Common of a Single Martyr

Laetabitur

Grant, we beseech You, almighty God, that through the intercession of Your blessed Martyr N., we may be delivered from all afflictions of the body and cleansed from all evil thoughts of the mind. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 10:26-32

At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known. And so on.

Homily by St Hilary, Bishop (of Poitiers.)

Comm. on Matt Chap. 10

The Lord pointeth to the day of judgment, that day wherein the hidden counsels of the hearts shall be made manifest, and those things which are dark now shall be the subject of all men's knowledge. Therefore He warneth us not to fear threats, nor persuasions, nor the power of such as fight against us since in the day of judgment it will be manifest that all these things are null and void. “And what I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house-tops.” We read not that the Lord's use was to speak by night, or to tell His doctrine in darkness, but that to the carnal all His words were darkness, and to the unbelieving all His discourse night.

Therefore willeth He that that which He hath spoken, should be freely proclaimed in faith and in confession. Therefore commandeth He that that which He hath told in darkness shall be spoken in light, and that that which He hath made to be heard in the ear should be preached upon the house-tops, that is, with loud and high words. For it behoveth us ever to make God known, and to speak in the light of Apostolic preaching the dark things of the Gospel message, having no fear of them which have power over bodies, but none over our souls, but rather fearing God, Which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

Fear not them which kill the body. Therefore we need fear nothing which may chance to our bodies, nor sorrow because of the destruction of the flesh, when, according to the laws of our nature and that from whence we are taken, we are unclothed upon, and become a pure spirit. And, since it behoveth us who are rooted in such a doctrine, freely and constantly to confess God, even were it only because of the alternative whereby we are bound, He saith further: “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father, Which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father, Which is in heaven.” Such witnesses as He hath seen us to have been here to His name before men, such a Witness shall we find Him to be hereafter to our names before His Father Which is in heaven. v. We praise thee, O God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

Kneel for the following verse

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded.

Ps 63:11

v. The just man is glad in the Lord and takes refuge in Him; all the upright of heart shall be praised.

Ps 63:2

Hear, O God, my voice in my lament; from the dread enemy preserve my life. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. v. The just man is glad in the Lord and takes refuge in Him; all the upright of heart shall be praised.

Lesson from the second letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy

2 Tim. 2:8-10; 3:10-12.

Beloved: Remember that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and was descended from David; this is my Gospel, in which I suffer even to bonds, as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound. This is why I bear all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus, with heavenly glory. But you have closely followed my doctrine, my conduct, my purpose, my faith, my long-suffering, my love, my patience, my persecutions, my afflictions; such as befell me at Antioch, Iconium and Lystra - such persecutions as I suffered, and out of them all the Lord delivered me. And all who want to live piously in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.

Ps 36:24, 26

Though the just man fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him. V. All the day he is kindly and lends, and his descendants shall be blessed. Alleluia, alleluia.

John 8:12

v. He who follows Me does not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life eternal. Alleluia.

Ps 36:24, 26

Though the just man fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him. V. All the day he is kindly and lends, and his descendants shall be blessed. Alleluia, alleluia.

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.

Continuation ++ of the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 10:26-32.

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, and nothing hidden that will not be made known. What I tell you in darkness, speak it in the light; and what you hear whispered, preach it on the housetops. And do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather be afraid of Him Who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s leave. But as for you, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Therefore do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. Therefore, everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge him before My Father in heaven.

Ps 20:4-5.

O Lord, You placed on his head a crown of pure gold; he asked life of You, and You gave it to him. (Alleluia.)

May our service be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, and may it bring us salvation through the prayers of him on whose festival it is being offered. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

John 12:26.

Whoever serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am there also shall My servant be.

With our strength renewed from having shared in Your sacred gift, we beseech You, O Lord our God, that by the intercession of blessed N., Your Martyr, we may feel the benefit of the worship we are offering. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Jas 1:2-12

Dearly beloved: Esteem it all joy, my brethren, when you fall into various trials, knowing that the trying of your faith begets patience. And let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and entire, lacking nothing. But if any of you is wanting in wisdom, let him ask it of God, Who gives abundantly to all men, and does not reproach; and it will be given to him. But let him ask with faith, without hesitation. For he who hesitates is like a wave of the sea, driven and carried about by the wind. Therefore, let not such a one think that he will receive anything from the Lord, being a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. But let the brother of lowly condition glory in his high estate, and the rich man in his low condition; for he will pass away like the flower of the grass. For the sun rises with a burning heat and parches the grass, and its flower falls and the beauty of its appearance perishes. So too will the rich man wither in his ways. Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been tried, he will receive the crown of life which God has promised to those who love Him.

