Sermons & Letters 188 part 4/15

Filled with the heavenly blessing, we suppliantly implore that what we celebrate by our frail office we may feel to profit us by the help of your blessed apostles. Through, etc. O God, protector of those who hope in you, look upon the supplicating people, and, the apostolic suffrage interceding, mercifully fulfil the holy desires of each one. Through, etc. XXI. Likewise another.—Being appeased, we beseech you, O Lord, turn away whatever we deserve for our sins; nor let our offences prevail before you, but let your mercy, ever entreated, overcome them. Through, etc. Almighty, everlasting God, who granted us to venerate the merits of all the apostles under one solemnity, we beseech you that you may bestow the swift abundance of your mercy through the multiplied intercessors.

Through, etc. We offer the gifts of your glorification, O Lord, which, we beseech, the prayer of those whose solemnities we celebrate may render acceptable to you on behalf of our fastings. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who set the foundations of the heavenly Jerusalem upon the holy mountains, which, made firm by the twelve stones of the apostles, declares by its spiritual construction the choir of your Church; showing us both that the mystery of the fourfold Gospel consists in the Trinity, and that in each of the Gospels is contained the fullness of the Trinity; and likewise that, by your grace, there were provided for our frailty the masters, supporters, and prelates of this dispensation;

that we might know that in the venerable sacrament of the sacred gift nothing more, nothing less, is to be sought. Through, etc. Sanctified, O Lord, by the saving mystery, we beseech that their prayer may not be wanting for us, by whose patronage you granted us to be governed. Through, etc. Grant to your people, O Lord, we beseech, the help of consolation; and grant to breathe again to it, labouring under long calamities. Give pardon to sins, and keep its heart from iniquity; that, since human frailty unceasingly deserves offence, your saints interceding, continued indulgence may come to the aid of the fallen. Through, etc. XXII. Likewise another.—Almighty, everlasting God, who consecrated this day by the martyrdom of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul:

grant your Church, spread throughout the whole world, to follow with pious devotion the teaching of those through whom it received the beginning of religion. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech you, to your Church, O Lord, worthily to rejoice over such great princes, and perseveringly to keep that rule whereby they, distinguishing between the true and the false, imbued with the sacred mysteries the flocks chosen for you. Through, etc. XXIII. Likewise another.—We recount, O Lord, the longed-for solemnities of your blessed apostles Peter and Paul. Grant, we beseech, that we may be fortified by the supplication of those by whose primacy we are ruled. Through, etc.

We joyfully offer gifts to you, O Lord, which we trust will profit us, on the Birthday of the blessed apostles Peter and Paul, through their intercessions. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who, foreseeing with how great troubles our city would labour, set within it the chief members of apostolic strength. But O happy Rome, if you would know your prelates, and would strive worthily to honour your praised governors! No enemies would assail you, no arms at all would terrify you, if, serving their teachings truly and faithfully, you would embrace them with the purpose of Christian sincerity; since it sufficiently appears to you what gifts they would confer upon the well-deserving, who guard even sinners. Through, etc.

We beseech you, almighty God, that we who are wearied by our offences may be purified by the sacred mysteries; and we who are afflicted by the desert of our iniquity may be protected by the apostolic satisfactions. Through, etc. Be, O Lord, sanctifier and keeper of your people, that, fortified by the apostolic protections, it may both please you by its conduct and serve you in security. Through, etc. XXIV. Likewise another.—By your bounty, O Lord, the Birthday-light of blessed Peter and Paul has shone forth for us. Grant, we beseech, that this day's glory of the passion, as it bestowed on them everlasting magnificence, so may work for us a perpetual defence. Through, etc. The votive oblation is brought to you, O Lord.

We pray that it may turn out at once to the praise of your name, to the reverence of the apostolic dignity, and, sanctified, to our defence. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Forasmuch as your apostles blessed Peter and Paul are now proved to reap in joy what they sowed in tears. And they who went forth going and weeping, not terrified by death, but that they might receive the fullness of the blessed passion, sending the precious seeds of their glorious blood—behold, they now come in the exultation of the whole Church, bearing back the fruit of everlasting victory, with rewards both present and to come. Through, etc. XXV. Likewise another.—By the prayers of your apostles, O Lord, sanctify the gifts of your people, etc.

