Sermons & Letters 188 part 6/15

Almighty and merciful God, from whose gift it comes that thou art worthily and laudably served by thy faithful, grant that we may run toward thy promises without stumbling. Through, etc. Receive, we beseech thee, O Lord, the gifts which we offer, gathered from thine own benefits, and let that which thou grantest to be wrought as temporal by our devotion become for us the reward of eternal redemption. Through, etc. XXX. Another likewise. — Despise not, O Lord, we beseech thee, us who cry out in affliction, but appeased, come quickly with thy help to those who labour. Through, etc. Look upon us, almighty and merciful God, and being propitiated, absolve us from all tribulations.

Through, etc. Send, O Lord, we beseech thee, the Holy Spirit, who may both make these present gifts to be thy sacrament for us, and purify our hearts to receive it. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Because to us who proclaim thee without ceasing, neither do adversities prevail nor do prosperities slip away. Through, etc. Let this heavenly mystery be for us, O Lord, the renewal of mind and body, and let us feel the effect of that whose action we perform. Through, etc. May thy people, O Lord, we beseech thee, receive the gift of thy holy blessing, whereby they may both shun all that is harmful and obtain what they desire. Through, etc. XXXI.

Another likewise. — Almighty and everlasting God, who by chastising dost heal us and by pardoning dost preserve us, grant to thy suppliants that we may both enjoy the consolation of the tranquillity we long for, and, for the effect of correction, make use of the gift of thy peace. Through, etc. Admit our prayers, O Lord, being propitiated, and make us cleansed of earthly defilements, whom thou grantest to serve the heavenly mysteries. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Through whom thou dost rescue us from sins, dost snatch us from perils, and lead us to everlasting joys. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord our God, that partaking at thy holy table we may receive the heavenly gifts not unto judgement for us, but unto everlasting protection. Through, etc.

Look, O Lord, propitiously upon thy people, and those who pertain to thy mercy sustain both with temporal (or: present) benefits and with eternal (or: future) ones. Through, etc. Distinguish us from the gloom of darkness, that ever meditating on holy things we may live continually in thy light. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, our prayers, and guard with ever-watchful protection those who cleave to thy service. Through, etc. O Lord our God, refresh us, wearied by the day's labour, with the rest of sleep; that, aided by the needful help for our frailty, we may be devoted to thee in body and in mind. Through, etc. Be favourable, O Lord, to those who seek thy mercy, and defend everywhere the estate of the Roman name.

and protect everywhere the sovereignty of the Roman name, that the perpetual peace and safety of thy peoples may flourish. Through, etc. We beseech thee, O Lord our God, sustain the troubles of the day by the rest of the night, so that, the needful alternation of seasons succeeding, our weakness may be restored. Through, etc. Hear us, almighty and everlasting God, and lest human frailty fail without respite from labours, refresh us by that very variety of changeable things. Through, etc. Be present, O Lord, to our prayers, and protect us by day and night, that amid whatsoever alternations of the seasons we may ever be strengthened in thy unchangeableness. Through, etc. XXXII. Another likewise.

— Look propitiously, O Lord, we beseech thee, upon the affliction of thy people, and let not our sins prevail unto destruction, but rather let thy abundant mercy overcome unto our salvation. Through, etc. Behold favourably the gifts, O Lord, we beseech thee, which we present at thine altars, that what is offered by our frailty may be hallowed by thy power. Through, etc. We have received, O Lord, the gifts of the sacred mystery, humbly beseeching that what thou hast commanded us to do in remembrance of thee may profit unto the help of our infirmity. Through, etc. Rule, O Lord, we beseech thee, the hearts of thy faithful; and that they may receive thy good things by thy bounty, first make their wills good. Through, etc. XXXIII. Another likewise.

