講道與書信 第 188 章 第 1/15 段

... that they may be pleasing to you for the festival of your holy martyrs, and may confer upon us the help of your propitiation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For unto you the festive solemnity is kept, unto you the sacred day is celebrated, which the blood of your blessed martyr Tiburtius, poured out in testimony of your truth, has marked with the magnificent honor of your name. And therefore with the angels, etc. It is truly meet. For we marvel at your powers, O Lord, and at your victories, as often as in your Church the feasts of these days are celebrated—days which the palms of your illustrious confessors and martyrs have consecrated to perpetual memory and solemn joy for your faithful peoples. Through, etc.

Those whom you satisfy with heavenly gifts, O Lord, defend by your protection, that, delivered from all harmful things, we may run to you with all our heart after your salvation. Through, etc. ... and grant to your suppliants, we beseech you, O Lord, the largess of light, that, following your commandments by your working, they may both receive the consolation of the present life and lay hold of the joys to come. Through, etc. VII. Another, likewise. Grant us, O Lord, your mercy, implored by the intercessions of your saints; and those whom you have granted to be our intercessors, make them both continually to entreat your majesty, and to obtain saving things for us. Through, etc.

O God, who, perceiving that we are not fit worthily to entreat your magnificence as is meet, have conferred upon us the protection of those who have been pleasing to you: grant that we may be helped by the prayers of those whose aid, in your mercy, you have provided for us. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, your people supplicating you with the patronage of your saints, and grant us both to rejoice in the peace of this temporal life and to find the support of the eternal. Through, etc. Be present, O our God, to your servants, and, being made propitious, regard our oblations by the appeasements of your saints; that what our confidence does not merit, pious supplication may render acceptable. Through, etc.

Give us, O Lord, the effect of your loving-kindness, and, as your saints commend them, look propitiously also upon our gifts. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For it is of your work and of your loving-kindness that to a countless multitude of your saints it was granted not only to believe in your Son, our Lord, but even to suffer for Him; that those whom faith justified, the end also might glorify. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For your powers, O Lord, etc., as above. VIII. Another, likewise. Be favorable, O Lord, to our supplications, and, by the interceding merits of your saints, deign to admit our prayers. Through, etc.

Our prayers, O Lord, we beseech you, being made propitious, admit; and that we may worthily serve at your altars, guard us by the intercession of your saints. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For you are glorious in your saints, on whom you have bestowed both virtue in confession and victory in suffering. Therefore with the angels, etc. Filled with the libation of the sacred Body and the precious Blood, we beseech you, O our God, that what we perform with pious devotion we may receive with sure redemption. Through, etc. IX. Another, likewise. Protect, O Lord, your people, and, always aided by saving protections, raise it up by continual benefits of mind and body. Through, etc. Almighty and everlasting God, who guard us by the intercession of your saints:

grant that, being cherished by whose merits, we may profit by the examples of their pious confession. Through, etc. May our supplication, O Lord, be to you both a pleasing thing and an acceptable oblation alike, which, when it is offered for the commemoration of your saints, may, with the same interceding, obtain for us indulgence. Through, etc. It is truly meet. You who are wonderful in the virtue not only of your martyrs but also of your confessors. For although those are illustrious by their passion, who endured bitter punishments in manifest torments, yet these too, afflicted and tormented by the hidden purpose of self-chastisement, have followed close upon their footsteps in the disciplines of spiritual observance. Through, etc. X. Another, likewise. Regard, O Lord, the offerings of your people;

and let it feel that what it devoutly celebrates in honor of your saints profits it unto healing. Through, etc. It is truly meet. You who, while even now you glorify your confessors with so great a festival, at the same time both teach that with you no holy purpose is without reward, and, apart from the harder contests, invite even the frail to the gift of the reward of light. Through, etc. Receiving the pledge of the heavenly mystery, and though set upon the earth, already satisfied with the supernal Bread, we beseech you, O Lord, that, your saints deprecating, what is mystically wrought in us may be truly fulfilled. Through, etc. May the righteous prayer of your saints obtain help, we beseech, O Lord, for your faithful; and in whose celebration they are devout, may they become partakers in their perpetual lot. Through, etc.

