S. Antonii de Padua Confessoris

Nocturn 1

Ant. The Lord our God has been mindful * for ever of his covenant.

Psalm 104(1-15)

104:1 Give praise to the Lord and call upon his name: * declare his works among the nations.
104:2 Sing to him, and sing praise to him: * tell all his wondrous works.
104:3 Be praised in his holy name: * let the heart of those who seek the Lord rejoice.
104:4 Seek the Lord, and be confirmed: * seek his face always.
104:5 Remember his miracles, which he has done: * his portents, and the judgments of his mouth:
104:6 You offspring of Abraham his servant: * you sons of Jacob, his elect.
104:7 He is the Lord our God: * his judgments are throughout the entire earth.
104:8 He has remembered his covenant for all ages: * the word that he entrusted to a thousand generations,
104:9 which he assigned to Abraham: * and his oath to Isaac:
104:10 And he stationed the same for Jacob with a precept: * and for Israel with an eternal testament:
104:11 saying: To you I will give the land of Canaan, * the allotment of your inheritance.
104:12 Though they may have been but a small number, * very few, and foreigners there:
104:13 and though they passed from nation to nation, * and from one kingdom to another people.
104:14 He allowed no man to harm them: * and he reproved kings on their behalf.
104:15 Do not be willing to touch my anointed ones: * and do not be willing to malign my prophets.

℣ 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 our God has been mindful for ever of his covenant.

Ant. The Lord increased * his people: and strengthened them against their enemies.

Psalm 104(16-27)

104:16 And he called a famine upon the land: * and he crushed every foundation of the bread.
104:17 He sent a man before them: * Joseph, who had been sold as a slave.
104:18 They humbled his feet in shackles; the iron pierced his soul, * until his word arrived.
104:19 The eloquence of the Lord inflamed him: * the king sent, and released him; the ruler of the peoples, and he dismissed him.
104:21 He established him as master of his house: * and ruler of all his possessions:
104:22 so that he might instruct his princes as himself: * and teach his elders prudence.
104:23 And Israel entered into Egypt: * and Jacob became a sojourner in the land of Ham.
104:24 And he helped his people greatly: * and he strengthened them over their enemies.
104:25 He turned their heart to hate his people: * and to deal deceitfully with his servants.
104:26 He sent Moses, his servant: * and Aaron, the one whom he chose.
104:27 He placed with them signs of his word: * and portents in the land of Ham.

℣ 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 increased his people: and strengthened them against their enemies.

Ant. God led out * his people in exultation, and his chosen ones in gladness.

Psalm 104(28-45)

104:28 He sent darkness and made it conceal: * and he did not afflict them with his speech.
104:29 He turned their waters into blood: * and he slaughtered their fish.
104:30 Their land brought forth frogs: * even in the inner chambers of their kings.
104:31 He spoke, and there came forth common flies: * and gnats, in every region.
104:32 He gave them a shower of hail: * and a burning fire, in the same land.
104:33 And he struck their vineyards and their fig trees: * and he crushed the trees of their region.
104:34 He spoke, and the locust came forth, and the caterpillar, * of which there was no number:
104:35 And it devoured all the grass in their land: * and it consumed all the fruit of their land.
104:36 And he struck all the first-born in their land: * the first-fruits of all their labor.
104:37 And he led them out with silver and gold: * and there was not an infirm one among their tribes.
104:38 Egypt was joyful at their departure: * for the fear of them lay heavy upon them.
104:39 He spread a cloud for their protection: * and a fire, to give them light through the night.
104:40 They petitioned, and the quail came: * and he satisfied them with the bread of heaven.
104:41 He ruptured the rock and the waters flowed: * rivers gushed in the dry land;
104:42 For he had called to mind his holy word: * which he kept near to his servant Abraham.
104:43 And he led forth his people in exultation, * and his elect in rejoicing.
104:44 And he gave them the regions of the Gentiles: * and they possessed the labors of the peoples:
104:45 So that they might observe his justifications, * and inquire about his law.

℣ 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 led out his people in exultation, and his chosen ones in gladness.

