Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)

Friday, 16 October 2026

S. Hedwigis ViduæSt. Hedwig, Widow

Semiduplex

Lectio I

Lesson I

De libro primo Machabæórum

Lesson from the first book of Machabees

1 Mac 7:1; 7:4-7

Anno centésimo quinquagésimo primo, éxiit Demétrius Seléuci fílius ab urbe Roma, et ascéndit cum paucis viris in civitátem marítimam, et regnávit illic. Et sedit Demétrius super sedem regni sui. Et venérunt ad eum viri iníqui et ímpii ex Israël, et Alcimus dux eórum, qui volébat fíeri sacérdos, Et accusavérunt pópulum apud regem, dicéntes: Pérdidit Judas et fratres ejus omnes amícos tuos, et nos dispérsit de terra nostra. Nunc ergo mitte virum, cui credis, ut eat, et vídeat extermínium omne quod fecit nobis, et regiónibus regis, et púniat omnes amícos ejus, et adjutóres eórum.

In the hundred and fifty-first year Demetrius the son of Seleucus departed from the city of Rome, and came up with a few men into a city of the sea coast, and reigned there. So the army slew them. And Demetrius sat upon the throne of his kingdom: And there came to him the wicked and ungodly men of Israel: And Alcimus was at the head of them, who desired to be made high priest. And they accused the people to the king, saying: Judas and his brethren have destroyed all thy friends, and he hath driven us out of our land. Now therefore send some man whom thou trustest, and let him go, and see all the havock he hath made amongst us, and in the king's lands: and let him punish all his friends and their helpers.

℟. Impetum inimicórum ne timuéritis: mémores estóte, quómodo salvi facti sunt patres nostri: * Et nunc clamémus in cælum et miserébitur nostri Deus noster.

℟. Be ye not afraid of the assault of the enemy; remember how our fathers were delivered. * Now, therefore, let us cry unto heaven, and our God will have mercy upon us.

℣. Mementóte mirabílium ejus, quæ fecit pharaóni et exercítui ejus in Mari Rubro.

℣. Remember His marvellous works that He hath done unto Pharaoh and his host in the Red Sea.

℟. Et nunc clamémus in cælum et miserébitur nostri Deus noster.

℟. Now, therefore, let us cry unto heaven, and our God will have mercy upon us.

Lectio II

Lesson II

1 Mac 7:8-11

Et elégit rex ex amícis suis Bácchidem, qui dominabátur trans flumen magnum in regno, et fidélem regi: Et misit eum, Ut vidéret extermínium, quod fecit Judas; sed et Alcimum ímpium constítuit in sacerdótium, et mandávit ei fácere ultiónem in fílios Israël. Et surrexérunt, et venérunt cum exércitu magno in terram Juda: et misérunt núntios, et locúti sunt ad Judam et ad fratres ejus verbis pacíficis in dolo. Et non intendérunt sermónibus eórum: vidérunt enim quia venérunt cum exércitu magno.

Then the king chose Bacchides, one of his friends that ruled beyond the great river in the kingdom, and was faithful to the king: and he sent him, To see the havock that Judas had made: and the wicked Alcimus he made high priest, and commanded him to take revenge upon the children of Israel. And they arose, and came with a great army into the land of Juda: and they sent messengers, and spoke to Judas and his brethren with peaceable words deceitfully. But they gave no heed to their words: for they saw that they were come with a great army.

℟. Congregátæ sunt gentes in multitúdine, ut dímicent contra nos, et ignorámus quid ágere debeámus: * Dómine Deus, ad te sunt óculi nostri, ne pereámus.

℟. The heathen are assembled together to fight against us, and we know not what we should do. * Our eyes look unto thee, O Lord our God, that we should not perish.

℣. Tu scis quæ cógitant in nos: quómodo potérimus subsístere ante fáciem illórum, nisi tu ádjuves nos?

℣. What things they imagine against us, Thou knowest. How shall we be able to stand against them, except Thou be our help.

℟. Dómine Deus, ad te sunt óculi nostri, ne pereámus.

℟. Our eyes look unto thee, O Lord our God, that we should not perish.

Lectio III

Lesson III

1 Mac 7:12-17

Et convenérunt ad Alcimum et Bácchidem congregátio scribárum requírere quæ justa sunt: Et primi, Assidǽi, qui erant in fíliis Israël, et exquirébant ab eis pacem. Dixérunt enim: Homo sacérdos de sémine Aaron venit: non decípiet nos. Et locútus est cum eis verba pacífica, et jurávit illis, dicens: Non inferémus vobis malum, neque amícis vestris. Et credidérunt ei: et comprehéndit ex eis sexagínta viros, et occídit eos in una die, secúndum verbum quod scriptum est: Carnes sanctórum tuórum, et sánguinem ipsórum effudérunt in circúitu Jerúsalem, et non erat qui sepelíret.

Then there assembled to Alcimus and Bacchides a company of the scribes to require things that are just: And first the Assideans that were among the children of Israel, and they sought peace of them. For they said: One that is a priest of the seed of Aaron is come, he will not deceive us. And he spoke to them peaceably: and he swore to them, saying: We will do you no harm nor your friends. And they believed him. And he took threescore of them, and slew them in one day, according to the word that is written: The flesh of thy saints, and the blood of them they have shed round about Jerusalem, and there was none to bury them.

℟. Tua est poténtia, tuum regnum, Dómine: tu es super omnes gentes: * Da pacem, Dómine, in diébus nostris.

