S. Agathæ Virginis et MartyrisSaint Agatha, Virgin and Martyr

℣ O Lord, ✠ open my lips.

℟ And my mouth shall proclaim your praise.

℣ O God, ✠ come to my assistance.

℟ Lord, make haste to help me.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Praise to you, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Ant. The Lord, King of Virgins, * come, let us adore.

Ant. The Lord, King of Virgins, * come, let us adore.

Come, let us exult in the Lord. Let us shout joyfully to God, our Savior. Let us anticipate his presence with confession, and let us sing joyfully to him with psalms.

Ant. The Lord, King of Virgins, * come, let us adore.

For the Lord is a great God and a great King over all gods. For the Lord will not drive away his people. For in his hand are all the limits of the earth, and he beholds the heights of the mountains.

Ant. come, let us adore.

For the sea is his, and he made it, and his hands established the dry land. (kneel) Come, let us adore and fall prostrate before God, and let us weep before the Lord who made us. For he is the Lord our God, and we are his people and the sheep of his pasture.

Ant. The Lord, King of Virgins, * come, let us adore.

If today you hear his voice, harden not your hearts: as in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness, where your fathers tempted me; they tested and saw my works.

Ant. come, let us adore.

For forty years, I was near to that generation, and I said: These have always strayed in heart. But they have not known my ways. To them I swore in my wrath: They shall not enter into my rest.

Ant. The Lord, King of Virgins, * come, let us adore.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. come, let us adore.

Ant. The Lord, King of Virgins, * come, let us adore.

Son of a virgin, maker of thy mother,

Thou, rod and blossom from a stem unstainèd,

While we a Virgin's triumphs are rehearsing,

Hear our petition!

Lo, on thy handmaid fell a two-fold blessing,

Who, in her body vanquishing the weakness,

In that same body, grace from heaven obtaining,

Bore the world witness.

Death, nor the rending pains of death appalled her;

Bondage and torment found her undefeated:

So by the shedding of her blood attained she

Heavenly guerdon.

Fountain of mercy, hear the prayers she offers;

Purge our offences, pardon our transgressions,

So that hereafter we to thee may render

Praise with thanksgiving.

Thou, the All-Father, thou, the One-Begotten,

Thou, Holy Spirit, Three in One co-equal,

Glory be henceforth thine through all the ages,

World without ending.

Amen.

At the Nocturn

Ant. I am freeborn, * and of illustrious lineage, as all my family attests.

Psalm 1 [1]

1:1 Blessed is the man who has not followed the counsel of the impious, † and has not remained in the way of sinners, * and has not sat in the chair of pestilence.

1:2 But his will is with the law of the Lord, * and he will meditate on his law, day and night.

1:3a And he will be like a tree that has been planted beside running waters, * which will provide its fruit in its time,

1:3b and its leaf will not fall away, * and all things whatsoever that he does will prosper.

1:4 Not so the impious, not so. * For they are like the dust that the wind casts along the face of the earth.

1:5 Therefore, the impious will not prevail again in judgment, * nor sinners in the council of the just.

1:6 For the Lord knows the way of the just. * And the path of the impious will pass away.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. I am freeborn, and of illustrious lineage, as all my family attests.

Ant. This is the highest nobility, * which is confirmed in the servitude of Christ.

Psalm 2 [2]

2:1 Why have the Gentiles been seething, * and why have the people been pondering nonsense?

2:2 The kings of the earth have stood up, and the leaders have joined together as one, * against the Lord and against his Christ:

2:3 “Let us shatter their chains * and cast their yoke away from us.”

2:4 He who dwells in heaven will ridicule them, * and the Lord will mock them.

2:5 Then will he speak to them in his anger * and trouble them with his fury.

2:6 Yet I have been appointed king by him over Zion, his holy mountain, * preaching his precepts.

2:7 The Lord has said to me: * You are my son, this day have I begotten you.

2:8 Ask of me and I will give to you: the Gentiles for your inheritance, * and the ends of the earth for your possession.

2:9 You will rule them with an iron rod, * and you will shatter them like a potter’s vessel.

2:10 And now, O kings, understand. * Receive instruction, you who judge the earth.

2:11 Serve the Lord in fear, * and exult in him with trembling.

2:12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord might become angry, * and you would perish from the way of the just.

2:13 Though his wrath can flare up in a short time, * blessed are all those who trust in him.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. This is the highest nobility, which is confirmed in the servitude of Christ.

