin Mary, thou hast trampled down all the heresies in the whole world.

Psalmus 96

Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be; * give me strength against thine enemies.

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.

Holy Virgin, my praise by thee accepted be; * give me strength against thine enemies.

Psalmus 97

The Angel of the Lord * announced unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

Sing ye to the Lord a new canticle: * because he hath done wonderful things.

  1. Salvávit sibi déxtera ejus: * et bráchium sanctum ejus.

    2. His right hand hath wrought for him salvation, * and his arm is holy.

  2. Notum fecit Dóminus salutáre suum: * in conspéctu Géntium revelávit justítiam suam.

    3. The Lord hath made known his salvation: * he hath revealed his justice in the sight of the Gentiles.

  3. Recordátus est misericórdiæ suæ, * et veritátis suæ dómui Israël.

    4. He hath remembered his mercy * and his truth toward the house of Israel.

  4. Vidérunt omnes términi terræ * salutáre Dei nostri.

    5. All the ends of the earth have seen * the salvation of our God.

  5. Jubiláte Deo, omnis terra: * cantáte, et exsultáte, et psállite.

    6. Sing joyfully to God, all the earth; * make melody, rejoice and sing.

  6. Psállite Dómino in cíthara, in cíthara et voce psalmi: * in tubis ductílibus, et voce tubæ córneæ.

    7. Sing praise to the Lord on the harp, on the harp, and with the voice of a psalm: * with long trumpets, and sound of cornet.

  7. Jubiláte in conspéctu regis Dómini: † moveátur mare, et plenitúdo ejus: * orbis terrárum, et qui hábitant in eo.

    8. Make a joyful noise before the Lord our king: * let the sea be moved and the fulness thereof: the world and they that dwell therein.

  8. Flúmina plaudent manu, † simul montes exsultábunt a conspéctu Dómini: * quóniam venit judicáre terram.

    9. The rivers shall clap their hands, the mountains shall rejoice together at the presence of the Lord: * because he cometh to judge the earth.

  9. Judicábit orbem terrárum in justítia, * et pópulos in æquitáte.

    10. He shall judge the world with justice, * and the people with equity.

  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.

The Angel of the Lord * announced unto Mary, and she conceived of the Holy Spirit.

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 Lucam
Luc 1:26-38

In illo témpore: Missus est Angelus Gábriel a Deo in civitátem Galilǽæ, cui nomen Názareth, ad Vírginem desponsátam viro, cui nomen erat Ioseph, de domo David, et nomen Vírginis María. Et réliqua.

At that time: The Angel Gabriel was sent from God unto a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a Virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David; and the Virgin's name was Mary. And so on.

Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi
Liber 2 in Lucam

Latent quidem divína mystéria, nec fácile, iuxta prophéticum dictum, quisquam hóminum potest scire consílium Dei. Sed tamen ex céteris factis, atque præcéptis Dómini Salvatóris póssumus intellégere, et hoc propensióris fuísse consílii, quod ea potíssimum elécta est, ut Dóminum páreret, quæ erat desponsáta viro. Cur autem non ántequam desponsarétur, impléta est? Fortásse ne dicerétur quod concéperat ex adultério.

The mysteries of God are unsearchable, and it is especially declared by a Prophet, that a man can hardly know His counsels. (Wisd. ix. 13.) Nevertheless, some things have been revealed to us, and we may gather from some of the words and works of the Lord our Saviour, that there was a special purpose of God, in the fact that she who was chosen to be the mother of the Lord was espoused to a man. Why did not the power of the Highest overshadow her before she was so espoused? Perhaps it was lest any might blasphemously say that she had conceived in fornication the Holy One.

Benedictio:

Cuius festum cólimus, ipsa Virgo vírginum intercédat pro nobis ad Dóminum.

Lectio 8

Et ingréssus ad eam Angelus. Disce vírginem móribus, disce vírginem verecúndia, disce oráculo, disce mystério. Trepidáre vírginum est, et ad omnes viri ingréssus pavére, omnes viri affátus veréri. Discant mulíeres propósitum pudóris imitári. Sola in penetrálibus, quam nemo virórum víderit, solus Angelus repérerit: sola sine cómite, sola sine teste, ne quo degénere depravarétur affátu, ab Angelo salutátur.

Benedictio:

Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.

Lectio 9

Tanti namque mandáti mystérium non hóminis fuit, sed Angeli ore proméndum. Hódie primum audítur: Spíritus Sanctus supervéniet in te. Et audítur, et créditur. Dénique, Ecce, inquit, ancílla Dómini: contíngat mihi secúndum verbum tuum. Vide humilitátem, vide devotiónem. Ancíllam se dicit Dómini, quæ mater elígitur: nec repentíno exaltáta promísso est.

The message of God to the Virgin was a mystery, which it was not lawful for the mouth of men, but only of angels, to utter. For the first time on earth the words are spoken The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee. The holy maiden heareth, and believeth. At length she saith Behold the handmaid of the Lord be it unto me according to thy word. Here is an example of lowliness, here is a pattern of true devotion. At the very moment that she is told she is chosen to be the mother of the Lord she at once declareth herself His handmaid. The knowledge that she was Mother of God caused in the heart of Mary only an act of humility.

Reliqua omittuntur, nisi Laudes separandæ sint.

Oratio

Orémus.

Deus, qui de beátæ Maríæ Vírginis útero Verbum tuum, Angelo nuntiánte, carnem suscípere voluísti: † præsta supplícibus tuis; * ut, qui vere eam Genetrícem Dei crédimus, eius apud te intercessiónibus adiuvémur.
Per eúndem Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, * per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.

O God, Who didst will that thy Word should, by the message of an Angel, take flesh in the womb of the Blessed Virgin Mary, grant unto us, we beseech thee, that all who do believe her to be in very deed the Mother of God, may be helped by her prayers in thy sight.
Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son, Our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.

Conclusio