The Αἴτησις - III

Today is a public holiday - Foundation Day, commemorating the establishment of the Swan River Colony in 1829 by Lt-Governor James Stirling; he himself instituted the keeping the anniversary, as a means to unite settlers and natives, masters and servants! The Parmelia, carrying Stirling and another 67 first settlers, sighted the coast on this day. However, Captain Charles Fremantle had claimed what is now Western Australia for King George IV of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland on the 25th of April (now ANZAC Day), while Stirling proclaimed the colony in an official ceremony on the 11th of June. Nowadays, the State has two million inhabitants...

Today, for me, has been a lazy day again: I regard a long weekend as a chance to keep a triduum devoted to sacred leisure! I must get on and say the rest of the Office - only Lauds, Prime, and Terce, so far... at least I made it to Confession, always a blessing.

The good parishioners of the Latin Mass community have been busy with a working bee at our new-church-to-be, St Anne's, earlier on; I dropped by in the afternoon, and did some small jobs for Fr Rowe, and ended up feeding him some dinner here at my place, since I don't live far from St Anne's. There still remains a lot of work to do: the sanctuary isn't far off, but the high altar still needs to be installed, and so much else must be done.

But now for more about the Litany of Supplication (Αἴτησις): it appears, from the Apostolic Constitutions, and more proximately from the homilies of St John Chrysostom on the second Epistle to the Corinthians, that the petitions of this synapte were originally prayed by the catechumens immediately before their dismissal, hence the prayer for angelic aid (which otherwise seems inappropriate to the time of the Liturgy, when the faithful remain in God's presence and protection, offering up and receiving the Sacrifice of Christ) -

St John Chrysostom, Homilies on II Corinthians, Homily 2, 10 (commenting on II Cor. i, 10-11)

... After all this [the preceding petitions of the special Litany for the Catechumens], he [the deacon] bids them [the catechumens] stand up during what follows. For having before cast them to the ground, when they have asked what they have asked and have been filled with confidence, now the word given raises them up, and bids them during what follows engage for themselves also in supplication to God. For part we say ourselves, and part we permit them to say, now opening unto them the door of prayer, (exactly as we first teach children [what to say], and then bid them say it of themselves,) saying, “Pray ye, Catechumens, for the angel of peace;” for there is an angel that punishes, as when He says, “A band of evil angels,” [Psalm 78:49] there is that destroys. Wherefore we bid them ask for the angel of peace, teaching them to seek that which is the bond of all good things, peace; so that they may be delivered from all fightings, all wars, all seditions. “That all that is before you may be peaceful;” for even if a thing be burdensome, if a man have peace, it is light. Wherefore Christ also said, “My peace I give unto you” [John 14:27] for the devil has no weapon so strong as fighting, and enmity, and war. “Pray that this day and all the days of your life be full of peace.” Do you see how he again insists that the whole life be passed in virtue? “That your ends be Christian;” [“For] your highest good, the honorable and the expedient[”]; for what is not honorable is not expedient either. For our idea of the nature of expediency is different from that of the many. “Commend yourselves to the living God and to His Christ;” for as yet we trust them not to pray for others, but it is sufficient to be able to pray for themselves. ...

******
Apostolic Constitutions VIII, 6:

[After the faithful pray for them, the deacon exclaims:] …Rise up, you catechumens, beg for yourselves the peace of God through His Christ, a peaceable day, and free from sin, and the like for the whole time of your life, and your Christian ends of it; a compassionate and merciful God; and the forgiveness of your transgressions. Dedicate yourselves to the only unbegotten God, through His Christ. ...

Protector in te sperantium

At the end of Vespers, upon making the proper commemoration of the eve, I was struck by the wonderful collect for tomorrow, the 3rd Sunday after Pentecost (called Respice in me, after its Introit):

Protector in te sperantium, Deus, sine quo nihil est validum, nihil sanctum: multiplica super nos misericordiam tuam, ut, te rectore, te duce, sic transeamus per bona temporalia, ut non amittamus æterna. Per Dominum...

O God, the protector of all that trust in thee, without whom nothing is strong, nothing is holy; Increase and multiply upon us thy mercy; that, thou being our ruler and guide, we may so pass through things temporal, that we finally lose not the things eternal: Grant this, O heavenly Father, for Jesus Christ’s sake our Lord. Amen.

The English is that of the BCP collect for the 4th after Trinity, following Cranmer: really, though he was a most vile heresiarch, he certainly had the gift of making excellent translations. (I note with interest that my St Andrew Daily Missal provides this text for the collect, with only very minor adjustments.) This fine, if Anglican, translation has been brought into word-for-word official use in Catholic worship in The Book of Divine Worship of the Anglican Use, wherein it is found appointed for the Sunday closest to the 27th of July, following recent ECUSA diktat.

Steak and Ale

As the proverb hath it, Feed the man meat. For this cause, I just had a good panfried porterhouse steak, good and juicy (altho' I wished for it a bit rarer - must remember to cook it even more rapidly next time), with some chips and pickled onions, and a glass of Unibroue's Don de Dieu ale on lees (9%). A toast to the founding of Quebec city by Champlain, on the Don de Dieu, some four centuries ago this year.

Imagine, Bad Queen Bess had steak and ale daily - for breakfast! Indeed she had the heart and stomach of a king, albeit the heretic and wicked heart of her father.

A cup of tea to finish is coming up, and then I'll repair to the chapel for Vespers of the Blessed Virgin.

St Theodore the Studite: How to Pray

There are a number of delightful short writings of St Theodore the Studite available in English translation at Anastasis, a site which is a great mine for those interested in Byzantine liturgy and devotion; the saint's advice on prayer for a religious named Anna is most apposite.

The Αἴτησις - II

Yesterday I was just exhausted after work; it was all I could manage to come into presence of Our Lord ethroned upon the altar, and during the Holy Hour (and Low Mass following) finish off the Hours for the Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of our Jesus, He Who loves and saves us, and comes to us in the Sacrament and Sacrifice, that He may give us rest.


Today has been a lazy day; must still say Matins of the Queenship of Our Lady (I tend to allow myself the modern help of treating this as an Office of Readings, to be said pro opportunitate, as else its length tends to scare me off and takes away from my devotion to the Office, especially since I rarely have time to fit in Matins AND Lauds and Prime in the morning), and then her Vespers (I was surprised to find, consulting the Ordo, that one only commemorates the Sunday tonight). What is nice about this is that tonight's Compline will have its traditional Psalms - 4, 90, and 133 - which I far prefer to the variable weekday ones; if only the Roman Breviary had kept these invariable!

BTW, I think the Novus Ordo is much more sensible (!) in that it places the feast of the Queenship of Our Lady on the octave day of the Assumption, and moves the feast of her Immaculate Heart from that day to this, that is, to the Saturday following the feast of Our Lord's Sacred Heart on Friday.

