S. Matthiæ ApostoliS. Matthias, Apostle

℣ 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 Apostles, * come, let us adore.

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

Th' eternal gifts of Christ the King,

The Apostles' glory, let us sing;

And all with hearts of gladness raise

Due hymns of thankful love and praise.

For they the Church's princes are,

Triumphant leaders in the war,

The heavenly King's own warrior band,

True lights to lighten every land.

Theirs was the steadfast faith of saints,

The hope that never yields nor faints,

The love of Christ in perfect glow,

That lay the prince of this world low.

In them the Father's glory shone,

In them the Spirit's will was done,

The Son himself exults in them;

Joy fills the new Jerusalem.

Praise to the Father, with the Son,

And Holy Spirit, Three in One;

As ever was in ages past,

And so shall be while ages last.

Amen.

Nocturn I

Ant. Into all the earth * their sound has gone forth, and to the ends of the world their words.

Psalm 18 [1]

18:2 The heavens describe the glory of God, * and the firmament announces the work of his hands.

18:3 Day proclaims the word to day, * and night to night imparts knowledge.

18:4 There are no speeches or conversations, * where their voices are not being heard.

18:5 Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, * and their words to the ends of the world.

18:6a He has placed his tabernacle in the sun, * and he is like a bridegroom coming out of his bedroom.

18:6b He has exulted like a giant running along the way; * (7a) his departure is from the summit of heaven.

18:7b And his course reaches all the way to its summit. * Neither is there anyone who can hide himself from his heat.

18:8 The law of the Lord is immaculate, converting souls. * The testimony of the Lord is faithful, providing wisdom to little ones.

18:9 The justice of the Lord is right, rejoicing hearts. * The precepts of the Lord are brilliant, enlightening the eyes.

18:10 The fear of the Lord is holy, enduring for all generations. * The judgments of the Lord are true, justified in themselves:

18:11 desirable beyond gold and many precious stones, * and sweeter than honey and the honeycomb.

18:12 For, indeed, your servant keeps them, * and in keeping them, there are many rewards.

18:13 Who can understand transgression? † From my hidden faults, cleanse me, O Lord, * (14a) and from those of others, spare your servant.

18:14b If they will have no dominion over me, then I will be immaculate, * and I will be cleansed from the greatest transgression.

18:15a And the eloquence of my mouth will be so as to please, * along with the meditation of my heart, in your sight, forever,

18:15b O Lord, my helper * and my redeemer.

℣ 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. Into all the earth their sound has gone forth, and to the ends of the world their words.

Ant. The just cried out, * and the Lord heard them.

Psalm 33 [2]

33:2 I will bless the Lord at all times. * His praise will be ever in my mouth.

33:3 In the Lord, my soul will be praised. * May the meek listen and rejoice.

33:4 Magnify the Lord with me, * and let us extol his name in itself.

33:5 I sought the Lord, and he heeded me, * and he carried me away from all my tribulations.

33:6 Approach him and be enlightened, * and your faces will not be confounded.

33:7 This poor one cried out, and the Lord heeded him, * and he saved him from all his tribulations.

33:8 The Angel of the Lord will encamp around those who fear him, * and he will rescue them.

33:9 Taste and see that the Lord is sweet. * Blessed is the man who hopes in him.

33:10 Fear the Lord, all you his saints. * For there is no destitution for those who fear him.

33:11 The rich have been needy and hungry, * but those who seek the Lord will not be deprived of any good thing.

33:12 Come forward, sons. Listen to me. * I will teach you the fear of the Lord.

33:13 Which is the man who wills life, * who chooses to see good days?

33:14 Prohibit your tongue from evil * and your lips from speaking deceit.

33:15 Turn away from evil, and do good. * Inquire about peace, and pursue it.

33:16 The eyes of the Lord are on the just, * and his ears are with their prayers.

33:17 But the countenance of the Lord is upon those who do evil, * to perish the remembrance of them from the earth.

33:18 The just cried out, and the Lord heard them, * and he freed them from all their tribulations.

33:19 The Lord is near to those who are troubled in heart, * and he will save the humble in spirit.

33:20 Many are the afflictions of the just, * but from them all the Lord will free them.

