[Officium]
Common of a Confessor not a Bishop

[Missa]
Os justi

[Ant Vespera]
Lord, Thou deliverest unto me five talents * behold, I have gained beside them five talents more.
Well done, thou good servant, * thou hast been faithful in a very little, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
A faithful and wise servant * whom his Lord hath made ruler over His household.
Blessed is that servant * whom his Lord, when He cometh and knocketh at the door, shall find watching.
Thou good and faithful servant, * enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

[Ant 1]
I will liken him unto a wise man, * which built his house upon a rock.

[Oratio]
O God, Who, year by year, dost gladden us by the solemn feast-day of thy blessed confessor N., mercifully grant unto all who keep his birthday, grace to follow after the pattern of his godly conversation.
$Per Dominum.

[Nocturn 2 Versum]
V. The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom.
R. And his tongue talketh judgment.

[Nocturn 3 Versum]
V. The law of his God is in his heart.
R. None of his steps shall slide.

[Lectio1]
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
!Sir 31:8-11
8 Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures.
9 Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
10 Who hath been tried thereby, and made perfect, he shall have glory everlasting. He that could have transgressed, and hath not transgressed: and could do evil things, and hath not done them:
11 Therefore are his goods established in the Lord, and all the church of the saints shall declare his alms

[Lectio2]
!Sir 32:18-20; 32:28; 33:1-3
18 He that feareth the Lord, will receive his discipline: and they that will seek him early, shall find a blessing.
19 He that seeketh the law, shall be filled with it: and he that dealeth deceitfully, shall meet with a stumblingblock therein.
20 They that fear the Lord, shall find just judgment, and shall kindle justice as a light.
28 He that believeth God, taketh heed to the commandments: and he that trusteth in him, shall fare never the worse.
1 No evils shall happen to him that feareth the Lord, but in temptation God will keep him, and deliver him from evils. 
2 A wise man hateth not the commandments and justices, and he shall not be dashed in pieces as a ship in a storm. 
3 A man of understanding is faithful to the law of God, and the law is faithful to him.

[Responsory2]
R. The righteous shall grow as the lily;
* Yea, he shall flourish in the presence of the Lord for ever.
V. Those that be planted in the house of the Lord, shall flourish in the courts of the house of our God.
R. Yea, he shall flourish in the presence of the Lord for ever.

[Lectio3]
!Sir 34:14-20
14 The spirit of those that fear God; is sought after, and by his regard shall be blessed. 
15 For their hope is on him that saveth them, and the eyes of God are upon them that love him.
16 He that feareth the Lord shall tremble at nothing, and shall not be afraid for he is his hope.
17 The soul of him that feareth the Lord is blessed.
18 To whom doth he look, and who in his strength?
19 The eyes of the Lord are upon them that fear him, he is their powerful protector, and strong stay, a defence from the heat, and a cover from the sun at noon,
20 A preservation from stumbling, and a help from falling; he raiseth up the soul, and enlighteneth the eyes, and giveth health, and life, and blessing.

[Responsory3]
R. This is he which knew righteousness, and saw great wonders, and made his prayer unto the Most High;
* And he is numbered among the Saints.
V. This is he which loved not his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R. And he is numbered among the Saints.

[Lectio4]
From the Sermons of St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch (of Constantinople.)
!On St Philogonius, Tom. iii.
The blessed N., whose Feast we are this day keeping, doth justly call on our tongue to tell what great deeds he wrought. To-day did that blessed servant of God pass into that higher life, which is a life of peace, a life where there is no trouble. To-day his ship reached that harbour whereafter wreck is to be dreaded no more. He hath felt trouble and anguish of spirit for the last time. And wherefore marvel we that that place is one where the mind is vexed no more, when we remember that Paul saith, even to men living here in this life: Rejoice evermore, pray without ceasing? (1 Thess. v. 16, 17.)

[Responsory4]
R. The Lord made him honourable, and defended him from his enemies, and kept him safe from those that lay in wait for him;
* And gave him perpetual glory.
V. He went down with him into the pit, and left him not in bonds.
R. And gave him perpetual glory.

[Lectio5]
Here there are sicknesses, here there are strivings, here there are untimely deaths, here there are lies, here there are jealousies, here there are troubles, here there is anger, here there are lustings, here there are pit-falls unnumbered, here there are daily cares, here one evil followeth after another, and all bring vexation. And yet Paul hath it that even here a man may rejoice evermore, if he will but raise his head above the flood of earthly things, and order his life aright. How much better shall we fare when we have passed away from all these things, and all these things are taken away from us, when we shall have no illhealth, nor disease, nor matter wherein to sin, when that hard thing, right of property, shall exist no more, whereby all unrighteousness cometh into this life, and strifes unnumbered are begotten.