But to return to my perusing of the Byzantine Liturgy: here is the Litany of Supplication (Αἴτησις), both in its original Greek, and in the Latin translation made long years past by Erasmus (slightly edited, to match the Greek):

Πληρώσωμεν τὴν [ἑωθινὴν / ἑσπερινὴν] δέησιν ἡμῶν τῷ Κυρίῳ.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Ἀντιλαβοῦ, σῶσον, ἐλέησον καὶ διαφύλαξον ἡμᾶς ὁ Θεὸς τῇ Σῇ χάριτι.

Κύριε, ἐλέησον.

Τὴν ἡμέραν [or, ἑσπέραν] πᾶσαν τελείαν, ἁγίαν, εἰρηνικὴν καὶ ἀναμάρτητον παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Ἄγγελον εἰρήνης, πιστὸν ὁδηγόν, φύλακα τῶν ψυχῶν καὶ τῶν σωμάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Συγγώμην καὶ ἄφεσιν τῶν ἀμαρτιῶν καὶ τῶν πλημμελημάτων ἡμῶν παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Τὰ καλὰ καὶ συμφέροντα ταῖς ψυχαῖς ἡμῶν καὶ εἰρήνην τῷ κόσμῳ παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Τὸν ὑπόλοιτον χρόνον τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν ἐν εἰρήνῃ καὶ μετανοίᾳ ἐκτελέσαι παρὰ τοῦ Κυρίου αἰτησώμεθα.

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Χριστιανὰ τὰ τέλη τῆς ζωῆς ἡμῶν, ἀνώδυνα, ἀνεπαίσχυντα, εἰρηνικὰ καὶ καλὴν ἀπολογίαν τὴν ἐπὶ τοῦ φοβεροῦ Βήματος τοῦ Χριστοῦ αἰτησώμεθα.

Παράσχου, Κύριε.

Τῆς Παναγίας, ἀχράντου, ὑπερευλογημένης, ἐνδόξου, Δεσποίνης ἡμῶν Θεοτόκου καὶ ἀειπαρθένου Μαρίας, μετὰ πάντων τῶν Ἁγίων μνημονεύσαντες, ἑαυτοὺς καὶ ἀλλήλους καὶ πᾶσαν τὴν ζωὴν ἡμῶν, Χριστῷ τῷ Θεῷ παραθώμεθα.

Σοί, Κύριε.

Ὅτι [ἀγαθὸς καὶ φιλάνθρωπος Θεὸς / Θεὸς ἐλέους, οἰκτιρμῶν, καὶ φιλανθρωπίας] ὑπάρχεις, καὶ σοὶ τὴν δόξαν ἀναπέμπομεν, τῷ Πατρὶ καὶ τῷ Υἱῷ καὶ τῷ Ἁγίῳ Πνεύματι, νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων.

Ἀμήν.

******

Compleamus [matutinam / vesperam] precationem nostram Domino.

Domine, miserere.

Suscipe, serva, miserere et custodi nos, Deus, gratia tua.

Domine, miserere.

Diem [or, Vesperum] totum perfectum, [sanctum,] pacificum et sine peccato a Domino petamus.

Concede, Domine.

Angelum pacis, fidelem ducem, custodem animarum et corporum nostrorum a Domino petamus.

Concede, Domine.

Veniam et remissionem peccatorum et delictorum nostrorum a Domino petamus.

Concede, Domine.

Bona et animabus nostris competentia, [Bona et utilia animæ nostræ,…] et pacem mundo a Domino petamus.

Concede, Domine.

Residuum tempus vitæ nostræ in pace et pœnitentia transigere a Domino petamus.

Concede, Domine.

Christianum vitæ nostræ finem, sine dolore et dedecore, pacificam, et bonam ante terribile tribunal [Christi] defensionem petamus.

Concede, Domine.

Sanctissimæ, intemeratæ, super omnes benedictæ, Dominæ nostræ Deiparæ et semper virginis Mariæ cum omnibus sanctis memoriam agentes, nosmetipsos et mutuo, et totam vitam nostram Christo Deo consecremus.

Tibi, Domine.

Quia bonus et benignus Deus es, et tibi gloriam referimus, Patri, et Filio, et sancto Spiritui, nunc et semper, et in sæcula sæculorum.

Amen.

The Αἴτησις

Having finished all my Office earlier (but for Compline, of course) - Matins, Lauds and Prime before work, Terce and Sext in breaks, and, having gone to Glendalough for Confession, None before it and Vespers afterward, coram Sanctissimo - I felt like saying some litanic prayers, and picked up my Byzantine Divine Liturgy book: this is the Litany of Supplication (Αἴτησις) - the first two petitions are not of its special form, but belong with it...

Let us complete our [morning/evening] prayer to the Lord.

Lord, have mercy.

Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Thy grace.

Lord, have mercy.

1. For this whole day [evening], that it may be perfect, holy, peaceful and sinless, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

2. An Angel of peace, a faithful guide, a guardian of our souls and bodies, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

3. Forgiveness and remission of our sins and transgressions, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

4. Things that are good and profitable for our souls and peace for the world, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

*

5. To complete the remaining time of our life in peace and repentance, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

6. Christian ends to our life, painless, blameless, peaceful, and of good defence before the fearful Judgement Seat of Christ, let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

Commemorating our All-Holy, spotless, exceedingly blessed, glorified Lady, Mother of God and Ever-Virgin Mary, with all the Saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.

To Thee, O Lord.

For thou art [a good and philanthropic God / a God of mercy, compassion, and philanthropy], and unto Thee do we send up glory, to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost, both now and ever and unto the ages of the ages.

Amen.

Where the asterisk is, I sometimes add the following from Lancelot Andrewes, to make up the number to seven supplications (numero Deus impari gaudet - Virgil):

Whatsoever things are true,
whatsoever things are honest,
whatsoever things are just,
whatsoever things are pure,
whatsoever things are lovely,
whatsoever things are of good report,
if there be any virtue
and if there be any praise,
that we may think on these things
and practise these things,
let us ask of the Lord.

Grant this, O Lord.

— Lancelot Andrewes, Preces Privatæ. F.E. Brightman, tr. (London: Methuen & Co., 1903) 24, l. 28 – 25, l. 4. (Cf. Phil. iv, 8.)

I also call to mind the prayer of St Ioannikos (Ioannicius) the monk (d. 846), the Latin for which the Martyrology entry for 3rd November tells us:

Ἡ ἐλπίς μου Πατήρ, καταφυγή μου Υἱός, σκέπη μου τὸ Πνεῦμα τὸ Ἅγιον, Τριὰς Ἁγία, δόξα σοι. Ἀμήν.

Spes mea Deus, refugium meum Christus, protector meus Spiritus Sanctus. [Trinitas Sancta, gloria tibi. Amen.]