33:21 The Lord preserves all of their bones, * not one of them shall be broken.

33:22 The death of a sinner is very harmful, * and those who hate the just will fare badly.

33:23 The Lord will redeem the souls of his servants, * and none of those who hope in him will fare badly.

℣ 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. The just cried out, and the Lord heard them.

Ant. You shall make them * princes over all the earth: they shall be mindful of your name, O Lord.

Psalm 44 [3]

44:2a My heart has uttered a good word. * I speak of my works to the king.

44:2b My tongue is like the pen of a scribe * who writes quickly.

44:3 You are a brilliant form before the sons of men. † Grace has been poured freely into your lips. * Because of this, God has blessed you in eternity.

44:4 Fasten your sword to your thigh, * O most powerful one.

44:5a With your splendor and your excellence * extended, proceed prosperously, and reign

44:5b for the sake of truth and meekness and justice, * and so will your right hand lead you wondrously.

44:6 Your arrows are sharp; the people will fall under you, * with the hearts of the enemies of the king.

44:7 Your throne, O God, is forever and ever. * The scepter of your kingdom is a scepter of true aim.

44:8 You have loved justice and hated iniquity. * Because of this, God, your God, has anointed you, before your co-heirs, with the oil of gladness.

44:9 Myrrh and balsam and cinnamon perfume your garments, from the houses of ivory. * From these, they have delighted you: (10a) the daughters of kings in your honor.

44:10b The queen assisted at your right hand, in clothing of gold, * encircled with diversity.

44:11 Listen, daughter, and see, and incline your ear. * And forget your people and your father’s house.

44:12 And the king will desire your beauty. * For he is the Lord your God, and they will adore him.

44:13 And the daughters of Tyre * will entreat your countenance with gifts: all the rich men of the people.

44:14 All the glory of the daughter of its king is inside, * in golden fringes, (15a) clothed all around with diversities.

44:15b After her, virgins will be led to the king. * Her neighbors will be brought to you.

44:16 They will be brought with gladness and exultation. * They will be led into the temple of the king.

44:17 For your fathers, sons have been born to you. * You will establish them as leaders over all the earth.

44:18a They will remember your name always, * for generation after generation.

44:18b Because of this, people will confess to you in eternity, * even forever and ever.

℣ 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 shall make them princes over all the earth: they shall be mindful of your name, O Lord.

℣ Their sound has gone forth into all the earth.

℟ And their words to the ends of the world.

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 the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 1

From the Acts of the Apostles

Act 1:15-18

15 In those days, Peter, rising up in the midst of the brothers, said (now the crowd of men altogether was about one hundred and twenty):

16 “Noble brothers, the Scripture must be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit predicted by the mouth of David about Judas, who was the leader of those who apprehended Jesus.

17 He had been numbered among us, and he was chosen by lot for this ministry.

18 And this man certainly possessed an estate from the wages of iniquity, and so, having been hanged, he burst open in the middle and all his internal organs poured out.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Behold, I am sending you like sheep in the midst of wolves, says the Lord:

* Therefore, be as prudent as serpents and as simple as doves.

℣ While you have the Light, believe in the Light, so that you may be sons of the Light.

℟ Therefore, be as prudent as serpents and as simple as doves.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the Only Begotten Son of God be pleased to bless and assist us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Act 1:19-22

19 And this became known to all the inhabitants of Jerusalem, so that this field was called in their language, Akeldama, that is, ‘Field of Blood.’

20 For it has been written in the book of Psalms: ‘Let their dwelling place be desolate and may there be no one who dwells within it,’ and ‘Let another take his episcopate.’

21 Therefore, it is necessary that, out of these men who have been assembling with us throughout the entire time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us,

22 Beginning from the baptism of John, until the day when he was taken up from us, one of these be made a witness with us of his Resurrection.”

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Take my yoke upon you, says the Lord, and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart:

* For my yoke is sweet and my burden is light.

℣ and you shall find rest for your souls.

℟ For my yoke is sweet and my burden is light.”

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten our minds and hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Act 1:23-26

23 And they appointed two: Joseph, who was called Barsabbas, who was surnamed Justus, and Matthias.

24 And praying, they said: “May you, O Lord, who knows the heart of everyone, reveal which one of these two you have chosen,

25 To take a place in this ministry and apostleship, from which Judas prevaricated, so that he might go to his own place.”

