| Black | Double of the First Class |
The Night Office
THE CEREMONIES USED by the Church for the Office of Tenebræ having been already explained, we deem it unnecessary to repeat our instructions. The reader may refer to them, should he require to refresh his memory. They are given at the entry for Maundy Thursday.
Pater noster, Ave, and Credo, in secret.
The First Nocturn
The first psalm, after having spoken of the eternal generation of the Son of God, prophesies His kingship over the nations, and the vengeance He will take on His enemies, at the last day. As this magnificent canticle also foretells the revolt of earthly princes against Christ, the Church uses it on this day, when the Synagogue has plotted His death.
| ANT. Adstiterunt reges terræ, et principes convenerunt in unum, adversus Dominum, et adversus Christum ejus. | ANT. The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together against the Lord, and against his Christ. |
| PSALM 2 | |
| Quare fremuerunt gentes: et populi meditati sunt inania? | Why have the Gentiles raged, and the people devised vain things? |
| Adstiterunt reges terræ, et principes convenerunt in unum: adversus Dominum et adversus Christum ejus. | The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord, and against his Christ. |
| Dirumpamus vincula eorum: et projiciamus a nobis jugum ipsorum. | They said: Let us break their bonds asunder: and let us cast away their yoke from us. |
| Qui habitat in cœlis irridebit eos: et Dominus subsannabit eos. | He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: and the Lord shall deride them. |
| Tunc loquetur ad eos in ira sua: et in furore suo conturbabit eos. | Then shall he speak to them in his anger: and trouble them in his rage. |
| Ego autem constitutus sum rex ab eo super Sion montem sanctum ejus: prædicans præceptum ejus. | But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, preaching his commandment. |
| Dominus dixit ad me: Filius meus es tu, ego hodie genui te. | the Lord hath said to me: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. |
| Postula a me, et dabo tibi Gentes hæreditatem tuam: et possessionem tuam terminos terræ. | Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance: and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession. |
| Reges eos in virga ferrea: et tamquam vas figuli confringes eos. | Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron: and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. |
| Et nunc reges intelligite: erudimini qui judicatis terram. | And now, O ye kings, understand: receive instruction, you that judge the earth. |
| Servite Domino in timore: et exsultate ei cum tremore. | Serve ye the Lord with fear: and rejoice unto him with trembling. |
| Apprehendite disciplinam: nequando irascatur Dominus: et pereatis de via justa. | Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry: and you perish from the just way. |
| Cum exarserit in brevi ira ejus: beati omnes qui confidunt in eo. | when his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, blessed are all they that trust in him. |
| ANT. Adstiterunt reges terræ, et principes convernerunt in unum, adversus Dominum, et adversus Christum ejus. | ANT. The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, against the Lord and against his Christ. |
The second psalm is pre-eminently the psalm of the Passion. The first verse contains one of the seven words spoken by our Savior on the cross. The rest of the psalm mentions so many circumstances of the Passion, and with such clearness, that we almost seem to be reading the account of an eyewitness. Thus it tells us, among other particulars of our Lord’s sufferings, of His hands and feet being pierced, of His garments being divided, of lots being cast for His vesture, of His agony, and of His being insulted by them that crucified Him.
| ANT. Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt sortem. | ANT. They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they cast lots. |
| PSALM 21 | |
| Deus, Deus meus, respice in me: quare me dereliquisti: longe a salute mea verba delictorum meorum. | O God, my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me: Far from my salvation are the words of my sins. |
| Deus meus, clamabo per diem, et non exaudies: et nocte, et non ad insipientiam mihi. | O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me. |
| Tu autem in sancto habitas: laus Israël. | But thou dwellest in the holy place, the praise of Israel. |
| In te speraverunt patres nostri: speraverunt, et liberasti eos. | In thee have our fathers hoped: they have hoped and thou hast delivered them. |
| Ad te clamaverunt, et salvi facti sunt: in te speraverunt, et non sunt confusi. | They cried to thee, and they were saved: they trusted in thee, and were not confounded. |
| Ego autem sum vermis, et non homo: opprobrium hominum, et abjectio plebis. | But I am a worm, and no man: the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people. |
| Omnes videntes me deriserunt me: locuti sunt labiis, et moverunt caput. | All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head. |
| Speravit in Domino, eripiat eum: salvum faciat eum, quoniam vult eum. | He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: let him save him, seeing he delighted in him. |
| Quoniam tu es, qui extraxisti me de ventre: spes mea ab uberibus matris meæ. | For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: my hope from the breasts of my mother. |
| In te projectus sum ex utero: de ventre matris meæ Deus meus es tu: ne discesseris a me. | I was cast upon thee from the womb: from my mother’s womb thou art my God, depart not from me. |
| Quoniam tribulatio proxima est: quoniam non est qui adjuvet. | For tribulation is very near: for there is none to help me. |
| Circumdederunt me vituli multi: tauri pingues obsederunt me. | Many calves have surrounded me: fat bulls have besieged me. |
| Aperuerunt super me os suum: sicut leo rapiens et rugiens. | They have opened their mouths against me, as a lion ravening and roaring. |
| Sicut aqua effusus sum: et dispersa sunt omnia ossa mea. | I am poured out like water: and all my bones are scattered. |
| Factum est cor meum tamquam cera liquescens: in medio ventris mei. | My heart is become like wax melting in the midst of my bowels. |
| Aruit tamquam testa virtus mea, et lingua mea adhæsit faucibus meis: et in pulverem mortis deduxisti me. | My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaven to my jaws: and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death. |
| Quoniam circumdederunt me canes multi: concilium malignantium obsedit me. | For many dogs have encompassed me: the council of the malignant hath besieged me. |
| Foderunt manus meas et pedes meos: dinumeraverunt omnia ossa mea. | They have dug my hands and feet: they have numbered all my bones. |
| Ipsi vero consideraverunt et inspexerunt me: diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt sortem. | And they have looked and stared upon me: they parted my garments amongst them, and upon my vesture they cast lots. |
| Tu autem, Domine, ne elongaveris auxilium tuum a me: ad defensionem meam conspice. | But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me: look towards my defense. |
| Erue a framea,Deus, animam meam: et de manu canis unicam meam. | Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: my only one from the hand of the dog. |
| Salva me ex ore leonis: et a cornibus unicornium humilitatem meam. | Save me from the lion’s mouth: and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns. |
| Narrabo nomen tuum fratribus meis: in medio ecclesiæ laudabo te. | I will declare thy name to my brethren: in the midst of thy church will I praise thee. |
| Qui timetis Dominum, laudate eum: universum semen Jacob, glorificate eum. | Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him. |
| Timeat eum omne semen Israel: quoniam non sprevit, neque despexit deprecationem pauperis. | Let all the seed of Israel fear him: because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man. |
| Nec avertit faciem suam a me: et cum clamarem ad eum, exaudivit me. | Neither hath he turned away his face from me: and when I cried to him he heard me. |
| Apud te laus mea in ecclesia magna: vota mea reddam in conspectu timentium eum. | With thee is my praise in the great church: I will pay vows in the sight of them that fear him. |
| Edent pauperes, et saturabuntur, et laudabunt Dominum qui requirunt eum: vivent corda eorum in sæculum sæculi. | The poor shall eat and shall be filled, and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: their hearts shall live for ever and ever. |
| Reminiscentur et convertentur ad Dominum: universi fines terræ. | All the ends of the earth shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord. |
| Et adorabunt in conspectu ejus: universæ familiæ gentium. | And all the kindreds of the Gentiles shall adore in his sight. |
| Quoniam Domini est regnum: et ipse dominabitur gentium. | For the kingdom is the Lord’s: and he shall have dominion over the nations. |
| Manducaverunt, et adoraverunt omnes pingues terræ: in conspectu ejus cadent omnes, qui descendunt in terram. | All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him. |
| Et anima mea illi vivet: et semen meum serviet ipsi. | And to him my soul shall live: and my seed shall serve him. |
| Annuntiabitur Domino generatio ventura: et annuntiabunt cœli justitiam ejus, populo qui nascetur, quem fecit Dominus. | There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: and the heavens shall show forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made. |
| ANT. Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea, et super vestem meam miserunt sortem. | ANT. They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they cast lots. |
The third psalm was composed by David, when fleeing from Saul’s persecution. It shows us how this holy prophet kept up his confidence in the Lord, in spite of all the dangers that threatened him. David is here a figure of Christ in His Passion.
| ANT. Insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et mentita est iniquitas sibi. | ANT. Unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity hath belied itself. |
| PSALM 26 | |
| Dominus illuminatio mea, et salus mea: quem timebo? | The Lord is my light and my salvation, whom shall I fear? |
| Dominus protector vitæ meæ: a quo trepidabo? | The Lord is the protector of my life, of whom shall I be afraid? |
| Dum appropriant super me nocentes: ut edant carnes meas. | Whilst the wicked draw near against me, to eat my flesh. |
| Qui tribulant me inimici mei: ipsi infirmati sunt et ceciderunt. | My enemies that troubled me have been weakened, and have fallen. |
| Si consistant adversum me castra: non timebit cor meum. | If armies in camp should stand together against me, my heart shall not fear. |
| Si exsurgat adversum me prœlium: in hoc ego sperabo. | If a battle should rise up against me, in this will I be confident. |
| Unam petii a Domino, hanc requiram: ut inhabitem in domo Domini omnibus diebus vitæ meæ. | One thing have I asked of the Lord, this will I seek after, that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life. |
| Ut videam voluptatem Domini: et visitem templum ejus. | That I may see the delight of the Lord, and may visit his temple. |
| Quoniam abscondit me in tabernaculo suo: in die malorum protexit me in abscondito tabernaculi sui. | For he hath hid me in his tabernacle; in the day of evils he hath protected me in the secret place of his tabernacle. |
| In petra exaltavit me: et nunc exaltavit caput meum super inimicos meos. | He hath exalted me upon a rock: and now he hath lifted up my head above my enemies. |
| Circuivi, et immolavi in tabernaculo ejus hostiam vociferationis: cantabo, et psalmum dicam Domino. | I have gone round, and have offered up in his tabernacle a sacrifice of jubilation: I will sing, and recite a psalm to the Lord. |
| Exaudi, Domine, vocem meam, qua clamavi ad te: miserere mei, et exaudi me. | Hear, O Lord, my voice, with which I have cried to thee: have mercy on me, and hear me. |
| Tibi dixit cor meum, exquisivit te facies mea: faciem tuam, Domine, requiram. | My heart hath said to thee, my face hath sought thee: thy face, O Lord, will I still seek. |
| Ne avertas faciem tuam a me: ne declines in ira a servo tuo. | Turn not away thy face from me: decline not in thy wrath from thy servant. |
| Adjutor meus esto: ne derelinquas me, neque despicias me, Deus salutaris meus. | Be thou my helper: forsake me not, do not thou despise me, O God my Savior. |
| Quoniam pater meus et mater mea dereliquerunt me: Dominus autem assumpsit me. | For my father and my mother have left me: but the Lord hath taken me up. |
| Legem pone mihi, Domine, in via tua: et dirige me in semitam rectam propter inimicos meos. | Set me, O Lord, a law in thy way: and guide me in the right path, because of my enemies. |
| Ne tradideris me in animas tribulantium me: quoniam insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et mentita est iniquitas sibi. | Deliver me not over to the will of them that trouble me: for unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity hath belied itself. |
| Credo videre bona Domini: in terra viventium. | I believe to see the good things of the Lord in the land of the living. |
| Exspecta Dominum, viriliter age: et confortetur cor tuum, et sustine Dominum. | Expect the Lord, do manfully: and let thy heart take courage, and wait thou for the Lord. |
| ANT. Insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui, et mentita est iniquitas sibi. | ANT. Unjust witnesses have risen up against me, and iniquity hath belied itself. |
| ℣. Diviserunt sibi vestimenta mea. | ℣. They parted my garments among them. |
| ℟. Et super vestem meam miserunt sortem. | ℟. And upon my vesture they cast lots. |
Here is said, in secret, the Pater noster.already explained why the Church reads them on these three days. The first two of the following lessons refer to the destruction of Jerusalem; the third we will explain in its proper place.
| FIRST LESSON | |
| DE LAMENTATIONE JEREMIÆ PROPHETÆ. | FROM the LAMENTATION of JEREMIAS the PROPHET. |
| Cap. ii | Ch. ii |
| HETH. Cogitavit Dominus dissipare murum filiae Sion; tetendit funiculum suum, et non avertit manum suam a perditione: luxitque antemurale, et murus pariter dissipatus est. | HETH. The Lord hath purposed to destroy the wall of the daughter of Sion: he hath stretched out his line, and hath not withdrawn his hand from destroying: and the bulwark hath mourned, and the wall hath been destroyed together. |
| TETH. Defixæ sunt in terra portæ ejus, perdidit et contrivit vectes ejus; regem ejus et principes ejus in gentibus: non est lex, et prophetæ ejus non invenerunt visionem a Domino. | TETH. Her gates are sunk into the ground: he hath destroyed, and broken her bars: her king and her princes are among the Gentiles: the law is no more, and her prophets have found no vision from the Lord. |
| JOD. Sederunt in terra, conticuerunt senes filiae Sion; consperserunt cinere capita sua, accincti sunt ciliciis: abjecerunt in terram capita sua virgines Jerusalem. | JOD. The ancients of the daughter of Sion sit upon the ground, they have held their peace: they have sprinkled their heads with dust, they are girded with haircloth, the virgins of Jerusalem hang down their heads to the ground. |
| CAPH. Defecerunt prae lacrimis oculi mei, conturbata sunt viscera mea; effusum est in terra jecur meum super contritione filiae populi mei, cum deficeret parvulus et lactens in plateis oppidi. | CAPH. My eyes have failed with weeping, my bowels are troubled: my liver is poured out upon the earth, for the destruction of the daughter of my people, when the children, and the sucklings, fainted away in the streets of the city. |
| Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum. | Jerusalem, Jerusalem, be converted to the Lord thy God. |
| ℟. Omnes amici mei dereliquerunt me, et prævaluerunt insidiantes mihi: tradidit me quem diligebam. * Et terribilibus oculis plaga crudeli percutientes, aceto potabant me. | ℟. All my friends have forsaken me, and they that lay in ambush for me prevailed: he whom I loved has betrayed me. * And they, with terrible looks, striking me with a cruel wound, gave me vinegar to drink. |
| ℣. Inter iniquos projecerunt me: et non pepercerunt animæ meæ. | ℣. They cast me out among the wicked, and spared not my life. |
| * Et terribilibus oculis plaga crudeli percutientes, aceto potabant me. | * And they, with terrible looks striking me with a cruel wound, gave me vinegar to drink. |
| SECOND LESSON | |
| LAMED. Matribus suis dixerunt: Ubi est triticum et vinum? cum deficerent quasi vulnerati in plateis civitatis, cum exhalarent animas suas in sinu matrum suarum. | LAMED. They said to their mothers: Where is corn and wine? when they fained away as the wounded in the streets of tie city: when they breathed out their souls in the bosoms of their mothers. |
| MEM. Cui comparabo te, vel cui assimilabo te filia Jerusalem? cui exæquabo te, et consolabor te, virgo filia Sion? Magna est enim velut mare contritio tua: quis medebitur tui? | MEM. To what shall I compare thee, or to what shall I liken thee, O daughter of Jerusalem? to what shall I equal thee, that I may comfort thee, O virgin daughter of Sion? For great as the sea is thy destruction: who shall heal thee? |
| NUN. Prophetæ tui viderunt tibi falsa et stulta: nec aperiebant iniquitatem tuam, ut te ad pœnitentiam provocarent. Viderunt autem tibi assumptiones falsas, et ejectiones. | NUN. Thy prophets have seen false and foolish things for thee; and they have not laid open thy iniquity, to excite thee to penance, but they have seen for thee false revelations and banishments. |
| SAMECH. Plauserunt super te manibus omnes transeuntes per viam: sibilaverunt, et moverunt caput suum super filiam Jerusalem: Hæccine est urbs, dicentes, perfecti decoris, gaudium universæ terræ? | SAMECH. All they that passed by the way have clapped their hands at thee: they have hissed and wagged their heads at the daughter of Jerusalem, saying: Is this the city of perfect beauty, the joy of all the earth? |
| Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum. | Jerusalem, Jerusalem, be converted to the Lord thy God. |
| ℟. Velum templi scissum est, * Et omnis terra tremuit: latro de cruce clamabat, dicens: Memento mei, Domine, dum veneris in regnum tuum. | ℟. The veil of the temple was rent, * And all the earth shook: the thief cried out from the cross, saying: Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. |
| ℣. Petræ scissæ sunt, et monumenta aperta sunt, et multa corpora sanctorum, qui dormierant, surrexerunt. | ℣. The rocks were split, and the monuments opened, and many bodies of the saints that were dead rose out of them. |
| * Et omnis terra tremuit: latro de cruce clamabat, dicens: Memento mei, Domine, dum veneris in regnum tuum. | * And all the earth shook: the thief cried out from the cross, saying: Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. |
In the third lesson, which now follows, Jeremias passes to another subject. According to the usage of the prophets, he leaves Jerusalem, to speak of Him who is the expectation of Israel—the Messias. But it is not of the glory of the Messias that he now speaks: it is of the sufferings He endures: He has made Himself the object of God’s severest justice, by taking upon Himself the sins of the whole world.
| THIRD LESSON | |
| ALEPH. Ego vir videns paupertatem meam, in virga indignationis ejus. | ALEPH. I am the man that see my poverty by the rod of his indignation. |
| ALEPH. Me minavit et adduxit in tenebras, et non in lucem. | ALEPH. He hath led me, and brought me into darkness, and not into light. |
| ALEPH. Tantum in me vertit, et convertit manum suam tota die. | ALEPH. Only against me he hath turned, and turned again his hand all the day. |
| BETH. Vetustam fecit pellem meam et carnem meam: contrivit ossa mea. | BETH. My skin and my flesh he hath made old, he hath broken my bones. |
| BETH. Ædificavit in gyro meo, et circumdedit me felle et labore. | BETH. He hath built round about me, and he hath compassed me with gall and labor. |
| BETH. In tenebrosis collocavit me, quasi mortuos sempiternos. | BETH. He hath set me in dark places as those that are dead forever. |
| GHIMEL. Circumædificavit adversum me, ut non egrediar: aggravavit compedem meum. | GHIMEL. He hath built against me round about, that I may not get out: he hath made my fetters heavy. |
| GHIMEL. Sed et cum clamavero et rogavero, exclusit orationem meam. | GHIMEL. Yea, and when I cry and entreat, he hath shut out my prayer. |
| GHIMEL. Conclusit vias meas lapidibus quadris, semitas meas subvertit. | GHIMEL. He hath shut up my ways with square stones, he hath turned my paths upside down. |
| Jerusalem, Jerusalem, convertere ad Dominum Deum tuum. | Jerusalem, Jerusalem, be converted to the Lord thy God. |
| ℟. Vinea mea electa, ego te plantavi: * Quomodo conversa es in amaritudinem ut me crucifigeres, et Barabbam dimitteres? | ℟. O my chosen vineyard, it is I that have planted thee: — How art thou become so bitter, that thou shouldst crucify me, and release Barabbas? |
| ℣. Sepivi te, et lapides elegi ex te, et ædificavi turim. | ℣. I have hedged thee in, and picked the stones out of thee, and have built a tower. |
| * Quomodo conversa es in amaritudinem, ut me cricifigeres, et Barabbam dimitteres? | * How art thou become so bitter, that thou shouldst crucify me, and release Barabbas? |
| Here is repeated: Vinea mea. | Here is repeated: O my chosen. |
The Second Nocturn
In the fourth psalm, David humbly acknowledges that the rebellion of his son Absolom was a just punishment of the sins he himself had committed. He is a figure of the Messias, who, in His agony, confesses that the iniquities, which He has taken Himself, are a heavy burthen upon Him, that His heart is troubled, and that His strength hath left him.
