Chapter VIL of the Office of Vespers Fob Sundays and Feasts; During Christmas

The Office of Vespers, or Even-Song, during the whole year, consists, firstly, of five Psalms and Antiphons, which vary, more or less, every day. As the main object of our Book is the convenience of the Faithful, we only give the Vespers of the Sundays and the principal Feasts. With regard to the Sundays, therefore, during Christmas, which are neither Feasts, nor within the Octave of a Feast, we give them here in full, reserving only that, which is peculiar to each, for the Proper. If it be a Feast, the Office must be sought for on its own day.

After the Pater and Ave have been said in secret, the Church commences this Hour with her favourite supplication : f. Deus in adjutorium f. Incline unto my aid, 0 meum intende. God.

I?r. Domine, ad adjuvan- R7. 0 Lord, make haste to dum me festina. help me.

Gloria Patri, et Filio, et Glory be to the Father, and Spiritui Sancto : to the Son, and to the Holy

Ghost

Sicut erat in principio et As it was in the beginning, nunc et semper, et in ssecula is now, and ever shall be, saeculorum. Amen. Alleluia, world without end. Amen

Alleluia.

Ant. Dixit Dominus. Ant. The Lord said.

The first Psalm is a prophecy of the glory of the Messias. This Child, who is now born to us in humility and poverty, is to be seated on the right hand of

Sunday's vespers. the eternal Father. Now, that we are celebrating his temporal Birth, it is most just that we shoula often sing the Psalm which speaks of his eternal Generation, as God, and of the future glory which awaits him, as Man.

PSALM 109.

The Lord said to my Lord, Dixit Dominus Domino his Son : Sit thou at my right meo : * Sede a dextris meis. hand, and reign with me.

Until, on the day of thy last Donee ponam inimicos coming, I make thy enemies tuos : * scabellum pedum thy footstooL tuoruin.

Virgam virtutis tu» emit- Dominus ex Sion : * medio inimicorum Sion : tuorum.

0 Christ I the Lord thy Father will send forth the tet dosceptre of thy power out of minare in from thence rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.

With thee is the principality Tecum principium in die in the day of thy strength, in virtutis tuse in splendoribus the brightness of the saints : sanctorum : * ex utero ante

For the Father hath said to luciferum genui te. thee: From the womb before the day-star I begot thee.

The Lord hath sworn, and Juravit Dominus, et non he will not repent : he hath poenitebit eum : * Tu es Sa- saidy speaking of thee, the God- cerdos in seternum secun-

Man : Thou art a Priest for dum ordinem Melchisedech. ever, according to the order of Melchisedech.

Dominus a dextris tuis : * confregit in die ire suae re-

Therefore, 0 Fatlier, the Lord thy Son is at thy right hand : he hath broken kings ges. in the day of his wrath.

He shall also judge among Judicabit in nationibus, nations : in that terrible com- iniplebit ruinas : * conquas- ing, he shall fill the ruins of sabit capita in terra multo- the world : he shall crush the rum. heads in the land of many.

He comeUi now in humility; De torrente in via bibet :* he shall drink, in the way, of propterea exaltabit caput the torrent of sufferings: therefore, shall he lift up the head.

A*t. The Lord said to my Ant. Dixit Dominus Do- jnino meo, sede a dextrU Lord, sit thou at my right Iflftia. hand. Ant. Fidelia. Ant. Faithful.

The following Psalm commemorates the mercies of God to his people — the promised Covenant — the Redemption— his fidelity to his promises.

PSALM 110.

Confitebor tibi, Domine, in toto corde meo : * in concilio justorum et congregatione.

Magna opera Domini : * exquisite in omnes voluntates ejus.

Confessio et magnificentia opus ejus : * et justitia ejus inanet in saeculum saecuh. m

Memoriam fecit mirabilium suorum, misericors et mi8erator Do minus : * escam dedit timentibus se.

Memor erit in saeculum testamenti sui : * virtutem operum suorum annuntiabit populo suo.

Ut det illis baereditatem Gentium : * opera manuum ejus Veritas et judicium.

Fidelia omnia mandate ejus, confirmata in saeculum saeculi : * facte in veritate et aequitate.

Bedemptionem misit populo suo : * mandavit in aeternum testamentum •num.

Sanctum et terribile no-

I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart : in the counsel of the just, and in the congregation.

Great are the works of the Lord : sought out according to all his wills.

His work is praise and magnificence: and his justice continueth for ever and ever.

He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord : and being the oread of life, he hath given food to them that fear him.

He will be mindful for ever of his covenant with men : he is come and will shew forth to his people the power of his works.