My hope is the Father, my refuge is the Son, my protection is the Holy Ghost. Holy Trinity, glory to Thee. Amen.

Vale, Petre

I felt rather unwell today, and in fact had to leave work early; a good long sleep made me feel a lot better, and whatever was the matter seems to have passed, thanks be.

It was lucky that I was over whatever had been ailing me by this evening, since this was the last chance for my housemates and I to meet up with Peter, our friend from Bunbury, since Peter, having come up to Perth for a few days, is returning to Bunbury tomorrow, and will leave Australia on the 15th prox., since he's joining the Carmelite Monks in Wyoming.

Peter came round, and we had some fairly hearty soup I concocted (shades of that budae jjigae I had last week!), together with some beer (Unibroue, from Quebec). He recommended that I blog about all this, so here you are, Pete!

I had to drive him over to Fr Rowe's place, since he's staying there overnight so as to be able to get into town very early in the morning to meet a friend, and so we shared a last bit of conversation, a mix of seriousness and joking.

Partly humorously, I suggested that he write up in his cell the text Quoniam propter te mortificamur tota die (Ps 43:22), once he arrives to begin his hidden life of contemplation and penance!

More seriously, I think that the following text of St Paul (Colossians iii, 1-17), a favourite of mine (especially the opening verses, used in the Office at Eastertide), bears much consideration, whether as a monk or indeed as any Christian, seeking to save one's soul:

Brethren:
Therefore, if you be risen with Christ, seek the things that are above; where Christ is sitting at the right hand of God:
Mind the things that are above, not the things that are upon the earth.
For you are dead; and your life is hid with Christ in God.
When Christ shall appear, who is your life, then you also shall appear with him in glory.
Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, lust, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is the service of idols.
For which things the wrath of God cometh upon the children of unbelief,
In which you also walked some time, when you lived in them.
But now put you also all away: anger, indignation, malice, blasphemy, filthy speech out of your mouth.
Lie not one to another: stripping yourselves of the old man with his deeds,
And putting on the new, him who is renewed unto knowledge, according to the image of him that created him.
Where there is neither Gentile nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian nor Scythian, bond nor free. But Christ is all, and in all.
Put ye on therefore, as the elect of God, holy, and beloved, the bowels of mercy, benignity, humility, modesty, patience:
Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also.
But above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection:
And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful.
Let the word of Christ dwell in you abundantly, in all wisdom: teaching and admonishing one another in psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles, singing in grace in your hearts to God.
All whatsoever you do in word or in work, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.

Well, this has probably been the last time I shall see Peter; he has very kindly promised to pray for me and all the others here in Perth, and I ask any readers to pray for him, that he persevere in his holy vocation if such be God's will for him.

I would also appreciate prayers at the moment, for I have various things to deal with, and would appreciate spiritual aid.

Some Liturgical Devotions to St Philip Neri

This is the Vesper hymn from the traditional Ambrosian Rite for St Philip Neri:

Sacrum Philippum canticum
Terræque et astra concinant:
Implevit hic virtutibus
Terras, et astra civibus.

Rectæ magister semitæ,
Dux gentis, ara pauperum,
Ardens lucerna in Israel;
Sic ille Romæ splenduit.

Inter sepulchra martyrum
Orat, latetque pervigil:
Ex his sepulchris prodiens
Vitam resumit cœlicam.

Romanæ honorem purpuræ,
Quo plus meretur, respuit;
Et major ostro et infulis
Virtute sola fulgurat.

Illapsa flamma pectori
Divini amoris æstuat,
Et corde claudi nescia
Costas refractas dividit.

Ad astra jam cor altius
Vulnus per illud evolat;
Et fusa late in proximos
Divina flagrat caritas.

Hæc caritatis vulnera
Plagas coæquant martyrum:
Hic cordis ignis æstuans
Flammas adæquat Seraphim.

Ergo rogamus supplices,
Philippe, summo Numini
Tu nostra pande pectora,
Tuis ut urat ignibus.

Deo Patri sit gloria
Ejusque soli Filio
Cum Spiritu Paraclito
In sempiterna sæcula. Amen.

According to the Oratorian Proper, the 1st Nocturn readings are from Ecclesiasticus 51:11-30 [RSV] (Vulg. 51:15-38), the 2nd Nocturn readings are those of the Breviary previous to its last preconciliar reform, and the readings for the 3rd Nocturn are as follows:

Lectio VII.

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam.

In illo tempore; dixit Jesus discipulis suis: Sint lumbi vestri præcincti, et lucernæ ardentes in manibus vestris. Et reliqua.

Homilia sancti Ambrosii Episcopi.

Lib. 7. In Lucam. [Expositio Evangelii secundum Lucam VII, 131-132]

Beati servi illi, quos cum venerit Dominus invenerit vigilantes. In superioribus vigilare nos voluit, per omnia expectantes momenta Domini Salvatoris adventum; ne dum aliquis remittit, et negligit, et de die in diem opera sua differt, judicii futuri die, vel propria morte præventus meritum suæ commendationis amittat; et illa quidem in omnes præcepti forma generalis. (Quod si dixerit servus ille in corde suo, moram facit Dominus meus venire). Verum series sequentis exempli dispensatoribus, hoc est Sacerdotibus, videtur esse proposita, quo sciant sibi gravem in futurum pœnam esse subeundam, si sæcularibus intenti deliciis, familiam Domini, plebemque commissam sibi gubernare neglexerint. Ille autem servus, qui cognovit voluntatem Domini sui, et non præparavit, et non fecit secundum voluntatem ejus, vapulabit multis.

(A reading of the holy Gospel according to Luke.

At that time, Jesus said to his disciples: Let your loins be girt, and lamps burning in your hands. And the rest.

A homily of St Ambrose the Bishop.

Blessed are those servants, whom the Lord when he cometh, shall find watching. Above, he wished us to expect at all times the Coming of our Saviour , lest when someone relax and neglect his tasks, putting them off from day to day, he be prevented by the day of the future Judgement or his own death and lose the merit of his worth. And, surely, that is the general form of a precept for all. But if that servant shall say in his heart: My lord is long a coming… is indeed the link with the following example for stewards , that is, it seems to be set before Priests, whereby they may know that they will suffer severe punishment in the future, if, intent on worldly pleasures, they have neglected to govern the Lord’s Household and the people entrusted to them. And that servant who knew the will of his lord, and prepared not himself, and did not according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. )

Lectio VIII.

