In Ascensione DominiOn the Ascension of the Lord

Matutinum Laudes Prima Tertia Sexta Nona Vesperae Completorium

Incipit

℣ Dómine, lábia ✠ mea apéries.

℟ Et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.

℣ Deus ✠ in adjutórium meum inténde.

℟ Dómine, ad adjuvándum me festína.

Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Allelúja.

℣ 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.

Alleluia.

Invitatorium

Ant. Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Veníte, exsultémus Dómino, jubilémus Deo, salutári nostro: præoccupémus fáciem ejus in confessióne, et in psalmis jubilémus ei.

Ant. Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Quóniam Deus magnus Dóminus, et Rex magnus super omnes deos, quóniam non repéllet Dóminus plebem suam: quia in manu ejus sunt omnes fines terræ, et altitúdines móntium ipse cónspicit.

Ant. Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Quóniam ipsíus est mare, et ipse fecit illud, et áridam fundavérunt manus ejus (genuflectitur) veníte, adorémus, et procidámus ante Deum: plorémus coram Dómino, qui fecit nos, quia ipse est Dóminus, Deus noster; nos autem pópulus ejus, et oves páscuæ ejus.

Ant. Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Hódie, si vocem ejus audiéritis, nolíte obduráre corda vestra, sicut in exacerbatióne secúndum diem tentatiónis in desérto: ubi tentavérunt me patres vestri, probavérunt et vidérunt ópera mea.

Ant. Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Quadragínta annis próximus fui generatióni huic, et dixi: Semper hi errant corde, ipsi vero non cognovérunt vias meas: quibus jurávi in ira mea: Si introíbunt in réquiem meam.

Ant. Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Ant. Allelúja, Christum Dóminum ascendéntem in cælum, * Veníte adorémus, allelúja.

Ant. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

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, alleluia.

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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

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, alleluia.

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. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

℣ 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, alleluia.

Ant. Alleluia, Christ the Lord ascending into heaven: * Come, let us adore, alleluia.

Hymnus

Ætérne Rex altíssime,

Redémptor et fidélium,

Cui mors perémpta détulit

Summæ triúmphum glóriæ:

Ascéndis orbes síderum,

Quo te vocábat cǽlitus

Colláta, non humánitus,

Rerum potéstas ómnium:

Ut trina rerum máchina,

Cæléstium, terréstrium,

Et inferórum cóndita,

Flectat genu jam súbdita.

Tremunt vidéntes Angeli

Versam vicem mortálium:

Peccat caro, mundat caro,

Regnat Deus Dei caro.

Sis ipse nostrum gáudium,

Manens olýmpo prǽmium,

Mundi regis qui fábricam,

Mundána vincens gáudia.

Hinc te precántes quǽsumus,

Ignósce culpis ómnibus,

Et corda sursum súbleva

Ad te supérna grátia.

Ut, cum repénte cœ́peris

Clarére nube júdicis,

Pœnas repéllas débitas,

Reddas corónas pérditas.

Jesu, tibi sit glória,

Qui victor in cælum redis,

Cum Patre, et almo Spíritu,

In sempitérna sǽcula.

Amen.

Eternal Monarch, King most high,

Whose blood hath brought redemption nigh,

By whom the death of death was wrought,

And conquering grace's battle fought:

Ascending by the starry road,

This day thou wentest home to God,

By heaven to power unending called,

And by no human hand installed.

That so, in nature's triple frame,

Each heavenly and each earthly name,

And things in hell's abyss abhorred,

May bend the knee and own him Lord.

Yea, angels tremble when they see

How changed is our humanity;

That flesh hath purged what flesh had stained,

And God, the flesh of God, hath reigned.

Be thou our joy, O mighty Lord,

As thou wilt be our great reward;

Earth's joys to thee are nothing worth,

Thou joy and crown of heaven and earth.

To thee we therefore humbly pray

That thou wouldst purge our sins away,

And draw our hearts by cords of grace

To thy celestial dwelling-place.

So when the judgement day shall come,

And all must rise to meet their doom,

Thou wilt remit the debts we owe,

And our lost crowns again bestow.

All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,

Ascending o'er the stars today;

All glory, as is ever meet,

To Father and to Paraclete.

Amen.

Psalmi cum lectionibus

Nocturnus I

Ant. Eleváta est * magnificéntia tua super cælos, Deus, allelúja.

Psalmus 8 [1]

8:2a Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

8:2b Quóniam eleváta est magnificéntia tua, * super cælos.

8:3 Ex ore infántium et lacténtium perfecísti laudem propter inimícos tuos, * ut déstruas inimícum et ultórem.

8:4 Quóniam vidébo cælos tuos, ópera digitórum tuórum: * lunam et stellas, quæ tu fundásti.

8:5 Quid est homo quod memor es ejus? * aut fílius hóminis, quóniam vísitas eum?

8:6 Minuísti eum paulo minus ab Ángelis, † glória et honóre coronásti eum: * (7) et constituísti eum super ópera mánuum tuárum.

8:8 Ómnia subjecísti sub pédibus ejus, * oves et boves univérsas: ínsuper et pécora campi.

8:9 Vólucres cæli, et pisces maris, * qui perámbulant sémitas maris.

8:10 Dómine, Dóminus noster, * quam admirábile est nomen tuum in univérsa terra!

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Eleváta est magnificéntia tua super cælos, Deus, allelúja.

Ant. Dóminus in templo * sancto suo, Dóminus in cælo, allelúja.

Psalmus 10 [2]

10:2 In Dómino confído: † quómodo dícitis ánimæ meæ: * Tránsmigra in montem sicut passer?

10:3 Quóniam ecce peccatóres intendérunt arcum, † paravérunt sagíttas suas in pháretra, * ut sagíttent in obscúro rectos corde.

10:4 Quóniam quæ perfecísti, destruxérunt: * justus autem quid fecit?