Ant. I am a handmaid of Christ, * and therefore I show myself to have the condition of a servant.

Psalm 3 [3]

3:2 Lord, why have those who trouble me been multiplied? * Many rise up against me.

3:3 Many say to my soul, * “There is no salvation for him in his God.”

3:4 But you, Lord, are my supporter, * my glory, and the one who raises up my head.

3:5 I have cried out to the Lord with my voice, * and he has heard me from his holy mountain.

3:6 I have slept, and I have been stupefied. * But I awakened because the Lord has taken me up.

3:7 I will not fear the thousands of people surrounding me. * Rise up, Lord. Save me, my God.

3:8 For you have struck all those who oppose me without cause. * You have broken the teeth of sinners.

3:9 Salvation is of the Lord, * and your blessing is upon your people.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. I am a handmaid of Christ, and therefore I show myself to have the condition of a servant.

Ant. Holy Agatha * said: If you threaten me with wild beasts, at the sound of Christ's name they grow tame.

Psalm 4 [4]

4:2a When I called upon him, the God of my justice heeded me. * In tribulation, you have enlarged me.

4:2b Have mercy on me, * and heed my prayer.

4:3 Sons of men, how long will you be dull in heart, * so that whatever you love is in vain, and whatever you seek is false?

4:4 And know this: the Lord has made wondrous his holy one. * The Lord will heed me when I cry out to him.

4:5 Be angry, and do not be willing to sin. † The things that you say in your hearts: * be sorry for them on your beds.

4:6 Offer the sacrifice of justice, † and hope in the Lord. * Many say, “Who reveals to us what is good?”

4:7 The light of your countenance, Lord, has been sealed upon us. * You have given joy to my heart.

4:8 By the fruit of their grain, wine, and oil, * they have been multiplied.

4:9 In peace itself, * I will sleep and I will rest.

4:10 For you, O Lord, * have established me singularly in hope.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. Holy Agatha said: If you threaten me with wild beasts, at the sound of Christ's name they grow tame.

Ant. If you apply fire, * Angels will minister to me the saving dew from heaven.

Psalm 5 [5]

5:2 O Lord, listen closely to my words. * Understand my outcry.

5:3 Attend to the voice of my prayer, * my King and my God.

5:4 For to you, I will pray. * In the morning, Lord, you will hear my voice.

5:5 In the morning, I will stand before you, and I will see. * For you are not a God who wills iniquity.

5:6 And the malicious will not dwell close to you, * nor will the unjust endure before your eyes.

5:7a You hate all who work iniquity. * You will destroy all who speak a lie.

5:7b The bloody and deceitful man, the Lord will abominate. * (8a) But I am in the multitude of your mercy.

5:8b I will enter your house. * I will show adoration toward your holy temple, in your fear.

5:9 Lord, lead me in your justice. * Because of my enemies, direct my way in your sight.

5:10 For there is no truth in their mouth: * their heart is vain.

5:11a Their throat is an open sepulcher. † They have acted deceitfully with their tongues. * Judge them, O God.

5:11b Let them fall by their own intentions: † according to the multitude of their impiety, expel them. * For they have provoked you, O Lord.

5:12a But let all those who hope in you rejoice. * They will exult in eternity, and you will dwell in them.

5:12b And all those who love your name will glory in you. * (13a) For you will bless the just.

5:13b You have crowned us, O Lord, * as if with a shield of your good will.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. If you apply fire, Angels will minister to me the saving dew from heaven.

Ant. Agatha * went most joyfully and gloriously to prison, as one invited to a banquet; and commended her agony to the Lord in prayer.

Psalm 8 [6]

8:2a O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

8:2b For your magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.

8:3 Out of the mouths of babes and infants, you have perfected praise, because of your enemies, * so that you may destroy the enemy and the revenger.

8:4 For I will behold your heavens, the works of your fingers: * the moon and the stars, which you have founded.

8:5 What is man, that you are mindful of him, * or the son of man, that you visit him?

8:6 You reduced him to a little less than the Angels; † you have crowned him with glory and honor, * (7) and you have set him over the works of your hands.

8:8 You have subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen, and in addition: the beasts of the field,

8:9 the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea, * which pass through the paths of the sea.

8:10 O Lord, our Lord, * how admirable is your name throughout all the earth!

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. Agatha went most joyfully and gloriously to prison, as one invited to a banquet; and commended her agony to the Lord in prayer.