Sed quia exiguus est profectus, et parva meritorum gratia, supplicii metu ab errore revocari, majorque prærogativa caritatis et amoris est Dominus ad promerendam sui gratiam studia nostra acuit, et acquirenda cupiditate divinitatis inflammat dicens: Ignem veni mittere in terram. Non utique illum ignem consumptorem bonorum, sed bonæ voluntatis auctorem, qui aurea Dominicæ domus vasa meliorat, fœnum vero consumit, et stipulam, et sæcularia omnia mundi voluptate concreta; perituræque opus carnis exurit; ille ignis divinus, qui flammigerabat in ossibus Prophetarum, sicut Sanctus dixit: Quia factus est sicut ignis ardens flammigerans in ossibus meis. Est enim ignis Domini, de quo dictum est: Ignis ante eum ardebit.

(But because the profit is slight and the grace of merits little, in being recalled from error by the fear of punishment, and the prerogative of charity and love is greater, therefore the Lord sharpens our zeal to express his grace and inflames us with the desire for divinity, saying, I am come to send fire on the earth, surely not that fire which destroys the good, but the author of good will, which refines the golden vessels of the Lord’s House, but consumes hay and halm. And worldly things, stiffened by the pleasure of this age and the work of the perishable flesh are burned by that divine fire which blazed in the bones of the prophets, as a Saint says: But it was as burning fire flaming in my bones. For there is a fire of the Lord of which it is said, Fire shall go before him.)

Lectio IX.

Sint autem lumbi vestri præcincti, et lucernæ ardentes; et ideo, quia nox est dies hujus vitæ, lucerna est necessaria. Hunc ignem in se etiam Amaon, et Cleophas a Domino missum esse testatur, dicentes: Nonne cor nostrum ardens erat in via, cum aperiret nobis Scripturas? Evidenter itaque docuerunt, qualis istius ignis sit operatio, qui secreta cordis illuminat . Et ideo fortasse Dominus in igne venturus est, ut resurrectionis tempore vitia universa consumat, suique conspectu desideria compleat singulorum; meritorumque, et mysteriorum lumen accendat.

(Let therefore your loins be girt, and lamps burning. And, therefore, because the night is the day of this life, a lamp is needful. Do not also Ammos and Cleophas bear witness that this fire was sent to them from the Lord, saying, Was not our heart burning… on the way, when he opened to us the scriptures? Thus, they clearly taught what is the operation of that fire which illumines the secrets of the heart. Thus, perchance, the Lord is to come in fire, so that at the time of the Resurrection, he may consume all offences, and by his appearance fulfil the desires of individuals and of the deserving, and kindle the light of mysteries.)

Here is the traditional Oratorian Preface for St Philip, with my poor translation:

Vere dignum, et justum est, æquum et salutare nos tibi semper et ubique gratias agere, Domine sancte, Pater omnipotens, æterne Deus.
Qui beatum Philippum gratiæ tuæ muneribus, amoris igne æstuare fecisti: qua ineffabili charitate inflammatus, novam ad animarum lucrum Congregationem instituit, et quæ aliis dedit salutis monita, operum exhibitione complevit.
Quæsumus clementiam tuam ut illius nos festivitate (commemoratione) lætifices, exemplo piæ conversationis exerceas, verbo prædicationis erudias, grataque tibi supplicatione tuearis.
Et ideo cum Angelis et Archangelis cum Thronis et Dominationibus cumque omni militia cœlestis exercitus, hymnum gloriæ tuæ canimus, sine fine dicentes:

(Truly it is worthy and just, right and salutary for us always and everywhere to give thanks unto thee, holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God.
Who hast made blessed Philip by the gifts of thy grace to burn with the fire of love: enkindled by that ineffable charity, he instituted a new Congregation for the gain of souls, and those salutary precepts he gave others, he accomplished by the example of his deeds.
We beseech therefore thy clemency, that thou mayest give us joy by his feast (commemoration), exercise us by the example of his pious conduct, instruct us by the word of his preaching, and protect us by his thankful supplication unto thee.
And therefore with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with every army of the host of heaven, we sing a hymn to thy glory, saying without end:)

Finally, here are the traditional and the modern responsories for Matins/Office of Readings for the saint, together with references to their sources; I have dared to add three compositions of my own at the end, for private devotion only:

I. THE EIGHT TRADITIONAL RESPONSORIES

First Nocturn – Responsories referring to the Marvellous Dilation of St Philip’s Heart by the Fire of Divine Love of the Holy Ghost

Resp. 1

R. Repletus Spiritus sancto beatus Philippus ascensiones suas disposuit in corde suo; * Et totis visceribus diligebat Dominum. V. Dedit ei Spiritus Domini sapientiam, et prudentiam multam nimis, et latitudinem cordis. * Et totis visceribus diligebat Dominum.

“repletus Spiritus sancto Petrus” – Acts 4:8
“Paulus, repletus Spiritus sancto” – Acts 13:9
“ascensiones in corde suo disposuit” – Ps 83(84):6
“qui totis visceribus diligebat Christum Regem” – Aña ad Magn., Vespers of St Martin of Tours
“Dedit quoque Deus sapientiam Salomoni et prudentiam multam nimis, et latitudinem cordis” – 3(1) Kings 4:29a

Resp. 2

R. Spiritus sanctus a throno procedens, illius cor penetravit * Novo sanctificationis signo. V. Advenit ignis divinus confringens, urens, et illuminans; et tribuit ei charismatum dona. * Novo sanctificationis signo.

“R. Spiritus sanctus, procedens a throno, Apostolorum pectora invisibiliter penetravit novo sanctificationis signo: * Ut in ore eorum omnium genera nascerentur linguarum, alleluja. V. Advenit ignis divinus, non comburens, sed illuminans et tribuit eis charismatum dona. * Ut in ore…” – Matins of Pentecost (Feria II in Oct. Pent., R. ii)

Resp. 3

Amore vulneratus languebat jugiter dicens: * Quis me separabit a caritate. V. Certus sum enim, quia neque mors, neque vita, poterit me separare a caritate Dei, quoniam ipse in me manet, et ego in eo. * Quis me separabit a caritate. Gloria Patri… * Quis me separabit a caritate.

“Caritate Dei vulneratus languebat jugiter” – Lesson 5, Matins of St Philip Neri
«Vulneratus caritatis sum ego» – saying of St Philip Neri
Cf. “quia amore langueo” – Cant 2:5c & 5:8c
Cf. “Vulnerasti cor meum… vulnerasti cor meum…” – Cant 4:9
“Quis ergo nos separabit a caritate” – Rom 8:35a
“Certus sum enim quia neque mors, neque vita” – Rom 8:38a
“poterit nos separare a caritate Dei” – Rom 8: 39b
“in illo manet, et ipse in eo” – 1 Jn 3:24a
“quoniam in eo manemus, et ipse in nobis” – 1 Jn 4:13a
“quoniam… Deus in eo manet, et ipse in Deo” – 1 Jn 4:15b
“in me manet, et ego in illo” – Jn 6:57b
“qui manet in me et ego in eo” – Jn 15:5

Second Nocturn – Responsories referring to the Death of St Philip

Resp. 4

R. Oculis et manibus in cælum semper intentus: * Invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat. V. Clamans clamabat ad Dominum: Quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Dei? * Invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat.

