The Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary/Commemorations
COMMEMORATIONS
I.In this Office, when a Commemoration is made of a Patron Saint, it should be at Vespers and Lauds, between the Prayer which follows the Antiphons of the Magnificat and Benedictus and the Commemoration of Saints, "Sancti Dei omnes," or "Ecce Dominus veniet."
2. The Commemorations given for Lauds and Second Vespers are taken when the Commemoration of a saint, such as that of a founder of a Religious Order, is of daily occurrence.
3. These Commemorations are from the Roman Breviary.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. JOSEPH FIRST AND SECOND VESPERS
Ant. Behold the faithful and wise steward whom the Lord set over his family.
V. Glory and wealth shall be in his house.
R. And his justice remains for ever and ever.
LAUDS
Ant. And Jesus Himself was beginning about the age of thirty years, being (as it was supposed), the son of Joseph.
V. The mouth of the just shall meditate wisdom.
R. And his tongue shall speak judgment.
Let us pray
O God, Who, in Thy wonderful providence, didst vouchsafe to choose blessed Joseph to be the spouse of Thy most holy Mother, grant, we beseech Thee, to us who venerate him as our protector on earth, to be found worthy of having him for our advocate in heaven.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. AUGUSTINE FIRST VESPERS
Ant. O thou most excellent Doctor and light of the holy Church, St. Augustine, lover of divine law, pray for us to the Son of God.
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Let us pray
Give ear to our supplications, Almighty God, and, as Thou hast given us grace to trust in Thy lovingkindness, so, by the intercession of blessed Augustine, Thy confessor and bishop, grant us of Thy goodness the fruit of Thy accustomed mercy.
LAUDS
Ant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things, says the Lord,
V. The just the Lord leadeth the righteous way.
R. And showeth him the kingdom of God.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. O thou most excellent Doctor, etc.
As at First Vespers
Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. BENEDICT FIRST VESPERS
Ant. I liken him to the wise man, who built his house upon a rock.
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Let us pray
Let the intercession of the blessed abbot, St. Benedict, we beseech Thee, O Lord, commend us unto Thee, that what by our own merits we are unworthy to receive, we may obtain by his patronage.
LAUDS
Ant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
V. The just the Lord leadeth the righteous way.
R. And showeth him the kingdom of God.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. This man, despising the world, and triumphing over terrestrial things, stored up treasures for heaven by word and deed.
Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. FRANCIS SERAPHICUS
FIRST VESPERS
Ant. I liken him to the wise man, who built his house upon a rock.
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Let us pray
O God, Who, through the merits of blessed Francis, dost enlarge Thy Church by the progeny of a new spiritual family; grant unto us that, by imitating him, we may despise terrestrial things, and ever rejoice in the participation of heavenly gifts.
LAUDS
Ant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things; enter thou into the joy k of thy Lord.
V. The just the Lord leadeth the righteous way.
R. And showeth him the kingdom of God.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. This man, despising the world and triumphing over the things of earth, stored up treasures for heaven by word and deed.
Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. CLARA FIRST VESPERS
Ant. Come, O spouse of Christ, accept the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee from eternity.
V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
R. Go forth, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Let us pray
We beseech Thee, O Lord, grant to Thy servants, who celebrate the commemoration of Thy holy virgin Clara, that, through her intercession, we may become partakers of the heavenly joys, and co-heirs of Thy only-begotten Son.
LAUDS
Ant. The kingdom of heaven is A like to a merchant seeking good pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, sold all that he had, and bought it.
V. Grace is poured abroad in thy lips.
R. Therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. Come, O spouse, etc.
As at First Vespers Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. ELIZABETH FIRST VESPERS
Ant. The kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, sold all that he had, and bought it.
V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
R. Go forth, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Let us pray
Enlighten, O God of compassion, the hearts of Thy faithful, and, through the glorious prayers of blessed Elizabeth, cause us to despise the good things of this world, and ever to delight in the consolations of heaven.
LAUDS
Ant. Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
V. Grace is poured abroad in thy lips.
R. Therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant.She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor; and hath not eaten her bread idle.
Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. DOMINIC
FIRST VESPERS
Ant. I liken him to the wise man, who built his house upon a rock.
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Let us pray
O God, Who hast vouchsafed to enlighten Thy Church by the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic, Thy confessor, grant that, through his intercession, it may not be left destitute of temporal assistance, and may continually advance in spiritual growth.
LAUDS
Ant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things; enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.
V. The just the Lord leadeth the righteous way.
R. And showeth him the kingdom of God.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. This man despising the world and triumphing over terrestrial things, stored up treasures for heaven by word and deed.
Versicle and Response as at Lauds
Let us pray
O God, Who hast vouchsafed to enlighten Thy Church by the merits and teaching of blessed Dominic, Thy confessor, grant that, through his intercession, it may not be left destitute of temporal assistance, and may continually advance in spiritual growth.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. FRANCIS DE SALES
FIRST VESPERS
Ant. O Thou most excellent doctor and light of the holy Church, St. Francis, lover of divine law, pray for us to the Son of God.
V. The Lord loved him and adorned him.
R. He clothed him with a robe of glory.
Let us pray
O God, by Whose gracious will, the blessed Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, became all things unto all men for the saving of their souls; mercifully grant that, being filled with the sweetness of Thy love, we may, directed by his counsels, and aided by his merits, attain unto the joys of the life everlasting.
LAUDS
Ant. Well done, thou good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will place thee over many things, says the Lord.
V. The just the Lord leadeth the righteous way.
R. And showeth him the kingdom of God.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. O thou most excellent teacher, light of the holy Church, St. Francis, lover of the divine law, pray for us to the Son of God.
Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. JANE FRANCES FREMIOT DE CHANTAL
FIRST VESPERS
Ant. The kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, sold all that he had, and bought it.
V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
R. Go forth, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Let us pray
Almighty and merciful God, Who, inflaming blessed Jane Frances with Thy love, didst endow her with a marvelous fortitude of spirit to pursue the way of perfection in all the duties of life, and wast pleased through her to enrich Thy Church with a new family; grant, through her merits and intercession, that we, knowing our own weakness, and trusting in Thy strength, may, by the gift of Thy heavenly grace, overcome all things that oppose us.
LAUDS
Ant. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
V. Grace is poured abroad in thy lips.
R. Therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. VINCENT DE PAUL
Antiphon, Versicle, and Response at First Vespers, Lauds, and Second Vespers are the same as for the Commemoration of St. Dominic
Let us pray
O God, Who didst strengthen w blessed Vincent with apostolic power to preach the Gospel to the poor, and advance the honor of the ecclesiastical order; grant, we beseech Thee, that, as we venerate his merits of charity, so we may be instructed by the many examples of his virtues.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. ANGELA MERICI
FIRST VESPERS
Ant. Come, O spouse of Christ, accept the crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee from eternity.
V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
R. Go forth, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Let us pray
O God, Who through the blessed Angela didst cause a new community of sacred virgins to flourish in Thy Church; grant that, through her intercession, we may live in an angelic manner, and, renouncing all earthly things, be found worthy to enjoy those that are eternal.
LAUDS
Ant. The kingdom of heaven is like to a merchant seeking good pearls, who, when he had found one pearl of great price, sold all that he had, and bought it.
V. Grace is poured abroad in thy lips.
R. Therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Ant. Come, O spouse, etc.
As at First Vespers Versicle and Response as at Lauds. Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. URSULA AND HER COMPANIONS
VESPERS AND LAUDS
Ant. Ye wise virgins, prepare your lamps: behold the Bridegroom cometh, go forth to meet Him.
V. After her shall virgins be brought unto the King.
R. Her companions shall be brought unto Thee.
Let us pray
Grant us grace, we beseech Thee, O Lord our God, to commemorate with unceasing devotion the glorious triumphs of Thy holy martyrs, Ursula and her companions: that whereas, by the feebleness of our nature, we can not duly celebrate their memory, we may at least honor them with humble service.