Continuation + of the Holy Gospel according to John

John 12:24-26

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, Amen, amen, I say to you, unless the grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone. But if it dies, it brings forth much fruit. He who loves his life, loses it; and he who hates his life in this world, keeps it unto life everlasting. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am there also shall My servant be. If anyone serves me, My Father will honor him.

Da, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui beáti N., Mártyris tui, solémnia cólimus, ejus apud te intercessiónibus adjuvémur. r. Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end. R. Amen.

Lesson from the letter of St Paul the Apostle to the Romans

Rom 8:12-19

12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh, you shall die: but if by the Spirit you mortify the deeds of the flesh, you shall live. 14 For whosoever are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. 15 For you have not received the spirit of bondage again in fear; but you have received the spirit of adoption of sons, whereby we cry: Abba, Father. 16 For the Spirit himself giveth testimony to our spirit, that we are the sons of God. 17 And if sons, heirs also; heirs indeed of God, and joint heirs with Christ: yet so, if we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified with him. 18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this time are not worthy to be compared with the glory to come, that shall be revealed in us. 19 For the expectation of the creature waiteth for the revelation of the sons of God

Rom 8:28-34

28 And we know that to them that love God, all things work together unto good, to such as, according to his purpose, are called to be saints. 29 For whom he foreknew, he also predestinated to be made conformable to the image of his Son; that he might be the firstborn amongst many brethren. 30 And whom he predestinated, them he also called. And whom he called, them he also justified. And whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who is against us? 32 He that spared not even his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how hath he not also, with him, given us all things? 33 Who shall accuse against the elect of God? God that justifieth. 34 Who is he that shall condemn? Christ Jesus that died, yea that is risen also again; who is at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.

Rom 8:35-39

35 Who then shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation? or distress? or famine? or nakedness? or danger? or persecution? or the sword? 36 As it is written: For thy sake we are put to death all the day long. We are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 But in all these things we overcome, because of him that hath loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor might, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Allelúja, allelúja.

Ps 88:6.

The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: and thy truth in the church of the saints. Alleluia.

Ps 20:4

For thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. Alleluia.

Whosoever shall confess Me * before men, him will I confess also before My Father. He that followeth Me * walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life, saith the Lord. If any man serve Me, * let him follow Me and where I am, there shall also My servant be. If any man serve Me, * him will My Father, who is in heaven, honour. Father, I will * that where I am, there shall also My servant be.

v. O God, of those that fought thy fight, Portion, and prize, and crown of light, Break every bond of sin and shame As now we praise thy martyr's name.

He recked not of the world's allure, But sin and pomp of sin forswore: Knew all their gall, and passed them by, And reached the throne prepared on high.

Bravely the course of pain he ran, And bare his torments as a man: For love of thee his blood outpoured, And thus obtained the great reward.

With humble voice and suppliant word We pray thee therefore, holy Lord, While we thy martyr's feast-day keep, Forgive thy loved and erring sheep.

* Glory and praise for aye be done To God the Father, and the Son, And Holy Ghost, who reign on high, One God, to all eternity. Amen.

v. O God, of those that fought thy fight, Portion, and prize, and crown of light, Break every bond of sin and shame As now we praise thy martyr's name.

He recked not of the world's allure, But sin and pomp of sin forswore: Knew all their gall, and passed them by, And reached the throne prepared on high.

Bravely the course of pain he ran, And bare his torments as a man: For love of thee his blood outpoured, And thus obtained the great reward.

With humble voice and suppliant word We pray thee therefore, holy Lord, While we thy martyr's feast-day keep, Forgive thy loved and erring sheep.

* Glory and praise for aye be done To God the Father, and the Son, And Holy Ghost, who reign on high, One God, to all eternity. Amen.