| ANT. Vim faciebant, qui quærebant animam meam. | ANT. They used violence that sought my soul. |
| PSALM 37 | |
| Domine, ne in furore tuo arguas me: neque in ira tua corripias me. | Rebuke me not, O Lord, in thy indignation: nor chastise me in thy wrath. |
| Quoniam sagittæ tuæ infixæ sunt mihi: et confirmasti super me manum tuam. | For thy arrows are fastened in me: and thy hand hath been strong upon me. |
| Non est sanitas in carne mea a facie iræ tuæ: non est pax ossibus meis a facie peccatorum meorum. | There is no health in my flesh, because of thy wrath: there is no peace for my bones, because of my sins. |
| Quoniam iniquitates meæ supergressæ sunt caput meum: et sicut onus grave gravatæ sunt super me. | For my iniquities are gone over my head: and as a heavy burthen are become heavy upon me. |
| Putruerunt, et corruptæ sunt cicatrices meæ: a facie insipientiæ meæ. | My sores are putrefied and corrupted, because of my foolishness. |
| Miser factus sum, et curvatus sum usque in finem: tota die contristatus ingrediebar. | I am become miserable, and am bowed down even to the end: I walked sorrowful all the day long. |
| Quoniam lumbi mei impleti sunt illusionibus: et non est sanitas in carne mea. | For my loins are filled with illusions: and there is no health in my flesh. |
| Afflictus sum et humiliatus sum nimis: rugiebam a gemitu cordis mei. | I am afflicted and humbled exceedingly: I roared with the groaning of my heart. |
| Domine, ante te omne desiderium meum: et gemitus meus a te non est absconditus. | Lord, all my desire is before thee: and my groaning is not hid from thee. |
| Cor meum conturbatum est, dereliquit me virtus mea: et lumen oculorum meorum, et ipsum non est mecum. | My heart is troubled, my strength hath left me: and the light of my eyes itself is not with me. |
| Amici mei et proximi mei: adversum me appropinquaverunt et steterunt. | My friends and my neighbors have drawn near, and stood against me. |
| Et qui inquirebant mala mihi, locuti sunt vanitates: et dolos tota die meditabantur. | And they that sought evils to me spoke vain things: and studied deceits all the day long. |
| Ego autem tamquam surdus non audiebam: et sicut mutus non aperiens os suum. | But I, as a deaf man, heard not: and was as a dumb man not opening his mouth. |
| Et factus sum sicut homo non audiens: et non habens in ore suo redargutiones. | And I became as a man that heareth not: and that hath no reproofs in his mouth. |
| Quoniam in te Domine, speravi: tu exaudies me, Domine Deus meus. | For in thee, O Lord, have I hoped: thou wilt hear me, O Lord my God. |
| Quia dixi: Nequando supergaudeant mihi inimici mei: et dum commoventur pedes mei super me magna locuti sunt. | For I said: Lest at any time my enemies rejoice over me: and whilst my feet are moved, they speak great things against me. |
| Quoniam ego in flagella paratus sum: et dolor meus in conspectu meo semper. | For I am ready for scourges: and my sorrow is continually before me. |
| Quoniam iniquitatem meam annuntiabo: et cogitabo pro peccato meo. | For I will declare my iniquity: and I will think for my sin. |
| Inimici autem mei vivunt, et confirmati sunt super me: et multiplicati sunt qui oderunt me inique. | But my enemies live, and are stronger than I: and they that hate me wrongfully are multiplied. |
| Qui retribuunt mala pro bonis detrahebant mihi: quonian sequebar bonitatem. | They that render evil for good have detracted me, because I follow goodness. |
| Ne derelinquas me, Domine Deus meus: ne discesseris a me. | Forsake me not, O Lord my God: do not thou depart from me. |
| Intende in adjutorium meum: Domine, Deus salutis meæ. | Attend unto my help, O Lord, the God of my salvation. |
| ANT. Vim faciebant qui quærebant animam meam. | ANT. They used violence that sought my soul. |
The fifth psalm also represents David, under persecution, as the figure of the Messias. But there is one verse in it, which refers to Christ only, and not to David: it is the tenth, wherein it is said: burnt-offerings and sin-offerings thou didst not require: then said I: ‘Behold I come!’
| ANT. Confundantur et revereantur, qui quærunt animam meam, ut auferant eam. | ANT. Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul, to take it away. |
| PSALM 39 | |
| Exspectans exspectavi Dominum: et intendit mihi. | With expectation I have waited for the Lord, and he was attentive to me. |
| Et exaudivit preces meas: et eduxit me de lacu miseriæ et de luto fæcis. | And he heard my prayers and he brought me out of the pit of misery, and the mire of dregs. |
| Et statuit super petram pedes meos: et direxit gressus meos. | And he set my feet upon a rock, and directed my steps. |
| Et immisit in os meum canticum novum: carmen Deo nostro. | And he put a new canticle into my mouth, a song to our God. |
| Videbunt multi, et timebunt: et sperabunt in Domino. | Many shall see this, and shall fear: and they shall hope in the Lord. |
| Beatus vir, cujus est nomen Domini spes ejus: et non respexit in vanitates et insanias falsas. | Blessed is the man whose trust is in the name of the Lord: and who hath not had regard to vanities and lying follies. |
| Multa fecisti tu Domine Deus meus, mirabilia tua: et cogitatioonibus tuis non est qui similis sit tibi. | Thou hast multiplied thy wonderful works, O Lord my God: and in thy thoughts there is no one like to thee. |
| Annuntiavi et locutus sum: multiplicati sunt super numerum. | I have declared, and I have spoken: they are multiplied above number. |
| Sacrificium et oblationem noluisti: aures autem perfecisti mihi. | Sacrifice and oblation thou didst not desire: but thou hast pierced ears for me. |
| Holocaustum et pro peccato non postulasti: tunc dixi: Ecce venio. | Burnt-offerings and sini-offerings thou didst not require: then said I: Behold I come. |
| In capite libri scriptum est de me, ut facerem voluntatem tuam: Deus meus, volui, et legem tuam in medio cordis mei. | In the head of the book it was written of me, that I should do thy will: O my God, I have desired it, and thy law in the midst of my heart. |
| Annuntiavi justitiam tuam in ecclesia magna: ecce labia mea non prohibebo: Domine, tu scisti. | In have declared thy justice in the great Church: lo! I will not restrain my lips: O Lord, thou knowest it. |
| Non abscondi misericordiam tuam, et veritatem tuam: a concilio multo. | I have not concealed thy mercy and thy truth from the great council. |
| Tu autem, Domine, ne longe facias miserationes tuas a me: misericordia tua et veritas tua semper susceperunt me. | Withhold not thou, O Lord, thy tender mercies from me: thy mercy and thy truth have always upheld me. |
| Quoniam circumdederunt me mala, quorum non est numerus: comprehenderunt me iniquitates meæ, et non potui ut viderem. | For evils without number have surrounded me: my iniquities have overtaken me, and I was not able to see. |
| Multiplicati sunt super capillos capitis mei: et cor meum dereliquit me. | They are multiplied above the hairs of my head: and my heart hath forsaken me. |
| Complaceat tibi Domine, et eruas me: Domine, ad adjuvandum me respice. | Be pleased, O Lord, to deliver me: look down, O Lord, to help me. |
| Confudantur et revereantur simul, qui quærunt animam meam: ut auferant eam. | Let them be confounded and ashamed together, that seek after my soul, to take it away. |
| Ferant confestim confusionem suam: qui dicunt mihi: Euge, euge. | Let them immediately bear their confusion that say to me: ’Tis well, ’tis well. |
| Exsultent et lætentur super te omnes quærentes te: et dicant semper: Magnificetur Dominus, qui diligunt salutare tuum. | Let all that seek thee rejoice and be glad in thee: and let such as love thy salvation, say always, The Lord be magnified. |
| Ego autem mendicus sum, et pauper: Dominus sollicitus est mei. | But I am a beggar and poor: the Lord is careful for me. |
| Adjutor meus et protector meus tu es: Deus meus, ne tardaveris. | Thou art my helper and my protector: O my God, be not slack. |
| ANT. Confudantur et revereantur, qui quærunt animam, ut auferant eam. | ANT. Let them be confounded and ashamed that seek after my soul, to take it away. |
In the sixth psalm, David, persecuted by Saul, is a figure of our Savior, against whom the Synagogue prepares its wicked plots.
| ANT. Alieni insurrexerunt in me, et fortes quæsierunt animam meam. | ANT. Strangers have risen up against me, and the mighty have sought after my soul. |
| PSALM 53 | |
| Deus, in nomine tuo salvum me fac: et in virtute tua judica me. | Save me, O God, by thy name, and judge me in thy strength. |
| Deus, exaudi orationem meam: auribus percipe verba oris mei. | O God, hear my prayer: give ear to the words of my mouth. |
| Quoniam alieni insurrexerunt adversum me, et fortes quæsierunt animam meam: et non proposuerunt Deum ante conspectum suum. | For strangers have risen up against me: and the mighty have sought after my soul: and they have not set God before their eyes. |
| Ecce enim Deus adjuvat me: et Dominus susceptor est animæ meæ. | For behold God is my helper: and the Lord is the protector of my soul. |
| Averte mala inimicis meis: et in veritate tua disperde illos. | Turn back the evils upon my enemies: and cut them off in thy truth. |
| Voluntarie sacrificabo tibi: et confitebor nomini tuo, Domine, quoniam bonum est. | I will freely sacrifice to thee, and will give praise, O God, to thy name: because it is good. |
| Quoniam ex omni tribulatione eripuisti me: et super inimicos meos despexit oculous meus. | For thou hast delivered me out of all trouble: and my eye hath looked down upon my enemies. |
| ANT. Alieni insurrexerunt in me, et fortes quæsierunt animam meam. | ANT. Strangers have risen up against me, and the mighty have sought after my soul. |
| ℣. Insurrexerunt in me testes iniqui. | ℣. Unjust witnesses have risen up against me. |
| ℟. Et mentita est iniquitas sibi. | ℟. And iniquity hath belied itself. |
Here is said, in secret, the Pater noster.
For the second nocturn lessons the Church continues the Enarrations of St. Augustine on the psalms prophetic of our Lord’s Passion.
| FOURTH LESSON | |
| Ex tractatu Sancti Augustini Episcopi, super Psalmos. | From the treatise of Saint Augustine, Bishop, upon the Psalms. |
| Ps. lxiii. | Ps. lxiii |
| Protexisti me, Deus, a conventu malignantium, a multitudine operantium iniquitatem. Jam ipsum caput nostrum intueamur. Multi martyres talia passi sunt, sed nihil sic elucet, quomodo caput martyrum: ibi melius intuemur, quod illi experti sunt. Protectus est a multitudine malignantium: protegente se Deo, protegente carnem suam ipso Filio, et homine quem gerebat, quia Filius hominis est, et Filius Dei est: Filius Dei, propter formam Dei: Filius hominis, propter formam servi, habens in potestate ponere animam suam, et recipere eam. Quid ei potuerunt facere inimici? Occiderunt corpus, animam non occiderunt. Intendite. Parum ergo erat Dominum hortari martyres verbo, nisi firmaret exemplo. | Thou hast protected me, O God, from the assembly of the malignant, from the multitude of the workers of iniquity. Now let us behold our head himself. Many martyrs have suffered such torments, but noting is so conspicuous as the head of the martyrs; there we see better what they endured. He was protected from the multitude of the malignant: that is, God protected himself; the Son, and the Man assumed by the Son, protected his own flesh. For he is the Son of Man, and the Son of God: the Son of God because of the form of God: the Son of Man because of the form of a servant, having it in his power to lay down his life, and take it up again. What could his enemies do against him? They killed his body, but they did not kill his soul. Take notice, then. It signified little for our Lord to exhort the martyrs by word, if he had not fortified them by his example. |
| ℟. Tanquam ad latronem existis cum gladiis et fustibus comprehendere me. * Quotidie apud vos eram in templo docens, et non me tenuistis: et ecce flagellatum ducitis ad crucifigendum. | ℟. Ye are come out to take me, as a thief, with swords and clubs. * I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye did not apprehend me: and lo! ye scourge me, and lead me to be crucified. |
| ℣. Cumque injecissent manus in Jesum, et tenuissent eum, dixit ad eos: | ℣. And when they had laid hands on Jesus, and taken him, he said to them: |
| * Quotidie apus vos eram in templo docens, et non me tenuistis; et ecce flagellatum ducitis ad crucifigendum. | * I was daily with you in the temple teaching, and ye did not apprehend me: and lo! ye scourge me, and lead me to be crucified. |
| FIFTH LESSON | |
| Nostis qui conventus erat malignantium Judæorum, et quæ multitudo erat operantium iniquitatem. Quam iniquitatem? Quia voluerunt occidere Dominum Jesum Christum. Tanta opera bona, inquit, ostendi vobis; propter quod horum me vultis occidere? Pertulit omnes infirmos eorum, curavit omnes languidos eorum, prædicavit regnum cœlorum, non tacuit vitia eorum, ut ipsa potius eis displicerent, non medicus a quo sanabantur. His omnibus curationibus ejus ingrati, tamquam multa febre phrenetici, insanientes in medicum qui venerat curare eos, excogitaverunt consilium perdendi eum; tanquam ibi volentes probare, utrum vere homo sit qui mori possit, an aliquid super homines sit, et mori se non permittat. Verbum ipsorum agnoscimus in Sapientia Solomonis. Morte turpissima, inquiunt, condemnemus eum: interrogemus eum: erit enim respectus in sermonibus illius. Si enim vere Filius Dei est, liberet eum. | You know what was the assembly of the wicked Jews, and what the multitude of those that work iniquity. But what was that iniquity? It was that they intended to kill our Lord Jesus Christ. ‘I have done,’ saith he, ‘so many good works among you: for which of them will you kill me?’ He bore with all their weaknesses, he cured all their sick, he preached the kingdom of heaven, he concealed not their crimes, that they might rather hate them. Yet such was their ingratitude for all these cures, that like men raving in a high fever, they raged against the physician that came to cure them, and formed a design of destroying him: as if they had a mind to try whether he was a real man that could die, or something above men, and would not die. We find their words in the Wisdom of Solomon: ‘Let us condemn him,’ say they, ‘to a most shameful death. Let us examine him: for regard will be had to his words. If he is truly the Son of God, let him deliver him.’ |
| ℟. Tenebræ factæ sunt, dum cricifixissent Jesum Judæi: et circa horam nonam exclamavit Jesus voce magna: Deus meus, ut quid me dereliquisti? * Et inclinato capite, emisit spiritum. | ℟. Darkness covered the earth, whilst the Jews crucified Jesus: and about the ninth hour, Jesus cried out with a loud voice: My God! why hast thou forsaken me? * And bowing down his head, he gave up the ghost. |
| ℣. Exclamans Jesus voce magna ait: Pater, in manus tuas commendo spiritum meum. | ℣. Jesus crying out with a loud voice said: Father! into thy hands I commend my spirit! |
| * Et inclinato capite, emisit spiritum. | * And bowing down his head, he gave up the ghost. |
| SIXTH LESSON | |
| Exacuerunt tamquam gladium linguas suas. Non dicant Judæi: Non occidimus Christum. Etenim propterea eum dederunt judici Pilato, ut quasi ipsi a morte ejus viderentur immunes. Nam cum dixisset eis Pilatus: Vos eum occidite; responderunt: Nobis non licet occidere quemquam. Iniquitatem facinoris sui in judicem hominem refundere volebant: sed numquid Deum judicem fallebant? Quod fecit Pilatus, in eo ipso quod fecit, aliquantum particeps fuit: sed in comparatione illorum, multo ipse innocentior. Institit enim quantum potuit, ut illum ex eorum manibus liberaret: nam propterea flagellatum produxit ad eos. Non persequendo Dominum flagellavit, sed eorum furori satisfacere volens: ut vel sic jam mitescerent, et desinerent velle occidere, cum flagellatum viderent. Fecit et hoc. At ubi perseveraverunt, nostis illum lavisse manus, et dixisse quod ipse non fecisset, mundum se esse a morte illius. Fecit tamen. Sed si reus, quia fecit vel invitus: illi innocentes, qui coegerunt ut faceret? Nullo modo. Sed ille dixit in eum sententiam, et jussit eum crucifigi, et quasi ipse occidit: et vos, O Judæi, occidistis. Unde occidistis? Gladio linguæ; acuistis enim linguas vestras. Et quando percussistis, nisi quando clamastis: Crucifige, crucifige? | They sharpened their tongues like a sword. Let not the Jews say: ‘We did not kill Christ:’ for they delivered him up to Pilate, the judge, that they might seem innocent of his death. Thus when Pilate had said to them: ‘Put him to death yourselves:’ they answered: ‘It is not lawful for us to put any man to death.’ Hereby, they pretended to throw the injustice of their crime upon a judge that was a man: but could they deceive a judge that is God? What Pilate did, made him partaker of their crime: but in comparison with them, he was much more innocent. For he labored what he could to get him out of their hands; and for that reason ordered him to be scourged and shown to them. This he did to our Lord, not by way of persecution, but to satisfy their rage; that the sight of him in that condition might move them to pity, and make them desist from desiring his death. All this he did. But when they still persisted, you know that he washed his hands, and said that he had no hand in it, that he was innocent of his death. And yet he really put him to death. But if he was guilty for doing so against his will: are they innocent that forced him to do it? By no means. He pronounced sentence upon him, and commanded him to be crucified, and so might be said to kill him: but you, O Jews, you also killed him. How? With the sword of your tongues: for ye sharpened your tongues. And when gave you the stroke, but when you cried out: ‘Crucify him, crucify him’? |
| ℟. Animam meam dilectam tradidi in manus iniquorum, et facta est mihi hæreditas mea sicut leo in silva: dedit contra me voces adversarius, dicens: Congregamini, et properate ad devorandum illum. Posuerunt me in deserto solitudinis, et luxit super me omnis terra: * Quia non est inventus qui me agnosceret, et faceret bene. | ℟. I have delivered my beloved soul into the hands of the wicked, and my inheritance is become to me like a lion in the forest: my adversary gave out his words against me, saying: Come together, and make haste to devour him. They placed me in a solitary desert, and all the earth mourned for me: * Because there was none found that would know me, and do good unto me. |
| ℣. Insurrexerunt in me viri absque misericordia, et non pepercerunt animæ meæ. | ℣. Men without mercy rose up against me, and they spared not my life. |
| * Quia non est inventus qui me agnosceret, et faceret bene. | * Because there was none found that would know me, and do good unto me. |
| Here is repeated: Animam meam dilectam. | Here is repeated: I have delivered. |
The Third Nocturn
The seventh psalm was composed by David at the time when he was being persecuted by Saul. The prophet, by describing the fury of his own persecutor, shows us what kind of men were the enemies of the Messias.