℣ The Lord was mindful of his holy word.

℟ Which he spoke to Abraham, his servant.

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.

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benedictio. May the eternal Father bless us with his everlasting blessing.

Reading 1

From the First Book of Kings

1 Reg 9:1-4

1 Now there was a man of Benjamin, whose name was Kish, the son of Abiel, the son of Zeror, the son of Becorath, the son of Aphiah, the son of a man of Benjamin, strong and robust.
2 And he had a son called Saul, an elect and good man. And there was not a man among the sons of Israel better than he was. For he stood head and shoulders above all the people.
3 Now the donkeys of Kish, the father of Saul, had become lost. And Kish said to his son Saul, ‘Take with you one of the servants, and rising up, go out and seek the donkeys.’ And when they had passed through mount Ephraim,
4 and through the land of Shalishah, and had not found them, they crossed also through the land of Shaalim, and they were not there, and through the land of Benjamin, and they found nothing.

℟ I have sinned beyond the number of the sands of the sea, and my sins have been multiplied; and I am not worthy to look up to the height of heaven because of the multitude of my iniquity, for I have provoked your anger,

And have done evil before you.

℣ For I acknowledge my iniquity, and my transgression is ever before me; because against you only have I sinned.

℟ And have done evil before you.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 2

1 Reg 9:5-8

5 And when they had arrived in the land of Zuph, Saul said to the servant who was with him: 'Come, and let us return, otherwise perhaps my father may forget the donkeys, and become anxious over us.'
6 And he said to him: 'Behold, there is a man of God in this city, a noble man. All that he says, happens without fail. Now therefore, let us go there, if perhaps he may reveal to us our way, because of which we have come.'
7 And Saul said to his servant: 'Behold, let us go. But what will we bring to the man of God? The bread in our sacks has run out, and we have no small gift to give to the man of God, nor anything else.'
8 The servant again responded to Saul, and he said: 'Behold, there is found in my hand a coin of the fourth part of a stater. Let us give it to the man of God, so that he may reveal to us our way.'

℟ You have heard, O Lord, the prayer of your servant, that I should build a temple for your name:

Bless and sanctify this house for evermore, O God of Israel.

℣ O Lord, who keep your covenant with your servants who walk before you with their whole heart.

℟ Bless and sanctify this house for evermore, O God of Israel.

℟ Hear, O Lord, the hymn and prayer which your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open, and your ears attentive,

Over this house day and night.

℣ Look down, O Lord, from your sanctuary, and from the high dwelling place of the heavens.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℣ 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.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benedictio. May the mercy of Christ lead us to the joys of paradise.

Reading 3

1 Reg 9:14-17

14 And they ascended into the city. And as they were walking in the midst of the city, Samuel appeared, advancing to meet them, so that he might ascend to the high place.
15 Now the Lord had revealed to the ear of Samuel, one day before Saul had arrived, saying:
16 'Tomorrow, at the same hour that it is now, I will send to you a man from the land of Benjamin. And you shall anoint him to be the leader over my people Israel. And he shall free my people from the hand of the Philistines, for I have looked upon my people, because their cry has come to me.'
17 And when Samuel had caught sight of Saul, the Lord said to him: 'Behold, the man about whom I spoke to you. This one shall rule over my people.'

℟ Hear, O Lord, the hymn and prayer which your servant prays before you this day, that your eyes may be open, and your ears attentive,

Over this house day and night.

℣ Look down, O Lord, from your sanctuary, and from the high dwelling place of the heavens.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℣ 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.

℟ Over this house day and night.

℟ Prepare your hearts to the Lord, and serve him alone:

And he will deliver you from the hands of your enemies.

℣ Turn to him with your whole heart, and put away the foreign gods from your midst.

℣ Put away the foreign gods from your midst.

℟ And he will deliver you from the hands of your enemies.

Nocturn 2

Ant. The Lord saved them * for his name's sake.

