Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)

Thursday, 8 October 2026

S. Birgittæ ViduæSt. Birgitta, Widow

Duplex

Lectio I

Lesson I

De libro primo Machabæórum

Lesson from the first book of Machabees

1 Mac 2:49-54

Et appropinquavérunt dies Mathathíæ moriéndi, et dixit fíliis suis: Nunc confortáta est supérbia, et castigátio, et tempus eversiónis, et ira indignatiónis. Nunc ergo, o fílii, æmulatóres estóte legis, et date ánimas vestras pro testaménto patrum vestrórum, Et mementóte óperum patrum, quæ fecérunt in generatiónibus suis, et accipiétis glóriam magnam, et nomen ætérnum. Abraham, nonne in tentatióne invéntus est fidélis, et reputátum est ei ad justítiam? Joseph in témpore angústiæ suæ custodívit mandátum, et factus est dóminus Ægýpti; Phínees pater noster, zelándo zelum Dei, accépit testaméntum sacerdótii ætérni.

Now the days drew near that Mathathias should die, and he said to his sons: Now hath pride and chastisement gotten strength, and the time of destruction, and the wrath of indignation: Now therefore, O my sons, be ye zealous for the law, and give your lives for the covenant of your fathers. And call to remembrance the works of the fathers, which they have done in their generations: and you shall receive great glory, and an everlasting name. Was not Abraham found faithful in temptation, and it was reputed to him unto justice? Joseph in the time of his distress kept the commandment, and he was made lord of Egypt. Phinees our father, by being fervent in the zeal of God, received the covenant of an everlasting priesthood.

℟. Adapériat Dóminus cor vestrum in lege sua et in præcéptis suis et fáciat pacem in diébus vestris: * Concédat vobis salútem, et rédimat vos a malis.

℟. The Lord open your hearts in His law and commandments, and send peace in your days. * May He grant you salvation and redeem you out of all evil.

℣. Exáudiat Dóminus oratiónes vestras, et reconciliétur vobis, nec vos déserat in témpore malo.

℣. The Lord hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in the time of trouble.

℟. Concédat vobis salútem, et rédimat vos a malis.

℟. May He grant you salvation and redeem you out of all evil.

Lectio II

Lesson II

1 Mac 2:55-63

Jesus, dum implévit verbum, factus est dux in Israël; Caleb, dum testificátur in ecclésia, accépit hereditátem; David in sua misericórdia consecútus est sedem regni in sǽcula; Elías, dum zelat zelum legis, recéptus est in cælum; Ananías et Azarías et Misaël credéntes, liberáti sunt de flamma; Dániel in sua simplicitáte liberátus est de ore leónum; Et ita cogitáte per generatiónem et generatiónem, quia omnes qui sperant in eum, non infirmántur. Et a verbis viri peccatóris ne timuéritis, quia glória ejus stercus et vermis est: Hódie extóllitur et cras non inveniéntur, quia convérsus est in terram suam, et cogitátio ejus périit.

Jesus, whilst he fulfilled the word, was made ruler in Israel. Caleb, for bearing witness before the congregation, received an inheritance. David by his mercy obtained the throne of an everlasting kingdom. Elias, while he was full of zeal for the law, was taken up into heaven. Ananias and Azarias and Misael by believing, were delivered out of the flame. Daniel in his innocency was delivered out of the mouth of the lions. And thus consider through all generations: that none that trust in him fail in strength. And fear not the words of a sinful man, for his glory is dung, and worms: To day he is lifted up, and to morrow he shall not be found, because he is returned into his earth; and his thought is come to nothing.

℟. Exáudiat Dóminus oratiónes vestras, et reconciliétur vobis, nec vos déserat in témpore malo, * Dóminus, Deus noster.

℟. The Lord hear your prayers, and be at one with you, and never forsake you in the time of trouble * Even He, the Lord our God.

℣. Det vobis cor ómnibus, ut colátis eum et faciátis ejus voluntátem.

℣. Give you all an heart to serve Him, and to do His will.

℟. Dóminus, Deus noster.

℟. Even He, the Lord our God.