— Almighty and everlasting God, give us increase of faith, hope, and charity, and that we may be worthy to attain what thou dost promise, make us love what thou dost command. Through, etc. Thou who hast set [thy law] in the love of neighbour, graciously bestow upon us this grace, that since we offend in many things, thy charity may abound in us, through which sins are cleansed. Through, etc. O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, look propitiously upon the offerings of thy household, that these acts of pious devotion may sanctify both the rulers and those to be ruled. Through, etc. O God, who willest thy faithful to attain true innocence, make us through thy indulgence partakers of that holiness which is found neither harmful to itself nor adverse to any. Through, etc.

O holy Lord, Father almighty, everlasting God, give thy servants this affection of charity, that by thy example they may be moved to render good for evil, and to desire the correction of their enemies rather than to rejoice in vengeance. Through, etc. Be favourable, O Lord, to thy suppliant in his prayers, and, the offerings and prayers of thy people being received, turn the hearts of us all unto thee. Through, etc. XXXIV. — Almighty and everlasting God, help the Roman princes, that strengthened by thy power no hostility may prevail against them by force, nor by fraud. Through, etc. Be propitious, O Lord, we beseech thee, to our times, that by thy gift both Roman security and Christian devotion may be directed. Through, etc.

As suppliants, O Lord, we beseech that through these gifts of the singular sacrifice both the abolition of sins and thy sanctification may be granted us. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who by ineffable ways sufferest our enemies to leap forth even unto thine own dishonour, so that, since for our deeds we do not deserve to be avenged of their savagery, while wrongs against thee are turned to punishment, provision is made for us though we be wicked; thou at the same time admonishing us, when such things are meted out to sinners, how great things thou canst minister to the corrected. Through, etc. May thy glorious compassion purify us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and make us worthy of those on whom thou bestowest thy benefits. Through, etc.

May thy unconquered defence, O Lord, we beseech thee, fortify thy faithful people, and by heavenly dispensation receive it as holy unto itself; that, ever devoted to thee with pious affection, it may both be delivered from hostile enemies and persevere continually in thy grace. Through, etc. XXXV. Another likewise. — Give us, O Lord, we beseech thee, constancy in supplicating thee without ceasing, that thou, who dost not forsake in tribulation those subject to thee, mayest more abundantly cherish those who continually entreat thy majesty. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that cleansed by this oblation we may receive both confidence in praying and the grace of obtaining what is just (or: good). Through, etc. It is truly meet.

And to act the more earnestly in what according to our small measure we strive to perform, the more we hope by fastings and prayers to be able to obtain what we ask; especially since the attestation of things already granted gives hope of things to be sought. Through, etc. O Lord our God, who alone both foreseest and bestowest saving things, grant, we beseech thee, both ever to give our minds the affection of imploring thy mercy, and, appeased, attend to what is profitable for us. Through, etc. May the Lord our God hear you, and benignly regard each one crying out according to his need; may he propitiously administer the comforts which human infirmity craves; may he avert the sins that oppose us; and grant to your bodies and minds alike the things that shall ever profit them. Through, etc.

XXXVI. Another likewise. — O Lord our God, we beseech thee, graciously grant that thy Church may continually grow both in religion and in peace. Through, etc. May the gift offered win thy mercy for us, O Lord, and at once profit both our protection and our salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who not only grantest pardon to us when we sin, but mightily withstandest our enemies; and by magnificent piety drivest away those whom by our evil works we deserve to endure, that thou mayest compel and lead us to the worship of thy reverence both by terror and by love. Through, etc. Filled, O Lord, with so great gifts, that we may ever receive saving benefits, grant, we beseech thee, that we may never cease from thy praise. Through, etc. Stretch forth, we beseech thee, thy right hand, O Lord, to thy praying people;