Psalm 105(1-15)

105:1 Confess to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy is with every generation.
105:2 Who will declare the powers of the Lord, * who will make a hearing for all his praises?
105:3 Blessed are those who keep judgment, * and who do justice at all times.
105:4 Remember us, O Lord, with good will for your people: * visit us with your salvation:
105:5 so that we may see the goodness of your elect, so that we may rejoice in the joy of your nation: * so that you may be praised along with your inheritance.
105:6 We have sinned, as have our fathers: * we have acted unjustly; we have wrought iniquity.
105:7 Our fathers did not understand your miracles in Egypt: * they did not remember the multitude of your mercies.
105:7 And they provoked you, while going up to the sea, * the Red Sea.
105:8 And he saved them for the sake of his name: * so that he might make known his power.
105:9 And he rebuked the Red Sea, and it dried up, * and he led them into the abyss, as if into a desert.
105:10 And he saved them from the hand of those who hated them: * and he redeemed them from the hand of the enemy.
105:11 And the water covered those who troubled them: * not one of them remained.
105:12 And they believed his words: * and they sang his praises.
105:13 As soon as they had finished, they forgot his works: * and they would not endure his counsel.
105:14 And they coveted their desire in the desert: * and they tempted God in a waterless place.
105:15 And he granted to them their request: * and he sent abundance into their souls.

℣ 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 saved them for his name's sake.

Ant. They forgot God * who saved them.

Psalm 105(16-31)

105:16 And they provoked Moses in the camp: * and Aaron, the holy one of the Lord.
105:17 The earth opened and swallowed Dathan: * and it covered the congregation of Abiram.
105:18 And a fire broke out in their congregation: * a flame burned up the sinners.
105:19 And they fashioned a calf at Horeb, * and they adored a graven image.
105:20 And they exchanged their glory * for the likeness of a calf that eats hay.
105:21 They forgot God, who saved them, * who did great things in Egypt, wonders in the land of Ham, and terrible things at the Red Sea.
105:23 And he said that he would destroy them: * yet Moses, his elect, stood firm before him in the breach,
105:24 in order to avert his wrath, lest he destroy them: * and they held the desirable land to be nothing.
105:25 They did not trust in his word, and they murmured in their tabernacles: * they did not heed the voice of the Lord.
105:26 And he lifted up his hand over them: * in order to prostrate them in the desert:
105:27 and in order to cast their offspring among the nations: * and to scatter them among the regions.
105:28 And they were initiated into Baal of Peor: * and they ate the sacrifices of the dead.
105:29 And they provoked him with their inventions: * and ruination was multiplied in them.
105:30 Then Phinehas stood up and placated him: * and so the violent disturbance ceased.
105:31 And it was reputed to him unto justice: * from generation to generation, even forever.

℣ 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 forgot God who saved them.

Ant. When they were in tribulation * the Lord saw them: and heard their prayer.

Psalm 105(32-48)

105:32 And they provoked him at the Waters of Contradiction: * and Moses was afflicted because of them,
105:33 for they exasperated his spirit: * and so he divided them with his lips.
105:35 And they were mixed among the Gentiles, and they learned their works; and they served their graven images: * and it became a scandal to them.
105:37 And they sacrificed their sons, * and their daughters, to demons.
105:38 And they shed innocent blood: * the blood of their sons and of their daughters, which they sacrificed to the graven images of Canaan.
105:39 And the land was infected with bloodshed, and was contaminated with their works: * and they fornicated according to their own inventions.
105:40 And the Lord became furiously angry with his people: * and he abhorred his inheritance.
105:41 And he handed them over into the hands of the nations: * and those who hated them held dominion over them.
105:42 And their enemies afflicted them, and they were humbled under their hands: * many times he delivered them.
105:43 But they provoked him with their counsel: * and they were brought low by their iniquities.
105:44 And he saw, when they were in tribulation: * and he heard their prayer.
105:45 And he was mindful of his covenant: * and he repented according to the multitude of his mercies.
105:46 And he provided for them with mercies * in the sight of all those who had seized them.
105:47 Save us, O Lord our God: * and gather us from the nations:
105:47 That we may give thanks to your holy name: * and glory in your praise.
105:48 Blessed is the Lord, the God of Israel, from age to age: * and let all the people say: Amen. Amen.

