Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)

Wednesday, 11 November 2026

S. Martini Episcopi et ConfessorisSt. Martin, Bishop of Tours, Confessor

Duplex

Commemoratio: S. Mennæ Martyris

Commemoration: S. Menna, Martyr

Lectio I

Lesson I

De Epístola prima beáti Pauli Apóstoli ad Timótheum

Lesson from the first letter of St. Paul the Apostle to Timothy

1 Tim 3:1-7

Fidélis sermo: si quis episcopátum desíderat, bonum opus desíderat. Opórtet ergo epíscopum irreprehensíbilem esse, uníus uxóris virum, sóbrium, prudéntem, ornátum, pudícum, hospitálem, doctórem, Non vinoléntum, non percussórem, sed modéstum; non litigiósum, non cúpidum, sed Suæ dómui bene præpósitum, fílios habéntem súbditos cum omni castitáte. Si quis autem dómui suæ præésse nescit, quómodo Ecclésiæ Dei diligéntiam habébit? Non neóphytum, ne in supérbiam elátus, in judícium íncidat diáboli. Opórtet autem illum et testimónium habére bonum ab iis qui foris sunt, ut non in oppróbrium íncidat, et in láqueum diáboli.

A faithful saying: if a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. It behoveth therefore a bishop to be blameless, the husband of one wife, sober, prudent, of good behaviour, chaste, given to hospitality, a teacher, Not given to wine, no striker, but modest, not quarrelsome, not covetous, but One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all chastity. But if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God? Not a neophyte: lest being puffed up with pride, he fall into the judgment of the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony of them who are without: lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

℟. Hic est Martínus, eléctus Dei Póntifex, cui Dóminus post Apóstolos tantam grátiam conférre dignátus est, * Ut in virtúte Trinitátis Deíficæ mererétur fíeri trium mortuórum suscitátor magníficus.

℟. This is that Martin whom God chose to be an High Priest unto Himself, he upon whom the Lord was pleased to bestow favour like as upon His Apostles; * So that he prevailed gloriously in the power of the Divine Trinity three times to raise the dead to life.

℣. Sanctæ Trinitátis fidem Martínus conféssus est.

℣. Martin confessed the faith of the Holy Trinity.

℟. Ut in virtúte Trinitátis Deíficæ mererétur fíeri trium mortuórum suscitátor magníficus.

℟. So that he prevailed gloriously in the power of the Divine Trinity three times to raise the dead to life.

Lectio II

Lesson II

De Epístola ad Titum

From the letter of St. Paul the Apostle to Titus

Titus 1:7-11

Opórtet enim epíscopum sine crímine esse, sicut Dei dispensatórem: non supérbum, non iracúndum, non vinoléntum, non percussórem, non turpis lucri cúpidum: Sed hospitálem, benígnum, sóbrium, justum, sanctum, continéntem, Amplecténtem eum, qui secúndum doctrínam est, fidélem sermónem: ut potens sit exhortári in doctrína sana, et eos qui contradícunt, argúere. Sunt enim multi étiam inobediéntes, vaníloqui, et seductóres: máxime qui de circumcisióne sunt: Quos opórtet redárgui: qui univérsas domos subvértunt, docéntes quæ non opórtet, turpis lucri grátia.

For a bishop must be without crime, as the steward of God: not proud, not subject to anger, not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre: But given to hospitality, gentle, sober, just, holy, continent: Embracing that faithful word which is according to doctrine, that he may be able to exhort in sound doctrine, and to convince the gainsayers. For there are also many disobedient, vain talkers, and seducers: especially they who are of the circumcision: Who must be reproved, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

℟. Dómine, si adhuc pópulo tuo sum necessárius, non recúso subíre propter eos labórem: * Fiat volúntas tua.

℟. Lord, if I be still needful to thy people, I refuse not to work for them. * Thy will be done.

℣. Oculis ac mánibus in cælum semper inténtus, invíctum ab oratióne spíritum non relaxábat.

℣. With eyes and hands lifted up to heaven, he never let his mighty spirit slacken in prayer.

℟. Fiat volúntas tua.

℟. Thy will be done.