COMMEMORATION OF ST. FRANCIS OF ASSISI
FIRST AND SECOND VESPERS
Ant. Look down, St. Francis, from the blissful heights of heaven, and pray for thy people: pray for the children thou hast chosen, that they may ever serve before thee in the service of the sanctuary of the Lord.
V. Thou hast signed, O Lord, Thy servant Francis;
R. With the sign of our redemption.
Let us pray
O God, Who, through the merits of St. Francis, dost enlarge Thy Church by the progeny of a new off spring: grant unto us that, by imitating him, we may despise the things of this world, and be blessed in the perpetual enjoyment of Thy heavenly gifts. Through Our Lord.
LAUDS
Ant. Perfect, O Seraphic Father, the vineyard which thy right hand hath planted and hear the prayers of thy children.
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. CLARA
FIRST VESPERS
Ant. Hail, spouse of God, virgin, sacred plant of the Order of St. Francis, thou vessel of purity, thou bright model of the Sisters: St. Clara, lead us, through thy prayers, to the kingdom of heaven.
V. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
R. Go forth, proceed prosperously, and reign.
Let us pray
We beseech Thee, O Lord, grant that Thy servants, who celebrate the commemoration of Thy virgin, St. Clara, may, through her intercession, become partakers of the heavenly joys and co-heirs of Thy only begotten Son, Who liveth and reigneth, etc.
LAUDS
Ant. A new star shines forth [sprung out], a brilliant light has appeared; light of brightness [clearness] came; the splendor of heaven burst forth; for the light, which flows in upon light, willed to glorify Clara,
V. Grace is poured abroad in thy lips;
R. Therefore hath God blessed thee for ever.
Prayer as above
SECOND VESPERS
Antiphon and Prayer as at First Vespers. Versicle and Response as at Lauds
COMMEMORATION OF ST. FRANCIS DE
SALES
BOTH VESPERS
Ant. The Lord filled St. Francis with the spirit of knowledge, and he himself from the fountain of his doctrine supplied the people of God.
V. Pray for us, O blessed Father Francis,
R. That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray
O God, by Whose gracious will the blessed Francis, Thy confessor and bishop, became all things unto all men for the saving of their souls; mercifully grant that, being filled with the sweetness of Thy love, we may, through the guidance of his counsels and by the aid of his merits, attain unto the joys of the life everlasting. Through Our Lord.
LAUDS
Ant. O fruitful olive in the House of God! Blessed Francis, all aglow with the fire of charity and scintillating with the brilliancy of thy miracles, make us worthy of participating in the light and the sweetness which thou dost enjoy.
Versicle, Response, and Prayer as above
COMMEMORATION OF ST. JANE FRANCES DE CHANTAL
BOTH VESPERS
Ant. She was held in the highest esteem by all, because she feared God greatly; nor did any one speak an evil word of her.
V. The Lord was well pleased in thee.
R. And thy God rejoiced on account of thee.
Let us pray
Almighty and merciful God, Who didst bestow upon St. Jane Frances, inflamed as she was with love of Thee, through all the walks of her life, a wonderful fortitude of spirit in the pursuit of perfection, and didst will to glorify Thy Church through her by means of a new spiritual family; we beseech Thee, grant that through her merits and prayers, we, conscious of our own weakness and relying on Thy strength, may, with the help of heavenly grace, overcome all obstacles to our salvation. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.
LAUDS
Ant. She did what was pleasing to God, and walked courageously in the way which the prophet — the great and faithful one — commanded her, before the face of God.
V. She opened her mouth to wisdom.
R. And the law of mildness was on her tongue.
Prayer as above For the Feast of St. Jane Frances de Chantal (August 21) the Antiphon, Versicle, and Response are as follows for the First Vespers
Ant. Lord, Thou dost possess all knowledge and Thou knowest that Thy servant found no other pleasure than in Thee, Lord God.
V. For Thee my soul hath thirsted.
R. For Thee, my flesh, O how many ways!
Prayer as above
At Lauds: Ant. " Fecit" etc. V. " Os suum," etc.
At Second Vespers: Ant. Erat haec" etc.
V. " Complacuit" etc.