℣ 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. When they were in tribulation the Lord saw them: and heard their prayer.

℣ The mouth of the just man shall meditate wisdom.

℟ And his tongue shall speak judgment.

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.

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 4

Anthony, born of honorable parents at Lisbon in Portugal and educated devoutly by them, as a young man entered the institute of the Canons Regular. But when the bodies of the Blessed Five Martyrs of the Order of Friars Minor were being transferred to Coimbra — they had suffered shortly before at Morocco for the faith of Christ — inflamed with desire for martyrdom he transferred to the Franciscan Order. Soon impelled by the same ardor, he set out to go to the Saracens; but, afflicted by adverse health and compelled to return, when the ship was heading for the shores of Spain, he was driven by the force of winds to Sicily.

℟ The Lord made him honorable, and guarded him from his enemies, and protected him from those who would lead him astray:

And gave him everlasting glory.

℣ The Lord led the just man by straight paths, and showed him the kingdom of God.

℟ And gave him everlasting glory.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 5

He came from Sicily to the general chapter at Assisi: from there he withdrew to the hermitage of Mount Paul in Aemilia, where he spent a long time in divine contemplations, fasts, and vigils. Afterward, having been ordained to sacred orders and sent to preach the Gospel, he advanced so greatly in wisdom and abundance of speech, and aroused such admiration for himself, that the Supreme Pontiff, hearing him preach on a certain occasion, called him the Ark of the Covenant. Above all he overthrew heresies with the greatest force, and was therefore called the perpetual Hammer of heretics.

℟ The Lord loved him and adorned him: he clothed him with a robe of glory,

And at the gates of paradise he crowned him.

℣ The Lord clothed him with the breastplate of faith, and adorned him.

℟ And at the gates of paradise he crowned him.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 6

The first of his order, on account of the excellence of his learning, he lectured on sacred scripture at Bologna and elsewhere, and presided over the studies of his brethren. After traveling through many provinces, he came in the year before his death to Padua, where he left illustrious monuments of his holiness. Finally, having performed great labors for the glory of God, renowned for his merits and miracles, he fell asleep in the Lord on the Ides of June in the year of salvation one thousand two hundred and thirty-one. Gregory the Ninth, Supreme Pontiff, enrolled him in the number of the holy Confessors; and Pius the Twelfth, by decree of the Sacred Congregation of Rites, declared him Doctor of the universal Church.

℟ This man fulfilled all that God spoke to him, and God said to him: Enter into my rest:

For I have seen you to be just before me among all the nations.

℣ This is he who despised the life of the world, and attained the heavenly kingdoms.

℟ For I have seen you to be just before me among all the nations.

℣ 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.

℟ For I have seen you to be just before me among all the nations.

Nocturn 3

Ant. They cried out to the Lord * and he delivered them from their distress.

Psalm 106(1-14)

106:1 Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good: * for his mercy endures for ever.
106:2 Let those who have been redeemed by the Lord say so, those whom he redeemed from the hand of the enemy: * and gathered them from the regions:
106:3 From the rising of the sun and its setting: * from the north and from the sea.
106:4 They wandered in solitude in a waterless place: * they did not find the way to a city of habitation.
106:5 Hungry and thirsty: * their soul fainted within them.
106:6 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he rescued them from their necessity.
106:7 And he led them in the right way: * that they might go forth to a city of habitation.
106:8 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:9 For he has satisfied the empty soul: * and the hungry soul he has filled with good things.
106:10 Those who sat in darkness and in the shadow of death: * shackled in poverty and in iron.
106:11 For they had provoked the words of God: * and had spurned the counsel of the Most High.
106:12 And their heart was brought low with hardships: * they were weakened, and there was no one to help them.
106:13 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he freed them from their distress.
106:14 And he led them out of darkness and the shadow of death: * and he broke apart their chains.

℣ 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 cried out to the Lord and he delivered them from their distress.

