Common of a Confessor and Bishop
Printed pages 29–35 · the Common of Saints
Common of a Confessor [and Bishop]
1. Office.
Therefore was there a covenant of peace made with him by the Lord, that he should be the chief of the sanctuary and of his people; and that he and his posterity should have the dignity of the priesthood for ever.1
In Easter-tide, Alleluya, alleluya.
Ps. My song shall be always of the loving-kindness of the Lord.2
2. Office.
Let thy priests, O Lord, be clothed with righteousness: and let thy saints sing with joyfulness. For thy servant David's sake turn not away the presence of thine anointed.3
In Paschal-tide, Alleluya, [alleluya.]
Ps. Lord, remember David, and all his trouble.4
3. Office.
O ye priests of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: O ye holy and humble men of heart, praise ye God.5
In Easter-tide, Alleluya, alleluya.
Ps. O all ye works of the Lord, bless ye the Lord: praise him, and magnify him for ever.6
1 Ecclus. xlv. 24 (Vulg. 30). 2 Ps. lxxxix. 1. 3 Ps. cxxxii. 9, 10. 4 Ib. 1. 5 From Song of the Three Children, 62, 65. 6 Ib. 35.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 30 · open scan1. Collect.
Almighty and everlasting God, who makest us to rejoice this day in the feast of thy blessed confessor and bishop N., we humbly pray thy mercy, that through the holy prayers of him whose feast we devoutly venerate, we may obtain the recompense of eternal life. Through etc.
2. Collect.
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that in honouring the feast of thy blessed confessor and bishop N. we may both increase our devotion and further our salvation. Through etc.
1. Lesson. Ecclus. xliv. 16, 17, 19–23; xlv. 3, 7, 16.
Behold, a high priest . . . a sweet savour.
The following Epistle is to be read upon both the feasts of St. Edmund, archbishop and confessor.1
2. Lesson. Ecclus. l. 1, 4, 5–12, 15, 23.2
Behold, a high priest . . . Israel for ever.
3. Lesson. Wisdom, x. 10–14.
The Lord guided him . . . perpetual glory.
4. Lesson. Ecclus. xlv. 1–5.
He was beloved . . . and knowledge.
1. Gradual.
Behold, a high priest: who in his days pleased God.3
V. There was none found like unto him, who kept the law of the Most High.4
1 viz., his Deposition, November 16th, and his Translation, June 9th, where, however, in the Kalendar, he has been confused with St. Edmund, [King and] Martyr. 2 Free adaptations from these verses. 3 Adapted from Ecclus. xliv. 16. 4 From Ib. 19, 20.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 31 · open scan2. Gradual.
The Lord sware, and will not repent: thou art a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedech.1
V. The Lord said unto my Lord: Sit thou on my right hand.2
3. Gradual.
I have found David my servant: with my holy oil have I anointed him. My hand shall hold him fast, and my arm shall strengthen him.3
V. The enemy shall not be able to do him violence: the son of wickedness shall not hurt him.4
4. Gradual.
Thou shalt prevent him, O Lord, with the blessings of goodness: and shalt set a crown of pure gold upon his head.5
V. He asked life of thee, and thou gavest him a long life: even for ever and ever.6
1. Alleluya. V. The righteous shall grow up as a lily: and shall flourish for ever before the Lord.7
2. Alleluya. V. The Lord loved him, and adorned him: and clothed him with a robe of glory.8
3. Alleluya. V. I have made a covenant with my chosen: I have sworn unto David my servant.9
4. Alleluya. V. The Lord chose thee to be a high priest to himself among his people.10
5. Alleluya. V. I have found David my servant: with my holy oil have I anointed him.11
6. Alleluya. V. I have laid help upon one that is mighty: I have exalted one chosen out of the people.12
Tract.
Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: he hath great delight in his commandments.
V. His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the faithful shall be blessed.
1 Ps. cx. 4. 2 Ib. 1. 3 Ps. lxxxix. 21, 22. 4 Ib. 23. 5 Ps. xxi. 3. 6 Ib. 4. 7 From Hos. xiv. 6 (Vulg.). 8 See Ecclus. xv. 5. 9 Ps. lxxxix. 3. 10 Source not identified. 11 Ps. lxxxix. 21. 12 Ib. 20.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 32 · open scanV. Riches and plenteousness shall be in his house: and his righteousness endureth for ever.1
Sequence.
The festive day is come
Which brings to us great joy,
When holy Church gives thanks acceptable to God.
This day the heavenly host sings, Glory in the highest,
With voice and symphony melodious.