| ANT. Ab insurgentibus in me, libera me, Domine, quia occupaverunt animam meam. | ANT. From them that rise up against me, deliver me, O Lord: for they are in possession of my soul. |
| PSALM 58 | |
| Eripe me de inimicis meis, Deus meus: et ab insurgentibus in me, libera me. | Deliver me from my enemies, O my God: and defend me from them that rise up against me. |
| Eripe me de operantibus iniquitatem: et de viris sanguinum salva me. | Deliver me from them that work iniquity: and save me from bloody men. |
| Quia ecce ceperunt animam meam: irruerunt in me fortes. | For behold they have caught my soul: the mighty have rushed in upon me. |
| Neque iniquitas mea, neque peccatum meum, Domine: sine iniquitate cucurri, et direxi. | Neither is it for my iniquity, nor for my sin, O Lord: without iniquity have I run and directed my steps. |
| Exsurge in occursum meum, et vide: et tu, Domine, Deus virtutum, Deus Israel. | Rise up thou to meet me, and behold: even thou, O Lord, the God of hosts, the God of Israel. |
| Intende ad visitandas omnes Gentes: non miserearis omnibus qui operantur iniquitatem. | Attend to visit all the nations: have no mercy on all them that work iniquity. |
| Convertentur ad vesperam, et famen patientur ut canes: et circuibunt civitatem. | They shall return at evening, and shall suffer hunger like dogs: and shall go round about the city. |
| Ecce loquentur in ore suo, et gladius in labiis eorum: quoniam quis audivit? | Behold they shall speak with their mouth, and a sword is in their lips: for who, say they, hath heard us? |
| Et tu, Domine, deridebis eos: ad nihilum deduces omnes Gentes. | But thou, O Lord, shalt laugh at them: thou shalt bring all the nations to nothing. |
| Fortitudinem meam ad te custodiam, quia Deus suceptor meus es: Deus meus, misericordia ejus præveniet me. | I will keep my strength to thee, for thou art my protector: my God, his mercy shall prevent me. |
| Deus ostendit mihi super inimicos meos, ne occidas eos: nequando obliviscantur populi mei. | God shall let me see over my enemies: slay them not, lest at any time my people forget. |
| Disperge illos in virtute tua: et depone eos, protector meus, Domine. | Scatter them by thy power: and bring them down, O Lord, my protector. |
| Delictum oris eorum, sermonem labiorum ipsorum: et comprehendantur in superbia sua. | For the sin of their mouth, and the word of their lips: and let them be taken in their pride. |
| Et de execratione et mendacio annuntiaburntur in consummatione: in ira consummationis, et non erunt. | And for their cursing and lying they shall be talked of, when they are consumed: when they are consumed by thy wrath, and they shall be no more. |
| Et scient quia Deus dominabitur Jacob: et finium terræ. | And they shall know that God will rule Jacob: and all the ends of the earth. |
| Ipsi dispergentur ad manducandum: si vero non fuerint saturati, et murmurabunt. | They shall be scattered abroad to eat: and shall murmur if they be not filled. |
| Ego autem cantabo fortitudinem tuam: et exaltabo mane misericordiam tuam. | But I will sing thy strength: and will extol thy mercy in the morning. |
| Quia factus es susceptor meus: et refugium meum, in die tribulationis meæ. | For thou art become my support and my refuge, in the day of my trouble. |
| Adjutor meus tibi psalmam, quia Deus susceptor meus es: Deus meus, misericordia mea. | Unto thee, O my helper, will I wsing, for thou art God, my defense: my God, my mercy. |
| ANT. Ab insurgentibus in me, libera me, Domine, quia occupaverunt animam meam. | ANT. From them that rise up against me, deliver me, O Lord, for they are in possession of my soul. |
In the eighth psalm, the royal prophet shows us the Messias threatened with death, and complaining of His disciples having abandoned Him.
| ANT. Longe fecisti notos meos a me: traditus sum, et non egrediebar. | ANT. Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me; I was delivered up, and I escaped not. |
| PSALM 87 | |
| Domine, Deus salutis meæ: in die clamavi, et nocte coram te. | O God, the God of my salvation, I have cried in the day, and in the night before thee. |
| Intret in conspectu tuo oratio mea: inclina aurem tuam ad precem meam. | Let my prayer come in before thee: incline thy ear to my petition. |
| Quia repleta est malis anima mea: et vita mea inferno appropinquavit. | For my soul is filled with evils: and my life hath drawn nigh to hell. |
| Æstimatus sum cum descendentibus in lacum: factus sum sicut homo sine adjutorio, inter mortuos liber. | I am counted among them that go down to the pit: I am become as a man without help, free among the dead. |
| Sicut vulnerati dormientes in sepulchris, quorum non es memor amplius: et ipsi de manu tua repulsti sunt. | Like the slain sleeping in the sepulchres, whom thou rememberest no more: and they are cast off from thy hand. |
| Posuerunt me in lacu inferiori: in tenebrosis, et in umbra mortis. | They have laid me in the lower pit: in the dark places and in the shadow of death. |
| Super me confirmatus est furor tuus: et omnes fluctus tuos induxisti super me. | Thy wrath is strong over me: and all thy waves thou hast brought in upon me. |
| Longe fecisti notos meos a me: posuerunt me abominationem sibi. | Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me: they have set me an abomination to themselves. |
| Traditus sum, et non egrediebar: oculi mei languerunt præ inopia. | I was delivered up, and came not forth: my eyes languished through poverty. |
| Numquid mortuis facies mirabilia: aut medici suscitabunt, et confitebuntur tibi? | Wilt thou show wonders to the dead: or shall physicians raise to life, and give praise to thee? |
| >Numquid narrabit aliquis in sepulchro misericordiam tuam: et veritatem tuam in perditione? | Shall any one in the sepulchre declare thy mercy, and thy truth in destruction? |
| Numquid cognoscentur in tenebris mirabilia tua: et justitia tua in terra oblivionis? | Shall thy wonders be known in the dark: and thy justice in the land of forgetfulness? |
| Et ego ad te, Domine, clamavi: et mane oratio mea præveniet te. | But I, O Lord, have cried to thee, and in the morning my prayer shall prevent thee. |
| Ut quid, Domine, repellis orationem meam: avertis faciem tuam a me? | Lord, why castest thou off my prayer: why turnest thou away thy face from me? |
| Pauper sum ego, et in laboribus a juventute mea: exaltatus autem, humiliatus sum et conturbatus. | I am poor and in labors from my youth: and being exalted, have been humbled and troubled. |
| In me transierunt iræ tuæ: et terrores tui conturbaverunt me. | Thy wrath hath come upon me: and thy terrors have troubled me. |
| Circumdederunt me sicut aqua tota die: circumdederunt me simul. | They have come round about me like water all the day: they have compassed me about together. |
| Elongasti a me amicum et proximum: et notos meos a miseria. | Friend and neighbor thou hast put far from me: and my acquaintance because of misery. |
| ANT. Longe fecisti notos meos a me: traditus sum, et non egrediebar. | ANT. Thou hast put away my acquaintance far from me: I was delivered up, and I escaped not. |
The ninth psalm invokes the vengeance of God upon the unjust judges, who shed the Blood of the innocent Jesus, and forget that there is One in heaven who is witness of their injustice and of His immolation. The high priests, the doctors of the Law, the dastardly Pontius Pilate, and here described as unjust judges, upon whose heads will fall the wrath of heaven.
| ANT. Captabunt in animam justi, et sanguinem innocentem condemnabunt. | ANT. They will hunt after the soul of the Just; and will condemn innocent Blood. |
| PSALM 93 | |
| Deus ultionum Dominus: Deus ultionum libere egit. | The Lord is the God to whom revenge belongeth: the God of revenge acted freely. |
| Exaltare qui judicas terram: redde retributionem superbis. | Lift up thyself, thou that judgest the earth: render a reward to the proud. |
| Usquequo peccatores Domine: usquequo peccatores gloriabuntur? | How long shall the wicked, O Lord, how long shall the wicked make their boast? |
| Effabuntur et loquentur iniquitatem: loquentur omnes qui operantur injustitiam? | How long shall they utter and speak wrong things: how long shall the workers of iniquity talk? |
| Populum tuum, Domine, humiliaverunt: et hæreditatem tuam vexaverunt. | Thy people, O Lord, they have brought low: and they have afflicted thy inheritance. |
| Viduam et advenam interfecerunt: et pupillos occiderunt. | They have slain the widow and the stranger: and they have murdered the fatherless. |
| Et dixerunt: Non videbit Dominus: nec intelliget Deus Jacob. | And they have said: The Lord shall not see: neither shall the God of Jacob understand. |
| Intelligite insipientes in populo: et stulti aliquando sapite. | Understand, ye senseless among the people: and you fools be wise at last. |
| Qui plantavit aurem, non audiet: aut qui fixit oculum, non considerat? | He that planted the ear, shall he not hear: or he that formed the eye, doth he not consider? |
| Qui corripit gentes, non arguet: qui docet hominem scientiam? | He that chastiseth nations, shall he not rebuke: he that teacheth man knowledge? |
| Dominus scit cogitationes hominum: quoniam vanæ sunt. | The Lord knoweth the thoughts of men, that they are vain. |
| Beatus homo, quen tu erudieris, Domine: et de lege tua docueris eum. | Blessed is the man whom thou shalt instruct, O Lord: and shalt teach him out of thy law. |
| Ut mitiges ei a diebus malis: donec fodiatur peccatori fovea. | That thou mayst give him rest from the evil days: till a pit be dug for the wicked. |
| Quia non repellet Dominus plebem suam: et hæreditatem suam non derelinquet. | For the Lord will not cast off his people: neither will he forsake his own inheritance. |
| Quoadusque justitia convertatur in judicium: et qui juxta illam omnes qui recto sunt corde. | Until justice be turned into judgment: and they that are near it are all the upright of heart. |
| Quis consurget mihi adversus malignantes: aut quis stabit mecum adversus operantes iniquitatem? | Who shall rise up for me against the evil doers? or who shall stand with me against the workers of iniquity? |
| Nisi quia Dominus adjuvit me: paulo minus habitasset in inferno anima mea. | Unless the Lord had been my helper: my soul had almost dwelt in hell. |
| Si dicebam: Motus est pes meus: misericordia tua, Domine, adjuvabat me. | If I said: my foot is moved: thy mercy, O Lord, assisted me. |
| Secundum multitudinem dolorum meorum in corde meo: consolationes tuæ lætificaverunt animam meam. | According to the multitude of my sorrows in my heart: thy comforts have given joy to my soul. |
| Numquid adhæret tibi sedes iniquitatis: qui fingis laborem in præcepto? | Doth the seat of iniquity stick to thee, who framest labor in commandment? |
| Captabunt in animam justi: et sanguinem innocentem condemnabunt. | They will hunt after the soul of the just: and will condemn innocent blood. |
| Et factus est mihi Dominus in refugium: et Deus meus in adjutorium spei meæ. | But the Lord is my refuge: and my God the help of my hope. |
| Et reddet illis iniquitatem ipsorum: et in malitia eorum disperdet eos: disperdet illos Dominus Deus noster. | And he will render to them their iniquity: and in their malice he will destroy them: yea, the Lord our God will destroy them. |
| ANT. Captabunt in animam justi, et sanguinem innocentem condemnabunt. | ANT. They will hunt after the soul of the Just: and will condemn innocent Blood. |
| ℣. Locuti sunt adversum me lingua dolosa. | ℣. They have spoken against me with a deceitful tongue. |
| ℟. Et sermonibus odii circumdederunt me, et expugnaverunt me gratis. | ℟. And they have compassed me about with words of hatred, and have fought against me without cause. |
Here is said the Pater noster in secret.
For the lessons of this nocturn, the Church has selected a passage from the Epistle to the Hebrews, where St. Paul speaks of the Son of God having become our High Priest and Mediator with the Father, by the shedding of His Blood. This precious Blood blots out our sins and opens heaven to us, which Adam’s sin had closed against us.
| SEVENTH LESSON | |
| De Epistola Beati Pauli Apostoli ad Hebræos. | From the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle, to the Hebrews. |
| Cap. iv. et v. | Ch. iv. and v. |
| Festinemus ergo ingredi in illam requiem: ut ne in idipsum quis incidat incredulitatis exemplum. Vivus est enim sermo Dei, et efficax et penetrabilior omni gladio ancipiti: et pertingens usque ad divisionem animæ ac spiritus: compagum quoque ac medullarum, et discretor cogitationum et intentionum cordis. Et non est ulla creatura invisibilis in conspectu ejus: omnia autem nuda et aperta sunt oculis ejus, ad quem nobis sermo. Habentes ergo pontificem magnum qui penetravit caelos, Jesum Filium Dei, teneamus confessionem. Non enim habemus pontificem qui non possit compati infirmitatibus nostris: tentatum autem per omnia pro similitudine absque peccato. | Let us hasten therefore to enter into that rest; lest any man fall into the same example of unbelief. For the word of God is living and effectual, and more piercing than any two edged sword; and reaching unto the division of the soul and the spirit, of the joints also and the marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature invisible in his sight: but all things are naked and open to his eyes, to whom our speech is. Having therefore a great high priest that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest, who can not have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin. |
| ℟. Tradiderunt me in manus impiorum, et inter iniquos projecerunt me, et non pepercerunt animæ meæ: congregati sunt adversum me fortes: * Et sicut gigantes steterunt contra me. | ℟. They delivered me into the hands of the impious and cast me out among the wicked, and spared not my life: the powerful gathered together against me: * And like giants they stood against me. |
| ℣. Alieni insurrexerunt adversum me, et fortes quæsierunt animam meam. | ℣. Strangers have risen up against me, and the mighty have sought my soul. |
| * Et sicut gigantes steterunt contra me. | * and like giants they stood against me. |
| EIGHTH LESSON | |
| Lectio Epistolæ beati Pauli Apostoli ad Philippenses. | Lesson of the Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle, to the Philippians. |
| Cap. iii et iv. | Ch. iii and iv. |
| Adeamus ergo cum fiducia ad thronum gratiae: ut misericordiam consequamur, et gratiam inveniamus in auxilio opportuno. Omnis namque pontifex ex hominibus assumptus, pro hominibus constituitur in iis quæ sunt ad Deum, ut offerat dona, et sacrificia pro peccatis: qui condolere possit iis qui ignorant et errant: quoniam et ipse circumdatus est infirmitate: et propterea debet, quemadmodum pro populo, ita etiam et pro semetipso offerre pro peccatis. | Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace: that we may obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid. For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And therefore he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. |
| ℟. Jesum tradidit impius summis principibus sacerdotum, et senioribus populi: * petrus autem sequebatur eum a longe, ut videret finem. | ℟. The wicked man betrayed Jesus to the chief priests and elders of the people: * But Peter followed him afar off, that he might see the end. |
| ℣. Adduxerunt autem eum ad Caïpham principem sacerdotum, ubi scribæ et pharisæi convenerant. | ℣. And they led him to Caiphas the high priest, where the scribes and pharisees were met together. |
| * Petrus autem sequebatur eum a longe, ut videret finem. | * But Peter followed him afar off, that he might see the end. |
| NINTH LESSON | |
| Nec quisquam sumit sibi honorem, sed qui vocatur a Deo, tamquam Aaron. Sic et Christus non semetipsum clarificavit ut pontifex fieret: sed qui locutus est ad eum: Filius meus es tu, ego hodie genui te. Quemadmodum et in alio loco dicit: Tu es sacerdos in aeternum, secundum ordinem Melchisedech. Qui in diebus carnis suæ preces, supplicationesque ad eum qui possit illum salvum facere a morte cum clamore valido, et lacrimis offerens, exauditus est pro sua reverentia. Et quidem cum esset Filius Dei, didicit ex iis, quæ passus est, obedientiam: et consummatus, factus est omnibus obtemperantibus sibi, causa salutis æternæ, appellatus a Deo pontifex juxta ordinem Melchisedech. | Neither doth any man take the honour to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was. So Christ also did not glorify himself, that he might be made a high priest: but he that said unto him: Thou art my Son, this day have I begotten thee. As he saith also in another place: Thou art a priest for ever, according to the order of Melchisedech. Who in the days of his flesh, with a strong cry and tears, offering up prayers and supplications to him that was able to save him from death, was heard for his reverence. And whereas indeed he was the Son of God, he learned obedience by the things which he suffered: And being consummated, he became, to all that obey him, the cause of eternal salvation. Called by God a high priest according to the order of Melchisedech. |
| ℟. Caligaverunt oculi mei a fletu meo: quia elongatus est a me, qui consolabatur me. Videte omnes populi, * Si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus. | ℟. My eyes are darkened by my tears: for he is far from me that comforted me. See all ye people, * If there be sorrow like unto my sorrow. |
| ℣. O vos omnes qui transitis per viam, attendite et videte. | ℣. O all ye that pass by the way, behold and see, |
| * Si est dolor similis sicut dolor meus. | * If there be sorrow like unto my sorrow. |
| Here is repeated: Caligaverunt oculi mei. | Here is repeated: My eyes are darkened. |
Lauds
The first psalm of Lauds is the Miserere, as yesterday. It is sung to the following antiphon:
| ANT. Proprio Filio suo non pepercit Deus, sed pro nobis omnibus tradidit illum. | ANT. God spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all. |
The second psalm is one of those that were composed by David during the time of Absolom’s rebellion. It is one of the psalms of Friday’s ferial Lauds throughout the year; and is appropriate to the mystery of today, inasmuch as it expresses how the Messias was abandoned by His disciples, and how confidently He hoped in God.