XI. Another, likewise. May the suffrages of your saints, conferred upon us, profit us, we beseech, O Lord; that what we cannot obtain by our own prayers, we may attain by the prayers of those pleasing to you. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord, that we be cherished by the supplications of your holy martyrs; that those whose venerable day we frequent with yearly homage, by their intercessions and merits we may be commended. Through, etc. XII. Another, likewise. O God, who perceive that the faculty of our conscience does not suffice to entreat you, make all your martyrs, whom you can worthily hear, to pray for us. Through, etc. We offer to you, O Lord, the solemn gifts of your faithful, trusting in the interventions of the holy martyrs;

that what we carry out with our less-than-fit service may rather, by their merits, be made acceptable. Through, etc. It is truly meet. You who so destroyed the contrivances of the ancient enemy that, against the devil whom He had laid low by His own power, He might render His saints, armed with the Spirit of truth, still stronger, so that they might neither fear the savagery of persecutors nor doubt of the promised eternity of blessedness; whose glory recalling in this day's festival, we offer to you the sacrifices of praise, with the angels, etc. Having obtained the grace of the sacred gift, as suppliants, O Lord, we ask you, that, as your holy martyrs implore for us, we may spiritually perceive the effect of divine power, which we have received corporeally. Through, etc.

Protect, O Lord, your people, supplicating with the patronage of your saints, and, trusting in your loving-kindness, purify it within and without: that through these things which they have tasted in the divine sacrifice, they may merit the salvation both of minds and of bodies. Through, etc. XIII. Another, likewise. Extend to us, O Lord, your mercy; and to your saints, by whose patronage you have made us to be aided, grant that they continually entreat your majesty for us. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, the sacrifice of propitiation and of praise, which, the saints interceding, may both lead us to pardon and establish us in perpetual thanksgiving. Through, etc.

Filled with the substance of renewal and of life, we beseech you, O Lord our God, that through the heavenly gifts which you deign to bestow upon us, by these same you may grant us to cleave to heavenly things. Through, etc. Protector of those who hope in you, O God, save your people, guard them, dispose them; that, free from sins, secure from the enemy, they may ever persevere in your grace. Through, etc. XIV. Another, likewise. Be propitious, O Lord, to your people, and make help from your sanctuary to be present to us more swiftly. Through, etc. Show us, O Lord, your mercy, and grant the gifts of your salvation. Through, etc. We immolate the sacrifices of your praise, O Lord, by which we trust to be stripped both of present evils and of those to come. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

Suppliantly entreating your majesty, that you would not suffer those to perish for whom you have provided such great remedies; and that the protections conferred may not turn out to the heaping up of condemnation for the guilty, but rather come to the effect of salvation. Through, etc. May the venerable reception of your sacrament, cleansed from all oldness, we beseech, O Lord, transfer us into a new creature. Through, etc. Let not, we beseech, O Lord, the less-than-fit deprecation of our servitude prejudice your faithful; but, prevailing over our merits, sanctify, govern, save, and attend your Church; and confirm it, devoted to you without ceasing, by perpetual redemption. Through, etc. XV. Another, likewise. Hear, O Lord, our prayers, and protect us by the protections of your holy martyrs. Through, etc.

Regard, O Lord, the gifts which we bring in the commemoration of your saints; that those to whom they are pleasing in their honor may become for us a perpetual intercession. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For all your saints praise and bless you, on whom you have bestowed both virtue in confession and victory in suffering. Through, etc. Grant, O Lord our God, that they whose votive sacraments are a festival for us may, by their intercession, be rendered saving for us. Through, etc. Protect, O Lord, your suppliants, sustain the frail, purge the earthly; and, amid the darkness of mortal things, quicken us mortals as we walk ever by your light, and, mercifully snatched from all evils, grant us to attain to the highest goods. Through, etc. XVI. Another, likewise.

Grant, we beseech, O Lord, that we may continually celebrate the merit of your martyrs, whose continual help we perceive. Through, etc. We immolate a sacrifice to you, O Lord, for the birthday-feasts of your holy martyrs: that we may frequent the glory of those in whose protections we rejoice. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For we acknowledge, O Lord, that we are fortified by the deprecation of your holy martyrs; imploring your majesty more abundantly, that you would command us both to be cherished temporally by these patronages and to be aided spiritually. Through, etc. Grant us, we beseech, O Lord, that with the solemnity of your holy martyrs we may rejoice under perpetual guardianship. Through, etc. Let the Christian people exult, O Lord, over the glorification of the great members of your Son;

and, by how much they are more eminent than the rest, by so much the more may the lower members rejoice together over their height. Through, etc. XVII. Another, likewise. Be propitious, O Lord, we beseech, to your people, and, your saints interceding, grant us the pardon of sins; being appeased, grant also peace, that being propitious you may bestow help. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, we beseech, our prayers; and make the homage of this oblation, which we offer in the holy commemoration of your martyr, to come forth for us with abundant clemency unto the appeasing of your name, and to pass over into everlasting joy for us. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Since you give to your saints both the patience of endurance and, in the blessed end of the contest, the triumph. Through, etc.