26 And they cast lots concerning them, and the lot fell upon Matthias. And he was numbered with the eleven Apostles.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ When you stand before kings and governors, do not think about how or what you are to speak:

* For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour.

℣ For it is not you who will be speaking, but the Spirit of your Father, who will speak in you.

℟ For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour.

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

℟ For what to speak shall be given to you in that hour.

Nocturn II

Ant. The princes of the peoples * are gathered together with the God of Abraham.

Psalm 46 [4]

46:2 All nations, clap your hands. * Shout joyfully to God with a voice of exultation.

46:3 For the Lord is exalted and terrible: * a great King over all the earth.

46:4 He has subjected the peoples to us * and subdued the nations under our feet.

46:5 He has chosen us for his inheritance: * the splendor of Jacob, whom he has loved.

46:6 God ascends with jubilation, * and the Lord with the voice of the trumpet.

46:7 Sing psalms to our God, sing psalms. * Sing psalms to our King, sing psalms.

46:8 For God is the King of all the earth. * Sing psalms wisely.

46:9 God will reign over the peoples. * God sits upon his holy throne.

46:10 The leaders of the peoples have been gathered together by the God of Abraham. * For the strong gods of the earth have been exceedingly exalted.

℣ 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. The princes of the peoples are gathered together with the God of Abraham.

Ant. You have given an inheritance * to those who fear your name, O Lord.

Psalm 60 [5]

60:2 O God, pay attention to my supplication. * Be attentive to my prayer.

60:3 I cried out to you from the ends of the earth. * When my heart was in anguish, you exalted me on a rock.

60:4 You have led me, for you have been my hope, * a tower of strength before the face of the enemy.

60:5 I will dwell in your tabernacle forever. * I will be protected under the cover of your wings.

60:6 For you, my God, have listened to my prayer. * You have granted an inheritance to those who fear your name.

60:7 You will add days to the days of the king, * to his years, even to the time of generation after generation.

60:8 He remains in eternity, in the sight of God. * Who will long for his mercy and truth?

60:9 So I will compose a psalm to your name, forever and ever, * so that I may repay my vows from day to day.

℣ 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 given an inheritance to those who fear your name, O Lord.

Ant. They have declared * the works of God, and have understood his deeds.

Psalm 63 [6]

63:2 Hear, O God, my prayer of supplication. * Rescue my soul from the fear of the enemy.

63:3 You have protected me from the assembly of the malignant, * from a multitude of workers of iniquity.

63:4 For they have sharpened their tongues like a sword; * they have formed their bow into a bitter thing, so that they may shoot arrows from hiding at the immaculate.

63:6 They will suddenly shoot arrows at him, and they will not be afraid. * They are resolute in their wicked talk.

63:6 They have discussed hidden snares. * They have said, “Who will see them?”

63:7 They have been searching carefully for iniquities. * Their exhaustive search has failed.

63:7 Man will approach with a deep heart, * and God will be exalted.

63:8 The arrows of the little ones have become their wounds, * and their tongues have been weakened against them.

63:9 All those who saw them have been troubled; * and every man was afraid.

63:10 And they announced the works of God, * and they understood his acts.

63:11 The just will rejoice in the Lord, and they will hope in him. * And all the upright of heart will be praised.

℣ 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. They have declared the works of God, and have understood his deeds.

℣ You shall make them princes over all the earth.

℟ They shall be mindful of your name, O Lord.

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. May his loving kindness and mercy assist us, he who lives and reigns with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and ever.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God the almighty Father be gracious and merciful to us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 4

From the Commentary of Saint Augustine, Bishop, on Psalm Eighty-Six

Before the middle

His foundations are in the holy mountains; the Lord loves the gates of Zion. Why are the Apostles and Prophets foundations? Because their authority bears up our weakness. Why are they gates? Because through them we enter into the Kingdom of God. For they preach to us, and when we enter through them, we enter through Christ, for he himself is the door. And when twelve gates of Jerusalem are spoken of, and Christ is both the one gate and the twelve gates, this is because Christ is in the twelve gates; and hence the twelvefold number of the Apostles. The significance of this twelvefold number is a great mystery. 'You shall sit,' he says, 'upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.'