10:5a Dóminus in templo sancto suo, * Dóminus in cælo sedes ejus.

10:5b Óculi ejus in páuperem respíciunt: * pálpebræ ejus intérrogant fílios hóminum.

10:6 Dóminus intérrogat justum et ímpium: * qui autem díligit iniquitátem, odit ánimam suam.

10:7 Pluet super peccatóres láqueos: * ignis, et sulphur, et spíritus procellárum pars cálicis eórum.

10:8 Quóniam justus Dóminus, et justítias diléxit: * æquitátem vidit vultus ejus.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Dóminus in templo sancto suo, Dóminus in cælo, allelúja.

Ant. A summo cælo * egréssio ejus, et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus, allelúja.

Psalmus 18 [3]

18:2 Cæli enárrant glóriam Dei: * et ópera mánuum ejus annúntiat firmaméntum.

18:3 Dies diéi erúctat verbum, * et nox nocti índicat sciéntiam.

18:4 Non sunt loquélæ, neque sermónes, * quorum non audiántur voces eórum.

18:5 In omnem terram exívit sonus eórum: * et in fines orbis terræ verba eórum.

18:6a In sole pósuit tabernáculum suum: * et ipse tamquam sponsus procédens de thálamo suo:

18:6b Exsultávit ut gigas ad curréndam viam, * (7a) a summo cælo egréssio ejus:

18:7b Et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus: * nec est qui se abscóndat a calóre ejus.

18:8 Lex Dómini immaculáta, convértens ánimas: * testimónium Dómini fidéle, sapiéntiam præstans párvulis.

18:9 Justítiæ Dómini rectæ, lætificántes corda: * præcéptum Dómini lúcidum, illúminans óculos.

18:10 Timor Dómini sanctus, pérmanens in sǽculum sǽculi: * judícia Dómini vera, justificáta in semetípsa.

18:11 Desiderabília super aurum et lápidem pretiósum multum: * et dulcióra super mel et favum.

18:12 Étenim servus tuus custódit ea, * in custodiéndis illis retribútio multa.

18:13 Delícta quis intéllegit? † ab occúltis meis munda me: * (14a) et ab aliénis parce servo tuo.

18:14b Si mei non fúerint domináti, tunc immaculátus ero: * et emundábor a delícto máximo.

18:15a Et erunt ut compláceant elóquia oris mei: * et meditátio cordis mei in conspéctu tuo semper.

18:15b Dómine, adjútor meus, * et redémptor meus.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. A summo cælo egréssio ejus, et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus, allelúja.

℣ Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, allelúja.

℟ Et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.

Pater Noster dicitur secreto usque ad Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:

Pater noster, qui es in cælis, sanctificétur nomen tuum: advéniat regnum tuum: fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra. Panem nostrum cotidiánum da nobis hódie: et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris:

℣ Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:

℟ Sed líbera nos a malo.

Absolutio. Exáudi, Dómine Jesu Christe, preces servórum tuórum, et miserére nobis: Qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivis et regnas in sǽcula sæculórum.

℟ Amen.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Benedictióne perpétua benedícat nos Pater ætérnus.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 1

Incipit liber Actuum Apostolórum

Act. 1:1-5

1 Primum quidem sermónem feci de ómnibus, o Theóphile, quæ cœpit Jesus fácere, et docére,

2 Usque in diem, qua præcípiens Apóstolis per Spíritum Sanctum, quos elégit, assúmptus est:

3 Quibus et prǽbuit seípsum vivum post passiónem suam in multis arguméntis, per dies quadragínta appárens eis, et loquens de regno Dei.

4 Et convéscens, præcépit eis ab Jerosólymis ne discéderent, sed exspectárent promissiónem Patris, quam audístis (inquit) per os meum:

5 Quia Joánnes quidem baptizávit aqua, vos autem baptizabímini Spíritu Sancto non post multos hos dies.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Post passiónem suam per dies quadragínta appárens eis, et loquens de regno Dei, allelúja:

* Et, vidéntibus illis, elevátus est, allelúja: et nubes suscépit eum ab óculis eórum, allelúja.

℣ Et convéscens, præcépit eis, ab Jerosólymis ne discéderent, sed exspectárent promissiónem Patris.

℟ Et, vidéntibus illis, elevátus est, allelúja: et nubes suscépit eum ab óculis eórum, allelúja.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Unigénitus Dei Fílius nos benedícere et adjuváre dignétur.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 2

Act. 1:6-9

6 Igitur qui convénerant, interrogábant eum, dicéntes: Dómine, si in témpore hoc restítues regnum Israël?

7 Dixit autem eis: Non est vestrum nosse témpora vel moménta, quæ Pater pósuit in sua potestáte:

8 Sed accipiétis virtútem superveniéntis Spíritus Sancti in vos, et éritis mihi testes in Jerúsalem, et in omni Judǽa, et Samaría, et usque ad últimum terræ.

9 Et cum hæc dixísset, vidéntibus illis, elevátus est: et nubes suscépit eum ab óculis eórum.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Omnis pulchritúdo Dómini exaltáta est super sídera:

* Spécies ejus in núbibus cæli, et nomen ejus in ætérnum pérmanet, allelúja.

℣ A summo cælo egréssio ejus, et occúrsus ejus usque ad summum ejus.

℟ Spécies ejus in núbibus cæli, et nomen ejus in ætérnum pérmanet, allelúja.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Spíritus Sancti grátia illúminet sensus et corda nostra.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 3

Act. 1:10-14

10 Cumque intueréntur in cælum eúntem illum, ecce duo viri astitérunt juxta illos in véstibus albis,

11 Qui et dixérunt: Viri Galilǽi, quid statis aspiciéntes in cælum? Hic Jesus qui assúmptus est a vobis in cælum, sic véniet, quemádmodum vidístis eum eúntem in cælum.