“Oculis ac manibus in cælum semper intentus, invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat.” – V. of R. ii, Matins of St Martin of Tours
“R. Oculis ac manibus in cælum semper intentus, * Invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat.” – R. of R. iv., Matins of St Martin of Tours
“Oculis ac manibus in cælum semper intentus, invictum ab oratione spiritum non relaxabat, alleluja. ” – Aña 4, Lauds & Vespers of St Martin of Tours
“clamabat ad Dominum, dicens” – Judith 9:1b
“quando veniam, et apparebo ante faciem Dei?” – Ps 41(42):3b

Resp. 5

R. Obitum suum longe ante præscivit, dixitque fratribus: * Cupio dissolvi, et esse cum Christo. V. Interiora mea intra me efferbuerunt absque ulla requie. * Cupio dissolvi, et esse cum Christo.

“Beatus Martinus obitum suum longe ante præscivit, dixitque fratribus, * Dissolutionem sui corporis imminere, quia judicabat se jam resolvi.” – R. of R. v., Matins of St Martin of Tours
“desiderium habens dissolvi, et esse cum Christo” – Phil 1:23b
“interiora mea efferbuerunt absque ulla requie” – Job 30:27a

Resp. 6

R. [Hodie] Philippus migravit a sæculo gemma sacerdotum. * Per quem in cælo viventem tanta miracula coruscant. V. O virum ineffabilem, nec labore victum, nec morte vincendum. * Per quem in cælo viventem tanta miracula coruscant. Gloria Patri… * Per quem in cælo viventem tanta miracula coruscant.

“Martinus episcopus migravit a sæculo: vivit in Christo gemma sacerdotum.” – V. of R. viii, Matins of St Martin of Tours
“O ineffabilem virum, per quem nobis tanta miracula coruscant!” – Aña 6, Matins of St Martin of Tours
“O virum ineffabilem, nec labore victum, nec morte vincendum, qui nec mori timuit, nec vivere recusavit!” – Aña 3, Lauds & Vespers of St Martin of Tours

Third Nocturn – Responsories referring to St Philip’s Desires for His Congregation of the Oratory

Resp. 7

R. Domus mea domus orationis vocabitur: * In eas omnis qui petit accipit, qui quærit invenit, et pulsanti aperietur. V. Lætificabo eos in domo orationis. * In eas omnis qui petit accipit, qui quærit invenit, et pulsanti aperietur.

“domus mea domus orationis vocabitur” – Is 56:7d
“Omnis enim qui petit, accipit: et qui quærit, invenit: et pulsanti aperietur.” – Mt 7:8 & Lk 11:10
“lætificabo eos in domo orationis” – Is 56:7b

Resp. 8

R. Obsecro itaque, filii, orationes fieri, postulationes, gratiarum actiones pro omnibus: * Et diligite decorem domus Dei. V. Manete in vocatione; attendite lectioni, et doctrinæ; conversationem inter gentes habete bonam. * Et diligite decorem domus Dei. Gloria Patri… * Et diligite decorem domus Dei.

“Obsecro igitur primum omnium fieri obsecrationes, orationes, postulationes, gratiarum actiones, pro omnibus hominibus ” – 1 Tim 2:1
“Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuæ” – Ps 25:8a
“Obsecro itaque vos ego vinctus in Domino, ut digne ambuletis vocatione, qua vocati estis” – Eph 4:1
“manete in vocatione” – not a Scriptural quotation, but quoted by St Gaspar del Bufalo (1836)
“attende lectioni, exhortationi, et doctrinæ”- 1 Tim 4:13b
“conversationem vestram inter gentes habentes bonam” – 1 Pet 2:12a

II. Responsories for Office of Readings of St Philip Neri

Resp. 1 (shortened form of Matins Resp. 8)

R. Obsecro itaque, filii, manete in vocatione, attendite lectioni et doctrinæ. * Conversationem inter gentes habete bonam. V. Et diligite decorem domus Dei. * Conversationem inter gentes habete bonam.

“Obsecro itaque vos ego vinctus in Domino, ut digne ambuletis vocatione, qua vocati estis” – Eph 4:1
“manete in vocatione” – not a Scriptural quotation, but quoted by St Gaspar del Bufalo (1836)
“attende lectioni, exhortationi, et doctrinæ”- 1 Tim 4:13b
“conversationem vestram inter gentes habentes bonam” – 1 Pet 2:12a
“Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuæ” – Ps 25:8a

Resp. 2 (seems suitable to be Matins Resp. 9)

R. Fratres, gaudete, perfecti estote, exhortamini invicem, idem sapite, pacem habete; * Et Deus dilectionis et pacis erit vobiscum (T.P. alleluja). V. Deus autem spei repleat vos omni gaudio et pace in credendo. * Et Deus dilectionis et pacis erit vobiscum (T.P. alleluja).

De cætero, fratres, gaudete, perfecti estote, exhortamini, idem sapite, pacem habete, et Deus pacis et dilectionis erit vobiscum. — 2 Cor. 13,11
Deus autem spei repleat vos omni gaudio et pace in credendo. — Rom 15,13a

III. Three More Proposed Responsories (Relating to St Philip’s Life), as if for use in the Monastic Rite (which needs 12 Responsories for Feasts)

Resp. 1

R/. Dominus Jesus invenit Philíppum. * Et dicit ei: Sequere me.
V/. Et vocavit Philíppum, unum de amicis suis. * Et dicit ei: Sequere me.

Et vocavit Philippum, unum de amicis suis — 1 Mach 6,14a
[Jesus] invenit Philippum. Et dicit ei Jesus: Sequere me. — Jo 1,43b

Resp. 2

R/. Philíppus ascendens in Civitatem, prædicabant illis Christum. Intendebant autem turbæ his quæ a Philíppo dicebantur, unanimiter audientes, et videntes signa quæ faciebat. * Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in Civitate.
V/. Cum vero credidissent Philíppo evangelizanti de regno Dei, adhærebant Philíppo. Videntes etiam signa et virtutes maximas fieri, stupentes admirabantur. * Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in Civitate.

Philippus autem descendens in civitatem Samariæ, prædicabant illis Christum. Intendebant autem turbæ his quæ a Philippo dicebantur, unanimiter audientes, et videntes signa quæ faciebat. Factum est ergo gaudium magnum in illa civitate.
Cum vero credidissent Philippo evangelizanti de regno Dei…
…adhærebat Philippo. Videns etiam signa et virtutes maximas fieri, stupens admirabatur. — Act 8:5,6,8,12a,13b

Resp. 3

R/. Omnibus omnia factus sum, ut omnes facerem salvos. * Repletus sum consolatione; superabundo gaudio.
V/. Puto autem quod et ego Spiritum Dei habeo. * Repletus sum consolatione; superabundo gaudio.

