Second Sunday after the Epiphany and Feast of the Most Holy Name of Jesus

The third Mystery of the Epiphany shows us the completion of the merciful designs of God upon the world, at the same time that it manifests to us, for the third time, the glory of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The Star has led the soul to faith; the sanctified Waters of the Jordan have conferred

Eurity upon her; the Marriage-Feast unites her to er God. We have been considering, during this Octave, the Bridegroom revealing himself to the Spouse ; we have heard him calling her to come to him from the heights of Libanus ; and now, after having enlightened and purified her, he invites tier to the heavenly feast, where she is to receive the Wine of his divine love.

A Feast is prepared j it is a Marriage-Feast ; and the Mother of Jesus is present at it, for it is just, that, having co-operated in the mystery of the Incarnation of the Word, she should take part in all that her Son does, and in all the favours he bestows on his elect But, in the midst of the Feast, the Wine fails. Wine is the symbol of Charity or Love, and Charity had failed on the earth ; for the Gentiles had never tasted its sweetness ; and as to the Synagogue,

1 St John, ii. what had it produced but wild grapes tl The True Vine is our Jesus, and he calls himself by that name. He alone could give that Wine which gladdeneth the heart of man ; He alone could give us that Chalice which inebriateth, and of which the Royal Psalmist prophesied.

Mary said to Jesus : They have no Wine. It is the office of the Mother of God to tell him of the wants of men, for she is also their Mother. But Jesus answers her in words, which are apparently harsh : Woman ! what is it to me and to thee t My hour ia not yet come. The meaning of these words is, that, in this great Mystery, he was about to act, not as the Son of Mary, but as the Son of God. Later on, the hour will come when, dying upon the Cross, he will do a work, in the presence of his Mother, and he will do it as Man, that is, according to that human nature which he has received from her. Mary at once understands the words of her Son, and she says to the waiters of the Feast, what she is now ever saying to her children : Do whatsoevei% he shall say to you.

Now, there were six large waterpots of stone there, and they were empty. The world was then in its Sixth Age, as St. Augustine and other Holy Doctors tell us. During these six ages, the earth had been awaiting its Saviour, who was to instruct and redeem it. Jesus commands these waterpots to be filled with water ; and yet, water does not suit the Feast of the Spouse. The figures and the prophecies of the ancient world were this water, and until the opening of the Seventh Age, when Christ, who is the Vine, was to be given to the world, no man had contracted an alliance with the Divine Word

But, when the Emmanuel came, he had but to

1 Is. v. 2. • Ps. ciii. 15.

1 St. John, xv. I. • IbUL xxii. 5.

(2) s say, Now draw out, and the waterpots were seen to be filled with the wine of the New Covenant, the Wine which had been kept to the end. When he assumed our human nature — a nature weak and unstable as Water — he effected a change in it; he raised it up even to himself, by making us partakers of toe divine nature ;l he gave us the power to love him, to be united to him, to form that one Body, of which he is the Head, that Church of which he is the Spouse, and which he loved from all eternity, and with such tender love, that he came down from heaven to celebrate his nuptials with her.

O the wonderful dignity of man ! God has vouchsafed, says the Apostle, to show the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which had no claim to, nay, were unworthy of such an honour. Jesus bids the waiters fill them with water, and the water of Baptism purifies us ; but, not satisfied with this, he fills these vessels, even to the brim, with that heavenly and new Wine, which was not to be drunk save in the kingdom of his Father. Thus, divine Charity, which dwells in the Sacrament of Love, is communicated to us ; and, that we might not be unworthy of the espousals with himself, to which he called us, he raises us up even to himself. Let us, therefore, prepare our souls for this wonderful union, and, according to the advice of the Apostle, let us labour to present them to our Jesus with such purity as to resemble that chaste Virgin, who was presented to the spotless Lamb. our Lord, has received from the Holy Ghost the commission to announce to us the Mystery of Faith by the Star; St. Luke, the Evangelist of Jesus' Priesthood, has been selected, by the same Holy

• IL St Peter, i. 4. • Rom. ix. 23. • IL Cor. xi. 2.

Humanity of

Spirit, to instruct us in the Mystery of the Baptism in the Jordan; but the Mystery of the Marriage- Feast was to be revealed to us by the Evangelist John, the Beloved Disciple. He suggests to the Church the object of this third Mystery, by this expression : This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and he manifested his glory. At Bethlehem, the Gold of the Magi expressed the Divinity of the Babe ; at the Jordan, the descent of the Holy Ghost and the voice of the Eternal Father proclaimed Jesus, (known to the people as a carpenter of Nazareth,) to be the Son of God ; at Cana, it is Jesus himself that acts, and he acts as God, for, says St. Augustine, He who changed the water into wine in the waterpots could be no other than the same who, every year, works the same miracle in the vine. Hence it was, that, from that day, as St. John tells us, his disciples believed in him, and the Apostolic College began to be formed.

We cannot, therefore, be surprised that the Church — filled, as she is, with holy enthusiasm at the Feast of her Jesus' glory, his Epiphany, and desirous to add fresh joy to the solemnity — should have chosen this Second Sunday after the Epiphany as the day on which to honour the Most Holy Name of Jesus. It is on the Wedding-Day that the Bridegroom gives his Name to his Bride, and it is the sign that, from that day forward, she belongs to him alone. The Church, therefore, would honour the Name of her Divine Spouse with an especial Feast, and no day could be more appropriate for it than this of the Marriage at Cana.

