Sermons & Letters 188 part 8/15

And therefore with the angels, etc. Almighty everlasting God, who gladdenest us by the manifold festival of thy saints, grant that we may be fortified by the protection of those in whose commemoration we rejoice. Through, etc. Regard, O Lord, we beseech, being appeased, the oblations of thy people, whereby we both celebrate the passion of the holy martyrs to the honour of thy name, and suppliantly implore for us indulgence. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For immense are thy works, and truly great (var. wonderful).

To thee man once cast down by the devil's deceit, thou didst grant, through Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord, to become victor over his own vanquisher; so that this same enemy of his should thenceforth be subdued not only by the manly sex of thy faithful, but also be overcome by feminine weakness, and that she who is by her condition the more fragile should be rendered the stronger against the foe of spiritual substance; and, avenging the deception of our mother Eve, should triumph over the enemy of the human race, who through her had found the entrance of death. These changes of thine ineffable glory we venerate in the passion of the holy martyr Euphemia. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, the offices of our servitude, that, with the saints interceding, what we offer to the honour of thy majesty may confer upon us everlasting life. Through, etc. Having received, O Lord, the heavenly sacraments, we give thanks to thy holy name, thou who both dost accompany us with the unceasing festival of thy saints, and dost not cease to quicken us by thy divine gift. Through, etc. Look graciously, O Lord, upon the servitude of thy people offered to thee, that amid the uncertainties of human frailty he who trusts in thy protection may be crushed by no adversities. Through, etc. Likewise another.

May the feasts of the blessed martyrs, and likewise bishops, Cornelius and Cyprian, protect us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and may their venerable prayer both commend us and make us glad. Through, etc. Look kindly, O Lord, upon the gifts of thy people, which are dedicated to thy majesty for the solemnities of thy holy martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And to proclaim thy power in thy holy martyrs Cornelius and likewise Cyprian, whom, as they fed their sacred flocks with the divine bread in separated parts of the earth, thou hast crowned with one faith, on the same day (though at different times), and with a harmonious and equal confession of thy name. Through, etc.

May the prayer, O Lord, we beseech thee, commend to thee us who are strengthened by the sacred gift upon the birthday of thy holy martyrs Cornelius and Cyprian. Through, etc. Stretch forth, O Lord, we beseech thee, for the defence of thy faithful the right hand of thy majesty; and that they may be fortified by the perpetual protection of thy loving-kindness, let there not be lacking the continued intercession of thy holy martyrs on their behalf. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, we beseech thee, that as the birthdays of thy saints, which are to be celebrated, do not forsake us, so may their suffrages ever accompany us. Through, etc. We run gladly to present the gifts which we, thy suppliants, immolate to thy name for the solemnity of the holy martyr Euphemia. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Rejoicing in this festival on which, glorious with the fervour of the Holy Spirit, the precious blood of the blessed martyr Euphemia, the more precious for the fragility of her sex, blossomed forth, and by womanly courage confounding the fury of the devilish persecution, both virginity and passion fulfilled the triumph of a twofold glory. Through, etc. Likewise another. Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, the victims of thy rejoicing Church, which she has readily devoted to thy majesty for the birthday-passion of the holy martyr Euphemia. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Recalling the birthday of the holy martyr Euphemia, marvellous in the diversity of things:

So that the devil, who had driven man into ruin through the weakness of the woman, should now — victory being restored in Christ by the condition of man — be in turn cast down and crushed also through womanly frailty. Through, etc. Likewise another. We offer to thee, O Lord, the sacrifice of our servitude, which we owe to the honour of thy name on the festival of the holy martyr Euphemia. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Recounting the joy of this day's festivity, which the venerable confession of the holy martyr Euphemia has made illustrious for us. Through, etc. May the reception of thy sacrament sanctify us, O Lord, we beseech thee, and may the intercession of the holy martyr Euphemia render us acceptable to thee. Through, etc.

Let the lowliness of the Christian people exult, O Lord, because in the commemoration of thy holy martyrs it venerates thy wondrous works, and, aided by their prayers, may it be pleasing to thee. Through, etc. Almighty everlasting God, with whom, although the devout merits of every rational creature are ever accepted, yet it is certain that those are the more excellent which surpass the rest in spiritual dignity: may our festival be pleasing to thee, we beseech thee, for the veneration of him who has been offered, who, by natural beauty preserved through thy grace, is ever near to the hidden things of thy majesty in devoted watches. Through, etc.