Omnibus omnia factus sum, ut omnes facerem salvos. — 1 Cor 9,22b
Repletus sum consolatione; superabundo gaudio. — 2 Cor 7,4b
Puto autem quod et ego Spiritum Dei habeo. — 1 Cor 7,40b

Rachmaninoff Vespers

We sang Mass of the 2nd Sunday after Pentecost as usual this morning, supplemented with a Procession in honour of the Blessed Sacrament at its end. In the afternoon - after getting the booklets ready for the Brothers of the Oratory tomorrow - I went with Fr Rowe, Rosemary and Peter to hear the Perth Collegium sing Rachmaninoff's Vespers (a.k.a. All-Night Vigil). Our mate Justin had a starring role thrust upon him, for at the last moment one of the other soloists was taken ill and Justin had to sing the other man's part as well as his own. The music was stunning, and the choir, not to mention Justin, acquitted themselves with aplomb. Afterward, we went out for Chinese (at the nearby Jade Flowers Chinese Restaurant, in Cambridge St, Wembley - I recommend it), together with and followed by some drinks and suchlike, and much good conversation. I even read the assembled brethren Dom Alban Butler's account of the death of St Philip Neri, to prepare us for tomorrow's feast, which ended with these stirring words:

St. Philip, inflamed with the love of God and a desire of praising him worthily, after offering him all the affections of his soul, and the homages of all his creatures, seeing in their poverty and inability nothing equal to his infinite greatness, comforted himself in finding in the Mass a means of glorifying him by a victim worthy of himself. This he offered to him with inexpressible joy, devotion, and humility, to praise and honor his holy name, to be a sacrifice of perfect thanksgiving for his infinite benefits, of expiation for sin, and of impetration to obtain all graces. Hence in this sacrifice he satiated the ardent desires of his zeal, and found such an excess of overflowing love and sweetness in the closest union of his soul with his divine Redeemer.

(from Vol. V of The Lives or the Fathers, Martyrs and Other Principal Saints by the Rev. Alban Butler, the 1864 edition published by D. & J. Sadlier, & Company)

To celebrate the day, I plan to read the Oratorians' 1st class Office of their Founder, kindly provided by one of their number. The Holy Hour for the Brethren of the Oratory (with Simple Exposition, Litany of St Philip, a half-hour of meditation, and Benediction to finish) will start at 5.30pm, to be followed by sung Mass at 6.30pm, and a gaudeamus afterward. Justin and I will sing the Propers, together with Mass V (Kyrie magnæ Deus potentiæ), the Veni Creator at offertory, Pange lingua at communion, and "Rejoice the Lord is King" for a recessional.

Second Sunday after Pentecost - 9th Day of the Novena to St Philip Neri

From Fr Faber:

XII. ST PHILIP’S DAY. [1861] [2nd part: III.]

III. How did he work upon his times? What did he tell people to do? His times were bad, as ours are; and he was raised up, remember, to be the apostle of his times in the centre and capital of all Christendom.
1. The things he did not do; yet other saints had done them.
(1) He never went the world’s way, nor borrowed its methods, however good or promising or lawful they might be.
(2) He preached no reforms, but the secret reforms of single souls.
(3) He founded no intellectual school of philosophy or theology.
(4) He stood aloof from all political movements or views, as things not to his purpose. Indeed I cannot fancy St. Philip having any views; his whole soul was in the Church; his views were not views, they were faiths, principles, obediences.
(5) He attacked nothing, unless indeed it were sin, frivolity, worldliness, and the reluctance of rich people to give large alms; not even did he attack dress or expensiveness, intensely as he hated both the one and the other.
2. What did he tell people to do? Oh strange foolish wisdom of the Gospel!
(1) To keep in their own places, and attend to their ordinary actions, avoiding change, avoiding excitement.
(2) To be exceedingly simple, and not to mind criticisms and talk. If you are devout to St. Philip, he will give you the grace not to care what people say of you — and is not that perfect happiness?
(3) To be always reading the lives of the saints, because that makes an atmosphere, and excludes worldliness without trouble.
(4) To pray, frequent the sacraments, and hear a great many sermons.
(5) To love everybody, to praise everybody, and to find good in everybody. And all this because of the one mastering thought and sovereign love of God.
What was there wonderful in all this? Was it not strangely commonplace, for a saint in whose broken heart the Holy Ghost dwelt supernaturally, and who was the recognised Apostle of great Rome? Yes! this was wonderful, — that he kept to it, that he mixed nothing else with it, that he added nothing else to it, that he persevered in this bare singleness of purpose. This is in my eyes a greater miracle than we read in any of the lives of the saints.
See then, brethren, to what a conclusion we have come! The saint, who had the Holy Ghost in his miraculously dilated heart, is the most commonplace of saints; yet he is also the most peculiar and individual of saints, because of the persevering simplicity of his commonplaceness. Oh how much there is to learn, how much to learn of God and Jesus Christ in this one fact, that St. Philip became the Apostle of Rome, a second Peter and a second Paul in his one self, through the mere perseverance of his enthusiastic, unadventurous simplicity!

[Faber, Frederick William. Notes on Doctrinal and Spiritual Subjects. Volume 1. “Mysteries and Festivals.” 3rd ed. London: Burns & Oates, n.d. [post 1866], pp. 376-8]

Our Lady Help of Christians

A grand day off: a feast, a feast of Our Lady. A day to spend at Mass and in prayer, a day to spend with friends, a rainy day, a day for lounging in a bookshop...

Since the Proper for Australia's 1st class Feast of Our Lady Help of Christians doesn't seem to be online, I will append it below.

Note that all is from the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary (beware - this link gives the wrong short lesson at Prime; it should be that of the season, according to the '62), except for -

(a) the Collect (Omnipotens et misericors Deus, qui ad defensionem);

(b) the Hymns, of which there are two (Sæpe dum Christi populus cruentis at Vespers and Matins, and Te Redemptoris Dominique nostri at Lauds);

(c) the Magnificat and Benedictus Antiphons (Ecce, Maria erat spes nostra at first Vespers, Ad te, o sancta Dei Genetrix at Lauds, and Sancta Maria, succurre miseris... tuum sanctum implorant auxilium at second Vespers, though, rather confusingly, this is, apart from its proper ending, the same as the Common Magnificat antiphon for first Vespers);

(d) the Proper Lessons for Nocturns II and III (from St Bernard's sermons, numbers 69 and 70, except for Lesson vi, which is "from public records");

(e) the Proper ending of Responsory vii at Matins (tuum sanctum implorant auxilium - this of course being, in its versicle, the same as the second half of the second Magnificat antiphon).