and to him to whom thou benignly grantest the power of supplicating, being appeased, afford thy help; that trusting in thee as his guide he may both shun all evils and lay hold of all things that are good. Through, etc. XXXVII. Another likewise. — Almighty and everlasting God, graciously grant to thy Church that, the deadly (or: sacrilegious) delights being cut off, it may rather rejoice in the delight of thine eternity. Through, etc. Help us, merciful God, and that we may be able to overcome all enemies, grant, we beseech thee, that we may conquer our own errors. Through, etc. Repel from us, O Lord, we beseech thee, sacrilegious desires, and grant that we may celebrate the divine (or: blessed) mysteries with chaste gladness. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Humbly beseeching that all profaneness may depart from our heart, and that what we renounce by profession we may shun by action: for it is exceedingly to be abhorred that, when thou hast removed from vain superstition even its very followers, diabolical fictions should be handled by thy faithful; because by this very thing the followers of the depraved spirit are, without doubt, proven by deeds and words to bring a stain upon morals, namely while crimes are either committed or sung. And we ought the more readily, every rite of pestilent antiquity being abolished, to rejoice in the newness of heavenly life: because then the heavenly propitiation will not be lacking, if, all abominations being renounced, running to the saving commandments of true Divinity, we sing praises to it with a holy voice. Through, etc.

May the venerable solemnity of the Sacrament gladden us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and alike make fruitful our minds and bodies with spiritual sanctification, and ever exercise them with chaste joys. Through, etc. Purify, O Lord, we beseech thee, that household, and cleanse it from all defilements of depravity. [Let them exult in thy gifts, let them praise thee always and everywhere:] that the vessels redeemed by the Lord's Passion the unclean spirits may not again enter, but everlasting salvation may possess them. Through, etc. XXXVIII. Another likewise. — Almighty and everlasting God, defend us from the dread of enemies, that, all disturbance being removed, we may serve thee with willing minds. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord God

that, though set amid whatever straits, we may not cease to supplicate thy name, and, when heavenly propitiation is bestowed upon us, we may never cease from thy praise. Through, etc. Let thy appeasement be near to us, O Lord, which, although by our own works we do not merit, yet, by the intervention of the singular sacrifice, may we receive it, forestalled by thy compassion. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For thou by the example of the Gospel narrative hast taught us that we can obtain, by longer knocking at the door of thy mercy, that which we are not able to obtain by our merits; and therefore as suppliants we entreat thee, that thou wouldst both grant us perseverance in praying and open the gracious hearing of thy propitiation. Through, etc.

May we feel, O Lord, we beseech thee, by the receiving of thy sacrament, the support of mind and body, that saved in both we may glory in the fullness of the heavenly remedy. Through, etc. Pour out, we beseech thee, O Lord, the Spirit of grace upon thy household, and from it expel whatsoever of diabolical fraud creeps in, whatsoever of earthly defilement befalls; that, cleansed within and without, it may ever offer thee pure devotion, and more easily obtain what it reasonably and fittingly requests. Through, etc. XXXIX. Another likewise. — Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that recalling the deeds of thy sacraments, we may both be relieved by temporal security and be instructed by lawful ordinances. Through, etc.

Give us, O Lord our God, that the course of the world may be peacefully directed for us by thine ordering, and that thy Church may rejoice in tranquil devotion. Through, etc. Protect us, O Lord, we beseech thee, as we serve thy mysteries, that we may minister to divine things in body and mind. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who both providest things profitable and to be done for thine own, and dispensest things done, and by wondrous ways governest the helm of thy Church, that it may be exercised by adversities and lifted up by prosperities: that it may neither succumb by assault nor grow sluggish by security, but with affection ever subject to thee, may neither cease to supplicate in tribulation nor leave off giving thanks amid joys. Through, etc. We are filled, O Lord, with thy gifts;