| ANT. Anxiatus est super me spiritus meus, in me turbatum est cor meum. | ANT. My spirit is in anguish within me, my heart within me is troubled. |
| PSALM 142 | |
| Domine, exaudi orationem meam: auribus percipe obsecrationem meam in veritate tua: exaudi me in tua justitia. | Hear, O Lord, my prayer, give ear to my supplication in thy truth: hear me in thy justice. |
| Et non intres in judicium cum servo tuo: quia non justificabitur in conspectu tuo omnis vivens. | And enter not into judgment with thy servant: for in thy sight no man living shall be justified. |
| Quia persecutus est inimicus animam meam: humiliavit in terra vitam meam. | For the enemy hath persecuted my soul; he hath brought down my life to the earth. |
| Collocavit me in obscuris sicut mortuos sæculi: et anxiatus est super me spiritus meus, in me turbatum est cor meum. | He hath made me to dwell in darkness, as those that have been dead of old; and my spirit is in anguish within me, my heart within me is troubled. |
| Memor fui dierum antiquorum, meditatus sum in omnibus operibus tuis: in factis manuum tuarum meditabar. | I remembered the days of old, I meditated on all thy works, I mused upon the works of thy hands. |
| Expandi manus meas ad te: anima mea sicut terra sine aqua tibi. | I stretched forth my hands to thee: my soul is as earth without water unto thee. |
| Velociter exaudi me Domine: defecit spiritus meus. | Hear me speedily, O Lord: my spirit hath fainted away. |
| Non avertas faciem tuam a me: et similis ero descendentibus in lacum. | Turn not away thy face from me, lest I be like unto them that go down into the pit. |
| Auditam face mihi mane misericordiam tuam: quia in te speravi. | Cause me to hear thy mercy in the morning: for in thee have I hoped. |
| Notam fac mihi viam in qua ambulem: quia ad te levavi animam meam. | Make the way known to me wherein I should walk: for I have lifted up my soul to thee. |
| Eripe me de inimicis meis, Domine, ad te confugi: doce me facere voluntatem tuam, quia Deus meus es tu. | Deliver me from my enemies, O Lord, to thee have I fled: teach me to do thy will, for thou art my God. |
| Spiritus tuus bonus deducet me in terram rectam: propter nomen tuum, Domine, vivificabis me in æquitate tua. | Thy good spirit shall lead me into the right land: for thy name’s sake, O Lord, thou wilt quicken me in thy justice. |
| Educes de tribulatione animam meam: et in misericordia tua disperdes inimicos meos. | Thou wilt bring my soul out of troubles: and in thy mercy thou wilt destroy my enemies. |
| Et perdes omnes qui tribulant animam meam: quoniam ego servus tuus sum. | And thou wilt cut off all them that afflict my soul: for I am thy servant. |
| ANT. Anxiatus est super me spiritus meus, et in me turbatum est cor meum. | ANT. My spirit is in anguish within me, my heart within me is troubled. |
The third psalm celebrates the great mystery of the Redemption accomplished on this day, the destruction of sin, and the propitiation of God’s offended majesty. It is sun go the following antiphon:
| ANT. Ait latro ad latronem: Nos quidem digna factis recipimus: hic autem quid fecit? Memento mei, Domine, dum veneris in regnum tuum. | ANT. The thief said to the thief: We, indeed, receive the due reward of our deeds; but what has this Man done? Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. |
| PSALM 84 | |
| Benedixisti, Domine, terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob. | Thou hast blessed thy land, O Lord: thou hast turned away the captivity of Jacob. |
| Remisisti iniquitatem plebis tuæ: operuisti omnia peccata eorum. | Thou hast forgiven the iniquity of thy people: thou hast discovered all their sins. |
| Mitigasti omnem iram tuam: avertisti ab ira indignationis tuæ. | Thou hast softened all thine anger: thou hast turned away from the wrath of thine indignation. |
| Converte nos, Deus, salutaris noster: et averte iram tuam a nobis. | Convert us, O God our Savior: and turn away thine anger from us. |
| Numquid in æternum irasceris nobis? aut extendes iram tuam a generatione in generationem? | Wilt thou be angry with us for ever: or wilt thou stretch out thy wrath from generation to generation? |
| Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos: et plebs tua lætabitur in te. | Thou shalt turn again, O God, and quicken us: and thy people shall rejoice in thee. |
| Ostende nobis, Domine, misericordiam tuam: et salutare tuum da nobis. | Show us thy mercy, O Lord; and grant us thy salvation. |
| Audiam quid loquatur in me Dominus Deus: quoniam loquetur pacem in plebem suam. | I will hearken to what the Lord shall say within me: for he will speak peace unto his people: |
| Et super sanctos suos: et in eos qui convertuntur ad cor. | And unto his saints: and unto them that are converted in heart. |
| Verumtamen prope timentes eum salutare ipsius: ut inhabitet gloria in terra nostra. | Surely his salvation is nigh unto them that fear him: that glory may dwell in our land. |
| Misericordia et veritas obviaverunt sibi: justitia et pax osculatæ sunt. | Mercy and truth have met together: justice and peace have kissed each other. |
| Veritas de terra orta est: et justitia de cœlo prospexit. | Truth is sprung out of the earth: and justice hath looked down from heaven. |
| Etenim Dominus dabit benignitatem: et terra nostra dabit fructum suum. | For the Lord shall give goodness: and our earth shall yield her fruit. |
| Justitia ante eum ambulabit: et ponet in via gressus suos. | Justice shall walk before him; and shall set his steps in the way. |
| ANT. Ait latro ad latronem: Nos quidem digna factis recipimus: hic autem quid fecit? Memento mei, Domine, dum veneris in regnum tuum. | ANT. The thief said to the thief: We, indeed, receive the due reward of our deeds: but what has this Man done? Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. |
The following canticle is that of the prophet Habacuc; it comes in the ferial Lauds of Friday, for penitential seasons. It celebrates the victory of Christ over His enemies, when He shall come to judge the world; and forms a sublime contrast with the humiliations which the Man-God suffers on this the day of His death.
| ANT. Cum conturbata fuerit anima mea, Domine, misericordiæ memor eris. | ANT. When my soul shall be in trouble, O Lord! thou wilt be mindful of thy mercy. |
| CANTICLE OF HABACUC | |
| Domine, audivi auditionem tuam: et timui. | O Lord, I heard what thou madest me hear, and was afraid. |
| Domine, opus tuum: in medio annorum vivifica illud. | O Lord, thy work, in the midst of the years bring it to life. |
| In medio annorum notum facies: cum iratus fueris, misericordiæ recordaberis. | In the midst of the years thou shalt make it known: when thou art angry, thou wilt remember mercy. |
| Deus ab austro veniet: et Sanctus de monte Pharan. | God will come from the south, and the Holy One from mount Pharan. |
| Operuit cœlos gloria ejus: et laudis ejus plena est terra. | His glory covered the heavens: and the earth is full of his praise. |
| Splendor ejus ut lux erit: cornua in manibus ejus. | His brightness shall be as the light: horns are in his hands. |
| Ibi abscondita est fortitudo ejus: ante faciem ejus ibit mors. | There is his strength hid: death shall go before his face. |
| Et egredietur diabolus ante pedes ejus: stetit et mensus est terram. | And the devil shall go forth before his feet: he stood and measured the earth. |
| Aspexit et dissolvit Gentes: et contriti sunt montes sæculi. | He beheld, and melted the nations: and the ancient mountains were crushed to pieces. |
| Incurvati sunt colles mundi: ab itineribus æternitatis ejus. | The hills of the world were bowed down, by the journeys of his eternity. |
| Pro iniquitate vidi tentoria Æthiopiæ: turbabuntur pelles terræ Madian. | I saw the tents of Æthiopia for their iniquity: the curtains of the land of Madian shall be troubled. |
| Numquid in fluminibus iratus es, Domine: aut in fluminibus furor tuus, vel in mari indignatio tua? | Wast thou angry, O Lord, with the rivers? or was thy wrath upon the rivers? or thy indignation in the sea? |
| Qui ascendes super equos tuos: et quadrigæ tuæ salvatio. | Who wilt ride upon thy horses: and thy chariots are salvation. |
| Suscitans suscitabis arcum tuum: juramenta tibubus, quæ locutus es. | Thou wilt surely take up thy bow according to the oaths which thou hast spoken to the tribes. |
| Fluvios scindes terræ: viderunt te et doluerunt montes: gurges aquarum transiit. | Thou wilt divide the rivers of the earth: the mountains saw thee and were grieved: the great body of waters passed away. |
| Dedit abyssus vocem suam: altitudo manus suas levavit. | The deep put forth its voice: the deep lifted up its hands. |
| Sol et luna steterunt in habitaculo suo: in luce sagittarum tuarum, ibunt in splendore fulgurantis hastæ tuæ. | The sun and the moon stood still in their habitation, in the light of thy arrows, they shall go in the brightness of thy glittering spear. |
| In fremitu conculcabis terram: et in furore obstupefacies Gentes. | In thy anger thou wilt tread the earth under foot: in thy wrath thou wilt astonish the nations. |
| Egressus es in salutem populi tui: in salutem cum Christo tuo. | Thou wentest forth for the salvation of thy people, for the salvation with thy Christ. |
| Percussisti caput de domo impii: denudasti fundamentum ejus usque ad collum. | Thou struckest the head of the house of the wicked: thou hast laid bare his foundation even to the neck. |
| Maledixisti sceptris ejus, capiti bellatorum ejus: venientibus ut turbo ad dispergendum me. | Thou hast cursed his scepters, the head of his warriors, them that came out as a whirlwind to scatter me. |
| Exsultatio eorum: sicut ejus qui devorat pauperem in abscondito. | Their joy was like that of him that devoureth the poor man in secret. |
| Viam fecisti in mari equis tuis: in luto aquarum multarum. | Thou madest a way in the sea for thy horses, in the mud of many waters. |
| Audivi et conturbatus est venter meus: a voce contremuerunt labia mea. | I have heard, and my bowels were troubled: my lips trembled at the voice. |
| Ingrediatur putredo in ossibus meis: et subter me scateat. | Let rottenness enter into my bones, and swarm under me. |
| Ut requiescam in die tribulationis: ut ascendam ad populum accinctum nostrum. | That I may rest in the day of tribulation: that I may go up to our people that are girded. |
| Ficus enim non florebit: et non erit germen in vineis. | For the fig-tree shall not blossom: and there shall be no spring in the vines. |
| Mentietur opus olivæ: et arva non afferent cibum. | The labor of the olive-tree shall fail: and the fields shall yield no food. |
| Abscindetur de ovili pecus: et non erot armentum in præsepibus. | The flock shall be cut off from the fold: and their shall be no herd in the stalls. |
| Ego autem in Domino gaudebo: et exsultabo in Deo Jesu meo. | But I will rejoice in the Lord: and I will rejoice in God my Jesus. |
| Deus Dominus fortitudo mea: et ponet pedes meos quasi cervorum. | The Lord God is my strength: and he will make my feet like the feet of harts. |
| Et super excelsa mea deducet me victor: in psalmis canentem. | And he the conqueror will lead me upon my high places, singing psalms. |
| ANT. Cum conturbata fuerit anima mea, Domine, misericordiæ memor eris. | ANT. When my soul shall be in trouble, O Lord! thou wilt be mindful of thy mercy. |
The last psalm, which belongs to the Lauds of Fridays, is sung today to the following antiphon:
| ANT. Memento mei, Domine, dum veneris in regnum tuum. | ANT. Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. |
| PSALM 147 | |
| Lauda Jerusalem Dominum: Lauda Deum tuum Sion. | Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: praise thy God, O Sion. |
| Quoniam confortavit seras portarum tuarum: benedixit filiis tuis in te. | For He hath strengthened the bars of thy gates: he hath blessed thy children within thee. |
| Qui posuit fines tuos pacem: et adipe frumenti satiat te. | Who hath made peace in thy borders: and filleth thee with the fat of corn. |
| Qui emittit eloquium suum terræ: velociter currit sermo ejus. | Who sendeth forth his speech upon the earth: his word runneth very swiftly. |
| Qui dat nivem sicut lanam: nebulam sicut cinerem spargit. | Who giveth snow like wool: he scattereth mists like ashes. |
| Mittit crystallum suam sicut buccellas: ante faciem frigoris ejus quis sustinebit? | He sendeth his crystal like morsels: who shall stand before the face of his cold? |
| Emittet verbum suum, et liquefaciet ea: flabit spiritus ejus et fluent aquæ. | He shall send out his word and shall melt them: his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run. |
| Qui annuntiat verbum suum Jacob: justitias et judicia sua Israel. | Who declareth his word unto Jacob: his justice and judgments unto Israel. |
| Non fecit taliter omni nationi: et judicia sua non manifestavit eis. | He hath not done in like manner to every nation: and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them. |
| ANT. Memto mei Domine, dum veneris in regnum tuum. | ANT. Remember me, O Lord, when thou shalt come into thy kingdom. |
| ℣. Collocavit me in obscuris. | ℣. He hath made me to dwell in darkness. |
| ℟. Sicut motuos sæculi. | ℟. As those that have been dead of old. |
After this versicle, is sung the canticle Benedictus with the following antiphon:
| ANT. Posuerunt super caput ejus causam ipsius scriptam: Jesus Nazarenus Rex Judæorum. | ANT. They put over his head his cause written: Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews. |
This antiphon having been repeated after the canticle, the choir sings, to a touching melody, the following words. The repeats them at the end of all the Canonical Hours of these three days, adding to them each day. The addition for today is, that the death which our Savior deigned to suffer for us was the most disgraceful and painful of all deaths—the death of the cross.
| ℣. Christus factus est pro nobis obediens usque ad mortem, mortam autem crucis. | ℣. Christ became, for our sake, obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. |
Then is said, in secret, the Pater noster, which is followed by the Miserere. This psalm is not sung, but only recited in yesterday’s Tenebræ. As soon as the Miserere is finished, the following prayer is said by the first in dignity:
| Respice, quæsumus, Domine, super hanc familiam tuam: pro qua Dominus noster Jesus Christus non dubitavit manibus tradi nocentium, et crucis subire tormentum: | Look down, O Lord, we beseech thee, upon this thy family, for which our Lord Jesus Christ hesitated not to be delivered into the hands of wicked men, and to undergo the punishment of the cross: |
| (then the rest in secret:) | |
| Qui tecum vit et regnat, in unitate Spiritus sancti, Deus, per omnia sæcula sæculorum. Amen. | Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. Amen. |
The Morning
THE SUN HAS RISEN upon Jerusalem. But the Priests and Scribes have not waited all this time without venting their anger upon Jesus. Annas, who was the first to receive the divine Captive, has had him taken to his son-in-law Caiphas, the High Priest. Here he is put through a series of insulting questions, which disdaining to answer, he receives a blow from one of the High Priest’s servants. False witnesses had been already prepared: they now come forward and depose their lies against Him who is the very Truth—but their testimony is contradictory. Then, Caiphas, seeing that this plan for convicting Jesus of blasphemy is only serving to expose his accomplices, turns to another. He asks him a question which will oblige our Lord to make an answer; and in this answer, he, Caiphas, will discover blasphemy, and blasphemy would bring Jesus under the power of the Synagogue. This is the question: I adjure thee, by the living God, that thou tell us, if thou be the Christ the Son of God? Our Savior, in order to teach us that we should show respect to those who are in authority, breaks the silence he has hitherto observed, and answers: Thou hast said it: I am: and hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming in the clouds of heaven. Hereupon, the impious Pontiff rises, rends his garments, and exclaims: He hath blasphemed! What further need have we of witnesses? Behold! now ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? The whole place resounds with the cry: He is guilty of death!
The Son of God has come down upon the earth, in order to restore man to Life; and yet, here we have this creature of death daring to summon his Divine Benefactor before a human tribunal, and condemning him to Death! And Jesus is silent! and bears with him these presumptuous, these ungrateful, blasphemers! Well may we exclaim, in the words wherewith the Greek Church frequently interrupts today’s reading of the Passion: “Glory be to thy Patience, O Lord!”
Scarcely have the terrible words He is guilty of death been uttered, than the servants of the High Priest rush upon Jesus. They spit upon him, and blindfolding him, they strike him, saying: Prophesy! who is it struck thee! Thus does the Synagogue treat the Messias, who, they say, is to be their glory! And yet, these outrages, frightful as they are, are but the beginning of what our Redeemer has to go through.
But there is something far more trying than all this to the heart of Jesus, and it is happening at this very time. Peter has made his way as far as the court of the High Priest’s Palace! He is recognized by the bystanders as a Galilean, and one of Jesus’ Disciples. The Apostle trembles for his life; he denies his Master, and affirms, with an oath, that he does not even know him. What a sad example is here of the punishment of presumption! But Jesus has mercy on his Apostle. The servants of the High Priest lead him to the palace, near where Peter is standing; he casts upon him a look of reproach and pardon; Peter immediately goes forth, and weeps bitterly. From this hour forward, he can do nothing but lament his sin; and it is only on Easter Morning, when Jesus shall appear to him after his Resurrection, that he will admit any consolation to his afflicted heart. Let us make him our model, now that we are spending these hours, with our holy Mother the Church, in contemplating the Passion of Jesus. Peter withdraws, because he fears his own weakness; let us remain to the end, for what have we to fear? May our Jesus give us one of those looks which can change the hardest and worst of hearts!
Meanwhile, the day-dawn breaks upon the City, and the chief Priests make arrangements for taking Jesus before the Roman Governor. They themselves have found him guilty; they have condemned him as a Blasphemer, and, according to the law of Moses, a Blasphemer must be stoned to death: but they cannot apply the law: Jerusalem is no longer free, or governed by her own laws. The power over life and death may only be exercised by her conquerors, and that in the name of Cæsar. How is it that these Priests and Scribes can go through all this and never once remember the prophecy of Jacob—that the Messias would come, when the scepter should be taken away from Juda? They know off by heart, they are the appointed guardians of tose Prophecies, Which describe the death to which this Messias is to be put—and yet, they are the very ones who bring it about! How is all this?—They are blind, and it is Jealousy that blinds them.
The rumor of Jesus’ having been seized during the night, and that he is on the point of being led before the Roman Governor, rapidly spreads through the City, and reaches Judas’ ear. This wretched man had a passion for money, but there was nothing to make him desire the death of his Divine Master. He knew Jesus’ supernatural power. He perhaps flattered himself that He who could command nature and the elements, would easily escape from the hands of his enemies. But now when he sees that he does not escape, and that he is to be condemned to death—he runs to the Temple, and gives back the thirty pieces of silver to the Chief Priests. Is it that he is converted? and is about to ask his Master to pardon him? Alas! no: despair has possession of him, and he puts an end to his existence. The recollection of all the merciful solicitations made to him, yesterday, by Jesus, both during the Last Supper and in the Garden, gives him no confidence; it only serves to increase his despair. Surely, he well knew what a merciful Savior he had to deal with! And yet he despairs, and this at the very time when the Blood, which washes away the sins of the whole world, is about to be shed! He is lost, because he despaired.
The Chief Priests, taking Jews with them, present themselves at the Governor’s Palace, demanding audience for a case of importance. Pilate comes forward, and peevishly asks them: What accusation bring ye against this man?—They answered: If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee. It is very evident from these first words that Pilate has a contempt for these Jewish Priests; it is not less evident that they are determined to gain their cause. Take him you, says Pilate, and judge him according to your Law.—The Chief Priests answered: It it not lawful for us to put any man to death.
Pilate leaves the Hall, in order to speak with these men. He returns, and commands Jesus to be brought in. The son of God and the representative of the pagan world are face to face. Pilate begins by asking them: Art thou the King of the Jews?— To this Jesus replies: My Kingdom is not of this world. If my Kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews, But, now, my Kingdom is not from hence.—Art thou a King, then? says Pilate.—Thou sayest, answers Jesus, that I am a King. Having, by these last words, confessed his august dignity, our Lord offers a grace to this Roman; he tells him that there is something worthier of Man’s ambition than earthly honors. For this, says Jesus, was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the Truth. Every one that is of the Truth, heareth my voice.—What is Truth? asks Pilate; but without waiting for the answer, he leaves Jesus, for he is anxious to have done with this case. He returns to the Jews, and says to them: I find no cause in him. Pilate fancies that this Jesus must be a leader of some Jewish sect whose teachings give offense to the Chief Priests, but which are not worth his examining into them; yet at the same time, he is convinced that he is a harmless man, and that it would be foolish and unjust to accuse him of disturbing the state.