In the Old Covenant, the Name of God inspired fear and awe : nor was the honour of pronouncing it granted to all the children of Israel. We can understand this. God had not yet come down from

1 St. John, ii. 11. 4 Ibid. heaven to live on earth, and converse with men ; he had not yet taken upon himself our poor nature, and become man like ourselves ; the sweet Name, expressive of love and tenderness, the Name given by the Spouse to her Beloved, could not be applied to him.

But, when the fulness of time had come — when the mystery of love was about to be revealed — then did heaven send down the Name of " Jesus " to our earth, as a pledge of the speedy coming of Him who was to bear it. The Archangel Gabriel said to Mary: Thou sh alt call his Name Jesus. "Jesus" means Saviour. How sweet will this Name not be to poor lost man ! It seems to link earth to heaven ! No name is so amiable, none is so powerful Every knee in heaven, on earth, and in hell, bows in adoration at hearing thL^ Name ! and yet, who can pronounce it, and not feel love spring up within his heart ? But we need such a Saint as Bernard, to tell us of the power and sweetness of this blessed Name. He thus speaks of it in one of his Sermons.

" The Name of Jesus is Light, and Food, and " Medicine. It is Liijht, when it is preached to us ; " it is Food, when we think upon it ; it is the Medi- " cine that soothes our pains when we invoke it. Let ' us say a word on each of these. Tell me, whence ' came there, into the whole world, so bright and " sudden a light, if not from the preaching of the 41 Name of Jesus ? Was it not by the light of this " Name that God called us unto his admirable Light ? " Wherewith being enlightened, and in this light, " seeing the Light, we take these words of Paul as " truly addressed to ourselves : Heretofore you were " darkness ; but noiv, light in the Lord. u Nor is the Name of Jesus Light only ; it is also " Food. Art thou not strengthened, as often as thou

1 Epb. v. 8.

"thinkest of this Name? What is there that so "feeds the mind of him that meditates upon this " Name ? What is there that so restores the wearied " faculties, strengthens virtue, gives vigour to good u and holy habits, and fosters chastity ? Every food " of the soul is dry, that is not steeped in this unc- " tion ; it is insipid, if it be not seasoned with this " salt If thou write, I relish not thy writing, unless " I read there the Name of Jesus. If thou teach me, " or converse with me, I relish not thy words, unless "I hear thee say the Name of Jesus. Jesus is "honey to the mouth, and music to the ear, and Ti gladness to the heart

" It is also Medicine. Is any one among you sad ? "Let but Jesus come into his heart, and the mouth " echo him, saying Jesus ! and lo ! the light of that " Name disperses every cloud, and brings sunshine "back again. Have any of you committed sin ? " and is despair driving you into the snare of death ? " Invoke the Name of life, and life will come back " to the soul. Was there ever a man, that, hearing " this saving Name, could keep up that common " fault of hardness of heart, or drowsiness of slug- " gishness, or rancour of soul, or languor of sloth ? " If any one, perchance, felt that the fountain of his " tears was dry, did it not gush forth more plentifully "than ever, and flow more sweetly than ever, as " soon as he invoked the Name of Jesus ? If any of " us were ever in danger, and our heart beat with " fear, did not this Name of power bring us confidence " and courage the moment we pronounced it ? When " we were tossed to and fro by perplexing doubts, did w not the evidence of what was right burst on us as " we called upon the Name of light ? When we "were discouraged, and well nigh crushed, by ad- " versity, did not our heart take courage, when our " tongue uttered the Name of help ? All this is most " true ; for all these miseries are the sicknesses and

" faintings of our souls, and the Name of Jesus is our w Medicine.

" But, let us see how all this comes to pass. Call u upon me in the day of trouble, says the Lord ; /

• will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me. There

• is nothing which so restrains the impulse of anger, u calms the swelling of pride, heals the wound of envy,

• represses the insatiability of luxury, smothers the u flame of lust, quenches the thirst of avarice, and

• dispels the fever of uncleanliness — as the Name of " Jesus. For when I pronounce this Name, I bring " before my mind the Man, who, by excellence, is u meek and humble of heart, benign, sober, chaste, " merciful, and filled with everything that is good u strengthens me. I say all this, when I say Jesus. u Here have I my model, for he is Man; and my help, " for he is God ; the one provides me with precious u drugs, the other gives them efficacy ; and from the " two I make a potion such as no physician knows * how to make.

" Here is the electuary, my soul, hid in the casket u of this Name Jesus ; believe me, it is wholesome, " and good for every ailment thou canst possibly hava " Ever have it with thee, in thy bosom and in thy " hand ; so that all thy affections and actions may be " directed to J esus." 2

This is the sweet and powerful Name, which was given to our Emmanuel, on the day of his Circumcision. Bu t, as that day was the Octave of Christmas, and was already sacred to the Maternity of Mary, the present Sunday, the Second after the Epiphany, was ehosen for celebrating the mystery of the Name of the Lamb. The first promoter of the Feast was St. Ber-

» Ps. xlix. 15.

• Fifteenth Sermon on the Canticle of Canticles.