grant, we beseech thee, that we may both be cleansed by their effect and fortified by their help. Through, etc. May the hoped-for mercy come, we beseech thee, O Lord, to thy suppliants, and to them may heavenly bounty be granted, whereby they may both know what is rightly to be sought and receive what they ask. Through, etc. XL. Another likewise. — Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, the help of thy grace, that, since without it we can do nothing good, by its bestowal we may be able worthily both to think and to do what things are thine. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord our God, that, being about to celebrate the solemnities of the saints, we may have not only bodily observance but, what is better, purity of mind. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For we trust that thy gifts can bestow upon us an abundance of devotion and peace, so that religion rightly cared for may afford security, and the granted security may serve the sacred solemnities (or: tranquillity). Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord, we beseech thee, that we may profit in the saving mystery both by understanding and by worship. Through, etc. Encompass thy servants and handmaids, O Lord, with heavenly visitation; pour into their minds and bodies the dew of thy blessing; that, fittingly prepared for the sacred solemnities, they may both bring back the grace of sanctification, and obtain the things they piously pray for. Through, etc. XLI. Another likewise.

— Almighty and everlasting God, turn us wholly to thee with our mind, that thou who bestowest such gifts upon the unworthy mayest afford greater gifts to the devout. Through, etc. We offer to thee, O Lord, the sacrifices thou hearest, thou who heapest upon us at once both present goods and those to come. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who, when thou bestowest immense protection even upon slothful and hard labourers, showest how great things thou canst confer upon those subject to thee with the whole heart, and, while thou bestowest these things upon the unworthy, dost exhort them to become worthy, to whom better things may be granted. Through, etc. We give thanks to thee, O Lord, who makest us to breathe again from temporal oppressions, that thou mayest advance us to everlasting joys. Through, etc.

Perfect, O Lord, thy mercies upon thy suppliant people, whom by the bounty of thy gifts thou grantest both to ask thy grace the more earnestly and to hope the more confidently for greater. Through, etc. XLII. Another likewise. — Look, O Lord, we beseech thee, upon the affliction of thy people, and, delivering it from all necessities, grant it to serve thee with untroubled mind. Through, etc. Gladden us, O Lord, we beseech thee, with thy consolations, and, that thou mayest bestow on us the gifts of heavenly grace, being propitiated grant us pardon. Through, etc. Form the devotion of our mind, we beseech thee, O Lord, that with the offerings of our sacrifices we may present to thee a pure heart. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who ceasest not both to cherish thy Church with benefits and to exercise it with promises;

that while thou grantest the things asked, thou makest the things to be hoped for to be sought the more confidently, and that we ought without ceasing to render thanksgivings also, even if they be continually offered; since both the proclamations of things bestowed are not kept silent, and supplication is necessarily made for things to be bestowed. Through, etc. May the gifts of thy sacrament give us life, O Lord, that by divine participation we may ever deserve to be increased. Through, etc. Look propitiously, we beseech thee, O Lord, upon thy servants and handmaids, that they may ever desire the things that are pleasing to thee, and ever obtain the things that are wholesome for them. Through, etc. XLIII. Another likewise. — Be present, O Lord, to thy people, and to those confiding in thy mercy afford the aid of thy propitiation. Through, etc. To the ears of thy mercy, O Lord, may the prayers of thy suppliants

come, and, that we may be able to obtain what we ask, make us ever to request the things pleasing to thee. Through, etc. Purify us, O Lord, by the very sacraments by which we render our service, that our oblation may be rendered to thee alike as sacrifice and as action. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Because thou, ever perfecting virtue in our infirmity, hast granted thy Church to grow amid adversities; so that when it was thought to be oppressed, then rather, exalted, it prevailed; while affliction at once both declares the proof of faith and, being overcome through thee, makes the present life glorious. Through, etc. Quickened by the gift of heavenly life, we beseech thee, O Lord, that what is for us a mystery in the present life may become the help of eternity. Through, etc.

Grant thy servants, O Lord, an abundance of protection and grace. Give health of mind and of body. Give increases of continual prosperity, and ever make them devoted to thee. Through, etc. XLIV. Another likewise. — Almighty and everlasting God, defend the rulers of the Roman name, that, confiding in thy right hand, they may become stronger than all their enemies. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, by the gifts of thy grace, both ever to justify and to instruct us, whom thou commandest to present a daily sacrifice to thee. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who therefore for the most part dost suspend the prosperities of present things, lest, held back by them, we seek not heavenly things, and then dost more benignly bestow the same, when we transfer them, the more readily, to the worship of thy name.