We offer to thee, O Lord, the victims of praise, humbly praying that, with the angelic suffrage interceding for us, thou mayst both accept them appeased, and grant that they may come to profit our salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And to proclaim thee with overflowing joys on this day's festival, on which places consecrated to thy name in honour of the blessed archangel Michael have been established with divine mysteries; for although the dwelling of that sublime and glorious substance is ever in the heavens, yet the affection of thy faithful presumes, out of reverence for thy power, through these offices of pious devotion, to keep a certain pledge on earth of those ministers who stand continually in thy sight. And therefore with the angels, etc. Likewise another.

The gifts of thy people, O Lord, we beseech thee, graciously receive, which may be acceptable not by our merits but by the intercession of thy holy archangel Michael. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And to praise thee, wonderful in every creation of thine, in whom the angelic nature principally excels, which, although it is withdrawn from the human race in bodily sight, is yet beheld by the gaze of faith. And it is fitting that through the honour of them we should look up to thy majesty, through whom thou workest many protections of our salvation, and rather to proclaim this of thy magnificence, that they confess thee Lord of the most exalted and heavenly powers. Through, etc. Likewise another.

May our offering, O Lord, be ever acceptable to thee, which, with thy holy angels praying, may both bring back to us pardon and procure eternal remedies. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And much more not to keep silence, in thy archangels and angels, of thy praises, because it redounds to thine excellence and glory when the angelic creature, which by its condition is subject to thy services and has proved worthy of approval, is honoured; and while she is worthy to be venerated, thou dost show how immeasurable thou art, and to be preferred above all things. Through, etc. We have received, O Lord, the votive mysteries; we beseech thy clemency, that by their prayer whose feast we celebrate with affection, they may become salutary for us. Through, etc. Defend, O Lord, thy household;

And guard her, prostrate before thee with all her heart, from the dread of enemies. Nor let those for whom both thy saints and the angelic powers make supplication to thee find thy good things with difficulty. Through, etc. Likewise another. O God, who in aid of the human race disposest things heavenly and earthly together, mercifully cherish us, we beseech thee, who labour in the lower part of the world, with the protection of thy heavenly ministers. Through, etc. In honour of the blessed archangel Michael we frequent with mystic homage the places dedicated to thy name. Grant, we beseech thee, that we may rejoice in the suffrages of those whose sublime merits we recount. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Who not only most kindly consolest us by the confessions of thy saints, but also advancest us to the fellowship of the heavenly powers; not only dost thou uplift us by the intercession of the martyrs, but also raisest us up by the very patronage of the angels. Through, etc. Likewise another. We bring, O Lord, the holy things of thy saints, which, since they are pleasing to thee in the commemoration of all the just, we trust are much more acceptable in thy sight in the veneration of the angelic substance. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Who, even as thou graciously instructest us through thy Apostle that our conversation is already in heaven, dost kindly ordain that we may be lifted up thither in mind where those whom we venerate stand by, and reach out to the heights toward the things which we contemplate with affection on the festival of the blessed archangel Michael. Through, etc. Upheld by the intervention of the blessed archangel Michael, we humbly pray thee, O Lord, that those whom we follow with honour we may also attain in mind. Through, etc. Guard thy people, O Lord, we beseech thee, with perpetual loving-kindness, that, ever secure and aided by needful helps, it may ever rejoice in the pious veneration of the spirits pleasing to thee. Through, etc.

Beloved, the festival of the fast is at hand to be celebrated, which the solemn return of the seventh month appoints. Therefore, when the fourth and sixth weekday follow, let us fulfil the same in the accustomed assemblies; keeping here the sacred vigils of the Sabbath, that by a fitting observance, supplicating the Lord with purified minds, with the blessed apostle Peter making suffrage, we may deserve to be delivered both from present perils and likewise from future ones. Through, etc. O God, who dost not suffer sinners to perish until they be converted and live, suspend, we beseech thee, the punishment due to our sins, and grant graciously that dissimulation may not heap up vengeance, but rather that amendment may profit unto pardon. Through, etc.

O God, defender and ruler of thy people, mercifully grant that, abstaining from all sins, we may both be cherished by needful nourishments and be delivered from hostile enemies. Through, etc. Over the offerings. Grant us, almighty God, that we may offer the sacrifice dedicated to thy name with cleansed manners. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Because thou indeed hast salutarily appointed fasts for us, by which, the law of the flesh being calmed, a purer mind might stand forth. But since in our very observances we are not free from harmful and unlawful things, thou testifiest with the prophetic voice that thou hast not chosen this fast. For not only will bodily chastisement be unable to profit, if our spirit be entangled in wicked thoughts;

But it is agreed that it is even worse if, though the earthly condition be soothed, the mind rest not from iniquities. And therefore grant us, O Lord, being appeased, that, with outward frugality fittingly employed, we may inwardly restrain ourselves from depraved intentions, so that we may be able to exercise perfect continence. Through, etc. Postcommunion. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may both ever be occupied in thy solemnities, and may accord with their mysteries alike in mind and in body. Through, etc. Over the people. Illumine, O God who dwellest within, the hearts of thy children sanctified by fasting, and to those to whom thou grantest the affection of devotion, kindly afford a merciful hearing as they supplicate. Through, etc. Likewise another.