******

Die 24 Maji
Beatæ Mariæ Virginis sub titulo Auxilium Christianorum
Patronæ principalis Australiæ

Omnia de Commune Festorum B.M.V., præter ea quæ hic habentur propriæ.

In I Vesperis

Hymnus

Sæpe dum Christi populus cruentis
Hostis infensi premeretur armis,
Venit adjutrix pia Virgo cælo
Lapsa sereno.

Prisca sic patrum monumenta narrant,
Templa testantur spoliis opimis
Clara, votivo repetita cultu
Festa quotannis.

En novi grates liceat Mariæ
Cantici lætis modulis referre
Pro novis donis, resonante plausu
Urbis et Orbis.

Oh dies felix, memoranda fastis,
Qua Petri Sedes fidei magistrum
Triste post lustrum reducem beata
Sorte recepit!

Virgines castæ, puerique puri
Gestiens clerus, populusque grato
Corde Reginæ celebrare cæli
Munera certent.

Virginum Virgo, benedicta Jesu
Mater, hæc auge bona: fac, precamur,
Ut gregem Pastor Pius ad salutis
Pascua ducat.

Te per æternos veneremur annos,
Trinitas, summo celebranda plausu;
Te fides mentes, resonoque linguæ
Carmine laudent.

Amen.

Ad Magn. Aña. Ecce, Maria erat spes nostra, ad quam confugimus in auxilium, ut liberaret nos, et venit in adjutorium nobis.

Oratio

Omnipotens et misericors Deus, qui ad defensionem populi christiani in beatissima Virgine Maria perpetuum auxilium mirabiliter constituisti: concede propitius; ut, tali præsidio muniti certantes in vita, victoriam de hoste maligno consequi valeamus in morte. Per Dñm.

Ad Matutinum

Hymnus Sæpe dum Christi populi cruentis, ut supra

In II Nocturno

Sermo sancti Bernardi Abbatis
(Ex Serm. de 12 stellis [Dom. infra Oct. Assumptionis B.M.V., 1, 2])

Lectio iv

Vehementer quidem nobis, dilectissimi, vir unus et mulier una nocuere: sed gratias Deo, per unum nihilominus virum, et mulierem unam omnia restaurantur, nec sine magno faenore gratiarum. Et quidem sufficere poterat Christus: siquidem et nunc omnis sufficientia nostra ex eo est: sed nobis bonum non erat esse hominem solum. Congruum magis ut adesset nostrae reparationi sexus uterque. Jam itaque nec ipsa mulier benedicta in mulieribus videbitur otiosa: invenietur equidem locus ejus in hac reconciliatione. Opus est enim mediatore ad mediatorem Christum: nec alter nobis utilior quam Maria. Crudelis nimium mediatrix Heva, per quam serpens antiquus pestiferum etiam ipsi viro virus infudit: sed fidelis Maria, quae salutis antidotum et viris et mulieribus propinavit. Illa enim ministra seductionis, haec propitiationis; illa suggessit praevaricationem, haec ingessit redemptionem. Quid ad Mariam accedere trepidet humana fragilitas? Nihil austerum in ea, nihil terribile; tota suavis est, omnibus offerens lac et lanam. Revolve diligentius evangelicae historiae seriem universam: et si quid forte increpatorium, si quid durum, si quod denique signum vel tenuis indignationis occurrerit in Maria, de caetero suspectam habeas, et accedere verearis.

Lectio v
[2, 3, 4, 5]

Quod si, ut vere sunt, plena magis omnia pietatis et gratiae, plena mansuetudinis et misericordiae, quae ad eam pertinent, inveneris, age gratias ei, qui talem tibi mediatricem benignissima miseratione providit, in qua nihil possit esse suspectum. Denique omnibus omnia facta est; sapientibus et insipientibus copiosissima charitate debitricem se fecit. Omnibus misericordiae sinum aperit, ut de plenitudine ejus accipiant universi, captivus redemptionem, aeger curationem, tristis consolationem, peccator veniam, justus gratiam, Angelus laetitiam. Ipsa praeterita non discutit merita; sed omnibus sese exorabilem, omnibus clementissimam praebet, omnium denique necessitates amplissimo quodam miseratur affectu. Ipsa est quondam a Deo promissa mulier serpentis antiqui caput virtutis pede contritura; cujus plane calcaneo in multis versutiis insidiatus est, sed sine causa. Sola enim contrivit universam haereticam pravitatem. Contriti sunt insidiatores, conculcati supplantatores, confutati derogatores, et beatam eam dicunt omnes generationes. Jam si Ecclesia lunae intelligenda videtur vocabulo, habes mediatricem evidenter expressam: Mulier, inquit, amicta sole, et luna sub pedibus ejus. Amplectamur Mariae vestigia, et devotissima supplicatione beatis illius pedibus provolvamur. Teneamus eam, nec dimittamus, donec benedixerit nobis: potens est enim.

Lectio vi
(Ex publicis monumentis)

Præsentissimum Deiparæ auxilium ad religionis hostes profligandos, sæpe populus christianus mirum in modum expertus est: ex quo factum, ut sanctissimus Pontifex Pius quintus post insignem victoriam, intercedente beatissima Virgine, a Christianis de Turcarum tyranno apud Echinadas insulas reportatam, in Litaniis Lauretanis eandem Reginam cælorum inter alia præconia Auxilium Christianorum appellari constituerit. Sed illud in primis memorabile est, atque explorati miraculi loco habendum, quod cum Romanus Pontifex Pius septimus impiorum consiliis et armis ex apostolica Petri Sede exturbatus, et arcta custodia, præsertim Savonæ per annos quinque, eoque amplius fuisset detentus, viis omnibus penitus interclusis, ne Dei Ecclesiam regere posset, nullo similis persecutionis in priscis annalibus exemplo, inopinato et præter omnium expectationem contigit, ut ingenti plausu, ac velut universi orbis manibus pontificio solio restitueretur. Quod et secundo accidit, dum iterum commoto turbine, ab Urbe discedens sacro comitante Cardinalium collegio, Liguriam contendit. Verum præsentissimo Dei beneficio, cessante procella, quæ grave minabatur excidium, Romam, plaudentibus præ novo gaudio populis, reversus est. Antea tamen, quod in votis habuerat, et captivitate detentus exsequi insignem Savonæ imaginem Deiparæ Virginis sub titulo Matris Misericordiæ solemni ritu propriisque manibus decoravit. Quam mirabilem rerum vicissitudinem idem Pontifex Maximus Pius septimus totius eventus intime conscius, cum intercessione sanctissimæ Dei Genetricis, cujus potentem opem, et ipse impense imploraverat, acceptam merito referret in ejusdem Virginis Matris honorem sub appellatione Auxilii Christianorum, sollemne festum indixit perpetuo celebrandum die mensis Maji vigesimo quarto, faustissimi sui in Urbem reditus anniversario, approbato etiam Officio proprio, ut tanti beneficii distincta et perennis exstet memoria, et gratiarum actio.