12 Tunc revérsi sunt Jerosólymam a monte, qui vocátur Olivéti, qui est juxta Jerúsalem, sábbati habens iter.

13 Et cum introíssent in cœnáculum, ascendérunt ubi manébant Petrus et Joánnes, Jacóbus et Andréas, Philíppus et Thomas, Bartholomǽus et Matthǽus, Jacóbus Alphǽi et Simon Zelótes, et Judas Jacóbi.

14 Hi omnes erant perseverántes unanímiter in oratióne cum muliéribus, et María Matre Jesu, et frátribus ejus.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Exaltáre, Dómine, allelúja,

* In virtúte tua, allelúja.

℣ Eleváta est, magnificéntia tua super cælos, Deus.

℟ In virtúte tua, allelúja.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ In virtúte tua, allelúja.

Nocturnus II

Ant. Exaltáre, Dómine, * in virtúte tua: cantábimus et psallémus, allelúja.

Psalmus 20 [4]

20:2 Dómine, in virtúte tua lætábitur rex: * et super salutáre tuum exsultábit veheménter.

20:3 Desidérium cordis ejus tribuísti ei: * et voluntáte labiórum ejus non fraudásti eum.

20:4 Quóniam prævenísti eum in benedictiónibus dulcédinis: * posuísti in cápite ejus corónam de lápide pretióso.

20:5 Vitam pétiit a te: * et tribuísti ei longitúdinem diérum in sǽculum, et in sǽculum sǽculi.

20:6 Magna est glória ejus in salutári tuo: * glóriam et magnum decórem impónes super eum.

20:7 Quóniam dabis eum in benedictiónem in sǽculum sǽculi: * lætificábis eum in gáudio cum vultu tuo.

20:8 Quóniam rex sperat in Dómino: * et in misericórdia Altíssimi non commovébitur.

20:9 Inveniátur manus tua ómnibus inimícis tuis: * déxtera tua invéniat omnes, qui te odérunt.

20:10 Pones eos ut clíbanum ignis in témpore vultus tui: * Dóminus in ira sua conturbábit eos, et devorábit eos ignis.

20:11 Fructum eórum de terra perdes: * et semen eórum a fíliis hóminum.

20:12 Quóniam declinavérunt in te mala: * cogitavérunt consília, quæ non potuérunt stabilíre.

20:13 Quóniam pones eos dorsum: * in relíquiis tuis præparábis vultum eórum.

20:14 Exaltáre, Dómine, in virtúte tua: * cantábimus et psallémus virtútes tuas.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Exaltáre, Dómine, in virtúte tua: cantábimus et psallémus, allelúja.

Ant. Exaltábo te, * Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me, allelúja.

Psalmus 29 [5]

29:2 Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me: * nec delectásti inimícos meos super me.

29:3 Dómine, Deus meus, clamávi ad te, * et sanásti me.

29:4 Dómine, eduxísti ab inférno ánimam meam: * salvásti me a descendéntibus in lacum.

29:5 Psállite Dómino, sancti ejus: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctitátis ejus.

29:6 Quóniam ira in indignatióne ejus: * et vita in voluntáte ejus.

29:6 Ad vésperum demorábitur fletus: * et ad matutínum lætítia.

29:7 Ego autem dixi in abundántia mea: * Non movébor in ætérnum.

29:8 Dómine, in voluntáte tua, * præstitísti decóri meo virtútem.

29:8 Avertísti fáciem tuam a me, * et factus sum conturbátus.

29:9 Ad te, Dómine, clamábo: * et ad Deum meum deprecábor.

29:10 Quæ utílitas in sánguine meo, * dum descéndo in corruptiónem?

29:10 Numquid confitébitur tibi pulvis, * aut annuntiábit veritátem tuam?

29:11 Audívit Dóminus, et misértus est mei: * Dóminus factus est adjútor meus.

29:12 Convertísti planctum meum in gáudium mihi: * conscidísti saccum meum, et circumdedísti me lætítia:

29:13 Ut cantet tibi glória mea, et non compúngar: * Dómine, Deus meus, in ætérnum confitébor tibi.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Exaltábo te, Dómine, quóniam suscepísti me, allelúja.

Ant. Ascéndit Deus * in jubilatióne, et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.

Psalmus 46 [6]

46:2 Omnes gentes, pláudite mánibus: * jubiláte Deo in voce exsultatiónis.

46:3 Quóniam Dóminus excélsus, terríbilis: * Rex magnus super omnem terram.

46:4 Subjécit pópulos nobis: * et gentes sub pédibus nostris.

46:5 Elégit nobis hereditátem suam: * spéciem Jacob, quam diléxit.

46:6 Ascéndit Deus in júbilo: * et Dóminus in voce tubæ.

46:7 Psállite Deo nostro, psállite: * psállite Regi nostro, psállite.

46:8 Quóniam Rex omnis terræ Deus: * psállite sapiénter.

46:9 Regnábit Deus super gentes: * Deus sedet super sedem sanctam suam.

46:10 Príncipes populórum congregáti sunt cum Deo Ábraham: * quóniam dii fortes terræ veheménter eleváti sunt.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, et Dóminus in voce tubæ, allelúja.

℣ Ascéndens Christus in altum, allelúja.

℟ Captívam duxit captivitátem, allelúja.

Pater Noster dicitur secreto usque ad Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:

℣ Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:

℟ Sed líbera nos a malo.

Absolutio. Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sǽcula sæculórum.

