Common of a Virgin and Martyr
Printed pages 42–47 · the Common of Saints
Common of a Virgin and Martyr
1. Office.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity: wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.3
In Easter-tide, Alleluya, alleluya.
Ps. My heart is inditing of a good matter: I speak of the things which I have made unto the king.4
2. Office.
I will speak of thy testimonies also even before kings, and will not be ashamed: and my delight shall be in thy commandments which I have loved.5
Ps. Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord.6
3 Ps. xlv. 8. 4 Ps. xlv. 1. 5 Ps. cxix. 46, 47. 6 Ib. 1.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 43 · open scan3. Office.
The ungodly laid wait for me to destroy me: but I will consider thy testimonies, O Lord. I see that all things come to an end: but thy commandment is exceeding broad.1
Ps. Blessed are those that are undefiled in the way: and walk in the law of the Lord.2
Collect.
Hear us, O God of our salvation, that like as we do rejoice in the festival of thy blessed virgin and martyr N., so we may be perfectly taught in piety, love, and devotion. Through etc.
1. Lesson. Ecclus. li. 9–12.
Then lifted I up . . . thy name, O Lord.
2. Lesson. Ecclus. li. 1–8.
I will thank thee . . . of the enemies.
3. Lesson. Ecclus. xxiv. 1–5, 21, 22.3
Wisdom shall praise . . . honour and grace.
1. Gradual.
Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity.4
V. Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness above thy fellows.5
2. Gradual.
According to thy worship and renown, good luck have thou with thine honour: ride on.6
V. Because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness: and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.7
3. Gradual.
Full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever.8
1 Ps. cxix. 95, 96. 2 Ib. 1. 3 Vulg. 4 Ps. xlv. 8. 5 Ib. 6 Ps. xlv. 4, 5. 7 Ib. 5. 8 Ib. 3.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 44 · open scanV. Because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.1
4. Gradual.
Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear. So shall the king have pleasure in thy beauty.2
V. According to thy worship and renown, good luck have thou with thine honour: ride on.3
5. Gradual.
Because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness; and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.1
V. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear. So shall the king have pleasure in thy beauty.2
1. Alleluya. V. For I am jealous over you with a godly jealousy, for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.4
2. Alleluya. V. Come, my elect one, and I will set thee on my throne: so shall the king have pleasure in thy beauty.5
3. Alleluya. V. According to thy worship and renown, good luck have thou with thine honour: ride on.3
4. Alleluya. V. Full of grace are thy lips: because God hath blessed thee for ever.6
5. Alleluya. V. This is the wise virgin: whom the Lord hath found watching.7
6. Alleluya. V. I will speak of thy testimonies before kings: and will not be ashamed, O Lord.8
Tract.
Within Septuagesima.
Full of grace are thy lips: because God hath blessed thee for ever.6
V. According to thy worship and renown: good luck have thou with thine honour, ride on.3
V. Because of the word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness: and thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.1
1 Ps. xlv. 5. 2 Ib. 11, 12. 3 Ib. 4, 5. 4 2 Cor. xi. 2. 5 Last part from Ps. xlv. 12. 6 Ps. xlv. 3. 7 Based on St. Matt. xxv. 1–13. 8 Ps. cxix. 46.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 45 · open scanV. Hearken, O daughter, and consider, incline thine ear. So shall the king have pleasure in thy beauty.1
Sequence.
Let us exult upon this festive day,
The mighty acts commending of the Lord,
Who in his saints his greatest works doth show—
Whose power in virgin deeds most brightly shineth;
For by his grace they the world's pomp despised,
And virgin courage kings' commands withstood.
Wrath madly rages; vanquished spite, embittered
’Gainst tender flesh, more torments doth devise.
But now more stedfast do the virgins stand,
While tortures new are multiplied upon them,
Rejoicing that their bodies are afflicted
For everlasting glory, which they look for,
Seeing the joys of this world pass away,
And suddenly glide by and fade as flowers.
In such a virgin lot shone brightly N.,
Whose holy feast we celebrate to-day,
As amidst lesser lights the day-star gleams.
Blest virgin, who didst bear all fearlessly,
And for that glory willingly didst die,
Devoutly intercede for us with God,
That with thee we may joy in heavenly courts.
O radiant virgin, may we praise the Lord
In glory, in the saints' eternal peace.
Gospel. St. Matt. xiii. 44–52.
The kingdom of heaven . . . new and old.
1. Offertory.
Kings' daughters were among thy honourable women: upon thy right hand did stand the queen in a vesture of gold, wrought about with divers colours.2
1 Ps. xlv. 11, 12. 2 Ib. 10.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 46 · open scan2. Lesser Offertory.
The virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee.1
In Easter-tide, Alleluya.
3. Greater Offertory.
The virgins that be her fellows shall bear her company, and shall be brought unto thee. With joy and gladness shall they be brought: and shall enter into the king's palace.2
4. Offertory.
Full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever, and for ever and ever.3
Secret.
Favourably regard, O Lord, the offerings which we present unto thee; and at the intercession of thy blessed virgin and martyr N. loose the chains of our sins. Through etc.
1. Communion.
Full of grace are thy lips, because God hath blessed thee for ever.3
2. Communion.
Princes have persecuted me without a cause: but my heart standeth in awe of thy word. I am as glad of thy word: as one that findeth great spoils. My soul hath kept thy testimonies, O Lord: and loved them exceedingly.4
3. Communion.
I deal with the thing that is lawful and right: O Lord, give me not over unto mine oppressors. Therefore hold I straight all thy commandments: and all false ways I utterly abhor.5
4. Communion.
The kingdom of heaven is like unto a merchant man seeking goodly pearls; who when he hath found one pearl of great price, sold all that he had, and bought it.6
1 Ps. xlv. 15. 2 Ib. 15, 16. 3 Ib. 3. 4 Ps. cxix. 161, 162, 167. 5 Ib. 121, 128. 6 St. Matt. xiii. 45, 46.
Warren, Part II, printed p. 47 · open scan5. Communion.
The five wise virgins took oil in their vessels with their lamps. And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold the bridegroom cometh: go ye out to meet Christ the Lord.1
Postcommunion.
Merciful God, we beseech thee that our obedient service may be acceptable unto thee; and that the most holy mysteries which we have received, may through the intercession of thy blessed virgin and martyr N. both procure for us thy grace, and minister to us the joy of eternal happiness. Through etc.
1 St. Matt. xxv. 4, 6.