Hear, O Lord, our prayers, that in every nation may be fulfilled what has been promised by the Gospel of thy Word; and that the fullness of adoption may obtain what the testimony of truth foretold. Through, etc. Attend, we beseech thee, O Lord, to this singular sacrifice, that by the participation of this mystery we may receive, awaited, the things which we believe are to be hoped for. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For thine is all that we live, because, although our nature is wounded by the wound of sin, it is yet of thy work that those begotten unto earthly things should be reborn unto heavenly. Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy household, and guard with ever-watchful loving-kindness the hearts dedicated to the sacred mysteries, that the remedies of eternal salvation, which by thy mercy they receive, they may by thy protection keep.

Through, etc. Likewise another. Almighty everlasting God, in whose sovereign will the rights of all kingdoms consist, protect everywhere the rulers of the Roman name, that their prosperity, according to our prayer, may be able to be the peace of thy peoples. Through, etc. Be present, O Lord, to thy faithful, and both those whom thou instructest in heavenly sacraments, and those to whom thou grantest bodily substance, preserve from earthly perils. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, the prayers of thy suppliants, and, guard with perpetual defence those who serve thee with devout heart, that, hindered by no disturbances, we may ever render free servitude to thy offices. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Who deignest so to instruct the rational creature, lest, given over to temporal goods, it should not strive after everlasting rewards, by such a dispensation that it neither fail through chastisement nor grow insolent in prosperities; but that rather its devotion may become glorious, being overcome by no adversities from him by whom it is unconquered. Through, etc. Almighty everlasting God, we suppliants entreat thy mercy, that this thy sacrament may not be to us a guilt unto punishment, but may become a salutary intercession unto pardon; may it be the abolition of sins, may it be the strength of the frail, may it be a firm bulwark against the perils of the world. May this communion cleanse us from crime, and grant us to be partakers of heavenly joy. Through, etc. Likewise another.

Give us, O Lord, we beseech thee, a reasonable course of action, that, venerating thee alone with sincere mind, we may both more confidently ask the things that are thine, and more easily attain them. Through, etc. Turn all our hearts, O Lord, we beseech thee, to thee, that, abstaining from those things by which thou art offended, we may feel not thy wrath but thy mercy. Through, etc. Illumine thy gifts, O God our founder, and by these victims, by which thou hast willed to be appeased, mercifully sanctify us who immolate them. Through, etc. It is truly meet. By whose power all things have been created, and by whose providence they are governed;

And therefore thou hast deservedly judged us to be held by this law, that, not fearing thee under whom are all things, we should dread everything, and again should fear nothing at all, if we faithfully revere thee, the one author of all. Through, etc. Bestow upon us, almighty God, from whom is every good, that, having thee, we may lack no helps. Through, etc. Grant to thy people, O our God, a will pleasing to thee, because then wilt thou bestow upon it all prosperous things, when thou hast made it suited to thy ordinances. Through, etc. Likewise another. Hasten, we beseech thee, delay not, O Lord, and lend us the protection of thy loving-kindness; that they who trust in thy mercy may be relieved by timely consolations. Through, etc.

May the victim of our devotion be continually immolated to thee, O Lord, we beseech thee, which may both accomplish the ordinances of the sacred mystery, and powerfully work thy salvation for us. Through, etc. It is truly meet. And to proclaim thy works with continual praises; because they are ever just and good. Which powerfully bring it about that rational wills may either amid these things advance unto salvation, or in no way plead exemption from the heavenly vigour. Through, etc. Be to us, O Lord, we beseech thee, sacred food and salutary drink, which may both fortify temporal life, and bestow the eternal. Through, etc. Be present, O Lord, to thy servants, and bestow thy help on those who ask it; that for those who glory in thee as author and governor, thou mayst both restore the created things, and preserve the restored. Through, etc.