Restored by the sacred mysteries, we suppliantly entreat that, your saints interceding, we may lay hold in effect by deeds of that which we celebrate in affection. Through, etc. Creator of your people, O God, and Restorer, protect your suppliants, protect those who ask your mercy; that as satisfaction is made, with that saint interceding on their behalf, they may both receive good things established and guard those restored. Through, etc. XVIII. Another, likewise. Grant, O Lord, to your people the pardon of sins and the increase of religion; and that you may multiply your gifts unto it, make the patronages of your holy martyrs to be present. Through, etc. Receive propitiously, O Lord, the gifts of your Church, and protect us by the prayers of the saints, who are pleasing to your justice. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For all your saints bless and praise you, on whom you have bestowed both virtue in confession and glory in suffering. Through, etc. By the prayers of the saints, O Lord, we beseech, may salvation both of minds and of bodies be granted; that it may become for us both the abundant blessing and the lavish protection of your gift. Through, etc. Give help, O Lord, we beseech, to those subject to your majesty and power, that whatever they do not presume upon by their own merits, they may obtain by the prayers of your saints. Through, etc. XIX. Another, likewise. Be present, O Lord, to our prayers, which we bring in the commemoration of your saints, that we who have no confidence in our own righteousness may be aided by the merits of those who have been pleasing to you. Through, etc.

Hear, O Lord our God, those supplicating you with the patronage of your saints; that we may be able to retain the constancy of those whose triumphs we celebrate. Through, etc. Extend to us, O Lord, your mercy, and to your saints, by whose patronage you have granted us to be aided, grant that they continually entreat your majesty for us. Through, etc. Assist, O Lord, our frailty, that by the intercession of your saints we may not be rejected in our merits—those whom you deign to appoint to such great offices. Through, etc. Grant, we beseech, O Lord, that we may serve your gifts with a free mind, so that, your saints interceding, the gifts which we bring may work for us both healing and glory. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For you are glorious in all your saints, on whom you have bestowed both virtue in confession and victory in suffering. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For it is of your work and of your power that to your saints it was granted not only to believe in your Son our Lord Jesus Christ, but even to be able to suffer for Him: that those whom faith justified, the end also might glorify. Through, etc. Renewed by the libation of the sacred Body and the precious Blood, we beseech, O Lord, your clemency, that what we perform with frequent devotion we may receive with sure redemption. Through, etc. Preserve, O Lord, your people; and grant that whom you do not cease to aid with saving protections, may rejoice in the perpetual benefits of mind and body. Through, etc. XX. Another, likewise.

May we be aided, O Lord, by the prayers of your saints; and what our own possibility does not obtain, may it be granted to us by their petition. Through, etc. May the venerable confession and blessed prayer of St. Lawrence your martyr commend our victim, we beseech, O Lord. Through, etc. It is truly meet. You who, through the mists of the world, instruct us as by the luminaries of heaven, by the examples of your saints, and attend us with their intercession. Through, etc. Amid your innumerable helps of loving-kindness, O Lord, we trust that our frailty is not on this side forsaken, since so great patronages of those pleasing to you have been provided for us. Through, etc. O God, who show the light of truth to those erring in the way, that they may be able to return:

Grant to all who are numbered in the Christian profession both to reject those things which are hostile to this name, and to pursue those things which befit it. Through, etc. Almighty and everlasting God, who biddest those who share Thy table to abstain from the banquet of the devil: grant, we beseech Thee, to Thy people, that, the taste of deadly profanity being cast away, they may with pure minds approach the feast of eternal salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Whose Church is now so intermingled with true confessors and false, that nevertheless the change wrought by human frailty must ever be guarded against, and the conversion of none is to be despaired of; wherefore the more do we as suppliants entreat Thee, that—since without Thee no steadfast devotion can stand—Thou wouldst bestow perseverance upon the firm and amendment upon the weak. Through, etc.

Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, to Thy people to abstain from the diabolical snares which they have renounced, and to bow themselves down to Thee with their whole heart. Through, etc. Likewise another. May the blessed supplication of the martyrs, O Lord, reconcile us to Thy majesty, that we who unceasingly offend by our deeds may be cleansed by the continual prayers of the just. Through, etc. May our offerings be acceptable to Thee, O Lord, which are established by Thy precepts, and may the glorious festival of the saints commend them. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Praising Thee in the confessions of Thy saints; whose solemnities, while they are kept, set before us more abundant examples of faith; and while their victories are the oftener recounted, the more frequent are the helps ministered to us;

