Tuesday 12 November 2013

St. Martin of Tours. Vigils

Monastic Office of Vigils,

Monday, 11 November 2013
Saint Martin of Tours, Bishop
http://www.ibreviary.com/m/breviario.php


COMMENT:
The IRIS flowers displayed at the Altar appeared to be wilting. The vases of Carnations and Freesia very provided with water. The IRIS flowers proved to be bone dry of water.
Martin Mass too has lessons. [Martinmas [ˈmɑːtɪnməs], n

(Christianity / Ecclesiastical Terms) the feast of St Martin on Nov. 11; one of the four quarter days in Scotland].

The Antiphons on the life of St. Martin in the Liturgy orchestrates the short years;
not overcome by work
not conquered by death.
He neither feared to die
nor refused to go on living


Vigils. S. Martin of Tours. Memorial

Inv. The just man will flourish,
           Established in God's house
.

Noct.I Ant.vij.  
Words cannot describe this man,
not overcome by work *
not conquered by death.
He neither feared to die
nor refused to go on living.

First Reading.
Resp.
Long before his death the blessed Martin
knew the day when he would die.
So he told his disciples
* that the time for the dissolution of his body was at hand,
for already he could feel his powers failing.
v. His bodily strength began suddenly to leave him;
so he called his disciples together and told them:

Vespers

Ant.2 vij .T
With eyes and hands
ever lifted heavenwards
Martin ever remained intent on prayer.
Alleluia, alleluia.

Ant.3 viij .T
Filled with joy, Martin is received
into Abraham' s bosom.
Martin who on earth, was poor and humble
enters heaven rich in merit
as heaven, s choirs
sing in his honour.

Cant.6 vi.j .T
Lord, if your people still need me
I shall not refuse to go on working
Your will be done.
Your will be done.

Resp.  Great are your deeds, O Lord


Prayer
Lord God,
you were glorified
by the life and death of Saint Martin.
Renew the wonders of your grace in our hearts
so that neither death nor life
may separate us from your love.
We make our prayer through ••••.

SECOND READING

From a letter by Sulpicius Severus
(Epist. 3, 6, 9-10. 11. 14-17. 21: SC 133. 336-344)

Martin the poor and humble man

Martin knew long in advance the time of his death and he told his brethren that it was near. Meanwhile, he found himself obliged to make a visitation of the parish of Candes. The clergy of that church were quarreling, and he wished to reconcile them. Although he knew that his days on earth were few, he did not refuse to undertake the journey for such a purpose, for he believed that he would bring his virtuous life to a good end if by his efforts peace was restored in the church.

He spent some time in Candes, or rather in its church, where he stayed. Peace was restored, and he was planning to return to his monastery when suddenly he began to lose his strength. He summoned his brethren and told them he was dying. All who heard this were overcome with grief. In their sorrow they cried to him with one voice: “Father, why are you deserting us? Who will care for us when you are gone? Savage wolves will attack your flock, and who will save us from their bite when our shepherd is struck down? We know you long to be with Christ, but your reward is certain and will not be any less for being delayed. You will do better to show pity for us, rather than forsake us.”

Thereupon he broke into tears, for he was a man in whom the compassion of our Lord was continually revealed. Turning to our Lord, he made this reply to their pleading: “Lord, if your people still need me, I am ready for the task; your will be done.”

Here was a man words cannot describe. Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him. He was quite without a preference of his own; he neither feared to die nor refused to live. With eyes and hands always raised to heaven he never withdrew his unconquered spirit from prayer. It happened that some priests who had gathered at his bedside suggested that he should give his poor body some relief by lying on his other side. He answered: “Allow me, brothers, to look toward heaven rather than at the earth, so that my spirit may set on the right course when the time comes for me to go on my journey to the Lord.” As he spoke these words, he saw the devil standing near. “Why do you stand there, you bloodthirsty brute?” he cried. “Murderer, you will not have me for your prey. Abraham is welcoming me into his embrace.”

With these words, he gave up his spirit to heaven. Filled with joy, Martin was welcomed by Abraham. Thus he left this life a poor and lowly man and entered heaven rich in God’s favor.

RESPONSORY

Happy this man who did not deceive, nor judge, nor condemn anyone.
He spoke only of Christ, of his peace and his mercy.

Here is a man whom words cannot describe.
Death could not defeat him nor toil dismay him.
He neither feared to die nor refused to live.
He spoke only of Christ, of his peace and his mercy.

CONCLUDING PRAYER

Let us pray.

Father,
by his life and death
Martin of Tours offered you worship and praise.
Renew in our hearts the power of your love,
so that neither death nor life may separate us from you.
Grant this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

Or:

O God, who are glorified in the Bishop Saint Martin
both by his life and death,
make new, we pray,
the wonders of your grace in our hearts,
that neither death nor life
may separate us from your love.
Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
one God, for ever and ever.
Amen.

ACCLAMATION

Let us praise the Lord.
And give him thanks.
*********************


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