℟ Amen.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 4

Sermo sancti Leónis Papæ

Sermone 1 de Ascensione Domini

Post beátam et gloriósam resurrectiónem Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, qua verum Dei templum, Judáica impietáte resolútum, divína in tríduo poténtia suscitávit, quadragenárius hódie, dilectíssimi, sanctórum diérum explétus est númerus, sacratíssima ordinatióne dispósitus, et ad utilitátem nostræ eruditiónis impénsus: ut, dum a Dómino in hoc spátio mora præséntiæ corporális exténditur, fides resurrectiónis documéntis necessáriis munirétur. Mors enim Christi multum discipulórum corda turbáverat: et de supplício crucis, de emissióne spíritus, de exanimáti córporis sepultúra gravátis mœstitúdine méntibus, quidam diffidéntiæ torpor obrépserat.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Tempus est, ut revértar ad eum, qui me misit, dicit Dóminus: nolíte contristári, nec turbétur cor vestrum:

* Rogo pro vobis Patrem, ut ipse vos custódiat, allelúja, allelúja.

℣ Nisi ego abíero, Paráclitus non véniet: cum assúmptus fúero, mittam vobis eum.

℟ Rogo pro vobis Patrem, ut ipse vos custódiat, allelúja, allelúja.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 5

Unde beatíssimi Apóstoli, omnésque discípuli, qui et de éxitu crucis fúerant trépidi, et de fide resurrectiónis ambígui, ita sunt veritáte perspícua roboráti, ut, Dómino in cælórum eúnte sublímia, non solum nulla afficeréntur tristítia, sed étiam magno gáudio repleréntur. Et revéra magna et ineffábilis erat causa gaudéndi, cum in conspéctu sanctæ multitúdinis super ómnium creaturárum cæléstium dignitátem humáni géneris natúra conscénderet, supergressúra Angélicos órdines, et ultra Archangelórum altitúdines elevánda: nec ullis sublimitátibus modum suæ provectiónis habitúra, nisi ætérni Patris recépta conséssu, illíus glóriæ sociarétur in throno, cujus natúræ copulabátur in Fílio.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Non turbétur cor vestrum: ego vado ad Patrem; et cum assúmptus fúero a vobis, mittam vobis, allelúja,

* Spíritum veritátis, et gaudébit cor vestrum, allelúja.

℣ Ego rogábo Patrem, et álium Paráclitum dabit vobis.

℟ Spíritum veritátis, et gaudébit cor vestrum, allelúja.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 6

Quia ígitur Christi ascénsio, nostra provéctio est; et quo præcéssit glória cápitis, eo spes vocátur et córporis: dignis, dilectíssimi, exsultémus gáudiis, et pia gratiárum actióne lætémur. Hódie enim non solum paradísi possessóres firmáti sumus, sed étiam cælórum in Christo supérna penetrávimus: amplióra adépti per ineffábilem Christi grátiam, quam per diáboli amiserámus invídiam. Nam quos viruléntus inimícus primi habitáculi felicitáte dejécit, eos sibi concorporátos Dei Fílius ad déxteram Patris collocávit: cum quo vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Ascéndens Christus in altum, captívam duxit captivitátem,

* Dedit dona homínibus, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.

℣ Ascéndit Deus in jubilatióne, et Dóminus in voce tubæ.

℟ Dedit dona homínibus, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Dedit dona homínibus, allelúja, allelúja, allelúja.

Nocturnus III

Ant. Nimis exaltátus est, * allelúja: super omnes deos, allelúja.

Psalmus 96 [7]

96:1 Dóminus regnávit, exsúltet terra: * læténtur ínsulæ multæ.

96:2 Nubes, et calígo in circúitu ejus: * justítia, et judícium corréctio sedis ejus.

96:3 Ignis ante ipsum præcédet, * et inflammábit in circúitu inimícos ejus.

96:4 Illuxérunt fúlgura ejus orbi terræ: * vidit, et commóta est terra.

96:5 Montes, sicut cera fluxérunt a fácie Dómini: * a fácie Dómini omnis terra.

96:6 Annuntiavérunt cæli justítiam ejus: * et vidérunt omnes pópuli glóriam ejus.

96:7 Confundántur omnes, qui adórant sculptília: * et qui gloriántur in simulácris suis.

96:7 Adoráte eum, omnes Ángeli ejus: * audívit, et lætáta est Sion.

96:8 Et exsultavérunt fíliæ Judæ, * propter judícia tua, Dómine:

96:9 Quóniam tu Dóminus Altíssimus super omnem terram: * nimis exaltátus es super omnes deos.

96:10 Qui dilígitis Dóminum, odíte malum: * custódit Dóminus ánimas sanctórum suórum, de manu peccatóris liberábit eos.

96:11 Lux orta est justo, * et rectis corde lætítia.

96:12 Lætámini, justi, in Dómino: * et confitémini memóriæ sanctificatiónis ejus.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Nimis exaltátus est, allelúja: super omnes deos, allelúja.

Ant. Dóminus in Sion, * allelúja: magnus et excélsus, allelúja.

Psalmus 98 [8]

98:1 Dóminus regnávit, irascántur pópuli: * qui sedet super Chérubim, moveátur terra.

98:2 Dóminus in Sion magnus: * et excélsus super omnes pópulos.

98:3 Confiteántur nómini tuo magno: quóniam terríbile, et sanctum est: * et honor regis judícium díligit.

98:4 Tu parásti directiónes: * judícium et justítiam in Jacob tu fecísti.

98:5 Exaltáte Dóminum, Deum nostrum, et adoráte scabéllum pedum ejus: * quóniam sanctum est.

98:6 Móyses et Aaron in sacerdótibus ejus: * et Sámuel inter eos, qui ínvocant nomen ejus:

98:6 Invocábant Dóminum, et ipse exaudiébat eos: * in colúmna nubis loquebátur ad eos.

98:7 Custodiébant testimónia ejus, * et præcéptum quod dedit illis.

98:8 Dómine, Deus noster, tu exaudiébas eos: * Deus, tu propítius fuísti eis, et ulcíscens in omnes adinventiónes eórum.

98:9 Exaltáte Dóminum, Deum nostrum, et adoráte in monte sancto ejus: * quóniam sanctus Dóminus, Deus noster.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Dóminus in Sion, allelúja: magnus et excélsus, allelúja.