and while their merit and glory are proclaimed the more richly and manifold, the hope of eternal blessedness is intimated to us the more readily. Through, etc. Filled, O Lord, with the heavenly mystery and with the blessings of our intercessors, we give thanks to Thy name, who dost accompany us with a saving gift and dost graciously raise us up by the patronage of the saints. Through, etc. Likewise another. May the feasts of Thy martyrs, O Lord, ever gladden us; and may we experience the help of those whose merit we celebrate. Through, etc. We magnify Thy name, O Lord, almighty and merciful God, who, coming to the aid of our frailty, dost not only bestow upon us the divine mysteries, but by their prayers dost also make us worthy of them. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For we celebrate the precious heavenly birthdays of Thy just ones, which, while daily they shine forth throughout the whole world, are ever both begun as though completed, and completed as though ever to be begun anew. Through, etc. Satisfied by the frequent reception of the sacraments, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that those in whose honor they are doubled may come to us through their saving prayer. Through, etc. May Thy mercy be present with Thy people, O Lord, appeased by the intercession of the saints, that it may ever both cleanse them from sin and defend them from the enemy, advance them with temporal helps, and lead them to the everlasting joys of the saints. Through, etc. Likewise another. Multiply for us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the gifts of this sacred festival;

when we both recall the vows of our salvation, and are aided by the patronage of those who are pleasing to Thee. Through, etc. Engaging, O Lord, in a glorious exchange, we offer what Thou hast given, that we may be worthy to receive Thee Thyself. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For although all the things bestowed upon human nature at its beginning are immeasurable—namely, that Thou didst create it out of nothing; that Thou didst grant it to be strong in the knowledge of Thee; that Thou didst set it above all living creatures by a share in the highest reason; that Thou didst enrich it with possession of the whole world—yet far more wondrous are Thy works, in that Thou dost not only quicken earthly and mortal matter when it is dead, but hast even made it divine. Through, etc.

Likewise another. Upon Thy altars, O Lord, we gladly offer earthly gifts, that we may obtain the heavenly; we give temporal things, that we may receive the eternal. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For who could, or would dare, to cease from Thy praise, when he ponders the effects of Thy wondrous dispensation—that from a sinful kind of nature an immaculate Victim should be brought forth, by whose immolation, on behalf of that same guilty nature, Thou mightest be appeased. Through, etc. Likewise another. Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, these oft-frequented mysteries: for as often as the commemoration of this Victim, well-pleasing to Thee, is celebrated, the work of our redemption is wrought. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For since the whole world experiences and beholds that the fallen beginnings of the human race are raised up, that what had grown old is renewed, and that what was cast down is brought back to its height; just as it knows that what the ancient saints believed must be done has been fulfilled, so it faithfully awaits the things that are now promised. Through, etc. Likewise another. We celebrate, O Lord, the Sacrifice which ought to be perpetual for us, even as we ceaselessly desire to be made worthy by its working. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who, offering Himself to Thee to be immolated for us, showed forth the same to be both Priest and holy Lamb. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord, Thy mercy, through which we may both be absolved from our guilt and be fittingly conformed to these mysteries. Through, etc. Likewise another.

Almighty and everlasting God, who adornest the sacred body of Thy Church with the confessions of the holy martyrs: grant us, we beseech Thee, both to advance in things pleasing to Thee by their teachings and to follow their holy example. Through, etc. Hear, O Lord, the prayers of Thy suppliants, and the things which our own merits fail to obtain, may the commendation of Thy saints render acceptable. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, the votive gifts of Thy peoples; and may they be pleasing to Thee through the prayers of those in whose honor they are offered. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who dost grant us to celebrate unceasingly the glorious victories of the holy martyrs. For these are the confessors of that Name in which, O eternal Father, Thou hast placed for us the sole safeguard of our salvation.

And that we may be able to come to the knowledge of Him, Thou dost both instruct the faith of little minds by their testimonies, and graciously raise it up by their intercessions. Through, etc. Trusting, O Lord, in the prayers of the saints, we beseech Thee that through the things which we have received we may obtain eternal remedies. Through, etc. Guard, O Lord, by Thy protection the people that entreat Thee; and let him not with difficulty obtain what he devoutly and justly asks, whom the merits of Thy saints support. Through, etc. Likewise another. Receive graciously, O Lord, these Victims dedicated to Thee by the merits of Thy saints, and grant that they may become for us a perpetual help. Through, etc. Grant us, O Lord, we beseech Thee, to escape alike all sins and all dangers of body and mind.