Ant. They themselves saw * the works of God and his wonders.

Psalm 106(15-30)

106:15 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:16 For he has crushed the gates of brass: * and broken the iron bars.
106:17 He has taken them up from the way of their iniquity: * for they were brought low because of their injustices.
106:18 Their soul abhorred all food: * and they drew near even to the gates of death.
106:19 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he delivered them from their necessity.
106:20 He sent his word, and healed them: * and rescued them from their utter destruction.
106:21 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:22 And let them offer sacrifice with the sacrifice of praise: * and declare his works in exultation.
106:23 Those who descend to the sea in ships, * making their livelihood in the great waters:
106:24 These have seen the works of the Lord, * and his wonders in the deep.
106:25 He spoke, and a windstorm arose: * and its waves were exalted.
106:26 They ascend even to the heavens, and descend even to the abyss: * their soul wasted away in distress.
106:27 They were troubled and moved like a drunkard: * and all their wisdom was consumed.
106:28 And they cried out to the Lord in their tribulation: * and he led them out of their distress.
106:29 And he replaced the storm with a breeze: * and its waves were stilled.
106:30 And they rejoiced that it was stilled: * and he led them into the haven they desired.

℣ 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 themselves saw the works of God and his wonders.

Ant. The righteous shall see * and rejoice, and shall understand the mercies of the Lord.

Psalm 106(31-43)

106:31 Let them confess to the Lord his mercies: * and his wonders to the sons of men.
106:32 And let them exalt him in the assembly of the people: * and praise him in the chair of the elders.
106:33 He has placed rivers in the desert: * and sources of water in a waterless land.
106:34 A fruit-bearing land into brine: * because of the malice of those who dwell in it.
106:35 He has placed the desert in pools of water: * and a land without water in sources of water.
106:36 And he has gathered the hungry there: * and they have built a city of habitation.
106:37 And they sowed fields and planted vineyards: * and they yielded the fruit of their increase.
106:38 And he blessed them, and they were multiplied exceedingly: * and their cattle he did not diminish.
106:39 And they became few: * and were afflicted by the tribulation of evils and sorrow.
106:40 Contempt was poured out upon their leaders: * and he caused them to wander in trackless places and not on the way.
106:41 And he helped the poor man out of destitution: * and set families like flocks.
106:42 The upright will see and rejoice: * and every iniquity will stop its mouth.
106:43 Who is wise and will keep these things? * And who will understand the mercies of the Lord?

℣ 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 righteous shall see and rejoice, and shall understand the mercies of the Lord.

℣ The law of his God is in his heart.

℟ And his steps shall not be overthrown.

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.

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

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 7

A Reading from the holy Gospel according to John

Ioannes 19:31-37

At that time: The Jews, because it was the Preparation Day, so that the bodies would not remain on the Cross on the Sabbath (for that Sabbath was a great day), asked Pilate that their legs might be broken and they might be taken away. And so forth.

A Homily of Saint John Chrysostom

Homilia 85, alias 84 in Ioánnem, num. 3

Do you see how powerful truth is? Through the efforts of the Jews, prophecy is fulfilled. Another prediction also reaches its end. For the soldiers who came broke the legs of the others, but not those of Christ. Yet these same men, to gratify the Jews, pierce his side with a lance and inflict an indignity upon a dead body. O wicked and execrable deed! But do not be troubled, do not be cast down, beloved. For the evil they did of their own will was in defense of the truth; for there was a prophecy: They shall look upon him whom they have pierced. Nor was this the only effect; but even for those who were yet to be unbelievers, this deed served as a proof, as it did for Thomas and those like him. Beyond this, an ineffable mystery was also being accomplished. For blood and water came forth. These springs did not flow without cause or by chance, but because from these two the Church was constituted.

℟ This is he who before God worked great deeds of power, and with his whole heart praised the Lord:

May he intercede for the sins of all peoples.

℣ Behold a man without complaint, a true worshiper of God, abstaining from every evil work, and remaining in his innocence.

℟ May he intercede for the sins of all peoples.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

Benedictio. May the divine assistance remain always with us.