Ant. Dóminus in cælo, * allelúja: parávit sedem suam, allelúja.

Psalmus 102 [9]

102:1 Bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino: * et ómnia, quæ intra me sunt, nómini sancto ejus.

102:2 Bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino: * et noli oblivísci omnes retributiónes ejus.

102:3 Qui propitiátur ómnibus iniquitátibus tuis: * qui sanat omnes infirmitátes tuas.

102:4 Qui rédimit de intéritu vitam tuam: * qui corónat te in misericórdia et miseratiónibus.

102:5 Qui replet in bonis desidérium tuum: * renovábitur ut áquilæ juvéntus tua:

102:6 Fáciens misericórdias Dóminus: * et judícium ómnibus injúriam patiéntibus.

102:7 Notas fecit vias suas Móysi, * fíliis Israël voluntátes suas.

102:8 Miserátor, et miséricors Dóminus: * longánimis, et multum miséricors.

102:9 Non in perpétuum irascétur: * neque in ætérnum comminábitur.

102:10 Non secúndum peccáta nostra fecit nobis: * neque secúndum iniquitátes nostras retríbuit nobis.

102:11 Quóniam secúndum altitúdinem cæli a terra: * corroborávit misericórdiam suam super timéntes se.

102:12 Quantum distat ortus ab occidénte: * longe fecit a nobis iniquitátes nostras.

102:13 Quómodo miserétur pater filiórum, misértus est Dóminus timéntibus se: * quóniam ipse cognóvit figméntum nostrum.

102:14 Recordátus est quóniam pulvis sumus: * homo, sicut fænum dies ejus, tamquam flos agri sic efflorébit.

102:16 Quóniam spíritus pertransíbit in illo, et non subsístet: * et non cognóscet ámplius locum suum.

102:17 Misericórdia autem Dómini ab ætérno, * et usque in ætérnum super timéntes eum.

102:17 Et justítia illíus in fílios filiórum, * his qui servant testaméntum ejus:

102:18 Et mémores sunt mandatórum ipsíus, * ad faciéndum ea.

102:19 Dóminus in cælo parávit sedem suam: * et regnum ipsíus ómnibus dominábitur.

102:20 Benedícite Dómino, omnes Ángeli ejus: * poténtes virtúte, faciéntes verbum illíus, ad audiéndam vocem sermónum ejus.

102:21 Benedícite Dómino, omnes virtútes ejus: * minístri ejus, qui fácitis voluntátem ejus.

102:22 Benedícite Dómino, ómnia ópera ejus: * in omni loco dominatiónis ejus, bénedic, ánima mea, Dómino.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, * et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.

Ant. Dóminus in cælo, allelúja: parávit sedem suam, allelúja.

℣ Ascéndo ad Patrem meum, et Patrem vestrum, allelúja.

℟ Deum meum, et Deum vestrum, allelúja.

Pater Noster dicitur secreto usque ad Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:

℣ Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem:

℟ Sed líbera nos a malo.

Absolutio. A vínculis peccatórum nostrórum absólvat nos omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.

℟ Amen.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Evangélica léctio sit nobis salus et protéctio.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 7

Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Marcum

Marc 16:14-20

In illo témpore: Recumbéntibus úndecim discípulis, appáruit illis Jesus: et exprobrávit incredulitátem eórum et durítiam cordis, quia iis, qui víderant eum resurrexísse, non credidérunt. Et réliqua.

Homilía sancti Gregórii Papæ

Homilia 29 in Evangelia

Quod resurrectiónem Domínicam discípuli tarde credidérunt, non tam illórum infírmitas, quam nostra, ut ita dicam, futúra fírmitas fuit. Ipsa namque resurréctio illis dubitántibus per multa arguménta monstráta est: quæ dum nos legéntes agnóscimus, quid áliud quam de illórum dubitatióne solidámur? Minus enim mihi María Magdaléne prǽstitit, quæ cítius crédidit, quam Thomas, qui diu dubitávit. Ille étenim dubitándo, vúlnerum cicatríces tétigit, et de nostro péctore dubitatiónis vulnus amputávit.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Ego rogábo Patrem, et álium Paráclitum dabit vobis,

* Ut máneat vobíscum in ætérnum, Spíritum veritátis, allelúja.

℣ Si enim non abíero, Paráclitus non véniet ad vos: si autem abíero, mittam eum ad vos.

℟ Ut máneat vobíscum in ætérnum, Spíritum veritátis, allelúja.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Divínum auxílium máneat semper nobíscum.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 8

Ad insinuándam quoque veritátem Domínicæ resurrectiónis, notándum nobis est quid Lucas réferat, dicens: Convéscens, præcépit eis ab Jerosólymis ne discéderent. Et post pauca: Vidéntibus illis, elevátus est, et nubes suscépit eum ab óculis eórum. Notáte verba, signáte mystéria. Convéscens elevátus est. Comédit, et ascéndit: ut vidélicet per efféctum comestiónis, véritas patésceret carnis. Marcus vero, priúsquam cælum Dóminus ascéndat, eum de cordis atque infidelitátis durítia increpásse discípulos mémorat. Qua in re quid considerándum est, nisi quod idcírco Dóminus tunc discípulos increpávit, cum eos corporáliter relíquit, ut verba, quæ recédens díceret, in corde audiéntium árctius impréssa remanérent?

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

℟ Ponis nubem ascénsum tuum, Dómine:

* Qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum, allelúja.

℣ Confessiónem et decórem induísti, amíctus lumen sicut vestiméntum.

℟ Qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum, allelúja.

℣ Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℟ Qui ámbulas super pennas ventórum, allelúja.

℣ Jube, Dómine, benedícere.

Benedictio. Ad societátem cívium supernórum perdúcat nos Rex Angelórum.

℟ Amen.