Likewise another. Almighty everlasting God, benignly pour into our hearts, that, restraining ourselves from earthly intentions, we may the more earnestly meditate on heavenly things. Through, etc. Repel thou, O Lord, the manifold assaults which the world brings on; that with tranquil thoughts we may be able to receive these heavenly gifts. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who commandest us to fast not only from carnal food, but also from the harmful delights of the mind itself. For if we refuse bodily delicacies lest we dull our spirit with blunted senses, how much more ought we to abstain from the very excesses of the mind, that, freed from disordered affections, it may be able to reach the brightness of the supernal light! Through, etc.

Filled with thy salvation, O Lord, we humbly beseech that, by whose taste we rejoice, by its effect we may be renewed. Through, etc. Give salvation, O Lord, of mind and body to thy people, and fill the hearts of thy faithful with the perpetual consolations of thy saints, that, relieved inwardly and outwardly, they may both please thee with pious devotion, and ever obtain thy benefits. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that we may be made fruitful by inward gifts, lest we deserve to be in want of outward supports. Through, etc. Likewise another. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that by fasting we may be filled with strength, and by abstaining be made stronger than all our enemies. Through, etc. May the gifts of our fast be acceptable to thee, O Lord, we beseech thee;

Which may both make us worthy of thy grace by expiation, and lead us to the eternal promises. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Whose ineffable wisdom so unchangeably endures that in it neither is there kindness without the perpetuity of justice, nor justice without eternal goodness. Concerning which we complain with pitiable rashness, when, according to our desires, neither the quality of the fruits nor prosperous things come forth — as though we ourselves were striving to fulfil thy precepts, and had not rather, despising these very precepts with pernicious dissimulation, deserved not only to be smitten with meagre nourishments, but to be deprived of all sustenance;

Except that thy clemency therefore does not forsake us, so that we may be both solicitous concerning the chastisement of scarcity, and devout concerning the loving-kindness not denied. Through, etc. May the sacred libation of thy table ever quicken and renew us, O Lord, which may both govern and protect our frailty amid the tempests of the world, and bring it into the harbour of perpetual salvation. Through, etc. May thy right hand, O Lord, protect thy people as they pray. May it purify, sustain, and instruct them, that, consoled in the present, they may advance to good things future. Through, etc. Likewise another. Almighty everlasting God, who leadest us to the annual feasts of this observance, mercifully grant that the effect of pious devotion may afford us the substance both of minds and of bodies. Through, etc.

O God, who for the fruits of our souls makest bodily sufficiency to come forth, lest we deserve to be in want of outward supports, grant, we beseech thee, that we may be made fruitful by inward gifts. Through, etc. O Lord our God, who in these creatures which thou hast rather created for the protection of our frailty hast also willed that gifts be appointed to be dedicated to thy name, grant, we beseech thee, that they may effect for us both the help of the present life and the sacrament of eternity. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For thy holy fasts feed us, and the hallowed hunger refreshes us, if through salutary continence the briars and thorns of our conscience fail, and pure produce succeeds; if the desirable barrenness of vices comes forth, and the joyful abundance of virtues is present. For the dearth of faults confers the redundancy of prosperous things. Hence it is that, by restricting plenty and by not denying moderate portions, thou so disposest us with that moderation, that, tending to the things above, we may both in no wise be forsaken by temporal nourishments, and be so governed by these transitory supports that, restrained by their scantiness, we may advance to things eternal. Through, etc.

Follow with perpetual favour, O Lord, those whom thou refreshest with the divine mystery, and accompany with salutary comforts those whom thou hast imbued with heavenly ordinances. Through, etc. May thy defence, O Lord, we beseech thee, be present to the humble, and continually protect those who trust in thy mercy, that, fittingly aided by the necessary supports which the human condition needs, they may attain to the gifts of immortality. Through, etc. In this week the fasts of the tenth month are to be recounted for us.

Wherefore we exhort the faith of your charity that, keeping the same fourth and sixth weekday with the accustomed processions, we may fulfil this very thing on the Sabbath day with solemn vigils, so that, with the apostolic merits making suffrage, the perseverance of due servitude may obtain the propitiation of our God. Through, etc. Likewise prayers. Almighty everlasting God, who consolest us both with yearly sustenance and with solemnities, grant, we beseech thee, that what is withdrawn from these for the quality of our conversation, may be supplied by the abundance of thine omnipotence. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may be relieved by the correction of our manners, because, when thou hast conferred these gifts, thou wilt deny us nothing useful. Through, etc.