"and holy, "whose ex who is the

God Almighty — whose assistance narditie of Sienna, who lived in the 15th century. This holy man established the practice of representing the Holy Name of Jesus surrounded with rays, and formed into a monogram of its three first letters, ihs. The custom spread rapidly through Italy, and was zealously propagated by the great St. John of Capestrano, who, like St. Bernardine of Sienna, was of the Order of Friars Minors. The Holy See gave its formal approbation to this manner of honouring the Name of our Saviour, and, in the early part of the 16th century, Pope Clement the Sixth, after long entreaties, granted to the whole Franciscan Order the privilege of keeping a special Feast in honour of the Most Holy Name of Jesus.

Borne extended the same favour to various Churches ; and, at length, the Feast was inserted in the universal Calendar. It was in the year 1721, at the request of Charles the Sixth, Emperor of Germany, that Pope Innocent the Twelfth decreed that the Fea$t of the Most Holy Name of Jesus should be kept throughout the whole Church; he also chose the Second Sunday after the Epiphany as the day. We have already explained how appropriately their respective mysteries have been thus blended into the one solemnity.

MASS.

The Church begins her chants by proclaiming the glory of the Name of her Spouse. Heaven, earth, and hell ! bow ye down at the sound of this adorable Name, for the Son of Man, who bears this Name, is also the Son of God.

1 The Name was, anciently, often written Iliesus ; hence, in its ooii traded form alluded to, the letter H would be given : the K following was virtually included in the aspirate! [Translator.]

INTKOIT.

In Nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur, coelestium, terrestriuni et infernorum ; et oninis lingua confiteatur, quia Dominus Jesus Christus in gloria est Dei Patris.

Ps. Domine, Dominus noster, quam admirabile est Nomen tuum in univeraa terra ! f. Gloria PatrL In Nomine Jesu.

At the Name of Jesus, let every knee bend in heaven, on earth, and under the earth; and every tongue confess, that the Lord J esus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.

Ps. O Lord, our Lord, how wonderful is thy name over the whole earth. ?• Glory. At the Name.

In the Collect, the Church, which, during her exile, finds consolation in the Name of her divine Spouse, prays that she may see his blessed face in heaven.

COLLECT.

Deus, qui unigenitum Filium tuum constituisti humani generis Salvatorem, et Jesum vocari jussisti: concede propitius, ut cujus sanctum Nomen veneramur in terria, ejus quoque aspectu perfruamur in ccelis. Per eumdem.

O God, who didst appoint thy Only Begotten Son the Saviour of mankind, and commandedst that his name should be called Jesus : mercifully grant that we who venerate this holy Name on earth, may also enjoy his sight in heaven. Through the same, <£c.

Commemoration of the 2nd Sunday after the Epiplmny.

O Almighty and Eternal God, supreme ruler both of heaven and earth ; mercifully give ear to the prayers of thy people, and grant us peace in our time. Through, ice.

Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui ccelestia simul et terrena moderaris : supplicationes populi tui clementer exaudi, et pacem tuam nostris concede temporibus. Per Dominum.

EPISTLE.

Lectio Actuum Apostolo- Lesson from the Acts of the

Apostles. rum. Cap. IV.

Indiebusillis, Petrus Spiritu Sancto repletus, dixit :

Ch. IV.

In those days : Peter being filled with the Holy Ghosf, said : Ye princes of the people and ancients, hear. If we this day are examined concerning the good deed done to the infirm man, by what means he hath been made whole, be it known to you all and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of our Lord Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God hath raised from the dead, even by him this man standeth here before you whole. This is the stone which was rejected by you the builders, which is become the head of the corner ; neither is there salvation in any other. For there is no other name under heaven given to men whereby we must be saved.

Principes populi, et seniores, audite : si nos hodie dijudicamur in benefacto hominis infirmi, in quo Ute salvus factus est ; notum sit omnibus vobis, et omni plebi Israel, quia in Nomine Domini nostri Jesu Christi Nazareni, quern vos crucifixistis, quern Deus suscitavit a mortuis, in hoc iste adstat coram vobis sanus. Hie est lapis qui reprobatus est a vobis «dificautibus, qui factus est in caput anguli ; et non est in alio aliquo sal us. Nec enim aliud nomen est sub ccelo datum hominibus, in quo oporteat nos salvos fierL

Oh ! how true is this, dear Jesus ! — no other Name but thine could rive us salvation, and thy Name means Saviour. Be thou praised for having taken such a Name ! Be thou praised for having saved us ! The admirable alliance, which thou revealest to us in the mysterious Feast at Cana, is all expressed in thy most sweet and holy Name. Thou art of heaven heavenly, and yet thou takest a Name of earth, and one which our mortal lips can say. Thou hast truly made an alliance between the two natures, the Divine and the Human, and thy Name imports this mystery of thine Incarnation. Oh ! make us worthy of the sublime alliance to which thou hast hereby raised us, and never permit us to break it

The holy Church then commences a second can* tide in praise of this divine Name, which is blessed by all nations, for it is the name of Him who redeemed them alL

Digitize^ by

GRADUAL.

Salvos fac nos, Domine Deus noster; et congrega nos de nationibus : ut confiteamur Nomini sancto tuo, et gloriemur in laude tua. y. Tu, Domine, Pater noster, et Redernptor noster ; a saeculo nomen tuum.

Alleluia, alleluia. p. Laudem Domini loquetur os meum, et benedicat omnia earn Nomen sanctum ejus. Alleluia.

Save us, O Lord, our God 1 and gather us from amidst the nations : that we may give thanks to thy holy Name, and may glory in thy praise. y. Thou, Lord, art our Father and Redeemer; thy Name is from eternity.