That he may give them, his Church, the inheritance of the Gentiles : the works of his hand are truth and judgment.

All his commandments are faithful, confirmed for ever and ever : made in truth and equity.

He hath sent Redemption to his people ; he hath, thereby, commanded his covenant for ever.

Holy and terrible is his name : the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

A good understanding to all that do it : his praise continueth for ever and ever.

Ant. Faithful are all his commandments; confirmed for ever and ever.

Ant. In his commandments. men ejus :#initium sapiens tise timor Domini

Intellectus bonus omnibus facientibus eum : * laudatio ejus manet in speculum s»~ cull

Ant. Fidelia omnia mandata ejus ; confirmata in seeculum saecnli.

Ant. In mandatis.

The next Psalm sings the happiness of the iusfc man, and his hopes on the day of Jesus' Birth. It is applicable also to the sinner, who shall be confounded because he profited nothing by that great Mystery of humility and love.

PSALM 111.

Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord : he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.

His seed shall be mighty upon earth : the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.

Glory and wealth shall be in his house : and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.

To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness : he is merciful, and compassionate, and just: he is born and dwells amongst us.

Acceptable is the man that showeth mercy and lendeth ; he shall order his words with judgment: because he shall not be moved for ever.

The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: he shall not fear the evil hearing.

His heart is ready to hone in the Lord; his heart is

Beatus vir, qui timet Domi num : * in mandatis ejus volet nirais.

Potens in terra erit semen ejus : * generatio rectorum benedicetur.

Gloria, et diviti® in domo ejus: * et jus titia ejus manet in saeculum sasculi.

Exortum est in tenebris lumen rectis : * misericurs, et miserator, et justus.

J ucundus homo, qui miseretur et commodat, disponet sermones suos in judicio : * quia in sternum non com* movebitur.

In memoria seterna erit justus : * ab auditione mala non timebit

Paratum cor ejus sperare in Domino, confirmatum est strengthened : he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.

He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor; his justice remaineth for ever and ever : his horn shall be exalted in glory.

The wicked shall see, and shall be angry ; he shall gnash with his teeth, and pine away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.

Ant. In his commandments he delighteth exceedingly.

Ant. May the name of the Lord.

The Psalm Laudate pueri, is a Canticle of praise to the Lord, who from his high heaven, has taken pity on the fallen human race, and raised it up again f>y the Incarnation. psalm 112. eor ejus : • non commovebitur donee despiciat inimicos guos.

Dispersit, dedit pauperibus, justitia ejus manet in saeculura saeculi : * cornu ejus exaltabitur in gloria,

Peccator videbit, et irascetur, dentibus suis fremet et tabescet : * desiderium peccatorum peribit. ejus

Ant. In mandatis cupit nimis. Ant. Sit nomen Domini

Laudate, pueri, Dominum : * laudate nomen Domini

Sit nomen Domini benedictum : * ex hoc nunc et usque in saeculum.

A so lis ortu usque ad occasum : * laudabUe nomen Domini

Excekus super omnes Gentes Dominus: * et super ccelos gloria ej us .

Quis sicut Dominus Deus noster qui in altis habitat:* et humuia respicit in coelo et in terra 1

Suscitans a terra inopem: * et de stercore erigens pauperem.

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

Blessed be the name of the Lord: from henceforth now and for ever.

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

The Lord is high above all nations: and his glory above the heavens.

Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high : and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth, nay who cometh down amidst us?

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

That be may place Him with princes : with the princes of Lis people.

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

Ant. May the name of the Lord be for ever blessed.

Ant. We that live.

Ut collocet eum cum principibus : * cum principibus populi sui.

Qui habitare f acit sterilem in domo: * matrem filiorum laetantem.

Ant. Sit nomen Domini benedictum in saecula.

Ant. Nos qui vivimus.

The fifth Psalm, In eoritu, recounts the prodigies witnessed under the ancient Covenant: they were figures, whose realities begin their accomplishment in the Birth of Jesus ; for, ne comes that he may deliver Israel from Egypt, emancipate the Gentiles from their idolatry, ana pour out a blessing on every man who will consent to fear and love the Lord.

PSALM 113.

When Israel went out of Egypt, the house of Jacob from a barbarous people.

J udea was made nis sane* tuary, Israel his dominion.

The sea saw and fled ; Jordan was turned back.

The mountains skipped like rams : and the hills like the lambs of the flock.

What ailed thee, O thou sea, that thou didst flee: and thou, O Jordan, that thou wast turned back?

Ye mountains that ye skipped like rams : and ye hills like lambs of the flock f

At the presence of the Lord the earth was moved, at the presence of the God of Jacob.