[Responsory5]
R. The Lord loved him and beautified him; He clothed him with a robe of glory,
* And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.
V. The Lord hath put on him the breast-plate of faith, and hath adorned him.
R. And crowned him at the gates of Paradise.

[Lectio6]
In this verily do I most chiefly rejoice, for the happiness of that holy servant of God, in that, being taken away hence, and having found here no abiding city, he is become a citizen of that other city, which is the city of the living God from the Church here he is gone, but hie is come unto the Church of the first-born, which are written in heaven, (Heb. xii. 22, 23); he keepeth holiday with us no more, but he is passed to where he holdeth high festival with Angels. And what be that city, and that Church, and that festival above, Paul biddeth us know, saying Ye are come unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and unto the Church of the first-born which are written in heaven, and to an innumerable company of Angels.

[Responsory6]
R. This is he which did according unto all that God commanded him; and God said unto him: Enter thou into My rest,
* For thee have I seen righteous before Me among all people.
V. This is he which loved not his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom.
R. For thee have I seen righteous before Me among all people.
&Gloria
R. For thee have I seen righteous before Me among all people.

[Lectio7]
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
!Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: Let your loins be girded about, and your lights burning. And so on.
_
Homily by Pope St. Gregory (the Great.)
!13th on the Gospels.
Dearly beloved brethren, the words of the Holy Gospel, which have just been read, lie open before you, and, lest their very plainness should make them seem to some to be hard, we will go through them with such shortness as that neither may they which understand not remain unenlightened, nor they which understand be wearied. The Lord saith Let your loins be girded about. Now, we gird our loins about, when by continency we master the lustful inclination of the flesh. But, forasmuch as it sufficeth not for a man to abstain from evil deeds, if he strive not to join thereto the earnest doing of good works, it is immediately added And your lights burning. Our lights burn when, by good works, we give bright example to our neighbour; concerning which works the Lord saith Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father Which is in heaven. (Matth. v. 16.)

[Responsory7]
R. This is he which wrought great wonders before God, and praised the Lord with all his heart.
* May he pray for all people, that their sins may be forgiven unto them.
V. Behold a man without blame, a worshipper of God in truth, keeping himself clean from every evil work, and abiding still in his innocency.
R. May he pray for all people, that their sins may be forgiven unto them.

[Lectio8]
Here, then, are two commandments, to gird our loins about, and to keep our lights burning the cleanness of purity in our body, and the light of the truth in our works. Whoso hath the one and not the other, pleaseth not thereby our Redeemer; that is, he pleaseth Him not which doth good works, but bridleth not himself from the pollutions of lust, neither he which is eminent in chastity, but exerciseth not himself in good works. Neither is chastity a great thing without good works, nor good works anything without chastity. And if any man do both, it remaineth that he must look by hope toward our Fatherland above, and not have for his reason wherethrough he turneth himself away from vice, the love of honour in this present world.

[Lectio9]
And ye yourselves like unto men that wait for their lord, when he will return from the wedding that, when he cometh and knocketh, they may open unto him immediately. The Lord cometh at the hour of judgment He knocketh when, by the pains of sickness, He biddeth us know that death is nigh. To Him open we immediately, if we receive Him in love. Whoso feareth to leave this body, will not open to the Judge when He knocketh, for he dreadeth to see that Judge, Whom he knoweth that he hath despised. But whosoever knoweth that his hope and works are built upon a good foundation, when he heareth the Judge knock, openeth to Him immediately, for to such an one that coming is blessed, yea, when the hour of death is at hand, such an one haileth with gladness a glorious reward.
&teDeum

[Capitulum Laudes]
!Sir 31:8-9
v. Blessed is the rich man that is found without blemish: and that hath not gone after gold, nor put his trust in money nor in treasures. Who is he, and we will praise him? for he hath done wonderful things in his life.
$Deo gratias

[Hymnus Laudes]
v. Jesu, eternal truth sublime,
Through endless years the same!
Thou crown of those who through all time
Confess thy holy name:
_
Thy suppliant people, through the prayer
Of thy blest saint, forgive;
For his dear sake, thy wrath forbear,
And bid our spirits live.
_
Again returns the sacred day,
With heavenly glory bright,
Which saw him go upon his way
Into the realms of light.
_
All objects of our vain desire,
All earthly joys and gains,
To him were but as filthy mire;
And now with thee he reigns.
_
Thee, Jesu, his all-gracious Lord,
Confessing to the last,
He trod beneath him Satan's fraud,
And stood forever fast.
_
In holy deeds of faith and love,
In fastings and in prayers,
His days were spent; and now above
Thy heavenly feast he shares.
_
Then, for his sake thy wrath lay by,
And hear us while we pray;
And pardon us, O thou most high,
On this his festal day.
_
* All glory to the Father be;
And sole Incarnate Son;
Praise, holy Paraclete, to thee;
While endless ages run.
Amen.