Ant. Unless you have my body * thoroughly tormented by the executioners, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the palm of martyrdom.

Psalm 10 [7]

10:2 I trust in the Lord. † How can you say to my soul, * “Sojourn to the mountain, like a sparrow.”

10:3 For behold, the sinners have bent their bow. † They have prepared their arrows in the quiver, * so as to shoot arrows in the dark at the upright of heart.

10:4 For they have destroyed the things that you have completed. * But what has the just one done?

10:5a The Lord is in his holy temple. * The Lord’s throne is in heaven.

10:5b His eyes look upon the poor. * His eyelids question the sons of men.

10:6 The Lord questions the just and the impious. * Yet he who loves iniquity, hates his own soul.

10:7 He will rain down snares upon sinners. * Fire and brimstone and windstorms will be the portion of their cup.

10:8 For the Lord is just, and he has chosen justice. * His countenance has beheld equity.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. Unless you have my body thoroughly tormented by the executioners, my soul cannot enter the Lord's paradise with the palm of martyrdom.

Ant. You have seen, O Lord, * my agony, how I fought in the arena; but because I refused to obey the commands of the princes, I was ordered to be tortured in my breast.

Psalm 14 [8]

14:1 O Lord, who will dwell in your tabernacle? * Or who will rest on your holy mountain?

14:2 He who walks without blemish * and who works justice.

14:3a He who speaks the truth in his heart, * who has not acted deceitfully with his tongue,

14:3b and has not done evil to his neighbor, * and has not taken up a reproach against his neighbors.

14:4a In his sight, the malicious one has been reduced to nothing, * but he glorifies those who fear the Lord.

14:4b He who swears to his neighbor and does not deceive. * (5a) He who has not given his money in usury, nor accepted bribes against the innocent.

14:5b He who does these things * will be undisturbed for eternity.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. You have seen, O Lord, my agony, how I fought in the arena; but because I refused to obey the commands of the princes, I was ordered to be tortured in my breast.

Ant. On account of the faith of chastity * I was ordered to be suspended on the rack: help me, O Lord my God, in the torturing of my breasts.

Psalm 15 [9]

15:1 Preserve me, O Lord, because I have hoped in you. † (2) I have said to the Lord: “You are my God, * so you have no need of my goodness.”

15:3 As for the saints, who are in his land: * he has made all my desires wonderful in them.

15:4a Their infirmities have been multiplied; * after this, they acted more quickly.

15:4b I will not gather for their convocations of blood, * nor will I remember their names with my lips.

15:5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and my cup. * It is you who will restore my inheritance to me.

15:6 The lots have fallen upon me with clarity. * And, indeed, my inheritance has been very clear to me.

15:7 I will bless the Lord, who has bestowed understanding upon me. * Moreover, my temperament has also corrected me, even through the night.

15:8 I have made provision for the Lord always in my sight. * For he is at my right hand, so that I may not be disturbed.

15:9 Because of this, my heart has been joyful, and my tongue has exulted. * Moreover, even my body will rest in hope.

15:10 For you will not abandon my soul to Hell, * nor will you allow your holy one to see corruption.

15:11 You have made known to me the ways of life; † you will fill me with joy by your countenance. * At your right hand are delights, even to the end.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

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

Ant. On account of the faith of chastity I was ordered to be suspended on the rack: help me, O Lord my God, in the torturing of my breasts.

℣ God has chosen her and has chosen her before all others.

℟ He makes her dwell in his tabernacle.

The Our Father is said silently as far as And lead us not into temptation:

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 also forgive those who trespass against us:

℣ And lead us not into temptation:

℟ But deliver us from evil.

Absolution. Hear the prayers of your servants, Lord Jesus Christ, and have mercy on us: You who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May he bless us who lives and reigns without end.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

From the Book of Sirach

Sir 51:1-7

1 I will confess to you, O Lord and King, and I will give praise to you, O God my Savior.

2 I will acknowledge your name. For you have been my Helper and Protector.

3 And you have freed my body from perdition, from the snare of the iniquitous tongue, and from the lips of those who forge lies. And you have been my Helper in the sight of those who stood nearby.

4 And you have freed me according to the multitude of the mercy of your name: from those who roared and prepared to devour,

5 From the hands of those who sought my life, and from the gates of tribulation that surrounded me,

6 From the oppression of the flames that surrounded me, and so I was not burned in the midst of the fire,

7 From the depths of the bowels of hell, and from the defiled tongue, and from lying words, from an iniquitous king, and from an unjust tongue.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ While blessed Agatha was being grievously tormented in her breast, she said to the judge:

* Impious, cruel and dire tyrant, are you not ashamed to cut off from a woman what you yourself suckled at your mother?