Who turned the rock into pools of water, and the stony hills into fountain of waters.

In exitu Israel de JSgyp to : * domus Jacob de populo barbaro.

Facta est Judaea sanctificatio ejus : * Israel potestas ejus.

Mare vidit,et fugit: *Jordanis conversus est retrorsum.

Montes ezsultaverunt ut arietes : * et colles sicut agni ovium.

Quid est tibi, mare, quod fugisti : * et tu, Jordanis, quia conversus es retror- 8umt

Montes exsultastis sicut arietes : * et colles sicut agni ovium 1

A facie Domini mota est terra : a facie Dei Jacob.

Qui convertit petram in stagna aquarum : * et rupern in fontes aquarum.

104 CHR3

Non nobis, Domine, non nobis : * Bed nomini tuo da gloriam.

Super misericordia to*, et veritate tua : * nequando dicant Gentes : Ubi est De us eorum?

Dens autem noster in coelo : * omnia quaecumque voluit, fecit

Simulacra Gentium argentum et aurum : * opera manuum hominum.

Os habent, et non loquentur: * oculos habent, et non videbunt

Aures habent, et non audient : * nares habent, et non odorabunt

Manus habent, et non palpabunt, pedes habent, et non ambulabunt : * non clamabunt in gutture suo.

Similes illis fiant qui faciunt ea : * et omnes qui confidunt in eis.

Domus Israel speravit in Domino : * adjutor eorum, et Drotector eorum est

Domus Aaron speravit in Domino : * adjutor eorum, et protector eorum est

Qui timent Dominum, speraverunt in Domino :

• adjutor eorum, et protector eorum est

Dominus memor fuit nostri : • et benedixit nobis. Benedizit domui Israel :

• benedizit domui Aaron.

Benedizit omnibus qui timent Dominum : * pusillis cum majoribus.

Adjiciat Dominus super ▼os : * super vos, et super filios vestros.

Not to us, O Lord, not to us: but to thy name give glory.

For thy mercy, and for thy truth's sake : lest the Gentiles should say: Where is their God?

But our God is in heaven : he hath done all things whatsoever he would.

The idols of the Gentiles are silver and gold : the works of the hands of men.

They have mouths, and speak not: they have eyes, and see not.

They have ears, and hear not: they have noses, and smell not

They have hands, and feel not : they have feet, and walk not: neither shall they cry out through their throat

Let them that make them become like unto them : and all such as trust in them.

The house of Israel hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

The house of Aaron hath hoped in the Lord: he is their helper and their protector.

They that feared the Lord have hoped in the Lord : he is their helper and their protector.

The Lord hath been mindful of us, and hath blessed us.

He hath blessed the house of Israel : he hath blessed the house of Aaron. fie hath blessed all that fear the Lord, both little and great

May the Lord add blessings upon you: upon you, and upon your children.

Sunday's vespers.

Blessed be you of the Lord, Benedicti vos a Domino : who made heaven and earth* * qui fecit cesium et terrain.

The heaven of heaven is the Coalum cceli Domino : •

Lord's : but the earth he has terram autem dedit filiii given to the children of men. hominnm.

The dead shall not praise Non mortui landabnnt tef thee, O Lord: nor any of them Domine : • neque omnes that go down to helL qui descendant in infernum.

But we that live bless the Sed nos qui vivimos, be-

Lord: from this time now and nedicimus Domino : * ex

Ant. We that live bless the Ant. Nos qui vivimus, Lord* benedicimus Domino.

After these five Psalms, a short Lesson from the holy Scriptures is then read. It is called Capitvium, because it is always very short That for the several Feasts, is given on the respective Days. The following is said on the Sundays called After the Epi~ phany, as often as the Vespers axe of the Sunday.

Blessed be the God and Benedictus Dens et Pater

Father of our Lord Jesus Domini nostri Jesu Christi,

Christ, the Father of mercies, Pater misericordiarum et and the God of all consolation, Deus totius consolationis, who com forte th us in all our qui consolatur nos in omni tribulations. tribulatione nostra.

19. Thanks be to God. BJ* Deo gratias.

Then follows the Hymn. We give the one of the Sunday's Office. It was composed by St. Gregory the Great, and celebrates Creation. It praises the light, which God drew out of nothing, on this the first Day, and which is the beautiful image of our Divine Infant, the Light of the world, the Orient that; has visited them who sat in the shadow of death. for ever. hoc nunc et usque in speculum.

CAPITULUM.¹

HYMN.'

Lnefe Creator optima, Luoem dierom prof erens ; Primordiis lucis novas, Mundi parans originem.