V. Thou hast crowned him with glory and honour, O Lord. R. And madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands.

This man is holy * for he hath striven for the law of his God even unto death, and hath not feared for the words of the ungodly; For he had his foundation upon a strong rock.

The Lord, the King of Martyrs, * O come, let us worship.

v. O God, of those that fought thy fight, Portion, and prize, and crown of light, Break every bond of sin and shame As now we praise thy martyr's name.

He recked not of the world's allure, But sin and pomp of sin forswore: Knew all their gall, and passed them by, And reached the throne prepared on high.

Bravely the course of pain he ran, And bare his torments as a man: For love of thee his blood outpoured, And thus obtained the great reward.

With humble voice and suppliant word We pray thee therefore, holy Lord, While we thy martyr's feast-day keep, Forgive thy loved and erring sheep.

* Glory and praise for aye be done To God the Father, and the Son, And Holy Ghost, who reign on high, One God, to all eternity. Amen.

v. O God, of those that fought thy fight, Portion, and prize, and crown of light, Break every bond of sin and shame As now we praise thy martyr's name.

He recked not of the world's allure, But sin and pomp of sin forswore: Knew all their gall, and passed them by, And reached the throne prepared on high.

Bravely the course of pain he ran, And bare his torments as a man: For love of thee his blood outpoured, And thus obtained the great reward.

With humble voice and suppliant word We pray thee therefore, holy Lord, While we thy martyr's feast-day keep, Forgive thy loved and erring sheep.

* Glory and praise for aye be done To God the Father, and the Son, And Holy Ghost, who reign on high, One God, to all eternity. Amen.

His delight * was in the law of the Lord day and night.;;1 The Lord hath set him * upon His holy hill, to declare His decree.;;2 I cried unto the Lord * with my voice, and He heard me out of His holy hill.;;3 O ye sons of men, * know that the Lord hath set apart him that is holy for Himself.;;4 O Lord, Thou hast compassed him * with thy favour as with a shield.;;5 Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour in all the earth.;;8 The righteous Lord * loveth righteousness; His countenance doth behold uprightness.;;10 He shall dwell * in thy tabernacle, He shall rest upon thy holy hill.;;14 O Lord, Thou hast set a crown * of precious stones upon his head.;;20

V. O Lord, Thou hast set a crown of precious stones. R. Upon his head.

V. His glory is great in thy salvation. R. Honour and great majesty shalt Thou lay upon him.

R. This man is holy, for he hath striven for the law of his God even unto death, and hath not feared for the words of the ungodly; * For he had his foundation upon a strong rock. V. This is he which loved not his life in this world, and is come unto an everlasting kingdom. R. For he had his foundation upon a strong rock.

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.

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. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. And he is numbered among the Saints.

From the Sermons of St Augustine, Bishop (of Hippo.)

44 on the Saints.

The illustrious day whereon the blessed Martyr N. conquered, doth this day come round to us again and as the Church doth rejoice with him in his glory, so doth she set before us his footsteps to be followed. For if we suffer, we shall also reign with him. In his glorious battle we have two things chiefly to consider the hardened cruelty of the tormentor, and the unconquered patience of the Martyr the cruelty of the tormentor, that we may abhor it; the patience of the Martyr, that we may imitate it. Hear what the Psalmist saith, complaining against sin: “Fret not thyself because of the evil-doers, for they shall soon dry up like the grass.” (xxxvi. 1.) But touching the patience which is to be shown against the evil-doers, hear the word wherewith the Apostle moveth us Ye have need of patience, that ye may receive the promise. (Heb. x. 36.)

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.

So the patience of the blessed Martyr was crowned, and the unchastened spite of the tormentor is given over to everlasting torture. Christ's glorious champion looked for this during his battle, and shrank not from prison. Like his Head, he bore reproach, underwent mocking, and feared not for scourges and as many sufferings as for Christ's sake he bore before he died, so many offerings did he make unto Him of himself. He had drunk in the Apostles' word and kept it deep in I him: “The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us,” (Rom. viii. 18.) “for our light affliction which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.” (2 Cor. iv. 17.) Being lifted up above earthly things by the love of this promise, andj tasting beforehand the sweetness of the heavenly peace, he was unspeakably moved, and said with the Psalmist “What have I in heaven, and what is there upon earth that desire beside thee My flesh and my heart faileth Thou art the God of my heart, and God is my portion for ever.” (lxxii. 26.)