Lectio 9

Increpáta ígitur eórum durítia, quid admonéndo dicat, audiámus: Eúntes in mundum univérsum, prædicáte Evangélium omni creatúræ. Numquid, fratres mei, sanctum Evangélium vel insensátis rebus, vel brutis animálibus fúerat prædicándum, ut de eo discípulis dicátur: Prædicáte omni creatúræ? Sed omnis creatúræ nómine signátur homo. Omnis autem creatúræ áliquid habet homo. Habet namque commúne esse cum lapídibus, vívere cum arbóribus, sentíre cum animálibus, intellégere cum Angelis. Si ergo commúne habet áliquid cum omni creatúra homo, juxta áliquid omnis creatúra est homo. Omni ergo creatúræ prædicátur Evangélium, cum soli hómini prædicátur.

℣ Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis.

℟ Deo grátias.

Te Deum

Te Deum laudámus: * te Dóminum confitémur.

Te ætérnum Patrem * omnis terra venerátur.

Tibi omnes Ángeli, * tibi Cæli, et univérsæ Potestátes:

Tibi Chérubim et Séraphim * incessábili voce proclámant:

(Fit reverentia) Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus * Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.

Pleni sunt cæli et terra * majestátis glóriæ tuæ.

Te gloriósus * Apostolórum chorus,

Te Prophetárum * laudábilis númerus,

Te Mártyrum candidátus * laudat exércitus.

Te per orbem terrárum * sancta confitétur Ecclésia,

Patrem * imménsæ majestátis;

Venerándum tuum verum * et únicum Fílium;

Sanctum quoque * Paráclitum Spíritum.

Tu Rex glóriæ, * Christe.

Tu Patris * sempitérnus es Fílius.

(Fit reverentia) Tu, ad liberándum susceptúrus hóminem: * non horruísti Vírginis úterum.

Tu, devícto mortis acúleo, * aperuísti credéntibus regna cælórum.

Tu ad déxteram Dei sedes, * in glória Patris.

Judex créderis * esse ventúrus.

(Sequens versus dicitur flexis genibus) Te ergo quǽsumus, tuis fámulis súbveni, * quos pretióso sánguine redemísti.

Ætérna fac cum Sanctis tuis * in glória numerári.

Salvum fac pópulum tuum, Dómine, * et bénedic hereditáti tuæ.

Et rege eos, * et extólle illos usque in ætérnum.

Per síngulos dies * benedícimus te.

(Fit reverentia, secundum consuetudinem) Et laudámus nomen tuum in sǽculum, * et in sǽculum sǽculi.

Dignáre, Dómine, die isto * sine peccáto nos custodíre.

Miserére nostri, Dómine, * miserére nostri.

Fiat misericórdia tua, Dómine, super nos, * quemádmodum sperávimus in te.

In te, Dómine, sperávi: * non confúndar in ætérnum.

Reliqua omittuntur, nisi Laudes separandæ sint.

Nocturn I

Ant. Your magnificence * is exalted above the heavens, O God, alleluia.

Psalm 8 [1]

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. Your magnificence is exalted above the heavens, O God, alleluia.

Ant. The Lord is in his holy * temple, the Lord is in heaven, alleluia.

Psalm 10 [2]

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. The Lord is in his holy temple, the Lord is in heaven, alleluia.

Ant. From the height of heaven * is his going forth, and his coming back even to the height of it, alleluia.

Psalm 18 [3]

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. From the height of heaven is his going forth, and his coming back even to the height of it, alleluia.

℣ God ascended with jubilation, alleluia.

℟ And the Lord with the sound of the trumpet, alleluia.

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

Here begins the Book of the Acts of the Apostles

Act 1:1-5

1 Certainly, O Theophilus, I composed the first discourse about everything that Jesus began to do and to teach,

2 Instructing the Apostles, whom he had chosen through the Holy Spirit, even until the day on which he was taken up.

3 He also presented himself alive to them, after his Passion, appearing to them throughout forty days and speaking about the kingdom of God with many elucidations.

4 And dining with them, he instructed them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but that they should wait for the Promise of the Father, “about which you have heard,” he said, “from my own mouth.

5 For John, indeed, baptized with water, but you shall be baptized with the Holy Spirit, not many days from now.”

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ After his Passion, appearing to them for forty days and speaking of the Kingdom of God, alleluia:

* And, as they looked on, he was lifted up, alleluia; and a cloud received him from their sight, alleluia.

℣ And eating with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to await the promise of the Father.

℟ And, as they looked on, he was lifted up, alleluia; and a cloud received him from their sight, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 2

Act 1:6-9

6 Therefore, those who had assembled together questioned him, saying, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore the kingdom of Israel?”

7 But he said to them: “It is not yours to know the times or the moments, which the Father has set by his own authority.

8 But you shall receive the power of the Holy Spirit, passing over you, and you shall be witnesses for me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the ends of the earth.”

9 And when he had said these things, while they were watching, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him from their sight.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ All the beauty of the Lord is exalted above the stars:

* His glory is in the clouds of heaven, and his name endures for ever, alleluia.

℣ From the heights of heaven is his going forth, and his meeting even unto the summit thereof.

℟ His glory is in the clouds of heaven, and his name endures for ever, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 3

Act 1:10-14

10 And while they were watching him going up to heaven, behold, two men stood near them in white vestments.

11 And they said: “Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking up toward heaven? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, shall return in just the same way that you have seen him going up to heaven.”

12 Then they returned to Jerusalem from the mountain, which is called Olivet, which is next to Jerusalem, within a Sabbath day’s journey.

13 And when they had entered into the cenacle, they ascended to the place where Peter and John, James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Jude of James, were staying.

14 All these were persevering with one accord in prayer with the women, and with Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Be exalted, O Lord, alleluia,

* In your power, alleluia.

℣ Your majesty is exalted above the heavens, O God.

℟ In your power, alleluia.