Scarcely has Pilate expressed his opinion in favor of Jesus, than a long list of accusations is brought up against him by the Chief Priests. Pilate is astonished at Jesus’ making no reply, and says to him: Dost thou not hear how great testimonies they allege against thee?—These words are kindly meant, but Jesus still remains silent: they, however, excite his enemies to fresh fury, and they cry out: He stirreth up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, beginning from Galilee, even to this place. This word Galilee suggests a new idea to Pilate. Herod, the Tetrarch of Galilee, happens to be in Jerusalem at this very time. Jesus is his subject; he must be sent to him. Thus Pilate will get rid of a troublesome case, and this act of courteous deference will reestablish a good understanding between himself and Herod.
The Savior is therefore dragged through the streets of Jerusalem, from Pilate’s house to Herod’s place. His enemies follow him with relentless fury; but Jesus still observes his noble silence. Herod, the murder of John the Baptist, insults him, and ordering him to be clothed in a white garment as a Fool, he sends him back to Pilate. Another plan for ridding himself of this troublesome case now strikes the Roman Governor. At the feast of the Pasch, he had the power of granting pardon to any one criminal the people may select. They are assembled together at the court gates. He feels sure that their choice will fall upon Jesus, for it is but a few days ago that they led him in triumph through the City: besides, he intends to make the alternative one who is an object of execration to the whole people; he is a murderer, and his name is Barabbas. Whom will you that I release to you? says Pilate: Barabbas, or Jesus, that is called the Christ?—He has not long to wait for the answer: the crowd exclaim: Not this man, but Barabbas!—What then, replies Pilate, shall I do with Jesus, that is called the Christ?—Crucify him!—Why, what evil hath he done? I will chastise him, therefore, and let him go.&mdas;But they growing irritated at this, cry out so much the louder: Crucify him! Crucify him!
Pilate’s cowardly subterfuge has failed, and left him in a more difficult position than he was before. His putting the innocent on a level with a murderer was, in itself, a gross injustice; and yet, he has not gone far enough for a people that is blind with passion. Neither does his promise to chastise Jesus satisfy them: they want more than his Blood: they insist on his Death!
Here let us pause and offer our Savior a reparation for the insult he here receives. He is put in competition with a murderer, and the murderer is preferred! Pilate makes an attempt to save Jesus: but on what terms!—he must be put on a footing with a vile wretch, and even so, be worsted! Those very lips that a few days back sang “Hosannah to the Son of David,” now clamor for his Crucifixion! The City Magistrate and Governor pronounces him innocent: and yet he condemns him to be scourged, because he fears a disturbance!
Jesus is made over to the soldiers to be scourged. They rudely strip him of his garments, and tie him to the pillar, which is kept for this kind of torture. Fiercely do they strike him; the blood flows down his sacred Body. Let us adore this the second Bloodshedding of our Jesus, whereby he expiates for the sins we and the whole world have committed by the flesh. This Scourging is by the hands of Gentiles: the Jews delivered him up to be punished, and the Romans were the executioners:—thus have we all had our share in the awful Deicide!
At last, the soldiers are tired; they loosen their Victim; but it is not out of anything like pity. Their cruelty is going to rest, and their rest is derision. Jesus has been called “King of the Jews:” a King, say they, must have a Crown! Accordingly they make one for the Son of David! It is of Thorns. They press it violently upon his head, and this is the third Bloodshedding of our Redeemer. Then, that they may make their scoffing perfect, the soldiers throw a scarlet cloak over his shoulders, and put a reed, for a scepter, into his hand; and bending their knee before him, they thus salute him: Hail, King of the Jews!—This insulting homage is accompanied with blows upon his face; they spit upon him; and, from time to time, take the reed from his hand, wherewith to strike the Thorns deeper into his head.
Here, the Christian prostrates himself before his Savior, and says to him with a heart full of compassion and veneration: “Yes! my Jesus! Thou art King of the Jews! Thou art the Son of David, and therefore our Messias and our Redeemer! Israel, that has so lately proclaimed thee King, now unkings thee; the Gentiles scoff at thy Royalty, making it a subject for keener insult: but reign thou must, and over both Jews and Gentiles: over the Jews, by thy justice, for they are soon to feel the scepter of thy revenge; over the Gentiles, by thy mercy, for thine Apostles are soon to lead them to thy feet. Receive, dearest King! our homage and submission! Reign now and forever over our hears, yea, over our whole being!”
Thus mangled and bleeding, holding the reed in his hand, and with the scarlet tatters on his shoulders, Jesus is led back to Pilate. It is just the sight that will soften the hearts of the people—at least Pilate thinks so—and taking him with him to a balcony of the palace, he shows him to the crowd below, saying: Behold the Man! Little did Pilate know all that these few words conveyed! He says not: “Behold Jesus!” nor “Behold the King of the Jews!” he says: Behold the Man!—Man!—the Christian understands the full force of the word thus applied to our Redeemer. Adam, the first Man, rebelled against God and, by his sin, deranged the whole work of the Creator: as a punishment for his pride and intemperance, the flesh tyrannized over the spirit; the very earth was cursed, and thorns were to be its growth. Jesus, the New Man, comes into this world, bearing upon him not the reality, but the appearance, the likeness, of sin: in him, the work of the Creator regains its primeval order; but the change was not wrought without violence. To teach us that the flesh must be brought into subjection to the spirit, Jesus’ Flesh was torn by the scourges: to teach us that pride must give way to humility, the only Crown that Jesus wears is made of Thorns. Yes, Behold Man!—the triumph of the spirit over the flesh, the triumph of humility over pride.
Like the tiger that grows fiercer as he sees blood, so is Israel at the sight of Jesus after his scourging. Crucify him! Crucify him!—the cry is still the same. Take him you, says Pilate, and crucify him; for I find no cause in him. And yet, he has ordered him to be scourged enough to cause his death! Here is another device of the base coward; but it too fails. The Jews have their answer ready: they put forward the right granted by the Romans to the nations that are tributary to the Empire. We have, say they, a law, and according to the law he ought to die; because he made himself the Son of God. Disconcerted by the reply, Pilate takes Jesus aside into the hall, and says to him: Whence art thou? Jesus is silent; Pilate was not worthy to hear the answer to his question. This silence irritates him. Speakest thou not to me? says he. Knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee? Here Jesus deigns to speak; and he speaks, in order to teach us that every power of government, even where pagans are in question, comes from God, and not from a pretended social compact: Thou shouldst not have any power against me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore, he that hath delivered me to thee, hath the greater sin.
This dignified reply produces an impression upon Pilate: he resolves to make another attempt to save Jesus. But the people vociferate a threat which alarms him: If thou release this man, thou art not Cæsar’s friend; for whosoever maketh himself a King, speaketh against Cæsar. Still, he is determined to try and pacify the crowd. He leaves the hall, sits upon the judgment-seat, orders Jesus to be placed near him, and thus pleads for him: Behold your King! as though he would say, “What have you or Cæsar to fear from such a pitiable object as this?” The argument was unavailing, and only provokes the cry: Away with him! Away with him! Crucify him! As though he did not believe them to be in earnest, Pilate says to them: Shall I crucify your King? This time the Chief Priests give the answer: We have no king but Cæsar. When the very Ministers of God can talk thus, religion is at an end. No king but Cæsar!—then the scepter is taken from Juda, and Jerusalem is cast off, and the Messias is come!
Pilate, seeing that nothing can quell the tumult, and that his honor as Governor is at stake, decides on making Jesus over to his enemies. Though against his own inclination, he passes the Sentence, which is to cause him such remorse of conscience that he will afterwards seek relief in suicide. He takes a tablet, and with a style, writes the Inscription which is to be fastened to the Cross. The people demand that two thieves should be crucified at the same time—it would be an additional insult to Jesus: this too, he grants, fulfilling the prophecy of Isaias: And with the wicked was he reputed. Having thus defiled his soul with the most heinous of crimes, Pilate washes his hands before the people, and says to them: I am innocent of the blood of this just man; look ye to it! They answer him with this terrible self-imprecation: His blood be upon us and upon our children! The mark of Parricide here fastens on this ungrateful and sacrilegious people; Cain-like, they shall wander fugitives on the earth. Eighteen hundred years have passed since them; slavery, misery, and contempt, have been their portion; but the mark is still upon them. Let us Gentiles—upon whom this Blood of Jesus has fallen as the dew of heaven’s mercy—let us return fervent thanks to the goodness of our heavenly Father, who hath so loved the world, as to give it his Only Begotten Son. Let us give thanks to the Son, who, seeing that our iniquities could not be blotted out save by his Blood, shed it, on this day, even to the very last drop.
Here commences “The Way of the Cross;” the House of Pilate, where our Jesus receives the sentence of Death, is the First Station. Our Redeemer is consigned, by the Governor’s order, into the hands of the Jews. The Soldiers seize him, and drag him from the Court. They strip him of the scarlet cloak, and bid him clothe himself with his own garments, as before the Scourging. The Cross is ready and they put it on his wounded shoulders. The place where the new Isaac loads himself with the wood of his sacrifice, is the Second Station. To Calvary!—this is the word of command, and it is obeyed: soldiers, executioners, priests, scribes, people—these form the procession. Jesus moves slowly on; but after a few paces, exhausted by the loss of Blood and by his Sufferings, he falls under the weight of his Cross. It is the first fall, and marks the Third Station.
He falls, not so much by the weight of his Cross, as by that of our sins! The Soldiers roughly lay their hands on him, and force him up again. Scarcely has he resumed his steps, than he is met by his afflicted Mother. The Valiant Woman, whose love is stronger than death, was not to be absent at such an hour as this. She must see her Son, follow him, keep close to him, even to his last breath. No tongue could tell the poignancy of her grief. The anxiety she has endured during the last few days has exhausted her strength. All the Sufferings of Jesus have been made known to her by a divine revelation; she has shared each one of them with him. But now, she cannot endure to be absent, and makes her way through the crowd. The Sacrifice is nigh its consummation; no human power could keep such a Mother from her Jesus. The faithful Magdalene is by her side, bathed in tears; John, Mary (the mother of James the Less) and Salome (the mother of John) are also with her: they weep for their Divine Master, she for her Son. Jesus sees her, but cannot comfort her, for all this is but the beginning of what he is to endure. Oh! what an additional suffering was this for his loving Heart—to see his Mother agonizing with sorrow! The executioners observe the Mother of their Victim, but it would be too much mercy in them to allow her to speak to him; she may follow, if she please, with the crowd; it is more than she could have expected, to have been allowed this Meeting, which we venerate as the Fourth Station of the Way of the Cross.
But from this to the last there is a long distance, for there is a law that criminals are to be executed outside the City Walls. The Jews are afraid of Jesus’ expiring before reaching the place of Sacrifice. Just at this time, they behold a man coming from the country; his name is Simon of Cyrene; they order him to help Jesus to carry his Cross. It is out of a motive of cruelty to our Lord, but it gives Simon the honor of sharing with him the fatigue of bearing the instrument of the world’s salvation. The spot where this happens is the Fifth Station.
A little farther on, an incident occurs which strikes the executioners themselves with astonishment. A woman makes her way through the crowd, and setting the soldiers at defiance, comes close up to Jesus. She holds her veil in her hands, and with it respectfully wipes the Face of our Lord, for it is covered with blood, sweat, and spittle. She loves Jesus, and cares not what may happen to her, so she can offer him this slight comfort. Her love receives its reward: she finds her Veil miraculously impressed with the likeness of Jesus’ Face. This courageous act of Veronica marks the Sixth Station of the Way of the Cross.
Jesus grows weaker at each step: he falls a second time: it is the Seventh Station. Again do the soldiers violently raise him up, and push him along the road. It is easy to follow in his footsteps, for a streak of Blood shows where he has passed. A group of women is following close behind the soldiers; they heed not the insults heaped upon them; their compassion makes them brave. But the last brutal treatment shown to Jesus is more than they can bear in silence; they utter a cry of pitiful lamentation. Our Savior is pleased with these women, who, in spite of the weakness of their sex, are showing more courage than all the men of Jerusalem put together. He affectionately turns towards them, and tells them what a terrible chastisement is to follow the crime they are now witnessing. The Chief Priests and Scribes recognize the dignity of the Prophet that had so often spoken to them: they listen with indignation, and, at this the Eighth Station of the great Way, they hear these words: Daughters of Jerusalem! weep not over me, but weep for yourselves and for your children. For behold the days shall come, wherein they will say: Blessed are the barren, and the wombs that have not borne, and the paps that have not given suck. They shall be begin to say to the mountains: Fall upon us! And to the hills: Cover us!
At last, they reach the foot of the hill. Calvary is steep; but it is the place of Jesus’ Sacrifice. He begins the ascent, but falls a third time: the hallowed spot is counted as the Ninth Station. A third time the soldiers force Jesus to rise and continue his painful journey to the summit of the hill, which is to serve as the Altar for the holocaust that is to surpass all others in holiness and power. The executioners seize the Cross and lay it upon the ground, preparatory to their nailing the Divine Victim to it. According to a custom, practiced both by the Romans and the Jews, a cup containing wine and myrrh is offered to Jesus. This drink, which had the bitterness of gall, was given as a narcotic, in order to deaden, in some degree, the feeling of the criminal, and lessen his pain. Jesus raises to his lips the cup, with was proffered him rather from custom than from any idea of kindness; but he drinks not its contents, for he wishes to feel the full intensity of the sufferings he accepts for our sakes. Then the executioners, having violently stripped him of his garments, which had fastened to his wounds, lead him to the Cross. This place where he was thus stripped of his garments, and where the cup of bitter drink was presented to him, is venerated as the Tenth Station of the Way of the Cross. The first nine, from Pilate’s hall to the foot of Calvary, are still to be seen in the streets of Jerusalem; but the Tenth and the remaining four are in the interior of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher, whose spacious walls enclose the spot where the last mysteries of the Passion were accomplished.
But we must here interrupt our history: we have already anticipated the hours of this great Friday, and we shall have to return, later on, to the hill of Calvary. It is time to assist at the service of our holy Mother the Church, in which she celebrates the Death of her Divine Spouse. We must not wait for the usual summons of the Bells; they are silent; we must listen to the call of our faith and devotion. Let us, then, repair to the House of God.
The Morning Service
The Service of this morning consists of four parts, which we now proceed to explain. First of all, we have the Lessons; next, the Prayers; thirdly, the Veneration of the Cross; and lastly, the Mass of the Presanctified. These solemn and unusual rites announce to the Faithful the sacredness of this Day, as also the suspension of the daily Sacrifice, for which they are substituted. The Altar is stripped; the Cross is covered with a black veil; the Candles are of yellow wax—everything in the Sanctuary bespeaks mournfulness. As soon as the Choir have recited None, the Celebrant and sacred Ministers approach the Altar; their black Vestments denote the grief of holy Church. Being come to the foot of the Altar, they prostrate, and pray in silence, while the Acolytes cover the Altar with a single cloth, instead of the three which are always required when Mass is celebrated. The Celebrant and Ministers then rise, and the Lessons are begun.
THE LESSONS.—The first portion of this morning’s function consists of two prophetic passages from the Old Testament, and of the Passion according to St. John. The passage from the Prophet Osee tells us of the merciful designs of God in favor of his new people, the Gentiles, who were dead and who, nevertheless, were to rise again, in three days, with Christ, whom they do not so much as yet know. Ephraim and Judah are to be treated otherwise: their material sacrifices have not been acceptable to a God who loves mercy above every other gift, and rejects the offerings of those whose hearts are filled with bitterness.
| LESSON (Osee, Chap. VI.) |
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| Hæc dicit Dominus: In tribulatione sua mane consurgent ad me. Venite, et revertamur ad Dominum: quia ipse cepit, et sanabit nos: percutiet, et curabit nos. Vivificabit nos post duos dies: in die tertia suscitabit nos, et vivemus in conspectu ejus. Sciemus sequemurque, ut cognoscamus Dominum. Quasi diluculum præparatus est egressus ejus; et veniet quasi imber nobis tempraneus et serotinus terræ. Quid faciam tibi Ephraïm? Quid faciam tibi Juda? Misericordia vestra quasi nubes matutina: et quasi ros mane pertransiens. Propter hoc dolavi in prophetis, et occidi eos in verbis oris mei: et judicia tua, quasi lux, egredientur. Quia misericordiam volui, et non sacrificium: et scientiam Dei, plus quam holocausta. | Thus saith the Lord: In their affliction they will rise early to me. Come, and let us return to the Lord: For he hath taken us, and he will heal us: he will strike, and he will cure us. He will revive us after two days; o the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. We shall know, and we shall follow on, that we may know the Lord. His going forth is prepared as the morning light, and he will come to us as the early and the latter rain to the earth. What shall I do to thee, O Ephraim? what shall I do to thee, O Juda? Your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the dew that goeth away in the morning. For this reason have I hewed them by the prophets, I have slain them by the words of my mouth; and thy judgments shall go forth as the light. For I desired mercy, and not sacrifice; and the knowledge of God more than holocausts. |
The Tract is taken from the Canticle of the Prophet Habacuc, and which we have already sung at Lauds. It foretells the second coming of Christ, when he shall come, in glory and majesty, to judge them that have crucified him.
| TRACT | |
| Domine, audivi auditum tuum, et timui: consideravi opera tua, et expavi. | Lord, I have heard thy works, and was afraid: I considered thy works, and trembled. |
| ℣. In medio duorum animalium innotesceris: dum appropinquaverint anni, cognosceris: dum advenerit tempus, ostenderis. | ℣. Thou wilt appear between two animals; when the years draw near, thou wilt be known; when the time shall come, thou wilt be shown. |
| ℣. In eo, dum conturbata fuerit anima mea: in ira misericordiæ memor eris. | ℣. When my soul shall be in trouble, even in thy wrath thou wilt remember thy mercy. |
| ℣. Deus a Libano veniet, et sanctus de monte umbroso et condenso. | ℣. God will come from Libanus, and the Holy One from the dark mountains. |
| ℣. Operuit c&oelis;los majestas ejus: et laudis ejus plena est terra. | ℣. His majesty hath clouded the heavens; and the earth is full of his praise. |
The Church sums up, in the following Collect, the prayers of her children. She reminds our heavenly Father of his justice towards Judas and his mercy towards the Good Thief, and begs that every remnant of the old man may be removed from us, and we rise again with our Lord Jesus Christ.
| The Deacon says: | |
| Flectamus genua. | Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: | |
| Levate. | Stand up again. |
| COLLECT | |
| Deus, a quo et Judas reatus sui pœnam, et confessionis suæ latro præmium sumpsit: concede nobis tuæ propitationis effectum: ut, sicut in passione sua Jesus Christus Dominus noster diversa utrisque intulut stipendia meritorium; ita nobis, ablato vetustatis errore, resurrectionis suæ gratiam largiatur. Qui tecum. | O God, from whom both Judas received the punishment of his sin, and the Thief the reward of his confession: grant us the effects of thy mercy; that as our Lord Jesus Christ, at the time of his Passion, bestowed on both different rewards according to their merits; so, having destroyed the old man within us, he may give us grace to rise again with him. Who liveth, &c. |
The second Lesson now follows. It is taken from the book of Exodus, and describes to us the ancient rite of the Paschal Lamb, which was the figure of the reality that is given to us today. It is to be a Lamb without spot or blemish. Its blood has the power of preserving from death those whose dwellings are sprinkled with it. It is not only to be immolated; it is to be eaten by them that have been saved by it. It is to be the food of the wayfarer; and they who partake of it must stand while they eat, like unto men who have no time to lose during this passing life. Its immolation is the signal of the Pasch—the immolation of our Emmanuel, the Lamb of God, is the signal of our Pasch.