Lectio III

Lesson III

Titus 2:1-8

Tu autem lóquere quæ decent sanam doctrínam: Senes ut sóbrii sint, pudíci, prudéntes, sani in fide, in dilectióne, in patiéntia: Anus simíliter in hábitu sancto, non criminatríces, non multo vino serviéntes, bene docéntes: Ut prudéntiam dóceant adolescéntulas, ut viros suos ament, fílios suos díligant, Prudéntes, castas, sóbrias, domus curam habéntes, benígnas, súbditas viris suis, ut non blasphemétur verbum Dei. Júvenes simíliter hortáre ut sóbrii sint. In ómnibus teípsum præbe exémplum bonórum óperum, in doctrína, in integritáte, in gravitáte, Verbum sanum, irreprehensíbile: ut is qui ex advérso est, vereátur, nihil habens malum dícere de nobis.

But speak thou the things that become sound doctrine: That the aged men be sober, chaste, prudent, sound in faith, in love, in patience. The aged women, in like manner, in holy attire, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teaching well: That they may teach the young women to be wise, to love their husbands, to love their children, To be discreet, chaste, sober, having a care of the house, gentle, obedient to their husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Young men, in like manner, exhort that they be sober. In all things shew thyself an example of good works, in doctrine, in integrity, in gravity, The sound word that can not be blamed: that he, who is on the contrary part, may be afraid, having no evil to say of us.

℟. O beátum virum Martínum antístitem, * Qui nec mori tímuit, nec vívere recusávit!

℟. Oh, how blessed a man was Bishop Martin! * He neither feared to die, nor refused to live.

℣. Dómine, si adhuc pópulo tuo sum necessárius, non recúso labórem: fiat volúntas tua.

℣. Lord, if I be still needful to thy people, I refuse not to work for them. thy will be done.

℟. Qui nec mori tímuit, nec vívere recusávit!

℟. He neither feared to die, nor refused to live.

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

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

℟. Qui nec mori tímuit, nec vívere recusávit!

℟. He neither feared to die, nor refused to live.

Lectio IV

Lesson IV

Martínus, Sabáriæ in Pannónia natus, cum décimum attigísset annum, invítis paréntibus ad ecclésiam confúgiens, in catechumenórum númerum adscríbi vóluit. Quíndecim annos natus in milítiam proféctus, primum in Constántii, deínde Juliáni exércitu militávit. Qui, cum nihil habéret præter arma et vestiméntum quo tegebátur, Ambiáni, páuperi ac nudo, ab eo peténti ut Christi nómine sibi eleemósynam tribúeret, partem chlámydis dedit. Cui sequénti nocte Christus, dimidiáta illa veste indútus, appáruit, hanc mittens vocem: Martínus catechúmenus hac me veste contéxit.

Martin was born at Sabaria in Pannonia. When he was ten years old he went to the Church, in the spite of his (heathen) father and mother, and by his own will was numbered among the Catechumens. At fifteen years of age he joined the army, and served as a soldier first under Constantius and then under Julian. Once at the gate of Amiens a poor man asked him for an alms for Christ's name's sake, and since he had nothing to his hand but his arms and his clothes, he gave him half of his cloak. In the night following Christ appeared to him clad in the half of his cloak, and saying (to the angels who bare Him company) While Martin is yet a Catechumen, he hath clad Me in this garment.

℟. Oculis ac mánibus in cælum semper inténtus, * Invíctum ab oratióne spíritum non relaxábat.

℟. With eyes and hands lifted up to heaven * He never let his mighty spirit slacken in prayer.

℣. Dum sacraménta offérret beátus Martínus, globus ígneus appáruit super caput ejus.

℣. While as blessed Martin was offering up the mysteries, a ball of fire appeared above his head.

℟. Invíctum ab oratióne spíritum non relaxábat.

℟. He never let his mighty spirit slacken in prayer.

Lectio V

Lesson V

Decem et octo annos cum habéret, baptizátus est. Quare, relícta militári vita, ad Hilárium Pictaviénsem epíscopum se cóntulit, a quo in acolythórum númerum redáctus est. Post, factus epíscopus Turonénsis, monastérium ædificávit, ubi cum octogínta mónachis sanctíssime aliquámdiu vixit. Qui, cum póstea ad Candacénsem vicum suæ diœcésis in gravem febrim incidísset, assídua Deum oratióne precabátur, ut se ex illo mortáli cárcere liberáret. Quem audiéntes discípuli, sic rogábant: Cur nos, pater déseris? cui nos míseros derelínquis? Quorum voce commótus Martínus, ita Deum orábat: Dómine, si adhuc pópulo tuo sum necessárius, non recúso labórem.