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

℟ In your power, alleluia.

Nocturn II

Ant. Be exalted, O Lord, * in your strength: we will sing and chant your praise, alleluia.

Psalm 20 [4]

20:2 In your virtue, Lord, the king will rejoice, * and over your salvation, he will exult exceedingly.

20:3 You have granted him the desire of his heart, * and you have not cheated him of the wish of his lips.

20:4 For you have gone ahead of him with blessings of sweetness. * You have placed a crown of precious stones on his head.

20:5 He petitioned you for life, * and you have granted him length of days, in the present time, and forever and ever.

20:6 Great is his glory in your salvation. * Glory and great adornment, you will lay upon him.

20:7 For you will give him as a blessing forever and ever. * You will make him rejoice with gladness in your presence.

20:8 Because the king hopes in the Lord, * and in the mercy of the Most High, he will not be disturbed.

20:9 May your hand be found by all your enemies. * May your right hand discover all those who hate you.

20:10 You will make them like an oven of fire, in the time of your presence. * The Lord will stir them up with his wrath, and fire will devour them.

20:11 You will destroy their fruit from the earth * and their offspring from the sons of men.

20:12 For they have turned evils upon you; * they have devised plans, which they have not been able to accomplish.

20:13 For you will make them turn their back; * with your remnants, you will prepare their countenance.

20:14 Be exalted, Lord, by your own power. * We will play music and sing psalms to your virtues.

℣ 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. Be exalted, O Lord, in your strength: we will sing and chant your praise, alleluia.

Ant. I will exalt you, * O Lord, for you have received me, alleluia.

Psalm 29 [5]

29:2 I will extol you, Lord, for you have sustained me, * and you have not allowed my enemies to delight over me.

29:3 O Lord my God, I have cried out to you, * and you have healed me.

29:4 Lord, you led my soul away from Hell. * You have saved me from those who descend into the pit.

29:5 Sing a psalm to the Lord, you his saints, * and confess with remembrance of his holiness.

29:6 For wrath is in his indignation, * and life is in his will.

29:6 Toward evening, weeping will linger, * and toward morning, gladness.

29:7 But I have said in my abundance: * “I will never be disturbed.”

29:8 O Lord, in your will, * you made virtue preferable to beauty for me.

29:8 You turned your face away from me, * and I became disturbed.

29:9 To you, Lord, I will cry out. * And I will make supplication to my God.

29:10 What use would there be in my blood, * if I descend into corruption?

29:10 Will dust confess to you * or announce your truth?

29:11 The Lord has heard, and he has been merciful to me. * The Lord has become my helper.

29:12 You have turned my mourning into gladness for me. * You have cut off my sackcloth, and you have surrounded me with joy.

29:13 So then, may my glory sing to you, and may I not regret it. * O Lord, my God, I will confess to you 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. I will exalt you, O Lord, for you have received me, alleluia.

Ant. God ascends * amid shouts of joy, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet, alleluia.

Psalm 46 [6]

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. God ascends amid shouts of joy, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet, alleluia.

℣ Christ ascending on high, alleluia.

℟ He led captivity captive, alleluia.

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

℣ 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

Sermon of Saint Leo, Pope

Sermon 1 on the Ascension of the Lord

After the blessed and glorious Resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ — by which the true temple of God, destroyed by Jewish impiety, was raised up by divine power in three days — the number of forty sacred days has today been completed, dearly beloved, arranged by most holy ordination and devoted to the benefit of our instruction: so that, while by the Lord the period of his bodily presence was extended over this interval, the faith of the Resurrection might be fortified by the necessary proofs. For the death of Christ had greatly troubled the hearts of the disciples; and upon their minds weighed down by the sorrow of the punishment of the Cross, the emission of spirit, and the burial of the lifeless body, a certain torpor of diffidence had crept in.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ It is time for me to return to him who sent me, says the Lord: do not be sorrowful, nor let your heart be troubled:

* I pray to the Father for you, that he himself may keep you, alleluia, alleluia.

℣ Unless I go away, the Paraclete will not come: when I am taken up, I will send him to you.

℟ I pray to the Father for you, that he himself may keep you, alleluia, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 5

And so the most blessed Apostles, and all the disciples, who had been trembling at the manner of the Cross and uncertain in their faith in the Resurrection, were so strengthened by the clear truth that, as the Lord went up to the heights of heaven, they were not only afflicted with no sorrow, but were even filled with great joy. And indeed great and ineffable was the cause of rejoicing, when in the sight of the holy multitude the nature of the human race ascended above the dignity of all heavenly creatures, destined to surpass the orders of Angels and to be exalted beyond the heights of the Archangels; nor was it to find any limit in any heights of its advancement, unless, received into the seat of the eternal Father, it were made a sharer in the glory of him to whose nature it was united in the Son.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Let not your heart be troubled: I go to the Father; and when I have been taken up from you, I will send you, alleluia,

* The Spirit of truth, and your heart will rejoice, alleluia.

℣ I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete.

℟ The Spirit of truth, and your heart will rejoice, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 6

Since, therefore, the Ascension of Christ is our advancement, and where the glory of the Head has gone before, there the hope of the Body is also called; let us, dearly beloved, rejoice with worthy joys and be glad with devout thanksgiving. For today we have not only been confirmed as possessors of paradise, but in Christ we have even penetrated the heights of heaven; we have gained more through the ineffable grace of Christ than we had lost through the envy of the devil. For those whom the venomous enemy cast down from the happiness of their first dwelling, these the Son of God, having made them members of his own body, has set at the right hand of the Father: with whom he lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ Christ ascending on high led captivity captive,

* He gave gifts to men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

℣ God ascended with jubilation, and the Lord with the sound of the trumpet.

℟ He gave gifts to men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

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

℟ He gave gifts to men, alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.

Nocturn III

Ant. He is exalted exceedingly, * alleluia: above all gods, alleluia.