Alleluia, alleluia. j5\ My mouth shall publish the praises of the Lord, and let all flesh bless his holy Name. Alleluia.

After Septuagesima, the following Tract is sung, instead of the Alleluia.

TRACT.

Domine, Deus virtutum, converte nos ; et ostende faciem tuam et salvi erimus : sonet vox tua in auribus meis.

'ft. Vox enim tua dulcis, et facies tua decora nimU. f. Oleum effusum Nomen tuum, Jesu ; ideo adolescentulas dilexerunt te.

Convert us to thee, O Lord God of hosts ; and show thy face, and we shall be saved : let thy voice sound in my ears.

^. For sweet is thy voice, and very beautiful is thy countenance. fr. Thy Name, O Jesus, is as oil poured out ; therefore have virgins loved thee.

GOSPEL.

Sequentia sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam. Cap. II.

In illo tempore : postquam consummati sunt dies octo, ut circumcideretur Puer, vocatum est Nomen ejus Jesus ; quod vocatum est ab Angelo, priusquam in utero conciperetur.

Sequel of the holy Gospel according to Luke. GK II.

At that time, after eight days were accomplished that the Child should be circumcised, his name was called Jesus, which was called by the angel, before he was conceived in the womb.

It is during the first shedding of thy Blood, by the Circumcision, that thou didst receive this Name of Jems, dear Lord ! and it was fitting that it should be so, for this Name signifies Saviour, and we could not be saved but by thy Blood. The glorious alliance thou hast contracted with us, is, one day, to cost thee thy Blood ! The nuptial ring thou puttest on our finger, is to be steeped in thy Blood ! Our immortal life is to be purchased at the price of thy Death ! All these truths are expressed to us by thy Name, 0 Jesus ! Saviour ! Thou art the Vine, and thou invitest us to drink of thy delicious Wine ; but the heavenly Fruit must be first unsparingly pressed in the wine-press of thy Eternal Father's justice; we cannot drink of its juice, until it shall have been torn from the branch and bruised for our sakes. May thy sacred Name ever remind us of this sublime Mystery, and may the remembrance keep us from sin, and make us always faithfuL

During the Offertory, the holy Church resumes her chants in honour of the Holy Name ; she celebrates the mercies, which are reserved for all them that call on this Name.

OFFERTORY.

Confitebor tibi, Domine Dens meus, in toto corde meo ; et glorificabo Nomen tuum in reternum. Quoniam Domine, suavis et mitis es, multre misericordi® omnibus invocantibus te. Al-

I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glonfy thy name for ever; because, O Lord, thou art good and gracious, to, and full of mercy towards all that call upon thee. Alleluia, leluia.

SECRET.

Benedictio tua, clementissime Deus, qua omnia sub- viget creatura, sanctificet, sacri- quaesumus, hoc sacrificium nostrum, quod ad gloriam

May thy blessing, O most merciful God, by which every creature is enlivened and sists, sanctify this our fice, which we offer thee in

Nominis Filii tui Domini honour of the name of thy nostri Jesu Christi offerimus Son, our Lord Jesus Christ : tibi : ut majestati tu© pla- that it may be acceptable to cere possit ad laudem, et the praise of thy majesty, and nobis proticere ad salutem. available to our salvation.

Per eumdem. Through the same, <&c.

Commemoration of the 2nd Sunday after the Ejripliany.

Oblata, Domine, munera Sanctify, O Lord, our offer- sanctifica : nosque a pecca- ingp, and cleanse us from the torum nostrorum maculis stains of our sins. Through, emuuda. Per Dominum. dhc.

The Faithful having received the heavenly food — the Body and Blood of their Saviour, Jesus,— the Church, filled with gratitude towards her Lord, invites all nations to glorify the Name of Him who made and redeemed them.

Omnes gentes quascum- All the nations thon hast que fecisti venient, et ado- made shall come and adore rabunt coram te, Domine, before thee, O Lord, and they et glorificabunt Nomen tu- shall glorify thy name, for um : quoniam magnus es tu, thou art great and dost won- et faciens mirabilia ; tu es derful things : thou art God

Deus solus. Alleluia. alone. Alleluia.

The holy Church has now but one more prayer to make : it is, that the names of her children may be written, under the glorious Name of " Jesus," in the book of eternal predestination, which is, as it were, the deed of the Contract made with us by our Saviour. This happiness will assuredly be ours, if we are but wise enough to profit by all that this sweet Name offers us, and to make our life conformable to the lessons it teaches ua

POSTCOMMUiraON.

Omnipotens, seterne Deus, O Almighty and Eternal God, qui creasti et redemisti who didst both create and re-

OOMMUNION. deem us, mercifully hear our prayers, and vouchsafe, with a pleasing and kind countenance, to receive the sacrifice of this victim of our salvation, which we have offered to thy divine Majesty, in honour of the Name of thy Son, our Lord Jesus Christ ; that thy grace being poured upon us, through the glorious Name of Jesus as a pledge of our eternal predestination, we may rejoice that our names are written in heaven. Through the same, dec. nos : respice propitus vota nostra, et sacrificium salutaris hostiss, quod in honorem Nominis Filii tui Domini nostri Jesu Christi, majestati tuaa obtulimus, placido et benigno vultu suscipere digneris : ut gratia tua nobis infusa, sub glorioso Nomine Jesu, aetern» prradestinationis titulo, gauaeamus nomina nostra scripta esse in ccelis. Per eumdem.