Qui mane junctum vesperi Diem vocari praecipis, Illabitur tetrum chaos, Audi preces cum fletibus.

Ne mens gravata crimine, Vit» sit exul munere, Dum nil perenne cogitat, Beeeque culpis illigat.

Coeleste pulset intimum, Vitale tollat premium : Vitemus omne noxium, Pergemus omne pessimum.

Pwesta, Pater piissime, Patrique com par Unice, Cum opiritu Paraclito Begnans per omne saaculum. Amen.

O infinitely good Creator of the Light 1 by thee was produced the Light of day, providing thus the world's beginning with the beginning of the new-made Light.

Thou biddest us call the time from morn till eve, Day; this day is over ; dark Night comes on— oh 1 near our tearful prayers.

Let not our soul, weighed down by crime, mis-spend thy gift of life, and, forgetting what is eternal, be earth-tiea by her sins.

Oh ! may we strive to enter our heavenly home, and bear away the prize of life: may we shun what would injure us, and cleanse our soul from her defilements.

Most merciful Father 1 and thou, his Only Begotten Son, co-equal with him, reigning for ever with the Holy Paraclete ! grant this our prayer. Amen.

• According to the Monastio ty. breve. Qaam magnificats rant, * Opera tua Domine.

Qaam. Jf. Omnia in aapientia feciatL * Opera. Gloria Patri, dec. Qaam.

Lucir Creator optime, Lucem dierom proferena ; Primordiis lucis novae, Mundi parans originem.

Qni mane jonctum Tetperi Piem vocari prsecipis, Tetrum chaos illabitur, Audi preces cum fletibos.

Rite, it is as follows : —

Ne mens gravata crimine, Vita) Bit exul munere, Dum nil perenne cogitat, Seseque culpis illigat.

Ccelorum pulset intimum, Vitale tollat premium : Vitemus omne noxium, Purgemus omne pessimum.

Prosta, Pater piissime, Patrique com par Unice, Cum Spiritu Paraclito Remans per omne sseculom

Amen.

The Versicle which follows the Hymn, and which we here give, is that of the Sunday : those lor the Feasts are given in their proper places. f. May my prayer, O Lord, f. Dirigatur, Domine, ascend, oratio men.

I?. Like incense in thy sight B7. Sicut incensum in con- spectu tuo.

Then is said the Magnificat Antiphon, which is to be found in the Proper for the different Days. After this, the Church sings the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, in which are celebrated the Divine Maternity and all its consequent blessings. This exquisite Canticle is an essential part of the Vespers, throughout the year ; but how sweetly appropriate is it to the season of Christmas, during which, the Church is overflowing with joy at the Birth of Jesus! She turns to the Mother, and proclaims her Blessed. Blessed, indeed ; for, the power of the Most High overshadowed her; the Holy Ghost gave unto her, for the salvation of the world, the Blessed Fruit of her Womb. oub lady's canticle. (St Luke, i.)

Mv soul doth magnify the Magnificat : * anima mea Lord ; Dominom :

And my spirit hath rejoiced Et exsnltavit spiritus in God my Saviour. mens: * in Deo salutari meo.

Quiarespcxithuinilitatem ancillae suae : • ecce enim ex hoc Beatam me dicent om-

Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me nes generations. Blessed.

Because he that is mighty Quia fecit mihi magna qui hath done great things to me: potens est : • et sanctum and holy is his name. nomen ejus.

And his mercy is from gene- Et misericordia ejus a pro-

1 St. Lake, i. 85. genie in progenies : * timentibua earn.

Fecit potentiam in brachio buo : * dispersit superbos niente cordis suL

Oeposuit potentesdesede: * et exaltavit humiles.

Esnrientes implevit bonis : • et divites dimisit inanes.

Suscepit Israel puerum suum : * recordatua misericordisB suss.

Sicut locutus est ad patres nostros : * Abraham et semini ejus in saecula. ration onto generation, to them that fear him.

He hath showed might in his arm: he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of theit heart.

He hath put down the mighty from their seat : and hath exalted the humble.

He hath filled the hungry with good things: and the rich he hath sent empty away.

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

As he spake to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed for ever.

The Magnificat Antiphon is then repeated. The Prayer, or Collect, will be found in the Proper of each Sunday and Feast

The Vespers end with the following Versicles : f. Benedicamus Domino.

R. Deo gratia*.

J. Fidehum anim® per misericord iam Dei requiescant in pace.

I?. Amen.

% Let us bless the Lord. fcr. Thanks be to God. y. May the souls of the Faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

Footnotes

1. 1. Cor. I
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