Reading 8

The initiated know this, those who are regenerated through water and nourished through blood and flesh. Hence the mysteries take their beginning, so that when you approach the awesome chalice, you come as if you were about to drink from that side. And he who saw it bore witness, and his witness is true. That is: I did not hear it from others, but I myself was present and saw, and his testimony is true. Rightly so indeed. He narrates a reproach, not something great and wonderful, about which you might suppose something to the contrary; but he, closing the mouths of heretics and foretelling the coming mysteries, and contemplating the treasure contained in them, recounts one by one the things that took place. And that prophecy was fulfilled: They shall not break a bone of him. For even if this was said of the lamb of the Jews, yet the figure preceded on account of the truth, and was more fully accomplished in this. Therefore he brings the prophet forward.

℟ A certain man made a great supper, and sent his servant at the hour of supper to tell those invited to come,

for all things are ready.

℣ Come, eat my bread, and drink the wine I have mixed for you.

℟ for all things are ready.

℣ 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.

℟ for all things are ready.

℣ Grant a blessing, O Lord.

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

Reading 9

Since, when offering himself as a witness, he was seen everywhere not to be regarded as credible, he brings forward Moses, to indicate that this was not by chance but had long since been foretold in writing. This is that saying: Not a bone of his will be broken. And again he lends credibility from the Prophet himself. These things I have said, he says, that you may learn how great an affinity there is between the figure and the truth. Do you see what care he takes that what seems base and ignominious should be believed? For the body being subjected to outrage by the soldier was far worse than being crucified. Nevertheless, I also said these things, he says, and said them with great diligence, that you might believe. Let no one, therefore, withhold faith, nor by shame do harm to our cause. For the things that seem most shameful are the most honorable of our goods.
We praise you, O God: * we acknowledge you as Lord.
All the earth venerates you, * O Father everlasting.
To you all Angels, * to you the Heavens and all the Powers,
to you the Cherubim and Seraphim * cry out without ceasing:
(A bow is made) Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of Sabaoth.
Full are the heavens and the earth * of the majesty of your glory.
You the glorious * choir of Apostles,
you the praiseworthy * number of Prophets,
you the white-robed * army of Martyrs praises.
You throughout the world * the holy Church confesses:
the Father * of immeasurable majesty;
your true and only * Son, worthy of all veneration;
the Holy * Spirit, the Advocate.
You are the King of glory, * O Christ.
You are the Father's * everlasting Son.
(A bow is made) You, about to take on man for his deliverance, * did not shrink from the Virgin's womb.
You, about to take on man for his deliverance, * did not shrink from the Virgin's womb.
You, having conquered the sting of death, * opened the kingdoms of heaven to believers.
You sit at the right hand of God, * in the glory of the Father.
You are believed * to be the judge to come.

(The following verse is said kneeling)

(Brethren, when they begin 'Te ergo quaesumus,' departing from the Stalls, let them reverently bow at the words 'Quos pretioso' and the rest)

We beseech you, therefore, come to the aid of your servants, * whom you have redeemed with your precious blood.
Number them among your Saints * in eternal glory.
Number them among your Saints * to receive reward in eternal glory.
Save your people, O Lord, * and bless your inheritance.
And rule them, * and lift them up for ever.
Day by day * we bless you.
(A bow is made, according to custom) And we praise your name for ever, * and for ever and ever.
And we praise your name for ever, * and for ever and ever.
Graciously keep us, O Lord, this day * without sin.
Have mercy on us, O Lord, * have mercy on us.
Let your mercy, O Lord, be upon us, * as we have hoped in you.
In you, O Lord, I have hoped: * let me not be confounded for ever.

℟ Let your loins be girded, and your lamps burning in your hands:

And you, like men awaiting their master, when he shall return from the wedding feast.

℣ Watch therefore, for you do not know at what hour your Lord is to come.

℟ And you, like men awaiting their master, when he shall return from the wedding feast.

℣ 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.

℟ And you, like men awaiting their master, when he shall return from the wedding feast.