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I saw men joined together, wearing shining garments, and the Angel of the Lord spoke to me, saying:

* These are holy men made friends of God.

℣ I saw a mighty Angel of God, flying through the midst of heaven, crying out with a great voice and saying.

℟ These are holy men made friends of God.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May Christ grant us the joys of eternal life.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

If there are twelve thrones there, there is no place for a thirteenth — for Paul the Apostle — to sit, and there will be no way for him to judge; yet he himself said he would judge, not men only but also angels. What angels, if not apostate angels? Do you not know, he says, that we shall judge angels? Let the crowd therefore reply: Why do you boast that you will judge? Where will you sit? The Lord assigned twelve thrones to twelve Apostles; one fell — Judas — and in his place holy Matthias was ordained; the number of twelve thrones was completed. First find a place where you may sit; and then threaten that you will judge. What the twelve thrones mean, let us see. It is the mystery of a certain totality; because the Church was to exist throughout the whole world, from which this building is called into union with Christ.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Blessed are you when they have slandered you, and persecuted you, and spoken all kinds of evil against you, falsely, for my sake:

* be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful.

℣ when men will have hated you, and when they will have separated you and reproached you, and thrown out your name as if evil, because of the Son of man.

℟ be glad and exult, for your reward in heaven is plentiful.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May God kindle the fire of his love in our hearts.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

And therefore, because people come from every direction to judge, there are twelve thrones; just as, because that city is entered from every direction, there are twelve gates. Therefore not only those twelve and the Apostle Paul, but all who are to judge, belong, for the significance of universality, to the twelve thrones; just as all who are to enter belong to the twelve gates. For there are four parts of the world: East, West, North, and South. These four parts are continually named in the Scriptures. From these four winds, as the Lord says in the Gospel, he will gather his elect from the four winds; from all these four winds, therefore, the Church is called. How is she called? She is called from every side in the Trinity. She is not called except through baptism in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Four multiplied by three therefore yields twelve.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ These are the triumphers and friends of God, who, despising the commands of princes, merited eternal rewards:

* Now they are crowned, and receive the palm.

℣ These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and they have washed their robes by the blood of the Lamb.

℟ Now they are crowned, and receive the palm.

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

℟ Now they are crowned, and receive the palm.

Nocturn III

Ant. The horns of the just * shall be exalted, alleluia.

Psalm 74 [7]

74:2 We will confess to you, O God. * We will confess, and we will call upon your name.

74:3 We will describe your wonders. * While I have time, I will judge justices.

74:4 The earth has been dissolved, with all who dwell in it. * I have confirmed its pillars.

74:5 I said to the iniquitous: “Do not act unjustly,” * and to the offenders: “Do not exalt the horn.”

74:6 Do not exalt your horn on high. * Do not speak iniquity against God.

74:7 For it is neither from the east, nor from the west, nor before the desert mountains. * For God is judge.

74:8 This one he humbles and that one he exalts. * For, in the hand of the Lord, there is a cup of undiluted wine, full of consternation.

74:9 And he has tipped it from here to there. So, truly, its dregs have not been emptied. * All the sinners of the earth will drink.

74:10 But I will announce it in every age. * I will sing to the God of Jacob.

74:11 And I will break all the horns of sinners. * And the horns of the just will be exalted.

℣ 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. The horns of the just shall be exalted, alleluia.

Ant. Light has risen * for the just, alleluia; and gladness for the upright of heart, alleluia.

Psalm 96 [8]

96:1 The Lord has reigned, let the earth exult. * Let the many islands rejoice.

96:2 Clouds and mist are all around him. * Justice and judgment are corrections from his throne.

96:3 A fire will precede him, * and it will enflame his enemies all around.

96:4 His lightnings have enlightened the whole world. * The earth saw, and it was shaken.

96:5 The mountains flowed like wax before the face of the Lord, * before the face of the Lord of all the earth.

96:6 The heavens announced his justice, * and all peoples saw his glory.

96:7 May all those who adore graven images be confounded, * along with those who glory in their false images.

96:7 All you his Angels: Adore him. * Zion heard, and was glad.