Commemoration of the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany.

May the efficacy of thy power, O Lord, be increased in us, that being fed with thy divine sacraments, we may, through thy bounty, be prepared to receive what they promise. Through, dec.

Augeatur in nobis, qusesumus Domine, tn» virtutis operatio : ut divinis vegetati sacramentis, ad eorum promissa capienda tuo munere prseparemur. Per Dominum.

Instead of the ordinary Gospel of St. John, the Church reads, at the end of this Mass, the passage where the same Evangelist recounts to us the mystery of the Marriage-Feast at Cana.

LAST GOSPEL.

8equel of the holy Gospel according to John. Ch. II.

At that time, there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee ; and the Mother of Jesus was these. And J esus also was invited, and his disciples to the marriage. And the wine failing, the Mother of Jesus saith to him, They have no wine.

Sequentia sancti Evan gel ii secundum Joannem. Cap. II.

In illo tempore : nuptise facta sunt in Cana Galilaeae, et erat Mater Jesu ibi. Vocatua est autem et Jesus et disci puli ejus ad nuptias. Et deficiente vino, dicit Mater Jesu ad eura : Vinum non habent. Et dicit ei

Jesus : Quid mihi et tibi est, mulier 1 nondum venit hora mea. Dicit Mater ejus ministris : Quodcumque dixerit vobis, facite. Erant autem ibi lapideaa hydriaB sex, posit® secundum purin'cationem Judaeorum, capientes singula© metretas binas vel ternas. Dicit eis J esus : Implete hydrias aqua. Et impleverunt eas usque ad suminum. Et dicit eis J esus : Haurite nunc, et ferte architriclino. Et tulerunt. Ut autem gustavit architriclinus aquam vinum factam, et non sciebat unde esset, ministri autem sciebant qui hauserant aquam ; vocat sponsum architriclinus, et dicit ei: Omnia homo primum bonum vinum ponit, et cum inebriati fuerint, tunc id quod deterius est ; tu autem servasti bonum vinum usque adhuc. Hoc fecit initium signorum Jesus in Cana Galilasae, et manifestavit gioriam suam, et crediderunt in eum discipuli ejus. % D< eo gratias.

And Jesus saith to her, Woman, what is it to me and to theel my hour is not yet come. His Mother saith to the waiters, Whatsoever he shall say to you, do ye. Now there were set there six waterpots of stone ; according to the manner of the purifying of the Jews, containing two or three measures a-piece. Jesus saith to them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim. And Jesus saith to them, Draw out now, and carry to the chief steward of the feast : and they carried it. And when the chief steward had tasted the water made wine, and knew not whence it was, but the waiters knew who had drawn the water; the chief steward calleth the bridegroom, and saith to him, Every man at first setteth forth good wine, and when men have well drank, then that which is worse : but thou hast kept the good wine until now. This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested his glory, and his disciples believed in him. I?. Deo gratias.

VESPERS.

Ant. Omnis qui invoca- Ant. Whosoever shall call verit Nomen Domini salvus upon the Name of the Lord, eriU shall be saved.

Psalm: Dixit Dominus, />a?e 99.

Ant. Ant. Sanctum et tendinis Nomen ejus : initium sapientiae timor Domini,

Holy and terrible is Name : the fear of the bile Lord is the beginning of wisdom.

Psalm: Confitebor, page 100.

Ant. But I will rejoice in Ant. Ego autem in Do- the Lord, and I will joy in mino gandebo, et exsultabo

God my Jesus. in Deo J esu meo.

Psalm : Beatus vir, page 101.

Ant. Ant. A solis ortu usque ad occasum, laudabile Domini,

From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the Nosame, the Name of the Lord men is worthy of praise.

Psalm : Laudato pueri, page 102.

Ant. I will sacrifice the Ant. Sacrificabo hostiam sacrifice of praise, and I will laudis, et Nomen Domini call upon the Name of the invocabo. Lord.

Psalm 115.

I have believed, therefore Credidi, propter quod lo- have I spoken : but I have cutus sum : * ego autem been humbled exceedingly. humiliatus sum minis.

I said in my excess : Every Ego dixi in excessu meo : man is a liar. • Omnis homo mendax.

What shall I render to the Quid retribuam Domino

Lord, for all the things that • pro omnibus, quae retri- he hath rendered tome? buit mihi t

I will take the chalice of Calicem salutaris acci- salvation : and I will call upon piam : * et Nomen Domini the Name of the Lord. invocabo.

Vota mea Domino dam coram omni populo ejus : * pretiosa in con- Domini mors sanctorum ejus.

I will pay my vows to the red- Lord before all his people : precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints, spectu

O Lord, for I am thy ser- O Domine, quia ego servant : I am thy servant, and vus tuus : • ego servus tuua the son of thy handmaid. et filius ancilla tuae.

Thou hast broken my bonds: Dirupisti vincula mea : *

I will sacrifice to thee the tibi sacrificabo hostiam lau- dis, et Nomen Domini invocabo.

Vota mea Domino reddam in conspectu omnia populi ejus : * in atriia domus Domini in medio tui Jerusalem. sacrifice of praise, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord.

I will pay my vows to the Lord in the sight of all his

Eeople, in the courts of the ouse of the Lord, in the midst of thee, O Jerusalem.

OAPITULUM.

{Phil. II.)