May the apostolic prayer accompany the victims, O Lord, which we offer to be hallowed to your name, by which you grant us to be purified and defended. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For it is of your gift and of your power that your Church, founded upon the apostolic firmness, be not overcome by the terror of the gates of hell, and, standing fast in your truth, admit no fellowship of the faithless. Through, etc. By the intercession, O Lord, of the blessed apostles, we beseech, etc. Be present, O Lord, to your faithful, etc. XXVI. Likewise, at Saint Paul's.—By the apostolic patronage of the blessed Peter and Paul, O Lord, we beseech, protect us, and make those same, whose solemnities you granted us to celebrate, to be ever our secure guardians. Through, etc.

As suppliants we present gifts, O Lord, at your altars, as fearful of our own merit, so trusting in the intercession of blessed Peter and Paul, for whose solemnities they are offered. Through, etc. It is truly meet. By whose providence and gifts it has been granted that he should make the yearly festival illustrious for us by the triumph of the blessed Peter and Paul—a pair venerable to the world, first and least in the order of the apostolate, yet sharers in grace and in passion: the one the prince of the faith to be confessed, the other the illustrious champion of the faith to be understood; the one, divinely inspired, proclaimed Christ the Son of the living God; the other, made a vessel of election, set forth this same One as the Word, the Wisdom of God and the Power;

the one, of the Israelite firstfruits establishing the primitive Church, the other the master and teacher of the nations to be called; thus, by diverse dispensation gathering the one family of Christ, though at a distinct time, one recurring day, and one crown, has joined them forever. Through, etc. XXVII. Likewise another.—Regard, we pray, O Most High, the vows which we render; and grant them to be made pleasing to you by the prayers of those in whose honour they are offered. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Suppliantly beseeching that you, eternal Shepherd, may not forsake your flock, and may guard it by continual protection through the blessed apostles, that it may be directed by those same rulers whom you bestowed as vicars of your work to preside as shepherds. Through, etc. XXVIII. Likewise another.—Rejoicing in the multiplication of the apostolic solemnity...

...we beseech your clemency, almighty God, that you may grant us continually to be blessed by their confession and cherished by their patronages. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech, O Lord our God, both that we venerate the Birthdays of your apostles with continual devotion, and more often honour them in their principalities. Through, etc. O God, founder and ruler of your people, expel the sins by which it is assailed; that it may be both ever pleasing to you and secure in your defence. Through, etc. The Birthday of the holy martyrs Felix and Philip, in the cemetery of Priscilla; of Vitalis, Martialis, and Alexander, in the cemetery of the Jordani; of Silanus, in the cemetery of Maximus, on the Salarian Way; and of Januarius, in the cemetery of Praetextatus, on the Appian Way.

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and, your saints interceding, graciously admit our prayers. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, graciously our oblations, and, by the prayer of your saints, kindly make them accepted unto your loving-kindness. Through, etc. Likewise another.—Defend us, O Lord, by the prayers and intercession of your blessed martyrs; that we who have no confidence in our own conscience may be protected by the merits of those who please you. Through, etc. Receive, we beseech, O Lord, the gifts of your servants, which, your saints interceding, may profit us both unto the office of holy devotion and unto the effect of your sanctification. Through, etc.

Filled, O Lord, with the heavenly blessing, grant by the suffrages of your saints that what we humbly perform we may wholesomely perceive. Through, etc. Likewise another.—O God, who both gladden us by the solemnity of your saints and rouse us by their imitation unto progress, grant that those whom we venerate in our office we may also follow by the example of holy conversation, etc. May the gifts of our fasting be acceptable to you, O Lord, we beseech; for then do we offer them in the worthy commemoration of your saints, if we likewise follow after their deeds. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For you are wonderful in all your saints, whom you made both illustrious by the confession of your name and glorious by the passion undertaken for you.

Whence, as they strove by fasting and praying that they might obtain this victory, so we more fittingly celebrate their Birthdays by following after the things they practised. Through, etc. Filled, O Lord, with the bounty of your grace, receiving heavenly gifts by copious blessing, both for the services of our servitude and for the festival of the saints, we render thanks to you. Through, etc. Regard, O Lord, your household making supplication with the eyes of your mercy; that what, by your inspiring, it earnestly asks, it may obtain by the patronage of your holy martyrs. Through, etc. II. Likewise another.—Look upon us, O God our protector, and mercifully hear those who humbly implore your mercy. Through, etc.