At eighteen years of age he was baptized. He gave up thereupon the life of a soldier, and betook himself to Hilary, Bishop of Poietiers, by whom he was placed in the order of Acolytes. Being afterwards made Bishop of Tours, he built a monastery wherein he lived in holiness for a while in company of four-score monks. At the last he fell sick of a grievous fever at Cande, a village in his diocese, and besought God in constant prayer to set him free from the prison of this dying body. His disciples heard him and said Father, why wilt thou go away from us? unto whom wilt thou bequeath us in our sorrow? Their words moved Martin, and he said Lord, if I be still needful to thy people, I refuse not to work.

℟. Beátus Martínus óbitum suum longe ante præscívit, dixítque frátribus, * Dissolutiónem sui córporis imminére, quia judicábat se jam resólvi.

℟. Blessed Martin knew of his own death of a long time before it came to pass, and he said unto the brethren: * That the dissolution of his body was nigh at hand, for he deemed himself to be already breaking up.

℣. Víribus córporis cœpit repénte destítui, convocatísque discípulis dixit.

℣. His bodily strength gave way all of a sudden, and he called his disciples together, and said unto them

℟. Dissolutiónem sui córporis imminére, quia judicábat se jam resólvi.

℟. That the dissolution of his body was nigh at hand, for he deemed himself to be already breaking up.

Lectio VI

Lesson VI

Sed, cum eum in illa veheménti febre supínum orántem vidérent discípuli, supplíciter ab eo petiérunt, ut, convérso córpore, tantísper, dum remítteret morbi vis, pronus conquiésceret. Quibus Martínus, Sínite me, inquit, cælum pótius quam terram aspícere, ut, suo jam itínere itúrus ad Dóminum, spíritus dirigátur. Instánte jam morte, viso humáni géneris hoste, Quid, inquit, astas, cruénta béstia? nihil in me funéste repéries. Ea in voce, unum et octogínta annos natus, ánimam Deo réddidit; quam Angelórum chorus excépit, eósque divínas canéntes laudes multi, in primísque sanctus Severínus Coloniénsis epíscopus, audiérunt.

When his disciples saw him, in the height of the fever, lying upon his back and praying, they entreated him to turn over and take a little rest upon his side while the violence of his sickness would allow him. But Martin answered them Suffer me to look heavenward rather than earthward, that my spirit may see the way whereby it is so soon going to the Lord. At the moment of death he saw the enemy of mankind, and cried out: What are you come here for, you bloody brute? You murderer, you'll find nothing in me. With these words on his lips, he gave up his soul to God, being aged eighty years. He was received by a company of Angels, who were heard praising God by many persons, especially by holy Severinus, Bishop of Cologne.

℟. Dixérunt discípuli ad beátum Martínum: Cur nos, pater, déseris, aut cui nos desolátos relínquis? * Invádent enim gregem tuum lupi rapáces.

℟. His disciples said unto blessed Martin: Father, why wilt thou go away from us, and with whom wilt thou leave us orphans? * For ravening wolves will break in upon thy flock.

℣. Scimus quidem desideráre te Christum, sed salva sunt tibi tua prǽmia: nostri pótius miserére, quos déseris.

℣. We know that thou wouldest fain be with Christ, but, sooner or later, thy reward is sure. Rather, then, have pity upon us, whom thou art leaving.

℟. Invádent enim gregem tuum lupi rapáces.

℟. For ravening wolves will break in upon thy flock.

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

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

℟. Invádent enim gregem tuum lupi rapáces.

℟. For ravening wolves will break in upon thy flock.

Lectio VII

Lesson VII

Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Lucam

From the Holy Gospel according to Luke

Luc 11:33-36

Luke 11:33-36

In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis: Nemo lucérnam accéndit et in abscóndito ponit neque sub módio, sed supra candelábrum, ut qui ingrediúntur, lumen vídeant. Et réliqua.

In that time: Jesus said to his disciples: No man lighteth a candle, and putteth it in a hidden place, nor under a bushel; but upon a candlestick, that they that come in, may see the light. And so on.

Homilía sancti Ambrósii Epíscopi

Homily by St. Ambrose, Bishop (of Milan.)