Psalm 96 [7]

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. He is exalted exceedingly, alleluia: above all gods, alleluia.

Ant. The Lord is in Zion, * alleluia: great and most high, alleluia.

Psalm 98 [8]

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. The Lord is in Zion, alleluia: great and most high, alleluia.

Ant. The Lord is in heaven, * alleluia: he has prepared his throne, alleluia.

Psalm 102 [9]

102:1 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and bless his holy name, all that is within me.

102:2 Bless the Lord, O my soul, * and do not forget all his recompenses.

102:3 He forgives all your iniquities. * He heals all your infirmities.

102:4 He redeems your life from destruction. * He crowns you with mercy and compassion.

102:5 He satisfies your desire with good things. * Your youth will be renewed like that of the eagle.

102:6 The Lord accomplishes mercies, * and his judgment is for all who patiently endure injuries.

102:7 He has made his ways known to Moses, * his will to the sons of Israel.

102:8 The Lord is compassionate and merciful, * patient and full of mercy.

102:9 He will not be angry forever, * and he will not threaten for eternity.

102:10 He has not dealt with us according to our sins, * and he has not repaid us according to our iniquities.

102:11 For according to the height of the heavens above the earth, * so has he reinforced his mercy toward those who fear him.

102:12 As far as the east is from the west, * so far has he removed our iniquities from us.

102:13 As a father is compassionate to his sons, so has the Lord been compassionate to those who fear him. * For he knows our form.

102:14 He has called to mind that we are dust. * Man: his days are like hay. Like the flower of the field, so will he flourish.

102:16 For the spirit in him will pass away, and it will not remain, * and he will know his place no longer.

102:17 But the mercy of the Lord is from eternity, * and even unto eternity, upon those who fear him.

102:17 And his justice is with the sons of the sons, * with those who serve his covenant

102:18 and have been mindful of his commandments * by doing them.

102:19 The Lord has prepared his throne in heaven, * and his kingdom will rule over all.

102:20 Bless the Lord, all you his Angels: * powerful in virtue, doing his word, in order to heed the voice of his discourse.

102:21 Bless the Lord, all his hosts: * his ministers who do his will.

102:22 Bless the Lord, all his works: * in every place of his dominion. Bless the Lord, O my soul.

℣ 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 Lord is in heaven, alleluia: he has prepared his throne, alleluia.

℣ I am ascending to my Father and to your Father, alleluia.

℟ To my God and to your God, alleluia.

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

℣ 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 Mark.

Marc 16:14-20

At that time: he appeared to the eleven, as they sat at table. And he rebuked them for their incredulity and hardness of heart, because they did not believe those who had seen that he had risen again. Etc.

A Homily of Saint Gregory the Pope

Homily 29 on the Gospels

That the disciples were slow to believe the Resurrection of the Lord was not so much their weakness as — if I may say so — our future firmness. For the very Resurrection, while they doubted, was demonstrated to them by many proofs; and as we reading come to know these things, by what else are we strengthened but by their very doubt? For Mary Magdalene, who believed more quickly, gave me less benefit than Thomas, who doubted for a long time. For in his doubting he touched the scars of the wounds, and from our breast cut away the wound of doubt.

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Paraclete.

* That he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, alleluia.

℣ For if I do not go away, the Paraclete will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.

℟ That he may abide with you forever, the Spirit of truth, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benediction. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

℟ Amen.

Lesson 8

In order to make known also the truth of the Lord's Resurrection, we should note what Luke reports, saying: While eating with them, he commanded them not to depart from Jerusalem. And a little later: While they looked on, he was lifted up, and a cloud received him from their sight. Mark the words, take note of the mysteries. While eating with them, he was lifted up. He ate, and he ascended: so that, precisely through the effect of eating, the reality of the flesh might be made plain. Mark, moreover, before the Lord ascends into heaven, recalls that he rebuked the disciples for the hardness of their heart and unbelief. In which matter what is to be considered, if not that the Lord then rebuked the disciples precisely as he was bodily departing from them, so that the words he spoke as he departed might remain more deeply impressed in the hearts of those who heard them?

℣ But you, O Lord, have mercy on us.

℟ Thanks be to God.

℟ You make the clouds your chariot, O Lord:

* Who walk upon the wings of the winds, alleluia.

℣ You have put on praise and beauty, clothed in light as in a garment.

℟ Who walk upon the wings of the winds, alleluia.

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

℟ Who walk upon the wings of the winds, alleluia.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

℟ Amen.

Lesson 9

Therefore, their hardness of heart having been rebuked, let us hear what he instructs them to do: Go into the whole world and preach the Gospel to every creature. Surely, my brothers, the holy Gospel was not to be preached to insensible things or to brute animals, so that it should be said to the disciples of it: Preach to every creature? But by the name of every creature, man is signified. For man has something in common with every creature. He shares being with stones, life with trees, sensation with animals, understanding with angels. If, therefore, man has something in common with every creature, man, in a certain respect, is every creature. To every creature, therefore, the Gospel is preached, when it is preached to man alone.

℣ 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.

Oratio

℣ Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.

℟ Et clamor meus ad te véniat.

Orémus.

Concéde, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui hodiérna die Unigénitum tuum, Redemptórem nostrum, ad cælos ascendísse crédimus; ipsi quoque mente in cæléstibus habitémus.

Per eúmdem Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.

℟ Amen.

℣ O Lord, hear my prayer.

℟ And let my cry come before you.

Let us pray.

Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we who believe that your Only Begotten Son, our Redeemer, ascended this day to the heavens, may ourselves dwell in mind among heavenly things.

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

℟ Amen.

Conclusio

℣ Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.

℟ Et clamor meus ad te véniat.

℣ Benedicámus Dómino.

℟ Deo grátias.

℣ Fidélium ánimæ per misericórdiam Dei requiéscant in pace.

℟ 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.