Look with favour, O Lord, being appeased, upon the prayers of our humility, nor suffer us to fall into the pits and snares of the devil, whom you deign to fortify by the protections of the holy martyrs. Through, etc. Almighty and merciful God, who made us both partakers and ministers of your sacraments and of the cross, grant, we beseech, that in them we may profit both by fellowship of faith and by worthy service. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who therefore benignly exercise us by the frequent festivals of the holy martyrs, that by the blessed commemoration you may lead us to constancy of faith and to perseverance of piety, at once setting before us, in their contemplation, both an example of the saving confession and the help of copious protection;

and inviting us to the hope of our promise through those whose glory, still hidden, you nevertheless already manifest even in the region of this life. Through, etc. O Lord our God, multiply upon us your grace, and grant us to attain the victory in the holy profession, of those whose glorious contests we celebrate. Through, etc. Instruct, O Lord, we beseech, your people with spiritual instruments, and make it both devout in the consideration and secure in the defence of those whose solemnities you grant it to venerate. Through, etc. III. Likewise another.—Grant us, almighty and merciful God, that the copious victory of your holy martyrs, as it gives them perpetual triumph, so may afford us continual help. Through, etc.

Receive, we beseech, O Lord, the gifts of your people for the festival of the holy martyrs; and make us with sincere heart to take part in their Birthdays. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For although you, O Lord, are wonderful in the advancement of all your saints, yet in these we acknowledge your special gift, whom you granted to be both brothers by the lot of birth and blood-kindred by their magnificent passion; that there might be at once both the venerable glory of the mother and the most flourishing offspring of the Church. Through, etc. Satisfied with the heavenly gift, we beseech, O Lord our God, that these gifts may sanctify us by the prayer of your martyrs. Through, etc. IV. Likewise another.—Grant us, we beseech, O Lord, to glory in the passions of the holy martyrs;

that we may ever both trust in their patronages and follow the faith with fitting devotion. Through, etc. We offer, O Lord, gifts acceptable to you at the solemnities of your saints, suppliantly beseeching that what pertains to their glory may profit us unto pardon. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who so grant your Church to advance by the commemoration of the holy martyrs, that you may ever both gladden it by their festival, and exercise it by the example of pious confession, and guard it by supplication acceptable to you. Through, etc. And rejoicing in the exultation of your saints, and satisfied with the reception of your sacrament, we render thanks to you, O holy Lord, Father almighty, eternal God. Through, etc. V. Likewise another.

—Almighty, everlasting God, who are everywhere wonderful in your saints, we beseech your clemency, that as you bestowed on them eminent glory, so you may make us to be helped by their prayers unto the obtaining of your mercies. Through, etc. Look graciously, O Lord, we beseech, upon the gifts of your people; and grant that what you have taught us to offer in time for the fulfilling of the sacred mysteries may profit us unto eternal salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who not only endured the persecution of the impious for the salvation of the world, but also granted to his faithful these gifts, that they should become sharers of him either by passion or by confession. Through, etc. VI. Likewise another.

—Almighty, everlasting God, who among your countless benefits console us especially by the solemnities of your saints, grant, we beseech, that both the blessed remembrance may incite us, and the prayer of the just worthily lead us, to the appointed heavenly work. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech, O Lord our God, that amid the adversities which we endure for the debts of our sins, what our confidence does not obtain, the intercession of your martyrs may procure for us. Through, etc. Your saints interceding, O Lord, may our service be pleasing to you, and may the tributes of our gifts become the protections of the devout. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Forasmuch as the venerable blood of the blessed martyrs, poured out for the confession of your name, as it manifests your wonders—you who perfect strength in weakness—so it gives progress to our endeavours, and affords help to the weak before you. Through, etc. VII. Likewise another.—Regard, we beseech, O Lord, the things which we offer to the eyes of your majesty, that by the prayer of your saints they may afford us both protection and healing. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For the whole Body of the Church rejoices together at the glorification of its lofty members, and its lowly portions, whatever of its great parts excels in that same fabric, do not doubt that it also pertains to their own dignity:

for as the lowest are connected to the highest, so the highest owe to the lowly the effect of unity. Through, etc. Almighty, everlasting God, who commanded us to inflict on none what we do not wish inflicted on ourselves, grant, we beseech, that we neither devise deceit against others, nor be deluded by the deceits of others. Through, etc. O God, who delight in the faithful society of the human race, grant, we beseech, both that we ourselves may offer to all a free charity, and that they may not contrive to render us evil for good. Through, etc. Our oblation is brought to you, O Lord, which, that it may be worthy of your sight, may it, by your bounty, be brought forth in the sincerity of our mind. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Who, teaching us by spiritual instructions, so teach us continually to remit the offences of those who oppose us, that we may not fall into their snares; so to overlook faults, that we may avoid the malice of those who, under the guise of grace, desire to harm—the malice in which they strive to persist. For you, O Lord, sending us into the midst of wolves, will us to remain simple in the likeness of doves, and to become shrewd after the manner of serpents; not indeed that we may be hurtful to any, but that we may carefully beware the deceits of others. So you bid us to be gentle toward all, that you likewise command us to correct the unquiet. For it is one thing to pass over an insult, another to take heed lest we be caught through improvident kindness:

since your clemency itself so dissolves our errors that it forbids us to err anew, lest we undergo worse things; nor let anyone judge that his offence has not been forgiven, or perchance deem himself wronged, if the incidental opportunity of harming be rather taken from him, since by this very thing a great benefit is conferred upon such, that they may unlearn to be evil even by the impossibility of sinning. Through, etc. Quickened by the gift of our redemption, we beseech, O Lord, that this help of perpetual salvation may ever the true faith perfect for us. Through, etc. Save, we beseech, O Lord, your people, and pour out upon it the clemency of your holy blessing;

that amid the assaults of human condition and of diabolical fraud, your indulgence may continually come to the aid of the labouring. Through, etc. II. Likewise another.—Be present, O Lord, to our supplications, and, that you may worthily rescue us from our enemies, first benignly cleanse us from manners not pleasing to you. For without doubt you will defend those whom you shall have perceived to agree with your commandments. Through, etc. O God, who willed a prudent and sincere concord to dwell in the hearts of your own, grant us to keep the measure of lawful love; that those who dissent from the equity of just peace may nevertheless have in us nothing that they may deservedly tear at. Through, etc. Grant us, we beseech, O Lord, to despise earthly things and to love heavenly, that through these sacred rites which we perform, both...

...deserve to be purified from transitory desires, and may begin to cleave to eternal things. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who so forsake not the rational creature that you show it by what means it may please you and how it may obtain what it asks; commanding that we, venerating you principally with our whole heart, may consequently love also all men, as ourselves, as sharers of our race; then proving toward them a true affection, that, even as we desire to be purged from vices, so we may wish also for those whom we love. Fulfilling by these two commandments the whole law without difficulty, may we take the good things present and eternal. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord, we beseech, to seek after the things that are right, and to shun the things that are harmful;

that the holy things which we receive may not be unto judgement for us, but rather profit us unto healing. Through, etc. Protect, O Lord, we beseech, your servants, and, freed from earthly errors, make them advance to the ordinances of your virtues; and so may they be cherished by temporal helps that they may the more rejoice in the everlasting. Through, etc. Likewise another.—Admit, O Lord, being appeased, the voices of your Church, that, all adversaries being destroyed, it may serve you in secure freedom. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, we beseech, that, wholly subject to you with our heart, we may reject the breathings of swelling wills. Through, etc. Receive, we beseech, O Lord, the victims of our devotion; and by the glorious sacrifices purify the hearts of those subject to you. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

By whose inspiration the blessed apostle Paul, saying to the Church, 'Providing good things not only before God, but also before men' (Rom. 12:17), plainly shows that there is absolutely no place where by evil deeds, even in this life, we can hide ourselves: since we are not hidden from you within, nor do we escape human gaze without. Nothing therefore avails those who do not discern their own disgraces and marks, and who, because they themselves do not see themselves, reckon that they are not seen by others either. For when the same Apostle cries out, 'Look at the things that are according to appearance' (2 Cor. 10:7): how do they trust that they can conceal themselves, who, as it is written, 'by their sweet speeches seducing fallacious hearts' (Rom.

16:18), and, as the Gospel says, seeking Christ in the inner chamber, openly and manifestly declare what they carry out both in words and in deeds. Nor does it uphold or fortify them that, contending to shield themselves, they run through the divine volumes, since by these very things they rather both profess and condemn their own wicked ways, not knowing that already, as part of the penalty of the divine judgement, they are given over to a reprobate mind, to do the things that are not fitting (Rom. 1:28). Wherefore, shunning such by our act, and pitying them only with the affection we ought; and therefore, etc. Grant, we beseech, O Lord our God, that through this sacrament of your wisdom we may live with circumspect moderation. Through, etc.