| LESSON (Exod. Chap. XII.) |
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| In diebus illis: Dixit Dominus ad Moysen at Aaron in terra Ægypti: Mensis iste vobis principium mensium: primus erit in mensibus anni. Loquimini ad universum cœtum filiorum Israël, et dicite eis: Decima die mensis hujus tollat unisquisque agnum per familias et domos suas. Sin autem sufficere possit ad vescendum agnum, assumet vicinum suum, qui junctus est domui suæ: juxta numerum animarum, quæ sufficere possunt ad esum agni. Erit autem agnus absque macula, masculus, anniculus: juxta quem ritum tolletis et hœdum. Et servabitis eum usque ad quartam decimam diem mensis hujus. Immolabitque eum universa multitudo filiorum Israël ad vesperam. Et sument de sanguine ejus: ac ponent super utrumque postem, et in superliminaribus domorum, in quibus comedent illum. Et edent carnes nocte illa assas igni, et azymos panes, cum lactucis agrestibus. Non comedetis ex eo crudum quid, nec coctum aqua: sed tantum assum igni. Caput cum pedibus ejus et intestinis vorabitis: nec remanebit quidquam ex eo usque mane. Si quid residuum fuerit, igne comburetis. Sic autem comedetis illum. Renes vestros accingetis: et calceamenta habebitis in pedibus, tenentes baculos in manibus: et comedetis festinanter. Est enim Phase, id est Transitus, Domini. | In those days: The Lord said to Moses and Aaron in the Land of Egypt: This month shall be to you the beginning of months: it shall be the first in the months of the year. Speak ye to the whole assembly of the children of Israel, and say to them: On the tenth day of this month, let every man take a lamb by their families and houses. But if the number be less than may suffice to eat the lamb, he shall take unto him his neighbor that joineth to his house, according to the number of souls which may be enough to eat the lamb. And it shall be a lamb without blemish, a male of one year; according to which rite also he shall kill a kid. And you shall keep it unto the fourteenth day of this month: and the whole multitude of the children of Israel shall sacrifice it in the evening. And they shall take of the blood thereof, and put it upon both the sideposts, and on the upper door posts of the houses, wherein they shall eat it. And they shall eat the flesh that night roasted at the fire, and unleavened bread, with wild lettuce. You shall not eat thereof any thing raw, nor boiled in water, but only roasted at the fire: you shall eat the head with the feet and entrails thereof. Neither shall there remain any thing of it until morning. If there be any thing left, you shall burn it with fire. And thus you shall eat it: you shall gird your reins, and you shall have shoes on your feet, holding staves in your hands, and you shall eat in haste: for it is the Phase (that is, the Passage) of the Lord. |
This magnificent prophecy is followed by a Tract taken from the 139th Psalm, in which the Church represents our Redeemer (who has been betrayed into the hands of his enemies), praying to his Eternal Father.
| TRACT | |
| Eripe me Domine ab homine malo: a viro iniquo libera me. | Deliver me, O Lord, from the evil man: rescue me from the unjust man. |
| ℣. Qui cogitaverunt malitias in corde: tota die constituebant prælia. | ℣. Who have devised iniquities in their hearts; all the day long they designed battles. |
| ℣. Acuerunt linguas suas sicut serpentis: venenum aspidum sub labiis eorum. | ℣. They have sharpened their tongues like a serpent: the venom of asps is under their lips. |
| ℣. Custodi me Domine de manu peccatoris: et ab hominibus iniquis libera me. | ℣. Keep me, O Lord, from the hand of the wicked, and from unjust me deliver me. |
| ℣. Qui cogitaverunt supplantare gressus meos: absconderunt superbi laqueum mihi. | ℣. Who have proposed to supplant my steps: the proud have hid a net for me. |
| ℣. Et funes extenderunt in laqueum pedibus meis: juxta iter scandalum posuerunt mihi. | ℣. And they have stretched out cords for a snare: they have laid for me a stumbling block by the way side. |
| ℣. Dixi Domino: Deus meus es tu: exaudi Domine vocem orationis meæ. | ℣. I said to the Lord: thou art my God; hear, O Lord, the voice of my supplication. |
| ℣. Domine, Domine, virtus salutis meæ, obumbra caput meum in die belli. | ℣. O Lord, Lord, the might of my salvation: cover thou my head in the day of battle. |
| ℣. Ne tradas me a desiderio meo peccatori: cogitaverunt adversus me, ne derelinquas me, ne unquam exaltentur. | ℣. Give me not up, O Lord, from my desire to the wicked: they have plotted against me, do not thou forsake me, lest they should triumph. |
| ℣. Caput circuitus eorum: labor labiorum ipsorum operiet eos. | ℣. The head of their compassing me about: the labor of their lips shall overwhelm them. |
| ℣. Verumtamen justi confitebuntur nomini tuo: et habitabunt recti cum vultu tuo. | ℣. But as for the just they shall give glory to thy name; and the upright shall dwell with thy countenance. |
The Prophets have prepared us for the fulfillment of their types. Holy Church is now going to relate to us the history of our Savior’s Passion. It is St. John, the fourth of the Evangelists, and an eyewitness of what took place on Calvary, who is about to describe to us the last moments of Jesus’ mortal life. Let us be all attention, and beg our Lord to give us something of that devotion which filled the soul of his Beloved Disciple as he stood at the foot of the Cross.
| The Passion | |
| Passio Domini nostri Jesu Christ secundum Joannem. | The Passion of our Lord Jesus Christ according to John. |
| Cap. XVIII. XIX. | Ch. XVIII. XIX. |
| Hæc cum dixisset Jesus, egressus est cum discipulis suis trans torrentem Cedron, ubi erat hortus, in quem introivit ipse, et discipuli ejus. Sciebat autem et Judas, qui tradebat eum, locum: quia frequenter Jesus convenerat illuc cum discipulis suis. Judas ergo cum accepisset cohortem, et a pontificibus et pharisæis ministros, venit illuc cum laternis, et facibus, et armis. Jesus itaque sciens omnia quæ ventura erant super eum, processit, et dixit eis: Quem quæritis? Responderunt ei: Jesum Nazarenum. Dicit eis Jesus: Ego sum. Stabat autem et Judas, qui tradebat eum, cum ipsis. Ut ergo dixit eis: Ego sum: abierunt retrorsum, et ceciderunt in terram. Iterum ergo interrogavit eos: Quem quæritis? Illi autem dixerunt: Jesum Nazarenum. Respondit Jesus: Dixi vobis, quia ego sum: si ergo me quæritis, sinite hos abire. Ut impleretur sermo, quem dixit: Quia quos dedisti mihi, non perdidi ex eis quemquam. Simon ergo Petrus habens gladium eduxit eum: et percussit pontificis servum, et abscidit auriculam ejus dexteram. Erat autem nomen servo Malchus. Dixit ergo Jesus Petro: Mitte gladium tuum in vaginam. Calicem, quem dedit mihi Pater, non bibam illum? | When Jesus had said these things, he went forth with his disciples over the brook Cedron, where there was a garden, into which he entered with his disciples. And Judas also, who betrayed him, knew the place; because Jesus had often resorted thither together with his disciples. Judas therefore having received a band of soldiers and servants from the chief priests and the Pharisees, cometh thither with lanterns and torches and weapons. Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said to them: Whom seek ye? They answered him: Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith to them: I am he. And Judas also, who betrayed him, stood with them. As soon therefore as he had said to them: I am he; they went backward, and fell to the ground. Again therefore he asked them: Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he. If therefore you seek me, let these go their way. That the word might be fulfilled which he said: Of them whom thou hast given me, I have not lost any one. Then Simon Peter, having a sword, drew it, and struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear. And the name of the servant was Malchus. Jesus therefore said to Peter: Put up thy sword into the scabbard. The chalice which my Father hath given me, shall I not drink it? |
| Cohors ergo, et tribunus, et ministri Judæorum comprehenderunt Jesum, et ligaverunt eum. Et adduxerunt eum ad Annam primum: erat enim socer Caiphæ, qui erat pontifex anni illius. Erat autem Caiphas, qui consilium dederat Judæis: Quia expedit unum hominem mori pro populo. Sequebatur autem Jesum Simon Petrus, et alius discipulus. Discipulus autem ille erat notus pontifici, et introivit cum Jesu in atrium pontificis. Petrus autem stabat ad ostium foris. Exivit ergo discipulus alius, qui erat notus pontifici, et dixit ostiariæ: et introduxit Petrum. Dicit ergo Petro ancilla ostiaria: Numquid et tu ex discipulis es hominis istius? Dicit ille: Non sum. Stabant autem servi et ministri ad prunas, quia frigus erat, et calefaciebant se: erat autem cum eis et Petrus stans, et calefaciens se. | Then the band and the tribune, and the servants of the Jews, took Jesus, and bound him: And they led him away to Annas first, for he was father in law to Caiphas, who was the high priest of that year. Now Caiphas was he who had given the counsel to the Jews: That it was expedient that one man should die for the people. And Simon Peter followed Jesus, and so did another disciple. And that disciple was known to the high priest, and went in with Jesus into the court of the high priest. But Peter stood at the door without. The other disciple therefore, who was known to the high priest, went out, and spoke to the portress, and brought in Peter. The maid therefore that was portress, saith to Peter: Art not thou also one of this man’s disciples? He saith: I am not. Now the servants and ministers stood at a fire of coals, because it was cold, and warmed themselves. And with them was Peter also, standing, and warming himself. |
| Pontifex ergo interrogavit Jesum de discipulis suis, et de doctrina ejus. Respondit ei Jesus: Ego palam locutus sum mundo: ego semper docui in synagoga, et in templo, quo omnes Judæi conveniunt, et in occulto locutus sum nihil. Quid me interrogas? interroga eos qui audierunt quid locutus sim ipsis: ecce hi sciunt quæ dixerim ego. Hæc autem cum dixisset, unus assistens ministrorum dedit alapam Jesu, dicens: Sic respondes pontifici? Respondit ei Jesus: Si male locutus sum, testimonium perhibe de malo: si autem bene, quid me cædis? Et misit eum Annas ligatum ad Caipham pontificem. Erat autem Simon Petrus stans, et calefaciens se. Dixerunt ergo ei: Numquid et tu ex discipulis ejus es? Negavit ille, et dixit: Non sum. Dicit ei unus ex servis pontificis, cognatus ejus, cujus abscidit Petrus auriculam: Nonne ego te vidi in horto cum illo? Iterum ergo negavit Petrus: et statim gallus cantavit. | The high priest therefore asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him: I have spoken openly to the world: I have always taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither all the Jews resort; and in secret I have spoken nothing. Why asketh thou me? ask them who have heard what I have spoken unto them: behold they know what things I have said. And when he had said these things, one of the servants standing by, gave Jesus a blow, saying: Answerest thou the high priest so? Jesus answered him: If I have spoken evil, give testimony of the evil; but if well, why strikest thou me? And Annas sent him bound to Caiphas the high priest. And Simon Peter was standing, and warming himself. They said therefore to him: Art not thou also one of his disciples? He denied it, and said: I am not. One of the servants of the high priest (a kinsman to him whose ear Peter cut off) saith to him: Did I not see thee in the garden with him? Again therefore Peter denied; and immediately the cock crew. |
| Adducunt ergo Jesum a Caipha in prætorium. Erat autem mane: et ipsi non introierunt in prætorium, ut non contaminarentur, sed ut manducarent Pascha. Exivit ergo Pilatus ad eos foras, et dixit: Quam accusationem affertis adversus hominem hunc? Responderunt, et dixerunt ei: Si non esset hic malefactor, non tibi tradidissemus eum. Dixit ergo eis Pilatus: Accipite eum vos, et secundum legem vestram judicate eum. Dixerunt ergo ei Judæi: Nobis non licet interficere quemquam. Ut sermo Jesu impleretur, quem dixit, significans qua morte esset moriturus. Introivit ergo iterum in prætorium Pilatus: et vocavit Jesum, et dixit ei: Tu es rex Judæorum? Respondit Jesus: A temetipso hoc dicis, an alii dixerunt tibi de me? Respondit Pilatus: Numquid ego Judæus sum? gens tua et pontifices tradiderunt te mihi: quid fecisti? Respondit Jesus: Regnum meum non est de hoc mundo. Si ex hoc mundo esset regnum meum, ministri mei utique decertarent ut non traderer Judæis: nunc autem regnum meum non est hinc. Dixit itaque ei Pilatus: Ergo rex es tu? Respondit Jesus: Tu dicis quia rex sum ego. Ego in hoc natus sum, et ad hoc veni in mundum, ut testimonium perhibeam veritati: omnis qui est ex veritate, audit vocem meam. Dicit ei Pilatus: Quid est veritas? Et cum hoc dixisset, iterum exivit ad Judæos, et dicit eis: Ego nullam invenio in eo causam. Est autem consuetudo vobis ut unum dimittam vobis in Pascha: vultis ergo dimittam vobis regem Judæorum? Clamaverunt ergo rursum omnes, dicentes: Non hunc, sed Barabbam. Erat autem Barabbas latro. | Then they led Jesus from Caiphas to the governor’s hall. And it was morning; and they went not into the hall, that they might not be defiled, but that they might eat the pasch. Pilate therefore went out to them, and said: What accusation bring you against this man? They answered, and said to him: If he were not a malefactor, we would not have delivered him up to thee. Pilate therefore said to them: Take him you, and judge him according to your law. The Jews therefore said to him: It is not lawful for us to put any man to death; That the word of Jesus might be fulfilled, which he said, signifying what death he should die. Pilate therefore went into the hall again, and called Jesus, and said to him: Art thou the king of the Jews? Jesus answered: Sayest thou this thing of thyself, or have others told it thee of me? Pilate answered: Am I a Jew? Thy own nation, and the chief priests, have delivered thee up to me: what hast thou done? Jesus answered: My kingdom is not of this world. If my kingdom were of this world, my servants would certainly strive that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now my kingdom is not from hence. Pilate therefore said to him: Art thou a king then? Jesus answered: Thou sayest that I am a king. For this was I born, and for this came I into the world; that I should give testimony to the truth. Every one that is of the truth, heareth my voice. Pilate saith to him: What is truth? And when he said this, he went out again to the Jews, and saith to them: I find no cause in him. But you have a custom that I should release one unto you at the pasch: will you, therefore, that I release unto you the king of the Jews? Then cried they all again, saying: Not this man, but Barabbas. Now Barabbas was a robber. |
| Tunc ergo apprehendit Pilatus Jesum, et flagellavit. Et milites plectentes coronam de spinis, imposuerunt capiti ejus: et veste purpurea circumdederunt eum. Et veniebant ad eum, et dicebant: Ave, rex Judæorum: et dabant ei alapas. Exivit ergo iterum Pilatus foras, et dicit eis: Ecce adduco vobis eum foras, ut cognoscatis quia nullam invenio in eo causam. (Exivit ergo Jesus portans coronam spineam, et purpureum vestimentum.) Et dicit eis: Ecce homo. Cum ergo vidissent eum pontifices et ministri, clamabant, dicentes: Crucifige, crucifige eum. Dicit eis Pilatus: Accipite eum vos, et crucifigite: ego enim non invenio in eo causam. Responderunt ei Judæi: Nos legem habemus, et secundum legem debet mori, quia Filium Dei se fecit. Cum ergo audisset Pilatus hunc sermonem, magis timuit. Et ingressus est prætorium iterum: et dixit ad Jesum: Unde es tu? Jesus autem responsum non dedit ei. Dicit ergo ei Pilatus: Mihi non loqueris? nescis quia potestatem habeo crucifigere te, et potestatem habeo dimittere te? Respondit Jesus: Non haberes potestatem adversum me ullam, nisi tibi datum esset desuper. Propterea qui me tradidit tibi, majus peccatum habet. Et exinde quærebat Pilatus dimittere eum. Judæi autem clamabant dicentes: Si hunc dimittis, non es amicus Cæsaris. Omnis enim qui se regem facit, contradicit Cæsari. Pilatus autem cum audisset hos sermones, adduxit foras Jesum: et sedit pro tribunali, in loco qui dicitur Lithostrotos, hebraice autem Gabbatha. | Then therefore, Pilate took Jesus, and scourged him. And the soldiers platting a crown of thorns, put it upon his head; and they put on him a purple garment. And they came to him, and said: Hail, king of the Jews; and they gave him blows. Pilate therefore went forth again, and saith to them: Behold, I bring him forth unto you, that you may know that I find no cause in him. (Jesus therefore came forth, bearing the crown of thorns and the purple garment.) And he saith to them: Behold the Man. When the chief priests, therefore, and the servants, had seen him, they cried out, saying: Crucify him, crucify him. Pilate saith to them: Take him you, and crucify him: for I find no cause in him. The Jews answered him: We have a law; and according to the law he ought to die, because he made himself the Son of God. When Pilate therefore had heard this saying, he feared the more. And he entered into the hall again, and he said to Jesus: Whence art thou? But Jesus gave him no answer. Pilate therefore saith to him: Speakest thou not to me? knowest thou not that I have power to crucify thee, and I have power to release thee? Jesus answered: Thou shouldst not have any power against me, unless it were given thee from above. Therefore, he that hath delivered me to thee, hath the greater sin. And from henceforth Pilate sought to release him. But the Jews cried out, saying: If thou release this man, thou art not Caesar’s friend. For whosoever maketh himself a king, speaketh against Caesar. Now when Pilate had heard these words, he brought Jesus forth, and sat down in the judgment seat, in the place that is called Lithostrotos, and in Hebrew Gabbatha. |
| Erat enim parasceve Paschæ, hora quasi sexta, et dicit Judæis: Ecce rex vester. Illi autem clamabant: Tolle, tolle, crucifige eum. Dicit eis Pilatus: Regem vestrum crucifigam? Responderunt pontifices: Non habemus regem, nisi Cæsarem. Tunc ergo tradidit eis illum ut crucifigeretur. Susceperunt autem Jesum, et eduxerunt. Et bajulans sibi crucem exivit in eum, qui dicitur Calvariæ locum, hebraice autem Golgotha: ubi crucifixerunt eum, et cum eo alios duos hinc et hinc, medium autem Jesum. Scripsit autem et titulum Pilatus, et posuit super crucem. Erat autem scriptum: Jesus Nazarenus, Rex Judæorum. Hunc ergo titulum multi Judæorum legerunt: quia prope civitatem erat locus, ubi crucifixus est Jesus, et erat scriptum hebraice, græce, et latine. Dicebant ergo Pilato pontifices Judæorum: Noli scribere: Rex Judæorum: sed quia ipse dixit: Rex sum Judæorum. Respondit Pilatus: Quod scripsi, scripsi. Milites ergo cum crucifixissent eum, acceperunt vestimenta ejus (et fecerunt quatuor partes, unicuique militi partem) et tunicam. Erat autem tunica inconsutilis, desuper contexta per totum. Dixerunt ergo ad invicem: Non scindamus eam, sed sortiamur de illa cujus sit. Ut Scriptura impleretur, dicens: Partiti sunt vestimenta mea sibi: et in vestem meam miserunt sortem. Et milites quidem hæc fecerunt. | And it was the parasceve of the pasch, about the sixth hour, and he saith to the Jews: Behold your king. But they cried out: Away with him; away with him; crucify him. Pilate saith to them: Shall I crucify your king? The chief priests answered: We have no king but Caesar. Then therefore he delivered him to them to be crucified. And they took Jesus, and led him forth. And bearing his own cross, he went forth to that place which is called Calvary, but in Hebrew Golgotha. Where they crucified him, and with him two others, one on each side, and Jesus in the midst. And Pilate wrote a title also, and he put it upon the cross. And the writing was: JESUS OF NAZARETH, THE KING OF THE JEWS. This title therefore many of the Jews did read: because the place where Jesus was crucified was nigh to the city: and it was written in Hebrew, in Greek, and in Latin. Then the chief priests of the Jews said to Pilate: Write not, The King of the Jews; but that he said, I am the King of the Jews. Pilate answered: What I have written, I have written. The soldiers therefore, when they had crucified him, took his garments (and they made four parts, to every soldier a part), and also his coat. Now the coat was without seam, woven from the top throughout. They said then one to another: Let us not cut it, but let us cast lots for it, whose it shall be; that the scripture might be fulfilled, which saith: “They have parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture they have cast lots.” And the soldiers indeed did these things. |
| Stabant autem juxta crucem Jesu mater ejus, et soror matris ejus, Maria Cleophæ, et Maria Magdalene. Cum vidisset ergo Jesus matrem, et discipulum stantem, quem diligebat, dicit matri suæ: Mulier, ecce filius tuus. Deinde dicit discipulo: Ecce mater tua. Et ex illa hora accepit eam discipulus in sua. Postea sciens Jesus quia omnia consummata sunt, ut consummaretur Scriptura, dixit: Sitio. Vas ergo erat positum aceto plenum. Illi autem spongiam plenam aceto, hyssopo circumponentes, obtulerunt ori ejus. Cum ergo accepisset Jesus acetum, dixit: Consummatum est. Et inclinato capite tradidit spiritum. | Now there stood by the cross of Jesus, his mother, and his mother’s sister, Mary of Cleophas, and Mary Magdalen. When Jesus therefore had seen his mother and the disciple standing whom he loved, he saith to his mother: Woman, behold thy son. After that, he saith to the disciple: Behold thy mother. And from that hour, the disciple took her to his own. Afterwards, Jesus knowing that all things were now accomplished, that the scripture might be fulfilled, said: I thirst. Now there was a vessel set there full of vinegar. And they, putting a sponge full of vinegar and hyssop, put it to his mouth. Jesus therefore, when he had taken the vinegar, said: It is consummated. And bowing his head, he gave up the ghost. |
Here, a pause is made, as on Palm Sunday.