This day the holy armies of the heavens
Unite with us in praise of God our king,
Christ, of the holy virgin Mary born.
Hail, noble prelate N., thou flower of saints!
With stedfast faith, Christ's footsteps following,
Thou hast attained the everlasting kingdom;
Already to their courts the blessèd welcome thee.
To thee unitedly our suit we make,
Our frail life by thy blest protection aid.
Praise, glory to thee, blessèd, holy N.
Entreat for us, O blessèd, holy N.,
That in the heavenly temple we may stand,
Fulness of joy beholding in thy presence.
Praise, honour, and thanksgiving pure
Be unto God, who doth for evermore endure.
Let all things say, Amen.
2. Sequence.
Now, holy band, tell out your highest praise abroad,
To give resplendent honours unto N.,
Who shines above the moon, and sun, and stars,
And glitters with high deeds in place pre-eminent;
For this is he whom wisdom's mystic lore
Did marvellously grace, and gave him lustre,
Which richly lighted the whole universe.
Upon the field of souls he scattered wide
The seed prolific of the Word divine,
Dispersing all the darkness of the night.
1 Ps. cxii. 1–3.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 33 · open scanEarnest in speech, as bearing in himself
A heavenly inspiration, by his preaching
The whole church catholic he builded up.
Now set on high, in glory he exults,
Midst the bright tents of angels triumphing.
There, lifted up to loftiest place, he stands,
In full fruition of exhaustless life,
In Christ's rich pastures of salvation.
Worthy of praise is that most eminent
Prelate, who hath such joys attained
For excellency of his deeds,
Whereby he shone resplendent as a torch.
We, with loud voice, rejoicingly
Pour forth our willing supplications to him,
That he would bring us aid, and by his prayer
Obtain for us eternal recompense.
Thou gem of prelates, such the boon we crave
With meet devotion, and with minds sincere,
Instantly for thy favour making prayer,
That we may pass beyond the sacred threshold,
And, standing there within the lofty palace,
Find joyful welcome in that kingly realm.
In this thy court we, holy prelate, wait,
And with great joy and festal jubilee
Sing now our sweet and lofty alleluias.
1. Gospel. St. Matt. xxv. 14–23.
The kingdom of heaven . . . joy of thy Lord.
2. Gospel. St. Mark, xiii. 33–37.
Take ye heed . . . say unto all, Watch.
3. Gospel. St. Matt. xxiv. 42–47.
Watch therefore . . . over all his goods.
4. Gospel. St. Luke, xix. 12–28.
A certain nobleman . . . Jerusalem.
in Easter-tide,
5. Gospel. St. John, xv. 1–7.
I am the true vine . . . done unto you.
1. Offertory.
My truth also and my mercy shall be with him: and in my name shall his horn be exalted.1
In Easter-tide, Alleluya.
2. Offertory.
I have found David my servant: with my holy oil have I anointed him. My hand shall hold him fast: and my arm shall strengthen him.2
In Easter-tide, Alleluya.
1. Secret.
We beseech thee, O Lord, graciously to receive our supplications, and through the intercession for us of thy blessed confessor and bishop N. grant that we who wait on this heavenly sacrament may be freed from all sin, and that through thy purifying grace we may be cleansed by these same mysteries at which we serve. Through etc.
2. Secret.
Regard, we beseech thee, O Lord, the gifts of thy people presented unto thee in honour of thy blessed confessor and bishop N., and may the witness of thy truth be profitable to our salvation. Through etc.
1. Communion.
Lord, thou deliveredst unto me five talents: behold I have gained beside them five talents more. Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy Lord.3
2. Communion.
Blessed is that servant whom his lord when he cometh shall find watching. Verily I say unto you, that he shall make him ruler over all his goods.4
1 Ps. lxxxix. 25. 2 Ib. 21, 22. 3 St. Matt. xxv. 20, 21. 4 St. Matt. xxiv. 46, 47.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 35 · open scan3. Communion.
Faithful and wise is that servant whom his lord shall make ruler over his household, to give them their portion of meat in due season.1
In Easter-tide, Alleluya, alleluya.
1. Postcommunion.
Grant, we beseech thee, O Lord our God, that having been cleansed by the divine mysteries through the intercession of thy blessed confessor and bishop N., we may attain to the fulness of that heavenly and holy sacrament of which we have partaken. Through etc.
2. Postcommunion.
Graciously raise up, O Lord, those whom thou dost refresh with thy sacrament, through the prayer of thy holy confessor and bishop N., so that in these mysteries, as also in our minds, we may attain unto the end of our redemption. Through etc.
1 St. Luke, xii. 42.