℟. Thine, O Lord, is the power, thine is the kingdom, O Lord, and Thou art exalted above all the heathen. * Give peace in our time, O Lord.

℣. Creátor ómnium, Deus, terríbilis et fortis, justus et miséricors.

℣. O Lord God, Creator of all things, Who art fearful and strong, righteous and merciful.

℟. Da pacem, Dómine, in diébus nostris.

℟. Give peace in our time, O Lord.

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

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

℟. Da pacem, Dómine, in diébus nostris.

℟. Give peace in our time, O Lord.

Lectio IV

Lesson IV

Hedwigis, regiis clara natálibus, innocéntia tamen vitæ longe clarior, sanctæ Elisabethæ fíliæ regis Hungariæ matértera, Bertholdi et Agnetis Moraviæ marchiónum fília, animi ab ineunte ætate moderatiónem prótulit. Adhuc enim puellula puerílibus abstinuit, et, duodennis Henrico Poloniæ duci a paréntibus nuptui trádita, thálami fide sancte servata, prolem inde susceptam in Dei timóre erudívit. Ut autem commodius Deo vacaret, ex pari voto et consénsu unánimi, ad separatiónem thori virum indúxit. Quo defuncto, ipsa in monasterio Trebnicénsi, Deo, quem assiduis precibus exoraverat, inspirante, Cisterciensem devota sumpsit habitum; in eoque, contemplatióni intenta, divinis Officiis et Missárum solemniis a solis ortu ad merídiem usque assidua assistens, antiquum humani generis hostem fortis contempsit.

Hedwiga, a Princess, in whom the splendour of her family was outshone by the radiant innocency of her life, was the daughter of Bertold and Agnes, Marquess and Marchioness of Moravia, and sister to Gertrude, wife of Andrew, King of Hungary, and mother of the holy Elizabeth of Thuringia. From her earliest childhood she was a very grave child, and had already done with childish things when, at twelve years of age, she was given in marriage by her father and mother to Henry, Grand Prince of Poland. In marriage she kept the bed in all holiness undefined, and brought up in the fear of God the children that were therein begotten of her. (After the birth of her sixth child,) she was fain to give herself more continually to God, and induced her husband to agree to a mutual vow of separation of bed-fellowship. After his death (in 1238,) by the inspiration of God, whom she besought in unceasing prayer, she clad herself for godliness' sake in the habit of a Cistercian nun in the monastery (which had been finished) at Trebnitz (in 1219.) She continued absorbed in God. She remained engaged in the Divine Office and hearing Masses from sunrise till noon, and trod mightily under foot the old enemy of man.

℟. 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

Sæculi autem commercia, ni divina vel animárum salútem attingerent, audíre vel loqui non sustinuit. Prudéntia in agéndis sic emicuit, ut neque excéssus esset in modo nec error in ordine, comis alioqui et mansueta in próximum. Grandem autem de se triumphum jejuniis et vigiliis, vestiumque asperitáte, austéra carnem macerans, reportávit; hinc sublimióribus flores virtútibus christiánis, consiliórum gravitáte, animique candore et quiete, in exímium religiosæ pietátis evasit exemplar. Omnibus se ultro subjicere atque vilióra præ ceteris moniálibus alacriter munia subire, paupéribus étiam flexo genu ministrare, leprosórum pedes ablúere et osculari, ipsi familiare erat; neque illórum úlcera sanie manantia, sui victrix, abhorruit.

She could not bear to hear talk of worldly things, unless they had to do with the things of God or the saving of souls. She was very wise in business, not doing too much, nor unseasonably, and withal courteous and gentle toward all men. She got a great victory over herself by maltreating her flesh with fasting, watching, and rough clothing. She was an example of the higher Christian graces and of a godly nun, by the wisdom of her counsels, and the straightforwardness and peacefulness of her mind. It was her use to rank herself after all others, and cheerfully to undertake lower offices than those of the other nuns. She ministered to the poor even upon her knees, and washed and kissed the feet of lepers, having such command over herself as not to recoil from their sores oozing with matter.

℟. 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

Mira fuit ejus patiéntia animique constántia; præcipue vero in morte Henrici ducis Silesiæ, sui, quem materne diligebat, fílii in bello a Tartaris cæsi, enituit; potius enim grátias Deo, quam fílio lácrimas réddidit. Miraculórum denique glória percrebuit; púerum enim demersum et molendini rotis allisum et prorsus attritum invocata, vitæ restituit; alíaque præstitit, ut, rite iis Clemens quartus probátis, Sanctórum número eam adscripserit, ejusque festum in Polónia, ubi præcipua veneratióne uti patrona cólitur, die décima quinta Octobris celebrari concesserit. Quod deínde ut in tota Ecclésia fieret, Innocentius undecimus ampliávit.

Her long-suffering and endurance were very marvellous, especially when her son Henry, Duke of Silesia, to whom she bore a mother's love, was killed by the Tartars (in 1241.) His death drew from her rather thanksgiving to God than tears for him. (She died upon the 15th day of October, in the year 1243.) She was famous for miracles. One while, being called on, she restored to life a boy who had fallen into the water, been dashed against the wheels of a mill, and wholly crushed. This and the like being duly proved, Clement IV. numbered her name among those of the Saints, and allowed her Feastday to be kept in Poland, in which country, being Patroness, she hath most honour, upon the 15th of October; which permission was given to the whole Church by Innocent XI. (rubrica tridentina) for the 17th day of the same month.

℟. 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