R. Lord, Thou hast given him his heart's desire. * And hast not withholden the request of his lips. V. For Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of sweetness: Thou hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head. R. And hast not withholden the request of his lips.

For he considered, as far as man's weakness is able, through this darkness, to fix the eyes of his mind upon the eternal things, what is the gladness of the city above and being not able to tell it, he cried out wondering “What have I in heaven?” As though he would have said “It passeth my strength, it passeth the power of my utterance, it goeth beyond the reach of my understanding, what is that beauty, what is that glory, what is that exaltation, wherein, when He hath hidden us from the troubling of men, in the secret of His presence, our Lord Jesus Christ shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious Body” (Ps. xxx. 21, Phil. iii. 21.) In sight of this perfect liberty he shrank from no danger, and quailed before no suffering and if he could have died a thousand times, he would not have thought himself to have bought it at a price high enough.

R. The Lord hath put on him a robe of honour, * And put about his head a crown of joy. V. With the bread of life and understanding hath the Lord fed him, and given him the water of health and wisdom to drink. R. And put about his head a crown of joy. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. And put about his head a crown of joy.

R. A crown of gold upon his head, * Wherein is engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work. V. For Thou hast prevented him with the blessings of sweetness, Thou hast set a crown of precious stones upon his head. R. Wherein is engraved Holiness, an ornament of honour, a costly work.

R. This is a Martyr indeed, who shed his blood for Christ's Name's sake * Who feared not for the threats of judges, nor sought to be great with the glory of this world, but pressed on unto the kingdom of heaven. V. The Lord guided the righteous in right paths, and showed him the kingdom of God. R. Who feared not for the threats of judges, nor sought to be great with the glory of this world, but pressed on unto the kingdom of heaven. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Who feared not for the threats of judges, nor sought to be great with the glory of this world, but pressed on unto the kingdom of heaven.

R. O Lord, thou hast prevented him with blessings of sweetness: * Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. V. He asked life of thee: and thou hast given him length of days for ever and ever. R. Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Thou hast set on his head a crown of precious stones.

V. Ora pro nobis, beáte N.. R. Ut digni efficiámur promissiónibus Christi.

Whosoever shall confess Me * before men, him will I confess also before My Father. He that followeth Me * walketh not in darkness, but shall have the light of life, saith the Lord. If any man serve Me, * let him follow Me and where I am, there shall also My servant be. If any man serve Me, * him will My Father, who is in heaven, honour. Father, I will * that where I am, there shall also My servant be.

Jas 1:12

v. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation; for when he hath been proved, he shall receive a crown of life, which God hath promised to them that love him. R. Thanks be to God.

v. Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled To follow close God's only Son, Well didst thou brave thy battlefield, And well thy heavenly bliss was won!

Now join thy prayers with ours, who pray That God may pardon us and bless; For prayer keeps evil's plague away, And draws from life its weariness.

Long, long ago, were loosed the chains That held thy body once in thrall; For us how many a bond remains! O love of God release us all.

All praise to God the Father be, All praise to thee, Eternal Son; All praise, O Holy Ghost, to thee, While never-ending ages run. Amen.

v. Martyr of God, whose strength was steeled To follow close God's only Son, Well didst thou brave thy battlefield, And well thy heavenly bliss was won!

Now join thy prayers with ours, who pray That God may pardon us and bless; For prayer keeps evil's plague away, And draws from life its weariness.

Long, long ago, were loosed the chains That held thy body once in thrall; For us how many a bond remains! O love of God release us all.

All praise to God the Father be, All praise to thee, Eternal Son; All praise, O Holy Ghost, to thee, While never-ending ages run. Amen.

V. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree. R. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

He that hateth his life * in this world, shall keep it unto life eternal.

Sir 39:6

v. He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High.

R.br. Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour, O Lord. R. Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour, O Lord. V. And madest him to have dominion over the works of thy hands. R. Thou hast crowned him. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. Thou hast crowned him * with glory and honour, O Lord.