All kneel down and, if such be the custom of the place, they prostrate and kiss the ground.
| Judæi ergo (quoniam Parasceve erat), ut non remanerent in cruce corpora sabbato (erat enim magnus dies ille sabbati), rogaverunt Pilatum, ut frangerentur eorum crura, et tollerentur. Venerunt ergo milites: et primi quidem fregerunt crura, et alterius qui crucifixis est cum eo. Ad Jesum autem cum venissent, ut viderunt eum jam mortuum, non fregerunt ejus crura; sed unus militum landea latus ejus aperuit, et continuo exivit sanguis et aqua. Et qui vidit, testimonium perhibuit: et verum est testimonium ejus. Et ille scit, quia vera dicit, ut et vos credatis. Facta sunt enim hæc, ut scriptura impleretur: Os non comminuetis ex eo. Et iterum alia scriptura dicit: Videbunt in quem transfixerunt. | Then the Jews (because it was the Parasceve), that the bodies might not remain upon the cross on the sabbath-day (for that was a great sabbath-day), besought Pilate that their legs might be broken, and that they might be taken away. The soldiers therefore came; and they broke the legs of the first, and of the other, that was crucified with him. But after they came to Jesus, when they saw that he was already dead, they did not break his legs. But one of the soldiers with a spear opened his side, and immediately there came out blood and water. And he that saw it, hath given testimony; and his testimony is true. And he knoweth that he saith true; for you also may believe. For these things were done that the scripture might be fulfilled: “You shall not break a bone of him.” And again another scripture saith: “They shall look on him whom they pierced.” |
Here, the Deacon kneels at the foot of the Altar and prays in silence that there may descend upon him the blessing of God; but he does not ask the blessing, as usual, from the Celebrant, either upon the incense or himself. Neither do the Acolytes hold their torches while he sings the Gospel. The Subdeacon does not offer the Missal to the Priest at the end of the Gospel. The omission of all these ceremonies is expression of the grief which fills the soul of the Spouse of Christ, the Church.
| Post hæc autem rogavit Pilatum Joseph ab Arimathæa (eo quod esset discipulus Jesu, occultus autem propter metum Judæorum) ut tolleret corpus Jesu. Et permisit Pilatus. Venit ergo, et tulit corpus Jesu. Venit autem et Nicodemus, qui venerat ad Jesum nocte primum, ferens mixturam myrrhæ et aloes, quasi libras centum. Acceperunt ergo corpus Jesu, et ligaverunt illus linteis cum aromatibus, sicut mos est Judæis sepelire. Erat autem in loco, ubi cricifixus est, hortus; et in horto monumentum novum, in quo nondum quisquam positus erat. Ibi ergo propter Pasceven Judæorum, quia juxta erat monumentum, posuerunt Jesum. | After these things, Joseph of Arimathea (because he was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly for fear of the Jews) besought Pilate that he might take the body of Jesus. And Pilate gave leave. He came therefore and took away the body of Jesus. And Nicodemus also came, he who was at the first came to Jesus by night, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about one hundred pound weight. They took therefore the body of Jesus, and bound it in linen cloths with the spices, as the manner of the Jews is to bury. Now there was in the place where he was crucified, a garden; and in the garden a new sepulcher, wherein no man had yet been laid. There, therefore, because of the Parasceve of the Jews, they laid Jesus, because the sepulcher was nigh at hand. |
The Prayers
Having thus described to us the Passion and Death of her Divine Spouse, the Church would follow the example set her by this the Mediator of the world. St. Paul tells us that our Jesus, when dying on the Cross, offered up to his Eternal Father, and this for all mankind, prayers and supplications, with a strong cry and tears. Therefore it is that from the earliest ages, the Church has presented to the Divine Majesty, upon this day, a solemn formula of “Prayers” in which she intercedes for the necessities of the whole world. How truly is she the Mother of men, and the affectionate Spouse of Jesus! None, not even the Jews, are excluded from this her intercession, which she makes, under the shadow of the Cross, to the Father of all ages.
Each of these “Prayers” is prefaced by a few words, which show its object. The Deacon then bids the Faithful kneel down; and the Subdeacon tells them to rise, and unite in the Prayer made by the Priest.
| Oremus dilectissimmi nobis, pro Ecclesia sancta Dei: ut eam Deus et Dominus noster, pacificare, adunare, et custodire dignetur toto orbe terrarum: subjiciens ei principatus, et potestates: detque nobis quietam et tranquillam vitam degentibus, glorificare Deum Patrem omnipotenem. | Let us pray, most dearly beloved brethren, for the holy Church of God, that the Lord God would be pleased to grant it peace, maintain it in union, and preserve it all over the earth. That he would likewise bring into her bosom the princes and potentates of the whole world, and grant us peace and tranquility in this life, and to glorify God the Father Almighty. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui gloriam tuam omnibus in Christo gentibus revelasti: custodi opera misericordiæ tuæ: ut Ecclesia tua toto orbe diffusa, stabili fide in confessione tui Nominis perseveret. Per eumdem. | O Almighty and Eternal God, who, by Christ, hast revealed thy glory to all nations; preserve the works of thine own mercy, that thy Church, which is spread over the whole world, may persevere with a constant faith in the confession of thy name. Through the same, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus et pro beatissimo Papa nostro N. ut Deus Dominus noster, qui elegit eum in ordine Episcopatus, salvum atque incolumem custodiat Ecclesiæ suæ sanctæ, ad regendum populum sanctum Dei. | Let us pray also for our most holy Father, Pope N., that our Lord God, who hath made choice of him in the order of the Episcopacy, may preserve him in health and safety for the good of his holy Church, and to govern the holy people of God. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, cujus judicio universa fundantur: respice propitus ad preces nostras, et electum nobis Antistitem tua pietate conserva: ut Christiana plebs, quæ te gubernatur auctore, sub tanto Pontifice, credulitatis suæ meritis augeatur. Per Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, by whose appointment all things are established and maintained; mercifully regard our prayers, and by thy goodness preserve the Prelate chosen to govern us; that the Christian people who are governed by thy authority, may increase the merits of their faith under so great a Pontiff. Through, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus et pro omnibus Episcopis, Presbyteris, Diaconibus, Subdiaconibus, Acolythis, Exorcistis, Lectoribus, Ostiariis, Confessoribus, Virginibus, Viduis: et pro omni populo sancto Dei. | Let us also pray for all Bishops, Priests, Deacons, Subdeacons, Acolytes, Exorcists, Readers, Doorkeepers, Confessors, Virgins, Widows, and for all the holy people of God. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, cujus Spiritu totum corpus Ecclesiæ sanctificatur et regitur: exaudi nos pro universis Ordinibus supplicantes: ut gratiæ tuæ munere, ab omnibus tibi gradibus fideliter serviatur. Per Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, by whose spirit the whole body of the Church is sanctified and governed; hear our prayers for all Orders thereof; that, by the assistance of thy grace, thou mayest be served by every rank and condition. Through, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
The Church of Rome, in the following “Prayer,” had in view the Emperor of Germany, who was formerly the head of the germanic confederation and, in the Middle Ages, was entrusted, by the Church, with the charge of propagating the Faith among the northern nations. This “Prayer” is now omitted, excepting in those countries which are subject to Austria.
| Oremus et pro christianissimo Imperatore nostro N. ut Deus et Dominus noster subditas illi faciat omnes barbaras nationes, ad nostram perpetuam pacem. | Let us pray also for the most Christian Emperor N., that the Lord God may reduce to his obedience all barbarous nations for our perpetual peace. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, in cujus manu sunt omnium potestates, et omnium jura regnorum: respice ad Romanum benignus Imperium: ut gentes, quæ in sua feritate confidunt, potentiæ tuæ dextera comprimantur. Per Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, in whose hands are the power and right of all kingdoms, graciously look down on the Roman Empire: that those nations who confide in their own haughtiness and strength, may be reduced by the power of thy right hand. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus et pro catechumenis nostris: ut Deus et Dominus noster adaperiat aures præcordiorum ipsorum, januamque misericordiæ: ut per lavacrum regenerationis, accepta remissione omnium peccatorum, et ipsi inveniantur in Christo Jesu Domino nostro. | Let us pray also for our Catechumens, that our Lord God may open for them the ears of their hearts, and the gates of mercy; that having received the remission of sin by the laver of regeneration, they may also belong to our Lord Jesus Christ. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui Ecclesiam tuam nova semper prole fœcundas: auge fidem et intellectum catechumenis nostris: ut renati fonte baptismatis, adoptionis tuæ filiis aggregentur. Per Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, who continually makest the church fruitful in new children, increase the faith and understanding of our Catechumens, that, being again born at the font of baptism, they may be joined to thy adopted children. Through, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus, dilectissimi nobis, Deum Patrem omnipotentem, ut cunctis mundum purget erroribus: morbos auferat: famem depellat: aperiat carceres: vincula dissolvat: peregrinantibus reditum, infirmantibus sanitatem, navigantibus portum salutis indulgeat. | Let us pray, most dearly beloved brethren, to God the Father Almighty, that he would purge the world of all errors, cure diseases, drive away famine, open prisons, break chains, grant a safe return to travellers, health to the sick, and a secure harbor to such as are at sea. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, mœstorum consolatio, laborantium fortitudo, perveniant ad te preces de quacumque tribulatione clamantium: ut omnes sibi in necessitatibus suis misericordiam tuam gaudeant adfuisse. Per Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, the comfort of the afflicted, and the strength of those that labor; let the prayers of all such as call upon thee in tribulation, come to thee; that all, with joy, may find the effects of thy mercy in their necessities. Through, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus et pro hæreticis et schismaticis: ut Deus et Dominus noster eruat eos ab erroribus universis: et ad sanctam matrem Ecclesiam Catholicam atque Apostolicam revocare dignetur. | Let us pray also for all heretics and schismatics, that our Lord God would be pleased to deliver them from all their errors, and call them back to our Holy Mother the Catholic and Apostolic Church. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui salvas omnes, et neminem vis perire: respice ad animas diabolica fraude deceptas: ut omni hæretica pravitate deposita, errantium corda resipiscant, et ad veritatis tuæ redeant unitatem. Per Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, who savest all and wouldst have none to perish; look down on those souls that are seduced by the deceits of the devil; that the hearts of all those who err, laying aside all heretical malice, may repent and return to the unity of the truth. Through, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus et pro perfidis Judæis: ut Deus et Dominus noster auferat velamen de cordibus eorum, ut et ipsi agnoscant Jesum Christum Dominum nostrum. | Let us pray also for the perfidious Jews; that the Lord God would withdraw the veil from their hearts, that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ thy Son. |
Here, the Deacon does not invite the Faithful to kneel. The Church has no hesitation in offering up a “Prayer” for the descendants of Jesus’ executioners, but, in doing so, she refrains from genuflecting: because this mark of adoration was turned by the Jews into an insult against our Lord during the Passion. She prays for his scoffers; but she shrinks from repeating the act wherewith they scoffed him.
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui etiam Judaicam perfidiam a tua misericordia non repellis: exaudi preces nostras, quas pro illius populi obcæcatione deferimus: ut agnita veritatis tuæ luce, quæ Christus est, a suis tenebris eruantur. Per eumdem Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, who deniest not thy mercy even to the perfidious Jews; hear our prayers which we pour forth for the blindness of that people; that by acknowledging the light of thy truth, which is the Christ, they may be brought out of their darkness. Through the same, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
| Oremus et pro paganis: ut Deus omnipotens auferat iniquitatem a cordibus eorum: ut relictis idolis suis, convertantur ad Deum vivum et verum, et unicum Filium ejus Jesum Christum, Deum et Dominum nostrum. | Let us pray also for the pagans, that Almighty God would remove all iniquity from their hearts; that quitting their idols, they may be converted to the true and living God, and his only Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. |
| OREMUS. | LET US PRAY. |
| The Deacon: Flectamus genua. | The Deacon: Let us kneel down. |
| The Subdeacon: Levate. | The Subdeacon: Stand up again. |
| Omnipotens sempiterne Deus, qui non mortem peccatorum, sed vitam semper inquiris: suscipe propitius orationem nostram: et libera eos ab idolorum cultura: et aggrega Ecclesiæ tuæ sanctæ, ad laudem et gloriam Nominis tui. Dominum. | O Almighty and Eternal God, who seekest not the death of sinners, but that they should live; mercifully hear our prayers, and deliver them from their idolatry: and, to the praise and glory of thy name, admit them into thy holy Church. Through, &c. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
The Veneration of the Cross
The “Prayers” are ended. The charity and zeal of the Church have embraced the whole universe of men, invoking upon them the merciful effusion of that precious blood, which is now flowing from the Wounds of her Crucified Lord. She turns next to her faithful Children. Filled with holy indignation at the humiliations heaped upon her Jesus, she invites us to an act of solemn reparation: it is to consist in our venerating that Cross, which our Divine Lord has borne to the summit of Calvary, and to which he is to be fastened with nails. The Cross is a stumbling-block to the Jews, and foolishness to the Gentiles; but to us Christians, it is the trophy of Jesus’ victory, and the instrument of the world’s Redemption. It is worthy of our deepest veneration, because of the honor conferred upon it by the Son of God: he consecrated it by his own Blood, he worked our salvation by its means. No time could be more appropriate than this for the honoring it with the humble tribute of our veneration.
The holy ceremony of venerating the Cross on Good Friday was first instituted at Jerusalem, in the 4th century. Owing to the pious zeal of the Empress St. Helen, the True Cross had then recently been discovered, to the immense joy of the whole Church. The Faithful, as might be expected, were desirous to see the precious Relic, and, accordingly, it was exposed every Good Friday. This brought a very great number of pilgrims to Jerusalem; and yet how few, comparatively, could hope to have the happiness of such a visit, or witness the magnificent ceremony? An imitation of what was done, on this day, at Jerusalem, was a natural result of these pious desires. It was about the 7th century that the practice of publicly venerating the Cross on Good Friday was introduced into other Churches. True, it was but an image of the True Cross that these other Churches could show to the people; but as the respect that is paid to the True Cross refers to Christ himself, the Faithful could offer him a like homage of adoration, even though not having present before their eyes the sacred Wood which had been consecrated by the Blood of Jesus. Such was the origin of the imposing ceremony, at which holy Church now invites us to assist.
The Celebrant takes off the Chasuble, which is the badge of the Priesthood; it is in order that the Reparation, which he is to be first to offer our outraged Jesus, may be made with all possible humility. He then stands on the step near the Epistle side of the Altar, and turns his face towards the people. The Deacon takes down the Cross from the Altar, and gives it to the Celebrant, who then unveils the upper part as far as the arms. He raises it a little, and sings these words:
| Ecce lignum Crucis; | Behold the wood of the Cross; |
Then he continues, joined by the Deacon and Subdeacon:
| in quo salus mundi pependit. | on which hung the salvation of the world. |
The people then kneel down, and venerate the Cross, while the Choir sings these words:
| Venite adoremus. | Come, let us adore. |
This first exposition, which is made at the side of the Altar, and in a low tone of voice, represents the first preaching of the Cross, that, namely, which the Apostles made when, for fear of the Jews, they dared not to speak of the great Mystery except to the few faithful Disciples of Jesus. For the same reason, the Priest but slightly elevates the Cross. The homage here paid to it is intended as a reparation for the insults and injuries offered to our Redeemer in the house of Caiphas.
The Priest then comes to the front of the step and is thus nearer to the people. He unveils the right arm of the Cross, and holds up the holy Sign of our Redemption higher than the first time. He then sings, and on a higher note:
| Ecce lignum Crucis; | Behold the wood of the Cross; |
Then he continues, joined by the Deacon and Subdeacon:
| in quo salus mundi pependit. | on which hung the salvation of the world. |
The people then fall upon their knees, and continue in that posture, while the Choir sings:
| Venite adoremus. | Come, let us adore. |
This second elevation of the holy Cross signifies the Apostles’ extending their preaching the mystery of our Redemption to the Jews, after the descent of the Holy Ghost; by which preaching they made many thousand converts, and planted the Church in the very midst of the Synagogue. It is intended as a reparation to our Savior, for the treatment he received in the Court of Pilate.