Lectio III

Lesson III

1 Mac 2:64-69

Vos ergo, fílii, confortámini et viríliter ágite in lege, quia in ipsa gloriósi éritis. Et ecce Simon frater vester, scio quod vir consílii est: ipsum audíte semper, et ipse erit vobis pater; Et Judas Maccabǽus fortis víribus a juventúte sua sit vobis princeps milítiæ, et ipse aget bellum pópuli, Et adducétis ad vos omnes factóres legis: et vindicáte vindíctam pópuli vestri; Retribúite retributiónem géntibus, et inténdite in præcéptum legis. Et benedíxit eos, et appósitus est ad patres suos.

You therefore, my sons, take courage, and behave manfully in the law: for by it you shall be glorious. And behold, I know that your brother Simon is a man of counsel: give ear to him always, and he shall be a father to you. And Judas Machabeus who is valiant and strong from his youth up, let him be the leader of your army, and he shall manage the war of the people. And you shall take to you all that observe the law: and revenge ye the wrong of your people. Render to the Gentiles their reward, and take heed to the precepts of the law. And he blessed them, and was joined to his fathers.

℟. Congregáti sunt inimíci nostri, et gloriántur in virtúte sua: cóntere fortitúdinem illórum, Dómine, et dispérge illos: * Ut cognóscant quia non est álius qui pugnet pro nobis, nisi tu, Deus noster.

℟. Our enemies are gathered together, and make their boast of their own strength. O Lord, break their power, and scatter them * That they may know that there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O our God!

℣. Dispérge illos in virtúte tua, et déstrue eos, protéctor noster, Dómine.

℣. Scatter them in thy strength, and destroy them, O Lord our Shield.

℟. Ut cognóscant quia non est álius qui pugnet pro nobis, nisi tu, Deus noster.

℟. That they may know that there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O our God!

℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. Ut cognóscant quia non est álius qui pugnet pro nobis, nisi tu, Deus noster.

℟. That they may know that there is none other that fighteth for us, but only Thou, O our God!

Lectio IV

Lesson IV

Birgitta, in Suecia illustribus et piis paréntibus orta, sanctíssime vixit. Cum adhuc in útero gestarétur, a naufragio propter eam mater erepta est. Decennis, post audítum de passióne Dómini sermónem, sequénti nocte Jesum in cruce, recénti sánguine perfusum, vidit, et de eadem passióne secum loquentem. Quo ex témpore in ejusdem meditatióne ita afficiebátur, ut de ea sine lácrimis cogitare deinceps numquam posset.

Bridget was the daughter of princely and godly parents, and was born in Sweden, ~(in the year of our Lord 1304.) Her life was a very holy one. When she was still in the womb, her mother was for her sake saved from shipwreck. When she was ten years old, she heard a sermon upon the sufferings of the Lord, and the following night she saw Jesus on the Cross, covered with fresh Blood, and heard Him speaking to her of His same sufferings. From that time forth the thought of them touched her so keenly, that she could never again call them to mind without weeping.

℟. Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam: * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.

℟. Because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness; * And thy right hand shall lead thee wonderfully.

℣. Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna.

℣. In thy comeliness, and thy beauty, go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

℟. Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.

℟. And thy right hand shall lead thee wonderfully.

Lectio V

Lesson V

Ulfoni, Nericiæ principi, in matrimónium tradita, virum ipsum ad pietátis officia, tum optimis exemplis, tum efficacibus verbis, adhortáta est. In filiórum educatióne piíssima; paupéribus, et maxime infirmis, domo ad id muneris dicata, inserviébat quam diligentíssime, illórum pedes sólita lavare et osculari. Cum autem una cum viro suo rediret Compostella, ubi sancti Jacobi Apóstoli sepúlcrum visitaverant, et Atrébati Ulfo gráviter ægrotaret, sanctus Dionysius Birgittæ noctu appáruit, et de mariti salúte aliisque de rebus, quæ futuræ erant, præmonuit.