Sir 15:3

v. With the bread of life and understanding, she shall feed him, and give him the water of wholesome wisdom to drink: and she shall be made strong in him, and he shall not be moved. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. O Lord, Thou hast set * Upon his head. R. O Lord, Thou hast set * Upon his head. V. A Crown of precious stones. R. Upon his head. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. O Lord, Thou hast set * Upon his head.

Sir 39:6

v. He will give his heart to resort early to the Lord that made him, and he will pray in the sight of the most High. R. Thanks be to God.

R.br. His glory is great * in thy salvation. R. His glory is great * in thy salvation. V. Honour and great majesty shalt Thou lay upon him. R. In thy salvation. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. R. His glory is great * in thy salvation.

V. The righteous shall flourish like the palm-tree. R. He shall grow like a cedar in Lebanon.

If any man will come after me, * let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.

De Expositióne sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi in Psalmum centésimum décimum octávum

Sermo 21, n. 7 et 8

Príncipes persecúti sunt me gratis: et a verbis tuis trepidávit cor meum. Bene hoc Martyr dicit, quod injúste persecutiónum torménta sustineat; qui nihil rapúerit, nullum violentus oppresserit, nullius sánguinem fuderit, nullius torum putaverit esse violándum; qui nihil légibus debeat, et gravióra latronum sustinere cogátur supplícia; qui loquátur juste, et non audiátur; qui loquátur plena salútis, et impugnétur, ut possit dicere: Cum loquébar illis, impugnábant me gratis. Gratis ígitur persecutiónem pátitur, qui impugnátur sine crimine; impugnátur ut noxius cum sit in tali confessióne laudábilis; impugnátur quasi veneficus, qui in nómine Dómini gloriátur, cum pietas virtútum ómnium fundaméntum sit.

Vere frustra impugnátur, qui apud ímpios et infidos impietátis arcessitur, cum fidei sit magister. Verum, qui gratis impugnátur, fortis debet esse et constans; quómodo ergo subtexuit: Et a verbis tuis trepidávit cor meum? Trepidare infirmitátis est, timoris atque formidinis. Sed est étiam infirmitas ad salútem, est étiam timor sanctórum: Timéte Dóminum, omnes sancti ejus; et, Beátus vir, qui timet Dóminum. Qua ratióne beatus? Quia in mandatis ejus cupit nimis.

Pone ergo Mártyrem inter perícula constitútum, cum inde immánitas bestiárum ad incutiéndum terrórem ínfremat, aliúnde stridor candéntium laminárum et flamma fornácis ardéntis exæstuet; ex parte ália pérsonent tractus grávium catenárum, hinc cárnifex cruéntus assístat: Pone, inquam, circumspectántem ómnia plena supplíciis, deínde cogitántem mandáta divína, illum ignem perpétuum, illud sine fine incéndium perfidórum, illam pœnæ recrudescéntis ærúmnam; trepidáre corde, ne, dum præséntibus cedat, perpétuis se dedat exítiis; perturbári ánimo, dum futúri judícii rhomphæam illam terríbilem quadam conspéctus spécie contuétur. Nonne ad hanc trepidatiónem fidúciæ viri constántis, æquális in eúmdem concúrrit efféctum confidéntia cupiéntis ætérna, et divína trepidántis?

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 16:24-27

At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. And so on.

Homily by Pope St. Gregory (the Great.)

32nd on the Gospels

Our Lord and Redeemer came into the world a new Man, and gave the world new commandments. For against the ways of our old life, brought and bred up in sin, He set the contrast of His new life. It was the old way, according to the knowledge of the carnal man, for every man to keep his own goods, and, if he were able to do it, to take his neighbour's goods also, and, if he were not able to take them, at least to lust after them. But the Heavenly Physician hath medicines wherewith to meet all the diseases of sin. For, even, as by the art of the physician, things hot are healed by things cold, and things cold by things hot, so doth our Lord set against sin holiness, ordaining for the lecherous purity, for the miserly munificence, for the hot-tempered meekness, and for the proud lowliness.