Fratres, Christus humiliavit semetipsum, factus obediens usque ad mortem, mortem autem crucis : propter quod et Deus exaltavit ilium, et donavit illi Nomen quod est super omne nomen : ut in Nomine Jesu omne genu flectatur.

Brethren, Christ humbled himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross ; for which cause. God also hath exalted him, and hath given him a Name, which is above all names : that in the Name of Jesus every knee should bow.

HYMN.

Jesu, dulcis memoria, Dans vera cordi gaudia : Sed super mel et omnia, Ejus dulcis praasentia.

Nil canitur suavius, Nil auditur jucundius, Nil cogitatur dulcius, Quam Jesus Dei Filius.

Jesu, spes poenitentibus,

Suam pius es petentibus 1 c uam bonus te quasrentibus !

Sed quid invenieutibus %

Jesus I how sweet the remembrance of that name, which gives true joy to the heart ! But, the sweet presence of Him who bears the Name is sweeter than honey and every pleasure.

No song is so sweet, no word is so sweet, no thought is so sweet as— Jesus, the Son of God/

Dear J esus ! thou hope of penitent hearts ! how merciful thou art to them that ask for thee ! how good to them that seek thee 1 but, oh ! what art thou to them that find thee !

• In the Monastic Breviary, it is preceded by this Besponsory.

Rr. br. Adjutorium nostrum in Nomine Domini, * AUelulia, alleluia. Adjutorium. ft. Qui fecit cesium et terrain. * Alleluia. Gloria Patri. Adjutorium.

No tongue can tell, no pen can describe, what it is to love Jesus. He that has felt it, can alone believe the bliss.

Jesus ! be thou our joy, as thou wilt, one day, be our reward. May our glory for eternal ages be in thee.

Amen.

A- Blessed be the Name of the Lord, Alleluia.

I?. From henceforth, now, and for ever, Alleluia.

Nec lingua valet dicere, Nec littera expriraere ; Expertus potest credere. Quid sit Jesum diligere. Sis Jesu nostrum gaudium,

Qui es futurus prsemium, Sit nostra in te gloria, Per cuncta semper saecula. Amen. f. Sit Nomen Domini benedictum, Alleluia. ty. Ex hoc nunc, et usque in sseculum, Alleluia. antiphon of the Magnificat.

Ant. Thou shalt call his Name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins. Alleluia.

LET US PRAY.

O God, who didst appoint thy Only Begotten Son the Saviour of mankind, and commandedst that his Nameshould be called Jesus : mercifully grant, that we who venerate his holy Name on earth, may also enjoy his sight in heaven. Through the same, <&c.

Ant. Vocabis Nomen ejus Jesum; ipse enim aalvum faciet populum suum a peccatis eorum. Alleluia.

OREMUS.

Deus qui unigenitum Filium tuum constituisti humani generis Salvatorem, et Jesum vocari jussUti: concede propitius, ut, cujus sanctum Nomen veneramur in terris, ejus quoque aspectu perfruamur in ccelis. Per eumdem.

Commemoration of the 2nd Sunday after the Epiphany.

Ant. The wine failing, Jesus commanded that the waterpots should be filled with water, and it was changed into wine. Alleluia. y. Let my prayer, O Lord, * Dirigatur, Domine, l>e directed, oratio mea,

I^. As incense in thy sight. I?. Sicut inoensum in conspectu tuo.

Ant. Deficiente vino, jussit Jesus impleri hydrias aqua, quae in vinum conversa est. Alle lia.

LET US PRAY.

O Almighty and Eternal (2)

OBEMUS.

Gmnipotens sempiterne

Deus, qui ccelestia simul et terrena moderaris : supplicationes populi tui clenienterexauai, et pacem tuam nostris concede temporibua. Per Dominum.

God, supreme Ruler both of heaven and earth, mercifully give ear to the prayers of thy people, and grant us peace in our time. Through, dbc.

The two Hymns which follow, and which are used by the Church for the Matins and Lauds of the Feast, are by the same writer as the Hymn of Vespers, Jem dulcis memoria. They were for a long time attributed to St. Bernard; but manuscripts have been found, which prove beyond a doubt, tnat they were composed by a holy Abbess of the Order of St. Benedict, who lived in the 14th century.

HYMN.

Jesu, Bex admirabilis, Et triumphator nobilis, Dulcedo ineffabilis, Totus desiderabilis.

Quando cor nostrum visitas,

Tunc lucet ei Veritas, Mundi vilescit vanitaa, Et iutus fervet charitas.

Jesu, dulcedo cordium, Fons vivus, lumen mentium,

Excedens omne gaudium, Et omne desiderium.

Jesum omnes agnoscite ; Amorem ejus poscite ; Jesum ardenter qussrite, Quaereudo inardescite.

Te nostra, Jesu, vox sonnet,

Nostri te mores exprimant, Te corda nostra diligant, Et nunc et in perpetuum. Ainen.

O Jesus I admirable King 1 noble Conqueror 1 ineffable Sweetness 1 most lovely Jesus 1

When thou visitest the heart, then does truth shine upon her, the vanity of the world grows contemptible, and charity burns within.

O Jesus! Sweetness of the heart 1 Fount of life ! Light of the soul ! Thou surpassest every joy, and every desire.

Acknowledge this Jesus, all ye people 1 rray for his love, seek him with all eagerness, and, as ye seek him, burn with love of him.

May our tongue proclaim thee, 0 J esus ! may our lives reflect thy virtues ! may our hearts love thee, both now and for eternity I Amen.