℣ For I have within me whole and perfect breasts in my soul, which from infancy I have consecrated to the Lord.

℟ Impious, cruel and dire tyrant, are you not ashamed to cut off from a woman what you yourself suckled at your mother?

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May she whose feast we celebrate intercede for us to the Lord.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Sir 51:8-12

8 My soul shall praise the Lord, even unto death.

9 For my life was drawing near to hell below.

10 And they surrounded me on every side. And there was no one who would help me. I looked around for the assistance of men, and there was none.

11 Then I remembered your mercy, O Lord, and your works, which are from the very beginning.

12 For you rescue those who persevere for you, O Lord, and you free them from the hands of the Gentiles.

Sir 51:13-17

13 You exalted my habitation upon the earth, and I made supplication that death would pass away.

14 I called upon the Lord, the Father of my Lord, so that he would not abandon me in the day of my tribulation, nor in the time of arrogance without assistance.

15 I will praise your name unceasingly, and I will praise it with thanksgiving, for my prayer was heeded.

16 And you freed me from perdition, and you rescued me from the time of iniquity.

17 Because of this, I will give thanks and praise to you, and I will bless the name of the Lord.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Who are you, who have come to heal my wounds? I am an Apostle of Christ: doubt nothing in me, daughter; he himself sent me to you,

* Whom you have loved with mind and pure heart.

℣ For I too am his Apostle, and in his name know that you are to be healed.

℟ Whom you have loved with mind and pure heart.

℣ Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Spirit.

℟ Whom you have loved with mind and pure heart.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the King of Angels lead us to the company of the citizens on high.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Agatha, born of noble parents in Sicily, under the persecution of the Emperor Decius achieved a glorious martyrdom at Catania. For when Quintianus, the praetor of Sicily, had tried in every way in vain to assault her chastity, Agatha, taken up on the charge of the Christian superstition, was first struck with blows, then stretched on the rack with burning plates applied, then had her breast cut off. Soon after, cast into prison, she was healed by the Blessed Apostle Peter, who appeared to her by night. Summoned again by the praetor and persevering in the confession of Christ, she was rolled over sharp potsherds and burning coals placed beneath her. But when the city was violently shaken by a great earthquake, Quintianus, fearing the uproar of the people, secretly ordered her to be carried back half-dead to the prison; where shortly afterward she passed to heaven, on the Nones of February.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

Te Deum

O God, we praise you; * O Lord, we acclaim you.

Eternal Father, * all the earth reveres you.

To you all the Angels, * the heavens and all the Powers of heaven:

To you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out in endless praise:

(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of hosts;

Heaven and earth are filled * with the majesty of your glory.

The glorious choir of Apostles * sings to you,

the noble company of Prophets * praises you,

the white-robed army of Martyrs * glorifies you.

Holy Church throughout the earth * proclaims you,

the Father * of boundless majesty;

your true and only Son, * worthy of adoration;

and the Holy Spirit, * the Paraclete.

You, O Christ, * are the King of glory.

You are * the Father's everlasting Son.

(A bow is made) When you resolved to save the human race, * you did not spurn the Virgin's womb.

You overcame the sting of death * and opened the Kingdom of Heaven to those who put their faith in you.

You are seated at the right hand of God * in the glory of the Father.

We believe you are the Judge * who is to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling) And so we beg you, help your servants, * redeemed by your most precious blood.

Number them * among your Saints in eternal glory.

Save your people, Lord, * and bless your inheritance.

Shepherd them * and raise them to eternal life.

Day by day * we bless you,

(A bow is made, according to custom) and we praise your name * for endless ages evermore.

Be gracious, Lord, on this day, * and keep us from all sin.

Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy.

May your mercy be upon us, Lord, * as we place our trust in you.

In you, O Lord, I rest my hope: * let me never be put to shame.

The rest is omitted unless Lauds is said separately.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

O God, who among the other wonders of your power have also bestowed the victory of martyrdom upon the frail sex: graciously grant that we, who celebrate the birth to heaven of your blessed Virgin and Martyr Agatha, may advance toward you by her example.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son: who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

℣ Let us bless the Lord.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℣ May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.

℟ Amen.