us whom Thou dost encompass with the devout confession of innumerable martyrs. Through, etc. We offer Thee, O Lord, a sacrifice of praise in commemoration of Thy venerable saints. Grant, we beseech Thee, that what conferred glory upon them may profit us unto salvation. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Who dost grant us, as we venerate the palms of the blessed martyrs on the days which they marked with their own blood, ever to rejoice in the exaltation of Thy power and in Thy honor, O Lord. Through, etc. We have received, O Lord, the heavenly Sacraments as we celebrate the solemnities of Thy saints; by whose intercessions grant, we beseech Thee, that what we do in time we may attain in eternal joys. Through, etc. Likewise another. May the apostolic prayer ever defend us, O Lord;

that the Church may be guided by the same intercessors in whom as her princes she glories. Through, etc. Be Thou, O Lord, a singular refuge to the wretched through Thy saints, in whose honor and merit Thou art well-pleased on our behalf. Through, etc. Coming, O Lord, to the feasts of Thy martyrs, we hasten with gifts dedicated to Thy name, that, paying reverence to them, we may obtain pardon for ourselves. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For Thou art glorious in Thy saints, to whom Thou hast both granted endurance in persecution and bestowed victory in their passion. Through, etc. Be mindful, O Lord, we beseech Thee, of the human condition, that Thy saints may ever entreat Thy clemency on our behalf, and be unceasingly heard. Through, etc. Likewise another.

Protect us, O Lord, by the intercession of Thy just ones; that we, who are encompassed by their support, may be cherished by their helps. Through, etc. Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, ever to offer Thee these vows, whereby, celebrating the birthdays of Thy saints, we may proclaim Thy glory. Through, etc. It is truly meet. For we repeat the solemnities of Thy saints, whose venerable confession both accomplished the wonders of Thy power, and won for them a heavenly reward, and prepared for us their patronage. Through, etc. May the frequent solemnities of Thy just ones profit us, O Lord: for the more frail we are, the more we need the safeguards that are pleasing to Thee. Through, etc. Likewise another. Since the multitude of our sins prevails, O Lord,

O Lord, while their multitude prevails, we keep the yearly feasts of Thy saints, entreating Thy mercy for a singular support through those by whose patronage Thou hast willed us to be aided. Through, etc. Regard not, we beseech Thee, O Lord, the offenses of those who offer Thee gifts; but look graciously upon the merits of our intercessors. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Glorifying Thee in the confession of Thy saints, who by the wondrous dispensation of Thy wisdom hast prepared both everlasting blessedness for them and fitting helps for our frailty; that those whom Thou didst foresee worthy to appease Thee, Thou, being propitiated, mightest regard through the worthy prayers of them that have pleased Thee.

Wherefore as suppliants we implore that, even as eternal happiness awaits them, so their continual intercession for us may not fail. Through, etc. We have sinned against Thee, almighty and merciful God. We have no remedy, unless Thou have mercy on us by the intercession of Thy saints. Through, etc. Likewise another. Grant us, almighty and merciful God, that celebrating the birthdays of Thy saints, whose triumphs we proclaim, we may truly imitate their faith. Through, etc. We offer Thee, O Lord, gifts pleasing to Thee at the solemnities of Thy saints, entreating Thy clemency that what redounds to their glory may profit us unto pardon. Through, etc. It is truly meet.

For the venerable blood of the blessed martyrs, poured out for the confession of Thy name, even as it manifests Thy wonders—Thou who dost perfect strength in weakness—so it gives increase to our endeavors and furnishes help to our frailties. Through, etc. Likewise another. By the intervention of the saints, O Lord, may our service be pleasing to Thee, and may the homage of our gifts become safeguards for the devout. Through, etc. Look upon us, O Lord, entreated by the prayers of the venerable martyr Gregory, granting by Thy compassion that, as his passion has brought us this day's gladness in Thy power, so also his merit may support us. Through, etc. May the Victim to be consecrated, O Lord, we beseech Thee, become appeasing through the celebration of this precious martyrdom, which:

may both purify our hearts and reconcile the vows of Thy people to Thee. Through, etc. It is truly meet. Entreating the more earnestly that, as in Thy foreknowledge Thou hast bestowed abundant helps of the just upon our weakness, so Thou wouldst grant us to be refreshed by their intercession. Through, etc. Hear us, O Lord, as we cry to Thee, and those whom Thou dost not forsake with the sacraments, raise up with the needful safeguards. Through, etc. Likewise another. O God, who makest the dignity of blessed Peter the Apostle to be glorious everywhere: grant, we beseech Thee, that we may ever be cherished both by his teaching and by his merits. Through, etc. Receive, O Lord, we beseech Thee, the Victims which we offer to Thy majesty in honor of blessed Peter the Apostle, to whom this basilica is consecrated, and by his prayers protect us. Through, etc. It is truly meet.