Through, etc. To thy majesty, O Lord, we offer due praises, thou who both refreshest us with temporal aids and feedest us with eternal ones. Through, etc. Be, we beseech thee, O Lord, propitious to thy people, that, day by day rejecting the things that please thee not, they may rather be filled with love of thy commandments, and, governed by the consolations of mortal life, may advance to the effect of immortality. Through, etc. XLV. Another likewise. — Guard, O Lord, thy people, and, that thou mayest bestow perpetual mercy upon it, make it ever devoted to thy name. Through, etc. Help, O Lord, thy suppliants, that they may obtain the aid of thy grace, who confide in thy loving-kindness. Through, etc.

O God, who art made the worker of the effect of thy mysteries, grant, we beseech thee, that our services may become fitted for the sacred gifts. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Thou who decreest that the human race should consist in a just and sincere fellowship; and therefore, refuting all things, hast taught what things equity forbids, because through these tranquil concord is disturbed; and commandest injustice to be shunned, that inviolate unanimity may remain, and we must earnestly hasten, that, rejecting the things that please thee not, we may rather seek those things whereby we may have thee appeased. Through, etc. The aid of our salvation being received, we as suppliants beseech thee, O Lord, that those whom thou grantest to be sharers of so great a mystery, thou mayest make worthy of it. Through, etc.

Be present, O Lord, propitious to thy people, and, that thou mayest not forsake it with perpetual goodness, exercise it unceasingly in pious works: for thou wilt bestow all gifts on those to whom thou hast granted increase of religion. Through, etc. I. — Almighty and everlasting God, who didst consecrate the first-fruits of the martyrs in the blood of holy Stephen the Levite, grant, we beseech thee, that he may exist as intercessor for us, who supplicated even for his own persecutors. Through, etc. We offer sacrifices to thy name, O Lord, trembling as much of our own merit, as we are confident of the suffrages of thy saints. Grant, we beseech thee, that they may confer on us both pardon and salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For thy victories, O Lord, are celebrated, the power of thy triumphs is proclaimed, as often as the solemnities of the holy martyrs are recalled; because thou in them hast made both the fortitude of fighting and the palm of justice to flourish. Among whom the blessed Levite Stephen shone forth in glory. Whom, the Holy Spirit overflowing, not only the quality of his works marked out, but so great also the brightness of heavenly glory magnified, that the gaze of his persecutors could not behold it. He who so appeared strenuous and faithful in ministering, that to him the holy prerogative of the apostolic tables was entrusted. So preeminent alike in chastity and in liberality, that he fulfilled the care of the widows, merciful and modest.

So instructed in divine eloquence, that he openly overcame the councils of the Jews; so inflamed in the confession of thy Son, that after his cross he was the first to undergo passion. Thus already penetrating the heavenly kingdoms, that, though established on earth, he beheld standing at the right hand of thy power that very One for whom he was being stoned; and doing violence to heaven, he seized beforehand by his merits the crown which he bore in his name. Through, etc. We rejoice, O Lord, in the festival of thy saints. Grant, we beseech thee, that those whom we venerate with homage we may feel to be present to us with aid. Through, etc.

Give, we beseech thee, O Lord, to thy faithful this affection of charity, that, glowing with the festival of thy saints, they may be entangled in no errors, afflicted by no adversities; but may profit by saving instructions and be aided by vital protections. Through, etc. II. Another likewise. — Almighty and everlasting God, who by the manifold virtue of the saints dost adorn the sacred body of thy Church, and hast consecrated the first-fruits of the martyrs in the blood of glorious Stephen the Levite, grant us to celebrate the day of his Birth with special honour, because we do not doubt that he specially intercedes for thy faithful, who, an imitator of the Lord's charity, prayed even for his persecutors. Through, etc.

Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that, as in thy sight the death of the saints is precious, so the oblation of those who venerate his merits may be rendered acceptable to thee. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Since not only hast thou bestowed upon us, through Jesus Christ the Lord, the sons of thine adoption, that that grievous sting of raging hell, and the devil who had received its power, should be trodden down, and that death, penally contracted by sin, while it is endured for justice's sake, should pass over to reward; and so great a bounty of thine overflowing grace stood forth, that not only in the very Author of our redemption, but also in the confession of those believing in him, human substance received this.

and the beginning of this gift and victory, holy Stephen, the first Levite and martyr of the New Testament, inaugurated after the Lord's Passion. Through, etc. III. Another likewise. — Propitiously grant, O Lord, that by this oblation we may be cleansed, for which thy saints, contending (or: confessing) amid torments, attained everlasting glory. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For thou hast made this festival venerable for us by the passion of blessed (holy) Stephen, into whom the Holy Spirit poured so great grace, that, first worker of the Levitical office in the piety of the dispensation of the tables, an example of chastity in the governance of the widows, illustrious in the virtue of signs, destroying the perfidy of the Jews by the power of thy word, imploring pardon with the fervour of charity for those who stoned him, with the secret of heaven opened to him, he might behold the Son of Man set at the right hand of immense power, and, the contest not yet finished, might alone openly gaze upon the kingdom of the Lord and Saviour, which was shown to all the saints after the struggle. Through, etc. IV. Another likewise.

— Almighty and everlasting God, who didst consecrate the first-fruits of the martyrs in the blood of glorious Stephen the Levite, grant us to celebrate the day of his Birth with special honour, because we do not doubt that he specially intercedes for thy faithful, who, an imitator of the Lord's charity, supplicated even for his persecutors. Through, etc. O God, author and bestower of all gifts, who by the manifold virtue of the saints dost adorn the sacred body of thy Church, grant it to be defended by the prayer of those very members in whose excellence it glories. Through, etc. Grant us, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that, as in thy sight, etc. It is truly meet. Since thou hast bestowed on us not only

through Jesus Christ the Lord, that that grievous sting of manifest hell, and the devil who had received its power, should be trodden down; but also that this should be received in the confession of those believing in the same thy Son, etc. V. Another likewise. — Propitiously grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that by this oblation, etc. It is truly meet. For thou hast made this festival for us, etc. VI. Another likewise. — O God, author and giver of the gifts to be offered to thee, grant that the sacrifice which conferred glory upon the holy martyrs in persecution may be for us a protection in devotion. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

On the day of this day's solemnity, on which holy Stephen, the first candidate of thy faith, was for this reason stoned in the persecution of the unbelievers, that he might exist as a living stone of sacred confession; and that what he bore under his distinguished name he might fulfil with the crown of martyrdom. Through, etc. Almighty and everlasting God, who grantest to those set in earthly substance to handle divine things, grant, at the entreaty of thy saints, that we may attain the same by heavenly conversation. Through, etc. Preserve, we beseech thee, O Lord, the servitude of thy sons that is subject to thee, that, thy saints interceding, they may be worthy of thy redemption, ever filled with thy grace. Through, etc. VII. Another likewise.

O God, who hast mercifully redeemed us by the incarnation of thine Only-begotten, grant us the continual patronage of thy saints, whereby we may be able to lay hold of a portion of the saving mystery. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that as blessed Stephen, the glorious deacon, shone forth before others as an imitator of the Lord's passion and mercy, so may he be a ready helper of our frailty. Through, etc. Amid the wondrous benefits of our redemption and the glorious solemnities of the holy martyrs, we come, O Lord, with the gifts of thy praise, giving thanks both for the bounty of the remedy and for the provision of intercession. Through, etc. It is truly meet.