When she was sixteen years of age she was given in marriage to Ulpho, Prince of Nericia. She moved her husband to godly works, as well by her noble example as by her earnest words. She expended the most motherly care upon the up-bringing of her children. She opened an hospital, in which she carefully tended the poor, especially the sick, and would wash and kiss their feet. She made a pilgrimage with her husband to Compostella, to visit the grave of the holy Apostle James. On their way back Ulpho fell grievously sick at Arras, and St. Denys appeared in the night to Bridget, to tell her as well that her husband would be healed, as diverse other things to come.

℟. Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem: * Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.

℟. Thou hast loved righteousness, and hated iniquity; * Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

℣. Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam.

℣. Because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness.

℟. Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.

℟. Therefore God, thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.

Lectio VI

Lesson VI

Viro Cisterciénsi monacho facto et paulo post defuncto, Birgitta, audíta Christi voce in somnis, arctiórem vitæ formam est aggressa. Cui deínde arcana multa fuérunt divínitus revelata. Monastérium Vastanense sub regula sancti Salvatoris, ab ipso Dómino accepta, instituit. Romam Dei jussu venit, ubi plurimos ad amórem divinum veheménter accendit. Inde Jerosolymam pétiit, et íterum Romam. Qua ex peregrinatióne cum in febrim incidísset, gravibus per annum integrum afflictáta morbis, cumuláta meritis, prænuntiáto mortis die, migrávit in cælum. Corpus ejus ad Vastanense monastérium translátum est; et miraculis illustrem Bonifatius nonus in Sanctórum númerum retulit.

(In the year 1344) her husband died, after having become a Cistercian monk. Bridget, having heard the voice of Christ in a dream, took upon herself an harder way of life. During her life God made known to her many hidden things. She founded the monastery of Wastein, under the Rule of the Holy Saviour, a Rule which she had received from the Lord Himself. By the command of God she went to Rome, where she stirred up many by her example to seek the love of God. Thence she went to Jerusalem, and then returned again to Rome. From this pilgrimage she caught a fever, of which she lay sick an whole year in sharp sufferings, and then, laden with good works, and after foretelling the day of her own death, she departed from earth to heaven, (upon the 23rd day of July, in the year 1373.) Her body was taken to the monastery of Wastein. She was famous for miracles, and Boniface IX enrolled her name among those of the Saints.

℟. Fallax grátia, et vana est pulchritúdo: * Múlier timens Dóminum, ipsa laudábitur.

℟. Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain * A woman that feareth God she shall be praised.

℣. Date ei de fructu mánuum suárum, et laudent eam in portis ópera ejus.

℣. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

℟. Múlier timens Dóminum, ipsa laudábitur.

℟. A woman that feareth God she shall be praised.

℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. Múlier timens Dóminum, ipsa laudábitur.

℟. A woman that feareth God she shall be praised.

Lectio VII

Lesson VII

Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum

From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew

Matt 13:44-52

In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis parábolam hanc: Simile est regnum cælórum thesáuro abscóndito in agro. Et réliqua.

At that time Jesus spake unto His disciples this parable The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field. And so on.

Homilía sancti Gregórii Papæ

Homily by Pope St Gregory the Great

Homilia 11 in Evangelia

11th on the Gospels

Cælórum regnum, fratres caríssimi, idcírco terrénis rebus símile dícitur, ut, ex his quæ ánimus novit, surgat ad incógnita, quæ non novit: quátenus exémplo visibílium se ad invisibília rápiat, et, per ea quæ usu dídicit quasi confricátus incaléscat; ut per hoc, quod scit notum dilígere, discat et incógnita amáre. Ecce enim cælórum regnum thesáuro abscóndito in agro comparátur; quem, qui invénit homo, abscóndit, et præ gáudio illíus vadit, et vendit univérsa quæ habet, et emit agrum illum.

Dearly beloved brethren, the kingdom of heaven is likened unto the things of earth, to the end that by the mean of things which we know, our mind may rise to the contemplation of the things which we know not by the example of things which are seen, may fix her gaze on things which are not seen by the touch of things which she useth, may be warmed towards the things which she useth not; by things which she knoweth and loveth, to love also the things which she knoweth not. For, behold, “the kingdom of heaven is likened unto treasure hid in a field, the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and, for joy thereof, goeth and selleth all that he hath and buyeth that field.”