96:8 And the daughters of Judah exulted * because of your judgments, O Lord.

96:9 For you are the Most High Lord over all the earth. * You are greatly exalted above all gods.

96:10 You who love the Lord: hate evil. * The Lord watches over the souls of his holy ones. He will free them from the hand of the sinner.

96:11 The light has risen for the just, * and joy for the upright of heart.

96:12 Rejoice in the Lord, you just ones, * and confess to the memory of his sanctuary.

℣ 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. Light has risen for the just, alleluia; and gladness for the upright of heart, alleluia.

Ant. They kept * his testimonies and his commandments, alleluia.

Psalm 98 [9]

98:1 The Lord has reigned: let the peoples be angry. * He sits upon the cherubim: let the earth be moved.

98:2 The Lord is great in Zion, * and he is high above all peoples.

98:3 May they confess to your great name, for it is terrible and holy. * And the honor of the king loves judgment.

98:4 You have prepared guidance. * You have accomplished judgment and justice in Jacob.

98:5 Exalt the Lord our God, and adore the footstool of his feet, * for it is holy.

98:6 Moses and Aaron are among his priests, * and Samuel is among those who call upon his name.

98:6 They called upon the Lord, and he heeded them. * He spoke to them in the pillar of the cloud.

98:7 They kept his testimonies * and the precept that he gave them.

98:8 You heeded them, O Lord our God. * You were a forgiving God to them, though taking vengeance on all their inventions.

98:9 Exalt the Lord our God, and adore on his holy mountain. * For the Lord our God is holy.

℣ 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. They kept his testimonies and his commandments, alleluia.

℣ How greatly honored are your friends, O God.

℟ How greatly is their dominion strengthened.

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. May the almighty and merciful Lord absolve us from the bonds of our sins.

℟ Amen.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the evangelical reading be our salvation and protection.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matthew 11:25-30

At that time: Jesus answered and said: I acknowledge you, Father, Lord of Heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and the prudent, and have revealed them to little ones. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint Augustine, Bishop

Sermon 10 on the words of the Lord

Come to me, all you who labor. For why do we all labor, unless it be that we are mortal men, fragile, infirm, carrying earthen vessels that press upon one another? But if the vessels of flesh are pressed, let the spaces of charity be enlarged. What then does he say—Come to me, all you who labor—if not that you may no longer labor? Moreover his promise is at hand; for since he has called those who labor, they will perhaps ask with what reward they are called. And I, he says, will refresh you. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me—not to fashion the world, not to create all things visible and invisible, not to work wonders in the world itself and raise the dead; but, Because I am meek and humble of heart.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ These are they who, living in the flesh, planted the Church with their blood:

* They drank the chalice of the Lord, and were made friends of God.

℣ Their sound has gone forth through all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.

℟ They drank the chalice of the Lord, and were made friends of God.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

Do you wish to be great? Begin from the least. Are you thinking of building the great structure of loftiness? Think first of the foundation of humility. And however great a mass of building each one wishes and plans to pile upon it, the greater the building is to be, the deeper he digs the foundation. And indeed a building in the course of construction rises upward; but the one digging the foundation is pressed down to the depths. Therefore a building is humbled before its loftiness, and the height is raised up after the humiliation.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ These are holy men, whom the Lord chose in unfeigned charity, and gave them everlasting glory:

* By whose teaching the Church shines as the moon by the sun.

℣ The Saints, by faith, conquered kingdoms, accomplished justice.

℟ By whose teaching the Church shines as the moon by the sun.

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

℟ By whose teaching the Church shines as the moon by the sun.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

What is the summit of the building we are endeavoring to construct? To what height will the pinnacle of the edifice reach? I will say it quickly: to the sight of God. You see how lofty it is, what a great thing it is to behold God. He who desires it understands both what I say and what he hears. To us is promised the sight of God, of the true God, of the supreme God. For this is the good: to see the One who sees. For those who worship false gods can easily see them; but they see those who have eyes and do not see. But to us is promised the vision of the living and seeing God.

℣ 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 united your blessed Matthias to the company of your Apostles: grant, we pray, that through his intercession we may always experience the depths of your loving kindness toward us.

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.