Grant your Church, O Lord, not to be highminded, but to advance in humility pleasing to you, that, despising insolent things and desiring all mature things, it may exercise a free charity. Through, etc. IV. Likewise another.—Absolve, O Lord, we beseech, our iniquities, and, that we may deserve to receive your gifts, make us to love justice. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord our God, both that we may venerate you with our whole mind, and love all men with reasonable affection. Through, etc. Consecrate, we beseech, O Lord, the things which of the earthly fruits you commanded to be dedicated to your name; that you may both make our servitude acceptable to you, and appoint for us the Sacrament of perpetual salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Thou who, making thy faithful of one accord by a mutual law, hast bound them in true peace by such a covenant that no one should contrive to inflict upon another what he would not wish brought upon himself; and that the good things which he would desire to be granted for his own advantage, these he too should render to his companion in nature: so that, while by mutual devotion they find themselves shared in common within each one, the mind of all, loving its very self, might be one. Through, etc. Filled by this heavenly participation, we both return thee thanks, O Lord our God, and we beseech that it may be everlasting for us. Through, etc. May thy faithful people, we beseech thee, O Lord, ever rejoice in thy benefits, that, ordered by thy instruction, they may both please thee in their manner of life and healthfully obtain what they seek by their prayers. Through, etc. V.

Likewise another. — Almighty, everlasting God, who resistest the proud and grantest grace to the humble, grant, we beseech thee, that we may not, being exalted, provoke thine indignation, but rather, being made subject, may receive the gifts of thy propitiation. Through, etc. Suppliant, we entreat thy majesty, that thou suffer us neither to be terrified by unjust rendings nor to be entangled by crafty flatteries; but rather grant that we may love those who truly reprove us more than those who deceitfully fawn upon us. Through, etc. We offer thee, O Lord, a gift which, as it condemns those who receive it with a double heart, so it justifies those who take it with a sincere mind. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who dost will us to be alike perfected in piety and in justice.

That both kindness may not be lacking, to be joined to our caution, and undiscerning easiness may not steal away from charity. For thou commandest that we pray for our enemies, that we make supplication for those who slander us, and that we cease not to obtain thy mercy for our persecutors; not indeed that they should persevere in the same wickednesses, for this is rather to imprecate than to ask for what is salutary; but that, freed from these iniquities, they may turn themselves to what is modest and sound. For since, by thy teaching, O Lord, we ought to wish upright morals for ourselves, then do we truly love our neighbours as ourselves, if we seek for them the things we desire to have. Through, etc.

Renewed, O Lord, by the taste of the sacred gift, we beseech thee that it may not turn to punishment for us who partake, but may profit unto pardon for us who faithfully drink. Through, etc. Trusting in thy protection, O Lord, may thy devoted household obtain the blessing it humbly implores; that, secured by thy defence, it may neither be destitute of temporal helps, and may be fitted for eternal goods. Through, etc. VI. Likewise another. — Almighty and merciful God, make us, we beseech thee, at rest from the whirlwind of wars: for thou wilt grant us all good things, if thou give the peace both of mind and of body. Through, etc. Look upon us, our Protector, O God, and defend us from the dread of enemies; that, every disturbance being removed, we may serve thee with free minds. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, the gifts of thy household; whereby, we beseech thee, mayest thou both be appeased for our errors, and work the sanctification of our redemption. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For we acknowledge, O Lord our God, we acknowledge — even as thou didst of old testify by the prophetic voice — that it pertains to the deserts of sinners that the things sought by the labour of thy servants should be plundered before our sight by alien hands; and that what thou grantest to be produced by thy toiling servants, thou sufferest to be consumed by enemies. And prostrate with our whole heart, suppliant we entreat that thou grant pardon of past offences, and by continued compassion protect us from every assault of mortality.

For then we doubt not that thy defence will be at hand, when thou shalt have graciously driven from us those things by which we offended. Through, etc. Quickened by the refreshment of the most holy body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, suppliant we ask thee, O God, that by this singular remedy thou both cleanse us from the contagion of all sins, and fortify us against the assault of all perils. Through, etc. Have mercy, O Lord, on thy Church as she prays, and look propitiously upon those who incline their hearts to thee, that those whom thou permittest to be partakers of divine things thou mayest neither allow to become liable to sins, nor suffer to be oppressed by adversities. Through, etc. VII. Likewise another. — Have mercy, O Lord, on thy people, and mercifully grant respite to it as it labours under continual tribulations.