[Ant 2]
Well done, thou good and faithful servant; * thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.

[Lectio Prima]
!Wis 10:10
v. She conducted the just, when he fled from his brother's wrath, through the right ways, and showed him the kingdom of God, and gave him the knowledge of the holy things, made him honourable in his labours, and accomplished his labours.

[Capitulum Sexta]
!Sir 39:6
v. The righteous will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.
$Deo gratias

[Responsory Breve Sexta]
R.br. The mouth of the righteous * speaketh wisdom.
R. The mouth of the righteous * speaketh wisdom.
V. And his tongue talketh judgment.
R. The righteous speaketh wisdom.
&Gloria
R. The mouth of the righteous * speaketh wisdom.

[Responsory Breve Nona]
R.br. The law of his God * is in his heart.
R. The law of his God * is in his heart.
V. None of his steps shall slide.
R. In his heart.
&Gloria
R. The law of his God * is in his heart.

[Ant 3]
Lo, a servant of God * who esteemed but little things earthly. And by word and work laid him up treasure in heaven.

[Lectio1 in 2 loco]
Lesson from the book of Wisdom
!Wis 4:7-14
7 But the just man, if he be prevented with death, shall be in rest. 
8 For venerable old age is not that of long time, nor counted by the number of years: but the understanding of a man is grey hairs. 
9 And a spotless life is old age. 
10 He pleased God and was beloved, and living among sinners he was translated.
11 He was taken away lest wickedness should alter his understanding, or deceit beguile his soul. 
12 For the bewitching of vanity obscureth good things, and the wandering of concupiscence overturneth the innocent mind. 
13 Being made perfect in a short space, he fulfilled a long time: 
14 For his soul pleased God: therefore he hastened to bring him out of the midst of iniquities:

[Lectio2 in 2 loco]
!Wis 4:14-19
14 but the people see this, and understand not, nor lay up such things in their hearts:
15 That the grace of God, and his mercy is with his saints, and that he hath respect to his chosen.
16 But the just that is dead, condemneth the wicked that are living, and youth soon ended, the long life of the unjust. 
17 For they shall see the end of the wise man, and shall not understand what God hath designed for him, and why the Lord hath set him in safety. 
18 They shall see him, and shall despise him: but the Lord shall laugh them to scorn. 
19 And they shall fall after this without honour, and be a reproach among the dead for ever: for he shall burst them puffed up and speechless, and shall shake them from the foundations, and they shall be utterly laid waste:

[Lectio3 in 2 loco]
!Wis 4:19-20; 5:1-5
19 they shall be in sorrow, and their memory shall perish. 
20 They shall come with fear at the thought of their sins, and their iniquities shall stand against them to convict them. 
1 Then shall the just stand with great constancy against those that have afflicted them, and taken away their labours. 
2 These seeing it, shall be troubled with terrible fear, and shall be amazed at the suddenness of their unexpected salvation. 
3 Saying within themselves, repenting, and groaning for anguish of spirit: These are they, whom we had some time in derision, and for a parable of reproach. 
4 We fools esteemed their life madness, and their end without honour. 
5 Behold how they are numbered among the children of God, and their lot is among the saints.

[Lectio7 in 2 loco]
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
!Luke 12:32-35
At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: Fear not, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom. And so on.
_
Homily by the Venerable Bede, Priest at Jarrow, and Doctor of the Church.
!Bk. iv. Ch. 54 on Luke xii.
The elect are called a little flock, perchance because the reprobate are far more in number than they, but, more probably, because they love to be lowly, since it is God's will that however much His Church should grow in numbers, she should grow with lowliness even unto the end of the world, and should enter lowly into that kingdom which is hers by His promise. That kingdom He promiseth to her here, when He biddeth her to seek only the kingdom of God, and, to comfort her in her travail, He doth so sweetly and so graciously say that her Father will give it to her.

[Lectio8 in 2 loco]
Sell that ye have and give alms. Fear not, He saith, lest, while ye fight for the kingdom of God, ye should lack such things as are needful for this life, nay rather, sell even that which ye have, and give alms. This doth, whosoever for the Lord's sake leaveth all that he hath, and then worketh with his hands, that so he may have to eat, and withal to give alms. In this doth the Apostle boast himself, saying I have coveted no man's silver, or gold, or apparel, as ye yourselves know for these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me. I have showed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak. (Acts xx. 33, 34, 35.)