℟. Os suum apéruit sapiéntiæ, et lex cleméntiæ in lingua ejus: considerávit sémitas domus suæ, * Et panem otiósa non comédit.

℟. She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. She looketh well to the ways of her household * And eateth not the bread of idleness.

℣. Gustávit et vidit quia bona est negotiátio ejus: non exstinguétur in nocte lucérna ejus.

℣. She tasteth and perceiveth that her merchandise is good. Her candle goeth not out by night.

℟. Et panem otiósa non comédit.

℟. And she eateth not the bread of idleness.

Lectio VIII

Lesson VIII

Qua in re hoc quoque notándum est, quod invéntus thesáurus abscónditur, ut servétur: quia stúdium cæléstis desidérii a malígnis spirítibus custodíre non súfficit, qui hoc ab humánis láudibus non abscóndit. In præsénti étenim vita, quasi in via sumus, qua ad pátriam pérgimus. Malígni autem spíritus iter nostrum quasi quidam latrúnculi óbsident. Deprædári ergo desíderat, qui thesáurum públice portat in via. Hoc autem dico, non ut próximi ópera nostra bona non vídeant, cum scriptum sit: Vídeant ópera vestra bona, et gloríficent Patrem vestrum qui in cælis est; sed, ut per hoc quod ágimus, laudes extérius non quærámus. Sic autem sit opus in público, quátenus inténtio máneat in occúlto; ut, et de bono ópere próximis præbeámus exémplum, et tamen per intentiónem, qua Deo soli placére quǽrimus, semper optémus secrétum.

And herein we must remark that the treasure, when once it hath been found, is hidden to keep it safe. He whose intimate yearnings after God are not hidden from the praise of men, is open thereby to the attacks of evil spirits. In this life we are, as it were, journeying homewards on a road beset by evil spirits who are like highwaymen. He therefore inviteth robbery who carrieth his treasure ostentatiously. Doubtless our neighbour should be able to see our good works, as it is written: “Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” But this is not to be understood to mean that we are to seek the praise of men by what we do. Rather, let us in such wise work in the open that the inner intention of devotion is not advertised. So we shall give an example to our neighbour, and yet keep hidden, except from the sight of God, our purpose of pleasing him.

℟. Regnum mundi et omnem ornátum sǽculi contémpsi, propter amórem Dómini mei Jesu Christi: * Quem vidi, quem amávi, in quem crédidi, quem diléxi.

℟. The kingdom of this world and all the beauty of life I have esteemed as nothing, for the excellency of the love of Jesus Christ my Lord * Whom, having seen, I loved Whom, having believed, I longed after.

℣. Eructávit cor meum verbum bonum: dico ego ópera mea Regi.

℣. My heart is overflowing with a good matter I speak of my works unto the King.

℟. Quem vidi, quem amávi, in quem crédidi, quem diléxi.

℟. Whom, having seen, I loved Whom, having believed, I longed after.

℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

℟. Quem vidi, quem amávi, in quem crédidi, quem diléxi.

℟. Whom, having seen, I loved Whom, having believed, I longed after.

Lectio IX

Lesson IX

Thesáurus autem cæléste est desidérium; ager vero, in quo thesáurus abscónditur, disciplína stúdii cæléstis. Quem profécto agrum, vénditis ómnibus, cómparat, qui, voluptátibus carnis renúntians, cuncta sua terréna desidéria per disciplínæ cæléstis custódiam calcat: ut nihil jam quod caro blandítur, líbeat; nihil, quod carnálem vitam trucídat, spíritus perhorréscat.

The treasure is the desire for heaven, the field wherein it is hidden is the earnest observance wherewith this desire is surrounded. Whosoever turneth his back upon the enjoyments of the flesh, and by earnest striving heavenward, putteth all earthly lusts under the feet of discipline, so that he smileth back no more when the flesh smileth at him, and shuddereth no more at anything that can only kill the body whosoever doth thus, hath sold all that he had, and bought that field.

Te Deum