So the Lord, when He would give a new commandment unto them that came to Him, said Whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be My disciple, (Luke xiv. 33,) as though He had said openly: All ye that according to the old man lust after your neighbour's goods, must, according to the zeal of the new man, give away even that which is your own. But let us hear again what He saith in this place If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself. First He saith that we must deny to ourselves that which is our own, and now that we must even deny ourselves to ourselves. Perchance it is not hard for a man to give up that which is his own, but it is exceeding hard to give up himself. To deny himself his possessions is little but to deny himself himself is a denial exceeding great.

Let when we come unto Him the Lord will have us deny to ourselves even ourselves, since as many of us as are entered into the battle of faith, are entered into a contention against evil spirits. But the evil spirits have nothing of their own in this world, and therefore must we wrestle with them, naked with naked. For if he that is clothed, wrestle with him that is naked, he faileth swiftly, because he hath whereon he that is naked taketh hold. And what are all things earthly but things wherewith the soul is clothed upon? whosoever therefore will wrestle with Satan, let him cast away his clothes, lest he be thereby endangered. v. We praise thee, O God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

Kneel for the following verse

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded.

The Lesson is taken from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 10:26-32

At that time, Jesus said unto His disciples: There is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed, and hid, that shall not be known. And so on.

Homily by St Hilary, Bishop (of Poitiers.)

Comm. on Matt Chap. 10

The Lord pointeth to the day of judgment, that day wherein the hidden counsels of the hearts shall be made manifest, and those things which are dark now shall be the subject of all men's knowledge. Therefore He warneth us not to fear threats, nor persuasions, nor the power of such as fight against us since in the day of judgment it will be manifest that all these things are null and void. “And what I tell you in darkness, that speak ye in light; and what ye hear in the ear, that preach ye upon the house-tops.” We read not that the Lord's use was to speak by night, or to tell His doctrine in darkness, but that to the carnal all His words were darkness, and to the unbelieving all His discourse night.

Therefore willeth He that that which He hath spoken, should be freely proclaimed in faith and in confession. Therefore commandeth He that that which He hath told in darkness shall be spoken in light, and that that which He hath made to be heard in the ear should be preached upon the house-tops, that is, with loud and high words. For it behoveth us ever to make God known, and to speak in the light of Apostolic preaching the dark things of the Gospel message, having no fear of them which have power over bodies, but none over our souls, but rather fearing God, Which is able to destroy both body and soul in hell.

Fear not them which kill the body. Therefore we need fear nothing which may chance to our bodies, nor sorrow because of the destruction of the flesh, when, according to the laws of our nature and that from whence we are taken, we are unclothed upon, and become a pure spirit. And, since it behoveth us who are rooted in such a doctrine, freely and constantly to confess God, even were it only because of the alternative whereby we are bound, He saith further: “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him will I confess also before My Father, Which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny Me before men, him will I also deny before My Father, Which is in heaven.” Such witnesses as He hath seen us to have been here to His name before men, such a Witness shall we find Him to be hereafter to our names before His Father Which is in heaven. v. We praise thee, O God we acknowledge thee to be the Lord. All the earth doth worship thee the Father everlasting. To thee all Angels cry aloud the Heavens, and all the Powers therein. To thee Cherubim and Seraphim continually do cry,

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Sabaoth;

Heaven and earth are full of the Majesty of thy glory. The glorious company of the Apostles praise thee. The goodly fellowship of the Prophets praise thee. The noble army of Martyrs praise thee.

The holy Church throughout all the world doth acknowledge thee; The Father of an infinite Majesty; Thine honourable, true and only Son; Also the Holy Ghost the Comforter.

Thou art the King of Glory O Christ. Thou art the everlasting Son of the Father. When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.

When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers. Thou sittest at the right hand of God in the glory of the Father. We believe that thou shalt come to be our Judge.

Kneel for the following verse

We therefore pray thee, help thy servants whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious blood. Make them to be numbered with thy Saints in glory everlasting. O Lord, save thy people and bless thine heritage. Govern them and lift them up for ever.

Day by day we magnify thee; And we worship thy Name ever world without end. Vouchsafe, O Lord to keep us this day without sin. O Lord, have mercy upon us have mercy upon us. O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us as our trust is in thee.

O Lord, in thee have I trusted let me never be confounded.