[Lectio9 in 2 loco]
Provide yourselves bags which wax not old that is to say, by almsgiving, the reward thereof remaineth for ever. Nevertheless, we must not think here that this commandment forbiddeth the Saints to keep money for their own use, and for helping of the poor. The Lord Himself, to Whom Angels ministered, had a bag, and kept therein that which the faithful people gave unto Him (John xii. 6,) to relieve therewith the need of His disciples, and other poor folk. But we are commanded not to serve God for gain, nor to work unrighteousness for fear of poverty.
&teDeum

[Lectio7 in 3 loco]
From the Holy Gospel according to Luke
!Luke 19:12-25
At that time, Jesus spoke this parable unto His disciples: A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom and to return. And so on.
_
Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop (of Milan.)
!Book viii. on Luke.
It is well ordered that, being about to call the Gentiles, and to command the destruction of those Jews, who would not have Christ to reign over them, He should put forth first this parable; lest it should be said He had given the Jews no means of becoming better. How can they be asked to repay who have received nothing? That is not a piece of silver of little worth, which, when the woman before mentioned in this Gospel (xv. 8) hath lost, she lighteth a candle, and sweepeth the house, and searcheth diligently until she findeth it.

[Lectio8 in 3 loco]
A single pound one gained ten and another five pounds. Perchance by him which had the five pounds is signified he which practiseth well, since the body hath five senses, and by him which had the ten, that is, double the other, he which is learned and orthodox in the deep things of doctrine, as well as upright in his practical life. Hence also in Matthew we have five talents and two talents the five talents signifying good practice, and the two talents precept and practice together. So that that which counteth as the greater number is but a fraction of the lesser number.

[Lectio9 in 3 loco]
And here we may also understand by the ten pounds the ten words, that is, the Commandments, and by the five pounds, the enforcement of their teaching. But I would that a lawyer should be in all things perfect. For the kingdom of God is not in word but in power. (1 Cor. iv. 20.) Meet also is it, that, in speaking of Jews, Christ should represent only two as bringing in increased capital, for these talents are talents not of money but of grace, and to increase money by usury is a very different thing from improving heavenly revelation by the like means.
&teDeum

[Introitus]
!Ps 36:30-31
v. The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. (Alléluia, alléluia.)
!Ps 36:1
Be not vexed over evildoers, nor jealous of those who do wrong.
&Gloria
v. The mouth of the just man tells of wisdom, and his tongue utters what is right. The law of his God is in his heart. (Alléluia, alléluia.)

[Oratio] (ad missam)
O God, Who gladden us with the annual feast of blessed N., Your Confessor, mercifully grant that, while honoring the anniversary of his death, we may also imitate his deeds.
$Per Dominum

[Lectio]
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
!Sir 31:8-11
Happy the man found without fault, who turns not aside after gain, nor puts his trust in money nor in treasures! Who is he, that we may praise him? For he has done wonders in his life. He has been tested by gold and come off safe, and this remains his glory forever; he could have sinned but did not, could have done evil but would not, so that his possessions are secure in the Lord, and the assembly of the Saints shall recount his alms.

[Graduale]
!Ps 91:13; 91:14
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
!Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night. Alleluia, alleluia.
!Jas 1:12
V. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life. Alleluia.

[GradualeP]
Alleluia, alleluia.
!Jas 1:12
Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he shall receive the crown of life. Alleluia.
!Ecclus 45:9
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him; He clothed him with a robe of glory. Alleluia.

[Tractus]
!Ps 91:13; 91:14
The just man shall flourish like the palm tree, like a cedar of Lebanon shall he grow in the house of the Lord.
!Ps 91:3
V. To proclaim Your kindness at dawn and Your faithfulness throughout the night.
!Ps 111:1-3.
Happy the man who fears the Lord, who greatly delights in His commands.
V. His posterity shall be mighty upon the earth; the upright generation shall be blessed.
V. Wealth and riches shall be in his house; his generosity shall endure forever.

[Evangelium]
Continuation ++ of the Holy Gospel according to Luke
!Luke 12:35-40
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Let your loins be girt about and your lamps burning, and you yourselves like men waiting for their master’s return from the wedding; so that when he comes and knocks, they may straight-way open to him. Blessed are those servants whom the master, on his return, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will gird himself, and will make them recline at table, and will come and serve them. And if he comes in the second watch, and if in the third, and finds them so, blessed are those servants! But of this be assured, that if the householder had known at what hour the thief was coming, he would certainly have watched, and not have let his house be broken into. You also must be ready, because at an hour that you do not expect, the Son of Man is coming.

[Secreta]
We offer You sacrifices of praise, O Lord, in memory of Your Saints; trusting that by them we may be delivered from both present and future evils.
$Per Dominum

[Postcommunio]
Refreshed with heavenly food and drink, we humbly pray You, our God, that we also may be helped by his prayers in memory of whom we have partaken of these gifts.
$Per Dominum