HYMN.

J 68u decus Angelicum, In aure dulce canticum, In ore niel mirificuiu, In corde nectar ccelicum.

Qui te gustant esuriunt ; Qui bibunt adhuc sitiunt ; Cesiderare nesciunt Nisi Jesum, quern diligunt.

My Jesus, thou glory of the Angels ! Thou art sweet music to the ear, sweetest honey to the mouth, heavenly nectar to the heart I

They that taste thee, still hunger after thee ; they that drink, still thirst to drink; they know not what to desire save the Jesus whom they love.

0 Jesus I my sweetest Jesus 1 hope of this panting heart 1 these tears of love, this cry of my innermost soul, both ask thee to be mine.

Abide with us, O Lord ! and illumine us with light : drive darkness from our souls, and till the world with thy sweetness.

To thee, O Jesus I thou Flower of thy Virgin-Mother, thou love of our delighted nature 1 be praise, and the honour of thy Name, and the kingdom of eternal bliss.

Amen.

The following Sequence is the composition of the devout Bernardine de Bustis, a Franciscan, who also composed, during the pontificate of Syxtus the Fourth, an Office and a Mass of the Holy Name of Jesus.

O Jesu, mi dulcissime, Spes suspirantis animee I Te qua&runt pi» lacrymae, Te clamor mentis intim®.

Mane nobiscum, Domine, Et nos illustra lumine ; Pulsa mentis caligtne, Mundum reple dulcedine.

Jesu, flos Matris Virginia, Amor nostra dulcedinis, Tibi laus, honor Nominis, Regnum beatitudinia. Amen.

SEQUENCE .

Sweet Jesus of Nazareth I dear King of the Jews ! the good, the beautiful, the flowerlike Jesus I

He suffers death and torments for the salvation of his people : he is pale and livid with his wounds.

Dulcis Jesus Nazarenus, Judssorum Hex amoenus, Pius, pulcher, floridus.

Pro salute suae gentis Subit mortem cum tormentis,

Factus pallens, lividua.

Dulce Nomen et cognomen,

Hoc transcendens est pro- nomen Omnibus nominibus.

Mulcet reos, sanat eos ; Fovet justo, munit eos ; Servans ab insultibus.

Hujus Regis sub vexillo Statu degis in tranquillo : Hostes tui f ugiunt.

Nomen Jesu meditatum Belli fugat apparatum, Hostes victi fugiunt.

Hoc est Nomen recolendum,

Quod sic semper est tre- meudum Malignis spiritibus.

Hoc est Nomeu salutare, Et solamen singulare, Quod succurrit tristibus.

Hoc nos decet honorare, Area cordis inserare, Oogitare, peramare, A more sea heroico.

Ignatius hoc docuit, Hoc passus insouuit, Cor ejus scissum patuit Inscriptum Jesu ccelico.

Ut quid majora cupimus Quam quod Jesus sit intimus : gui est praeamantissimus, t quaent nos amare. Amat ferventissime, Amat constantissime, Amat fidelissime, Et 8uos vult juvare. Nomen suum fecit tale,

Sweet Name and epithet I It is the Name surpassing all names.

It softens the sinner's heart, and heals him : it warms up the just, and strengthens them, and defends them from temptation.

Under this King's standard, thou livest in peace, for thine enemies fly before thee.

Think upon the Name of Jesus, and it will break up thine enemies' plans, conquer them, and put them to flight

This is the Name deserving of all honour, at which the wicked spirits ever tremble.

This is the name of salvatioriy and the wonderful consolation which comforts the sorrowful.

It behoves us to honour this Name, put it in the treasury of our heart, think on it, love it, but love it bravely.

Ignatius taught men this Name; when he suffered martyrdom he had it on his lips, and when his heart was opened, there was found written on it this heavenly word Jesus.

What could we wish for better than this, to have Jesus as a bosom-friend? He is lovely above all measure, and desires to love us.

He loves most ardently, he loves most constantly, he loves most faithfully, and seeks how to assist his friends.

He made his own Name, and he made it such as that Ut sit cunctis cordiale, all should love it above all Capitale, principale, names, and before all nameSj Dilectum ex intimis. and more intimately than all other names.

This is nature's law : that Habent hoc naturae jura : we study our best to love him Ut amantem tota cura who loves us, and cordially do Redamemus, placitura all we can to please him. Praastantes ex animis.

The Name of Jesus includes Jesu Nomen omne bonum all good things; its sound is Tenet, dulcem facit sonum: sweet ; it merits for us a Promeretur regni thronum, throne in the kingdom ; it Auditum lsetificat. gladdens our hearing. hoc lucet splendor Patris, hoc patet decor Matris : hoc fulget honor Patris, Hoc fratres magnificat

The brightness of the Father In shines in it; the beauty of the Mother beams through it ; In the honour of the Father is In reflected in it ; the glory of the Brethren comes from it.

Would any one, therefore, Ergo si quis velit scire know, how it is that the Name Quare Nomen J esu mire of Jesus so wonderfully causes Facit bonos concupire the good to desire Him whose Sui inhaerentia. Name it is ?

It is that Jesus is beautiful Jesu, pulcher in decore, in comeliness, infinitely good Summe bonus in valore, in worth, meek, gentle, and Mitis, lenis, cum dulcore

J esus is the King of glory ; J esus est Rex gloriosua,

Jesus is beautiful in appear- Jesus forma speciosus : ance: Jesus is graceful in Jesus lingua gratiosus, speech, and admirable in his Et mirandus opere. works.

