In Vigilia Omnium SanctorumVigil of All Saints

Vigilia

Lectio I

Lesson I

Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Luc 6:17-23

Luke 6:17-23

In illo témpore: Descéndens Jesus de monte, stetit in loco campéstri, et turba discipulórum ejus, et multitúdo copiósa plebis ab omni Judǽa, et Jerúsalem, et marítima, et Tyri, et Sidónis. Et réliqua.

At that time, Jesus came down from the mountain, and stood in the plain, and the company of His disciples, and a great multitude of people out of all Judea, and Jerusalem, and from the sea coast of Tyre and Sidon. And so on.

Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi

Homily by St Ambrose, Bishop (of Milan.)

Lib. 5. in Lucam. Cap. 6., post init.

Bk. v. on Luke vi.

Advérte ómnia diligénter, quómodo et cum Apóstolis ascéndat et descéndat ad turbas. Quómodo enim turba nisi in húmili Christum vidéret? Non séquitur ad excélsa, non ascéndit ad sublímia. Dénique ubi descéndit, invénit infírmos: in excélsis enim infírmi esse non possunt. Hinc étiam Matthǽus docet in inferióribus débiles esse sanátos. Prius enim unusquísque sanándus est, ut paulátim virtútibus procedéntibus ascéndere possit ad montem; et ídeo quemque in inferióribus sanat, hoc est, a libídine révocat, injúriam cæcitátis avértit. Ad vúlnera nostra descéndit: ut usu quodam et cópia suæ natúræ, compartícipes nos fáciat esse regni cæléstis.

Mark well how Jesus goeth upward with His disciples, and downward to the multitude. How should the multitude behold Christ, save in a lower place? Such go not up to the things which are above; such attain not to the things which are high. And when Jesus cometh down, He findeth such as are diseased for such like go not up to the heights. Hence also Matthew saith that there were there all sick people, (iv. 23.) Of these every man had need of healing, that, when he had received strength, by and by, he might go up into the mountain. And therefore, being Himself come down, He healeth them in the plain, that is to say, He calleth them away from their lust, and freeth them of their blindness. He cometh down to our wounds, to the end that by a certain use of His nature, and by the abundance thereof, He might make us joint-heirs of the kingdom of heaven.

℟. Refúlsit sol in clípeos áureos, et resplenduérunt montes ab eis: * Et fortitúdo géntium dissipáta est.

℟. The sun shone upon the shields of gold, and the mountains glistered therewith; * And the army of the heathens was spread abroad.

℣. Erat enim exércitus magnus valde et fortis: et appropiávit Judas et exércitus ejus in prǽlio.

℣. For the army was very great and mighty then Judas and his host drew near and entered into battle.

℟. Et fortitúdo géntium dissipáta est.

℟. And the army of the heathens was spread abroad.

Lectio II

Lesson II

Beáti páuperes, quia vestrum est regnum Dei. Quátuor tantum beatitúdines sanctus Lucas Domínicas posuit, octo vero sanctus Matthǽus: sed in illis octo istæ quátuor sunt, et in quátuor istis illæ octo. Hic enim quátuor velut virtútes ampléxus est cardináles: ille in illis octo mýsticum númerum reserávit. Pro octáva enim multi inscribúntur Psalmi: et mandátum áccipis octo illis partem dare fortásse benedictiónibus. Sicut enim spei nostræ octáva perféctio est, ita octáva summa virtútum est.

Blessed be ye poor, for your's is the kingdom of God. Saint Luke giveth us but four of the Lord's Beatitudes, and Saint Matthew eight but in those eight are contained these four, and in these four those eight. For in these four are embraced the cardinal virtues and in those eight they are set forth in a number full of mystery. It is written at the head of more than one of the Psalms that they are for the octave, and thou hast received the commandment Give a portion to seven, and also to eight to seven or eight what? Perchance degrees of blessedness. For as this eighth Beatitude doth name the most glorious realization of our hope the kingdom of Heaven so doth it also name the most royal exertion of our strength blessed are they which are persecuted.

℟. Ornavérunt fáciem templi corónis áureis, et dedicavérunt altáre Dómino: * Et facta est lætítia magna in pópulo.

℟. They decked the fore-front of the Temple with crowns of gold, and dedicated the Altar unto the Lord. * And there was very great gladness among the people.

℣. In hymnis et confessiónibus benedicébant Dóminum.

℣. They praised the Lord with Psalms and thanksgiving.

℟. Et facta est lætítia magna in pópulo.

℟. And there was very great gladness among the people.

Lectio III

Lesson III

Sed prius quæ sunt amplióra videámus. Beáti, inquit, páuperes, quóniam vestrum est regnum Dei. Primam benedictiónem hanc utérque Evangelísta pósuit. Órdine enim prima est, et parens quædam generatióque virtútum: quia qui contempsérit sæculária, ipse merébitur sempitérna: nec potest quisquam méritum regni cæléstis adipísci, qui mundi cupiditáte pressus, emergéndi non habet facultátem.

But let us first consider the fuller of the forms of these Beatitudes. Blessed be ye poor, for your's is the kingdom of God. Both of the Evangelists give to this Beatitude the first place. Yea, surely, for poorness, at least in spirit, is the first in order, the mother, and procreatrix of virtues; since he that setteth no store by temporal things, winneth toward eternal things; neither is any man able to gain the kingdom of heaven, on whom the love of this present world doth so press, that he cannot rid himself thereof.

℟. In hymnis et confessiónibus benedicébant Dóminum, * Qui magna fecit in Israël, et victóriam dedit illis Dóminus omnípotens.

℟. They praised the Lord with psalms and thanksgiving * Who had done so great things in Israel, and given them the victory the Lord Almighty.

℣. Ornavérunt fáciem templi corónis áureis, et dedicavérunt altáre Dómino.

℣. They decked the fore-front of the Temple with crowns of gold, and dedicated the Altar unto the Lord.

℟. Qui magna fecit in Israël, et victóriam dedit illis Dóminus omnípotens.

℟. Who had done so great things for Israel, and given them the victory the Lord Almighty.

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

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

℟. Qui magna fecit in Israël, et victóriam dedit illis Dóminus omnípotens.

℟. Who had done so great things for Israel, and given them the victory the Lord Almighty.