The Priest then advances to the middle of the Altar, and, with his face still turned towards the people, he removes the veil entirely from the Cross. He elevates it more than he did the two preceding times, and triumphantly sings on a still higher note:
| Ecce lignum Crucis; | Behold the wood of the Cross; |
The Deacon and Subdeacon here unite their voices with his:
| in quo salus mundi pependit. | on which hung the salvation of the world. |
The people fall down upon their knees, and the Choir sings:
| Venite adoremus. | Come, let us adore. |
This third and unreserved manifestation represents the mystery of the Cross being preached to the whole earth, when the apostles, after being rejected by the majority of the Jewish people, turned towards the Gentiles, and preached Jesus Crucified, even far beyond the limits of the Roman Empire. It is intended as a Reparation to our Lord for the outrages offered to him on Calvary.
There is another teaching embodied in this ceremony of holy Church. By this gradual unveiling of the Cross, she would express to us the contrast of the Jewish and the Christian view. The one finds nothing in Christ Crucified but shame and ignominy: the other discovers in him the power and the wisdom of God. Honor, then, and veneration to his Cross! The veil is removed by Faith. Unveiled let it be upon our Altar, for He that died upon it is soon to triumph by a glorious Resurrection! Yea, let every Crucifix in our Church be unveiled, and every Altar beam once more with the vision of the glorious Standard!
But the Church is not satisfied with showing her Children the Cross that has saved them; she would have them approach, and kiss it. The Priest leads the way. He has already taken off his Chasuble; he now takes off his shoes also, and then advances towards the place where he has put the Crucifix. He makes three genuflections at intervals, and finally kisses the Cross. The Deacon and Subdeacon follow him, then the clergy, and lastly the people.
The chants which are used during this ceremony are exceedingly fine. First of all, there are the Improperia, that is, the Reproaches made by our Savior to the Jews. Each of the first three stanzas of this plaintive Hymn is followed by the Trisagion, or Prayer to the Thrice Holy God, who, as Man, suffers death for us. Oh! let us fervently proclaim him to be The Holy, The Immortal! This form of prayer was used at Constantinople, so far back as the 5th Century. The Roman Church adopted it, retaining even the original Greek words, to which, however, she adds a beautiful Latin translation. The rest of this beautiful chant contains the comparison made by our Lord, between the favors he has bestowed upon the Jewish people, and the injuries he has received from them in return.
| The “Improperia,” or “Reproaches” | |
| Popule meus, quid feci tibi, aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi. Quia eduxi te de terra Ægypti! parasti crucem Salvatori tuo. | My people, what have I done to thee? or in what have I grieved thee? Answer me. Because I brought thee out of the land of Egypt, thou hast prepared a Cross for thy Savior. |
| Agios o Theos. | O Holy God! |
| Sanctus Deus. | O Holy God! |
| Agios ischyros. | O Holy and Strong! |
| Sanctus fortis. | O holy and Strong! |
| Agios athanatos, eleison imas. | O Holy and Immortal! have mercy on us. |
| Sanctus immortalis, miserere nobis. | O Holy and Immortal! have mercy on us. |
| Quia eduxi te per desertum quadraginta annis: et manna cibavi te, et introduxi te in terram satis bonam, parasti crucem Salvatori tuo. | Because I was thy guide through the desert for forty years, and fed thee with manna, and brought thee into an excellent land, thou hast prepared a cross for thy Savior. |
| Agios o Theos, &c. | O Holy God, &c. |
| Quid ultra debui facere tibi, et non feci? Ego quidem plantavi te vineam meam speciosissimam: et tu facta es mihi nimis amara: aceto namque sitim meam potasti: et lancea perforasti latus Salvatori tuo. | What more should I have done to thee, and have not done? I have planted thee for my most beautiful vineyard: and thou hast proved very bitter to me, for in my thirst thou gavest me vinegar to drink; and piercedst the side of thy Savior with a spear. |
| Agios o Theos, &c. | O Holy God, &c. |
| Ago propter te flagellavi Ægyptum cum primogenitis suis: et tu me flagellatum tradidisti. | For thy sake I scourged Egypt with her first-born; and thou hast delivered me up to be scourged. |
| Popule meus, quid feci tibi, aut in quo contristavi te? Responde mihi. | My people, what have I done to thee? or in what have I grieved thee? Answer me. |
| Ego eduxi te de Ægypto, demerso Pharaone in mare Rubrum: et tu me tradidisti principibus sacerdotum. | I led thee out of Egypt, having drowned Pharaoh in the Red Sea; and thou hast delivered me up to the chief priests. |
| Popule meus, &c. | My people, &c. |
| Ego ante te aperui mare: et tu aperuisti lancea latus meum. | I opened the sea before thee; and thou hast opened my side with a spear. |
| Popule meus, &c. | My people, &c. |
| Ego ante te præivi in columna nubis: et tu me duxisti ad prætorium Pilati. | I went before thee in a pillar of cloud; and thou hast brought me to the court of Pilate. |
| Popule meus, &c. | My people, &c. |
| Ego te potavi aqua salutis de petra: et tu me potasti felle et aceto. | I gave thee wholesome water to drink out of the rock, and thou hast given me for my drink gall and vinegar. |
| Popule meus, &c. | My people, &c. |
| Ego propter te Chananæorum reges percussi: et tu percussisti arundine caput meum. | For thy sake I smote the king of Canaan; and thou hast smote my head with a cane. |
| Ego dedi tibi sceptrum regale: et tu dedisti capiti meo spineam coronam. | I gave thee a royal scepter, and thou hast given to my head a crown of thorns. |
| Popule meus, &c. | My people, &c. |
| Ego te exaltavi magna virtute: et tu me suspendisti in patibulo crucis. | By great might I raised thee on high; and thou hast hanged me on the gibbet of the Cross. |
| Popule meus, &c. | My people, &c. |
The Improperia are followed by this solemn Antiphon, in which the two great Mysteries are blended together: the Crucifixion and the Resurrection. This union eloquently expresses the Triumph of our Redeemer.
| Crucem tuam adoramus, Domine: et sanctam Resurrectionem tuam laudamus, et glorificamus: ecce enim propter lignum venit gaudium in universo mundo. | We adore thy Cross, O Lord, and we praise and glorify thy holy Resurrection, for by the wood of the Cross the whole earth is filled with joy. |
| Ps. Deus misereatur nostri, et benedicat nobis: illuminet vultum suum super nos, et misereatur nostri. | Ps. My God have mercy on us and bless us; may his countenance shine upon us, and may he have mercy on us. |
| Then, is repeated: Crucem tuam, &c. | Then, is repeated: We adore, &c. |
If the Adoration of the Cross is not yet finished, the following Hymn is sung. It was composed by Mamertus Claudianus, in the 6th century. One of the stanzas is repeated after each six verses, as the burden of the Hymn.
| HYMN | |
| Crux fidelis, inter omnes, Arbor una nobilis: Nulla silva talem profert, Fronde, flore, germine. |
O Faithful Cross! thou noblest of all trees. No forest yields thy like, in leaf, or flower, or fruit. |
| Dulce lignum, dulces clavos, Dulce pondus sustinet. |
Sweet is the Wood, that hath nails so sweet, and bears so sweet a weight! |
| Pange lingua gloriosi Lauream certaminis, Et super crucis trophæo Dic triumphum nobilem; Qualiter Redemptor orbis Immolatus vicerit. |
O sing, my tongue, the victory of the glorious combat! Tell how was won the noble triumph on the trophy of the Cross, and how the world’s Redeemer, when immolated, conquered. |
| Repeat: Crux fidelis. | Repeat: O faithful Cross. |
| De parentis protoplasti Fraude factor condolens, Quando pomi noxialis In necum morsu ruit, Ipse lignum tunc notavit, Damna ligni ut solveret. |
Our Creator compassionated his creature, our First Parent, when being deceived, he became a victim of death by eating the fatal fruit: and even then he chose the Tree, whereby to make good the evils brought on us by that other tree. |
| Repeat: Dulce lignum. | Repeat: Sweet is the Wood. |
| Hoc opus nostræ salutis Ordo depoposcerat, Multiformis proditoris Ars ut artem falleret; Et medelam ferret inde, Hostis unde læserat. |
This was the plan designed for our salvation—that artifice divine should foil the artifice of Satan, the arch-seducer; and turn the very instrument, wherewith the enemy had wounded us, into our remedy. |
| Repeat: Crux fidelis. | Repeat: O faithful Cross. |
| Quando venit ergo sacri Plenitudo temporis, Missus est ab arce Patris Natus orbis conditor; Atque ventre virginali Carne amictus prodiit. |
When, therefore, the fullness of God’s time had come, the Son, by whom the world was made, was sent from heaven; and having clothed himself with our flesh, in the Virgin’s womb, he came among us. |
| Repeat: Dulce lignum. | Repeat: Sweet is the Wood. |
| Vagit infans, inter arcta Conditus præsepia: Membra pannis involuta Virgo mater alligat, Et Dei manus, pedesque Stricta cingit fascia. |
He lies a weeping Babe in a little crib. His Virgin Mother swathes his limbs with clothes. The hands and feed of God are tied with bands! |
| Repeat: Crux fidelis. | Repeat: O faithful Cross. |
| Lustra sex qui jam peregit, Tempus implens corporis: Sponte libera Redemptor Passioni deditus: Agnus in crucis levatur Immolandus stipite. |
Thirty years he lived on earth, and his mortal life was nigh its end. He, our Redeemer, willingly gave himself up to his Passion; He, the Lamb of Sacrifice, was raised upon the Cross. |
| Repeat: Dulce lignum. | Repeat: Sweet is the Wood. |
| Felle potus, ecce languit; Spina, clavi, lancea, Mite corpus perforarunt; Unda manat et cruor: Terra, pontus, astra, mundus Quo lavantur flumine. |
His drink is gall;—his strength is gone; his tender flesh is pierced with thorns, and nails, and spear; and from it flows a stream of water and blood, wherewith the earth and sea, the stars and world, are washed. |
| Repeat: Crux fidelis. | Repeat: O faithful Cross. |
| Flecte ramos arbor alta, Tensa laxa viscera: Et rigor lentescat ille, Quem dedit nativitas: Et superni membra Regis Tende miti stipite. |
Bow down thy branches, lofty Tree! unstring thy sinews, soften thine inborn hardness, and gently welcome the body of our Almighty King! |
| Repeat: Dulce lignum. | Repeat: Sweet is the Wood. |
| Sola digna tu fuisti Ferre mundi victimam, Atque portum præparare Arca mundo naufrago: Quam sacer cruor perunxit, Fusus Agni corpore. |
Thou alone wast found worthy to bear the Victim of the world! Thou wast the Ark that led this ship-wrecked world into the haven of salvation! The sacred Blood that flowed from the Lamb covered and anointed thee. |
| Repeat: Crux fidelis. | Repeat: O faithful Cross. |
| Sempiterna sit beatæ Trinitati gloria; Æqua Patri, Filioque, Par decus Paraclito; Unius Trinique nomen Laudet universitas. Amen. |
To the Blessed Trinity be glory everlasting! To the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, be equal praise! May heaven and earth praise the Name of the Triune God! Amen. |
| Repeat: Dulce lignum. | Repeat: Sweet is the Wood! |
Towards the end of the Veneration of the Cross, the Candles are lighted, and the Deacon spreads a Corporal upon the Altar, for the Blessed Sacrament is to be placed there. As soon as the Faithful have finished their Adoration, the Priest takes the Cross and replaces it over the Altar.
Mass of the Presanctified
So vividly is the Church impressed with the remembrance of the great Sacrifice offered today on Calvary, that she refrains from renewing, on her Altars, the immolation of the Divine Victim: she contents her self with partaking of the sacred mystery by Communion. Formerly, the Clergy and Laity were also permitted to communicate; but the present discipline is that only the Priest shall receive. After the priest has resumed his Chasuble, the Clergy go in procession to the Altar, where the consecrated Host has been reserved since yesterday’s Mass. The Deacon takes the Chalice which contains it, and places it on the Altar. The Priest, having offered the homage of his adoration to our Redeemer, takes into his hands the Chalice, wherein He is enclosed, whom heaven and earth cannot contain. The Clergy, with lighted tapers in their hands, return to the High Altar, and sing, during the procession, the Hymn of the Cross.
| HYMN | |
| Vexilla Regis prodeunt; Fulget Crucis mysterium, Qua Vita mortem pertulit, Et morte vitam protulit. |
The Standard of our King comes forth: the mystery of the Cross shines upon us—that Cross on which Life suffered death, and by his Death gave life. |
| Quæ vulnerata lanceæ Mucrone diro, criminum Ut nos lavaret sordibus Manavit unda et sanguine. |
He was pierced with the cruel Spear, that, by the Water and the Blood, which flowed from the wound, he might cleanse us from sin. |
| Impleta sunt quæ concinit David fideli carmine, Dicendo nationibus: Regnavit a ligno Deus. |
Here, on the Cross was fulfilled the prophecy foretold in David’s truthful words: “God hath reigned from the Tree.” |
| Arbor decora et fulgida, Ornata regis purpura, Electa digno stipite Tam sancta membra tangere. |
O fair and shining Tree! beautified by the scarlet of the King, and chosen as the noble trunk that was to touch such sacred limbs! |
| Beata cujus brachiis Pretium pependit sæculi, Statera facta corporis, Tulitque prædam tartari. |
O blessed Tree! on whose arms hung the ransom of the world! It was the balance, wherein was placed the Body of Jesus, and thereby hell lost its prey. |
| O Crux, ave spes unica, Hoc Passionis tempore, Piis adauge gratiam, Reisque dele crimina. |
Hail, O Cross! our only hope! During these days of the Passion, increase to the good their grace, and cleanse sinners from their guilt. |
| Te, fons salutis, Trinitas, Collaudet omnis spiritus: Quibus Crucis victoriam Largiris, adde præmium. Amen. |
May every spirit praise thee, O Holy Trinity, thou Fount of Salvation! and by the Cross, whereby thou gavest us victory, give us, too, our recompense. Amen. |
As soon as the Priest has reached the altar, the Deacon receives the Sacred host upon a Paten, and pours wine and water into the Chalice. Let us reverently fix our eyes upon the Altar. The Priest censes the offerings and the Altar, as usual; but to express the grief which now fills the soul of the Church, he himself is not thurified. He says, secretly, the following prayers:
| Incensum istud, a te benedictum, ascendat ad te, Domine: et descendat super nos misericordia tua. | May this incense, which hath been blessed by thee, O Lord, ascend unto thee; and may thy mercy descend upon us. |
| Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea, sicut incensum in conspectu tuo. Elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum. Pone, Domine, custodiam ori meo, et ostium circumstantiæ labiis meis; ut non declinet cor meum in verba malitiæ, ad excusandas excusationes in peccatis. | Let my prayer, O Lord, ascend like incense in thy sight. May the lifting up of my hands be like the evening sacrifice. Place, O Lord, a guard upon my mouth, and a gate of prudence before my lips; that my heart may not incline to evil words, to make excuses in sins. |
Giving the thurible to the Deacon, he says:
| Accendat in nobis Dominus ignem sui amoris, et flammam æternæ charitatis. Amen. | May the Lord kindle within us the fire of his love, and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen. |
Here, he washes his hands, and then returns to the middle of the Altar, where he says the following prayer in secret:
| In spiritu humilitatis, et in animo contrito suscipiamur a te, Domine: et sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspecto tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, Domine Deus. | Receive us, O Lord, coming to thee in the spirit of humility, and with a contrite heart: and grant that the sacrifice of this day may be so celebrated by us, as to be well pleasing unto thee, O Lord our God! |
He then turns towards the people, and asks their prayers, saying:
| Orate fratres: ut meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud Deum Patrem Omnipotentem. | Brethren, pray: that this my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty. |
The usual answer, Suscipiat, is omitted: and the Celebrant immediately sings, on the Ferial tone, the Pater noster. Let us join, with earnest confidence, in the seven petitions. Our Jesus, with his arms extended on the Cross, is now offering them, for us, to his Eternal Father. This is the solemn hour, when every prayer offered to heaven, through his mediation, is sure to be granted.
| Pater noster, qui es in cœlis, sanctificetur nomen tuum; adveniat regnum tuum; fiat voluntas tua, sicut in cœlo, et in terra; panem nostrum quotidianum da nobis hodie; et dimitte nobis debita nostra, sicut et nos dimittimus deboritoribus nostris; et ne nos inducas in tentationem. | Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth, as it is in heaven; give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive them that trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation. |
| ℟. Sed libera nos a malo. | ℟. But deliver us from evil. |
The Celebrant having answered Amen, in secret, says aloud the following Prayer, which is always secretly said in every Mass. He there prays that we may be delivered from every evil, set free from sin, and established in peace.
| Libera nos, quæsumus, Domine, ab omnibus malis, præteritis, præsentibus, et futuris; et intercedente beata et gloriosa semper Virgine Dei Genitrice Maria, cum beatis apostolis tuis Petro et Paulo, atque Andrea, et omnibus sanctis, da propitius pacem in diebus nostris, ut ope misericordiæ tuæ adjuti, et a peccato simus semper liberi, et ab omni perturbatione securi. Per eumdum Dominum nostrum Jesum Christum Filium tuum, qui tecum vivat et regnat, in unitate Spiritus Sancti, Deus: per omnia sæcula sæculorum. | Deliver us, we beseech thee, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come: and by the intercession of the blessed and ever glorious Virgin Mary Mother of God, and of the holy apostles Peter and Paul, and of Andrew, and of all the Saints, mercifully grant peace in our days, that through the assistance of thy mercy, we may be always free from sin, and secure from all disturbance. Through the same Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, who with thee and the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God: world without end. |
| ℟. Amen. | ℟. Amen. |
But before receiving the Sacred Host in holy Communion, the Priest invites us to adore it. Taking, then, in his right hand, the adorable Body of our Redeemer, he raises it on high, as he, our Jesus, was raised up on the Cross. The Faithful, who are kneeling during this part of the Service, bow down in profound adoration before their Crucified Lord.
The Priest then divides the Host into three parts, one of which he puts into the Chalice, that thus he may sanctify the wine and water which he is to take after having communicated. The wine is not changed into the Bod of Jesus by contact with the sacred particle; but it thereby receives a very special benediction, similar to that which attached to the garments worn by our Savior.
After this, the Celebrant recites, in secret, the last of the three prayers which precede Communion; and then, taking the two portions of the host into his left hand, he says thrice:
| Domine, non sum dignus ut intres sub tectum meum; sed tantum dic verbo, et sanabitur anima mea. | Lord, I am not worthy that thou shouldst enter under my roof: say but the word, and my soul shall be healed. |
He then communicates. After which, he takes also the wine and water, and the sacred particle which he had put into the Chalice. He then washes his fingers, returns to the middle of the Altar, and says, in secret, the following prayer:
| Quod ore sumpsimus, Domine, puramente capiamus, ut de munere temporali fiat nobis remedium sempiternum. | Grant, O Lord, that what we have taken with our mouth, we may receive with a pure mind; that of a temporal gift it may become to us an eternal remedy. |
Thus terminates the Mass of the Presanctified. The Priest, with the sacred Ministers, makes a genuflection at the foot of the Altar to the Cross, and retires to the Sacristy. The Choir immediately begin Vespers, which are simply recited.