Jesus is strong, and valiant ; Jesus fortis, animosus,

Jesus is a vigorous combatant ; Jesus pugil vigorosus,

Jesus is generous in his gifts, Jesus donis copiosus, and loves to give. Et gaudet tribuere.

Jesus is tenderly com pas- Jesus pie viscerosus, sionate; Jesus is the enlight- Jesus ductor luminosus, ened guide ; Jesus is the de- Jesus est deliciosus, light of all who know him, Et sapit dulcissime. and most sweet is his company,

Jesus is glorified throughout Jesus fama gloriosus, the world ; Jesus brings the Jesus cunctis fructuosua, fruit of blessings to all ; Jesus

Pronus ad clementiam*

Jesus totus virtuosus, Fovet sue* optime.

Summe celsus in honore, Sum me gratus in am ore, Omnem Tandem obtinet.

In sciendo omne sapit, Ambiendo cuncta capit, Diligendo corda rapit, £t illata detinet. is the source of every virtue, and takes the tendereat care of those that are his.

There is none equal to him in honour, there is none like him in affection, and all the earth praises him.

He knows all things, and holds all things in his omnipresent providence; his love wins him the hearts of his creatures and keeps them fastened to himself.

All hail, then, to this Name so loved— "Sweet Jesu*/" May it be so fixed within our hearts, that no power may take it from us 1

May it bring us the forgiveness of our sins ; may it inspire us to hymn God's praise; may it lead us to the possession of our blissful throne in heaven. Amen.

We cannot refuse to our readers the following Hymn from the ancient Missals of Germany, notwithstanding its being, in several of the ideas and expression, a repetition of the one just given.

Eia nobis Nomen gratum, Dnlcis Jesus appellatum: Sit in corde sic firmatum, Ut non possit eruL

Hoc reatum peccatorum Tollat, prawtet jubilorum Odas : sede beatorum Donet nobis perfrui. Amen.

HYMN.

Nomen jure sublimatum, In excelsis adoratum, Nomen summae gloria) : Gabrieli revelatum, Et in terris nunciatum Genitrici gratiae.

Haec octavo die natum, Circumcisum more patrum, Salvatorem nominat Universo publicatum Mundo Nomen hoc beatum Credentes salvificat.

In hoc lucet Trinitatis Splendor atque unitatis ;

Jesus, Name so justly honoured, adored in heaven and expressive of infinite glory ! It was revealed to Gabriel, and announced on earth to the Mother of divine grace.

She, on the eighth day, when her Son had been circumcised according to the Jewish ceremony, she called him Jesus. The blessed Name was preached to the whole world, and saves them that believe.

The glory of the divine Trinity and Unity blazes forth

2ND SUNDAY: FEAST OF in this Name; it gladdens heaven ; the brightness of the Father shines in it; the beauty of the Mother beams through it ; the glory of the Brethren comes from it

This is the name of salvation, and the wonderful consolation which comforts the 8orrowf ul. It behoves us ever to honour, and bless, and

§ raise, with joyful hearts, this ear Name.

It is music when preached to us ; it is sweet honey when invoked by us ; it defends ua from temptation. It is joy to us when we think on it, and the wicked spirits are seized with strange fear when they hear us say it.

This is the name that is full of grace, and fruit, and virtue, above all names. It makes known to men the gracious, the beautiful, the loving face of God.

It is fair in beauty, it is surpassingly good in worth, its inner relish is most sweet ; it is most powerful in energy, most high in honour, and gives a happy delight.

Do thou, therefore, good Jesus ! Shepherd and Light unfailing of our souls ! defend us, and, for thy dear Name's sake, let not the dismal chaos of darkness ingulf us.

O thou the .Reformer of all nations, that destroyest death by thy Life ! O Restorer of the loss sustained by the Angels, give thyself unto us. Amen.

Hoc caelum lastificat. In hoc fulget honor Patris, In hoc patet decor Matris, Hoc f rat res glorificat.

Hoc est Nomen salutare, Et solamen singulare,

Suod succurrit tristibus. oc nos decet honorare, Benedicere, laudare Semper laetis mentibus.

Hoc est melos prsedicatum,

Dulce mel est invocatum, Servat ab insultibus. Jubilus est cogitatum, Nomen mire formidatum Malignis spiritibus.

Ecce Nomen gratiosum, Fructuosum, virtuosum Pro cunctis nominibus Vultum Dei gratiosum, Speciosum, amorosum, Ostendit hominibus.

Nomen pulchrum in decore,

Summe bonum in valore, Intus sapit dulciter ; Summe potens in vigore, Summe celsum in honore DeJectat feliciter.

Ergo Pastor animarum, Bone Jeus, et earum Lumen indeficiens, Propter Nomen tuum carom Tetrum chaos tenebrarum Obstrue, nos muniens.

O Reformator cunctarum Nationum humanarum, Vita mortem auferens, Restaurator ruin arum Yirtutum angelicarum, Te ipsum sis Targiens.

Amen

The Mass and Vespers of the 3rd and Uh Sundays after the Epiphany, as also of the Sundays of Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, will be found at the end of this Volume. We have done this in order not to interrupt the series of the Forty Lays of Christmas, and to spare the Faithful the trouble of searching for these Offices amidst the Proper of the Saints.