In III Nocturno

Lectio sancti Evangelii secundum Lucam
Lectio vii (Cap. 11,27-28)

In illo tempore: Loquente Jesu ad turbas, extollens vocem quædam mulier de turba, dixit illi: Beatus venter qui te portavit. Et reliqua.

Sermo sancti Bernardi Abbatis
(In Nativitate B.M.V. [De aquæductu 6, 7])

Intuere, o homo, consilium Dei, agnosce consilium sapientiae, consilium pietatis. Caelesti rore aream rigaturus, totum vellus prius infudit; redempturus humanum genus, pretium universum contulit in Mariam. Altius ergo intuemini, quanto devotionis affectu a nobis eam voluerit honorari, qui totius boni plenitudinem posuit in Maria: ut proinde si quid spei in nobis est, si quid gratiae, si quid salutis, ab ea noverimus redundare, quae ascendit deliciis affluens. Totis ergo medullis cordium, totis praecordiorum affectibus, et votis omnibus Mariam hanc veneremur; quia sic est voluntas ejus, qui totum nos habere voluit per Mariam. Haec, inquam, voluntas ejus est, sed pro nobis.

R/. vii Felix namque es, sacra Virgo Maria, et omni laude dignissima: * Quia ex te ortus est sol justitiæ, Christus, Deus noster. V/. Ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum juvamen, quicumque tuum sanctum implorant auxilium. * Quia.

Lectio viii
[7]

In omnibus siquidem, et per omnia providens miseris, trepidationem nostram solatur, fidem excitat, spem roborat, diffidentiam abigit, erigit pusillanimitatem. Ad Patrem verebaris accedere, solo auditu territus, ad folia fugiebas: Jesum tibi dedit mediatorem. Quid non apud talem Patrem Filius talis obtineat? Exaudietur utique pro reverentia sua: Pater enim diligit Filium. Sed forsitan et in ipso majestatem vereare divinam, quod licet factus sit homo, manserit tamen Deus. Advocatum habere vis et ad ipsum? Ad Mariam recurre. Pura siquidem humanitas in Maria, non modo pura ab omni contaminatione, sed et pura singularitate naturae. Nec dubius dixerim, exaudietur et ipsa pro reverentia sua. Exaudiet utique Matrem Filius, et exaudiet Filium Pater.

Lectio ix
[7, 8]

Filioli, haec peccatorum scala, haec mea maxima fiducia est, haec tota ratio spei meae. Quid enim? Potestne Filius aut repellere, aut sustinere repulsam? Non audire, aut non audiri Filius potest? Neutrum plane. Invenisti, ait Angelus, gratiam apud Deum: feliciter. Semper haec inveniet gratiam, et sola est gratia qua egemus; nimirum sola est gratia, qua salvamur. Quid nos alia concupiscimus, fratres? Quaeramus gratiam, et per Mariam quaeramus, quia quod quaerit, invenit, et frustrari non potest. Quaeramus gratiam, sed gratiam apud Deum: nam apud homines gratia fallax. Quaerant alii meritum, nos invenire gratiam studeamus. Quid enim? Non gratiae est quod hic sumus? Profecto misericordiae Domini est, quod non sumus consumpti nos.

Ad Laudes

Hymnus

Te Redemptoris Dominique nostri
Dicimus Matrem, speciosa Virgo,
Christianorum decus, et levamen
Rebus in arctis.

Sæviant portæ licet inferorum,
Hostis antiquis fremat, et minaces,
Ut Deo sacrum populetur agmen,
Suscitet iras.

Nil truces possunt furiæ nocere
Mentibus castis, prece quas vocata
Annuens Virgo fovet, et superno
Robore firmat.

Tanta si nobis faveat Patrona,
Bellici cessat sceleris tumultus,
Mille sternuntur, fugiuntve turmæ,
Mille cohortes.

Tollit ut sancta caput in Sione
Turris, arx firmo fabricata muro,
Civitas David,clypeis et acri
Milite tuta.

Virgo sic fortis Domini potenti
Dextera, cæli cumulata donis,
A piis longe famulis repellit
Dæmonis ictus.

Te per æternos veneremur annos,
Trinitas, summo celebranda plausu:
Te fides mentes, resonoque linguæ
Carmine laudent.

Amen.

Ad Bened. Aña. Ad te, o sancta Dei Genetrix, clamavimus, et per te venit Domini auxilium nobis.

In II Vesperis

Hymnus Sæpe dum Christi populi cruentis, ut supra

Ad Magn. Aña. Sancta Maria, succurre miseris, juva pusillanimes, refove flebiles, ora pro populo, interveni pro clero, intercede pro devoto femineo sexu: sentiant omnes tuum juvamen, quicumque tuum sanctum implorant auxilium.

I did delight in the Office today, though Matins of three Nocturns is long, and was all the Office I got though after the 9am Low Mass; I returned to the Pro. late in the morning for Lauds, Prime, Terce and Sext. None came later in the day; and now for Vespers...

Votive Mass of the Holy Cross

Yesterday, being a Friday feria, Fr Rowe said a votive Low Mass of the Holy Cross. Several of its texts, if not all, are quite thought-provoking, particularly the Offertory, which is surely in fact a Secret set to music:

Protege, Domine, plebem tuam per signum sanctæ Crucis ab insidiis inimicorum omnium: ut tibi gratam exhibeamus servitutem, et acceptabile fiat sacrificium nostrum. Alleluja.

I have rediscovered my little book of Byzantine Rite prayers, and used it yesterday before, during, and after Mass. Since, in Australia, 1st Vespers of Our Lady Help of Christians were in order, I borrowed Fr's Breviary (since my FSSP reprint doesn't have it) to pray them, and have since borrowed from him a copy of the Australian supplementary offices.

Since it was the eve of Our Lady Help of Christians, after Mass we sang James McAuley's martial hymn, "Help of Christians guard this land", which was a fitting choice, since it also alludes to our only hope of victory, Christ and His Cross:

Help of Christians guard this land
From assault or inward stain;
Let it be what Christ has planned,
His new Eden where you reign.

Teach us that in Christ your Son
Lies the wisdom to be free;
For the cross which we would shun
Is Man's tree of liberty.

Should the powers of hell arise
And our peace be trampled down,
In that night of blood and lies
Show us still your twelve starred crown.

Take from us the coward heart,
Fleeting will, divided mind;
Give us sight to play our part
Though the world around is blind.

Image of the risen life
Shining in eternity,
Glimmer through our earthly strife,
Draw us to your victory.

After Mass we all had a chance to catch up and have a bit to eat and drink, which made a pleasant end to a good day. I'm glad that over this week I've discovered that I can both work full-time and fit in the '62 Breviary, so I think I'll stick with it now. I like the way one gets all the psalms each week.