Over the offerings. O God, who both nourishest by the food of the present gifts and renewest by the sacrament the twofold substance of the human race, grant, we beseech thee, that their support may be lacking neither to our bodies nor to our minds. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who by eternal counsel dost not cease to govern what thou hast created. And it is manifest that we transgress when, ignorant of the supernal disposition, we complain of the dispensation of thy secret things, and are then rather known to think aright when, trusting not in our own but in thy providence, we continually weigh thy loving-kindness and justice as to be entreated: certain that thou who dost not forsake the unjust and evil, much more dost by no means abandon those whom thou hast granted to be thine own, from thy clement governance. Through, etc.

Postcommunion. Govern, we beseech thee, O Lord, with temporal helps those whom thou deignest to instruct with eternal mysteries. Through, etc. Over the people. Rule, O Lord, thy people, and multiply in it, we beseech thee, the gifts of thy grace, that, both free from all offences and not destitute of temporal helps, it may rejoice in eternal ordinances. Through, etc. Likewise another. Almighty everlasting God, who hast so fashioned man that, fittingly instructed with temporal benefits, thou mightest advance him to heavenly gifts, grant, we beseech thee, that, as through unlawful appetites we fell from the region of the beatitude granted us, so through the nourishment distributed by thy gift, both our passing humanity may be sustained, and the lost eternity may be recovered.

Through, etc. It is truly meet. Glorifying the Creator both for things past, and entreating him for the fruits to come, that, as concerning things received we are not found ungrateful, so concerning things to be received we may not be judged unworthy; but rather, with the solemn devotion of fasting displayed, we may with bodily supports take an increase of our souls. Through, etc. We have received, O Lord, the glorious mysteries, by which thou makest those placed on earth to be already partakers of heavenly things. Do thou amid these things, by which we live, govern us, O Lord, we beseech thee, that thou mayst lead us to those things. Through, etc. Be present, O Lord, to thy suppliants, and graciously guard those who place their hope in thy mercy;

That, cleansed from the stain of sins, they may remain in holy conversation, and, obtaining temporal sufficiency, may be perfected as heirs of thy promise. Through, etc. Likewise another. Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord, that we may bend our hearts to thy prayers, and, trusting that all things are possible to thee, may hope not from the profitable effect of the elements, but from thy power may suppliantly implore. Through, etc. O God of heavenly powers, who bestowest more than we ask or deserve, grant, we beseech thee, that thy mercy may confer upon us what the confidence of our merits does not possess. Through, etc.

O God, who dost anticipate the vows of those who ask, grant, we beseech thee, that we may neither be destitute of bodily nourishments, and may be delivered from the dread of enemies. Through, etc. O Lord God, who alone both foreseest and providest the things which befit our frailty, grant that we may be both upheld by present helps and instructed in eternal ones. Through, etc. Dispose us, O Lord, we beseech thee, by thy loving-kindness, because we shall lack no helps if we are governed by the clemency of thy providence. Through, etc. Direct, O Lord, we beseech thee, thy Church by heavenly dispensation, that she who is ever prepared in thy presence before the beginning of the world, may, thou guiding, come to the fullness and glory that has been promised. Through, etc.

Receive, O Lord, we beseech thee, being appeased in the measure that thou hast especially appointed these victims to be consecrated to thy name, that whatever is not fulfilled by the office of our servitude, may be compensated by the condescension of thy indulgence. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Because thou dost not cease both to cherish with human supports and to reform with divine ones the image of thy reason, set amid the regions of the world. For it followed that, the fruits of the earth being past, a heavenly seed should arise, and the nourishment of mortal life being completed, the germ of immortality should exist.

And, carnal foods being dispensed with, the food of souls should be marvellously born, and, the season of grain, wine, and oil being ended, that should be ineffably eaten which to the children of God, advancing to the likeness of the angels, should bring all this not only in substance and name from heaven, but should furnish the eternal bread. Through, etc. May the participation of the divine sacrament ever accumulate thy grace upon us, O Lord, and, flooding us with its power, make us capable of so great a gift. Through, etc.

Absolve, O Lord, we beseech thee, the sins of thy peoples, and cleanse what mortality contracts by frailty, that, avoiding by thy repelling all perils of mind and body, it may subsist by thy consolation, and by thy grace the inheritance of the promised redemption may be perfected. Through, etc. Likewise another. We beseech thee, almighty God, that thou mayst both correct our minds by thy ordinances, and not cease to bestow thy benefits on the corrected. Through, etc. For the overcoming of our enemies, O Lord, grant, we beseech thee, that we may obtain thy help by fasts pleasing to thee and by good works. Through, etc. To the venerable altars, O Lord, we draw near with victims of praise. Grant, we beseech thee, that they may both procure for us thy indulgence and thy favour.