Liber 7 Comment. in Luc. cap. 11, post initium

Bk. vii. Comment, on Luke xi.

Quia in superióribus Ecclésiam Synagógæ prǽtulit, hortátur nos ut fidem pótius nostram ad Ecclésiam transferámus. Lucérna enim fides est, juxta quod scriptum est: Lucérna pédibus meis verbum tuum, Dómine. Verbum enim Dei fides nostra est; Verbum Dei lux est; Lucérna est fides: Erat Lux vera, quæ illúminat omnem hóminem veniéntem in hunc mundum. Lucérna autem lucére non potest, nisi aliúnde lumen accéperit.

In that which goeth before, Christ hath set the Church before the synagogue, and He exhorteth us rather to trust in the Church. The candle is faith, even as it is written thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. (Ps. cxviii. 105.) Our faith is the word of God. The word of God is light. Faith is the candle. It is written concerning the Word of God, that That was the true Light, Which lighteth every man that cometh into this world. (John i. 9.) But a candle cannot shine, unless it be lighted from some other fire.

℟. O beátum virum, in cujus tránsitu Sanctórum canit númerus, Angelórum exsúltat chorus, * Omniúmque cæléstium Virtútum occúrrit psalléntium exércitus!

℟. Blessed indeed was this man, at the time of whose passing the Saints sang in company, a band of Angels shouted aloud for joy * And an army of all the Powers of heaven came out to meet him, singing praises.

℣. Ecclésia virtúte roborátur, sacerdótes Dei revelatióne glorificántur, quem Michaël assúmpsit cum Ángelis.

℣. His strength is a stay to the Church, his manifestation a glory to the Priests of God; Michael and his Angels took him away.

℟. Omniúmque cæléstium Virtútum occúrrit psalléntium exércitus!

℟. And an army of all the Powers of heaven came out to meet him, singing praises.

Lectio VIII

Lesson VIII

Hæc est Lucérna quæ accénditur, virtus scílicet nostræ mentis et sensus, ut drachma illa possit, quæ períerat, reperíri. Nemo ergo fidem sub lege constítuat; lex enim intra mensúram est, ultra mensúram grátia; lex obúmbrat, grátia claríficat. Et ídeo nemo fidem suam intra mensúram legis inclúdat, sed ad Ecclésiam cónferat, in qua septifórmis Spíritus relúcet grátia, quam Princeps ille sacerdótum fulgóre supérnæ divinitátis illúminat, ne eam legis umbra restínguat. Dénique lucérna illa, quam matutínis vespertinísque tempóribus, ritu véteri Judæórum, princeps sacerdótum solébat accéndere, velut sub módio sita legis, evánuit; et cívitas illa Jerúsalem quæ in terris est, quæ occídit prophétas, quasi in conválle fletus pósita delitéscit. Illa autem Jerúsalem quæ in cælo est, in qua mílitat fides nostra, in illo altíssimo ómnium locáta monte, hoc est Christo, non potest ténebris et ruínis hujus mundi abscóndi; sed fulgens candóre Solis ætérni, luce nos grátiæ spiritális illúminat.

Also it is written What woman, having ten pieces of silver, if she lose one piece, doth not light a candle, and sweep the house, and seek diligently till she find it? (Luke xv. 8.) And here the candle lighted to find the lost piece is the strength in our understandings and affections. Let no man therefore seek faith under the law. For the law is by measure, but grace without measure; the law overshadoweth, but grace enlighteneth. And therefore let no man shut up his faith within the measure of the law, but give it unto the Church, the Church, wherein shineth the sevenfold grace of the Spirit, and whereon the Divine glory of the Great High Priest doth strike from heaven, lest the shadow of the law should rest any more at all upon her. Under the old law there was the sevenfold lamp which the Priest of the Jews lighted every morning and every evening, and this was as it were a candle put under a bushel. That Jerusalem which is upon earth, that Jerusalem which killed the Prophets, lieth hid, as it were, in a dark place in the valley of tears. But that Jerusalem which is in heaven, whereof by faith we are soldiers, is a city set upon the highest of all mountains, even upon Christ. Her the darkness and tempests of earth cannot hide, but she blazeth with the glory of the Eternal Sun, and maketh to fall upon us the light of spiritual grace.

℟. Martínus Ábrahæ sinu lætus excípitur: Martínus, hic pauper et módicus, * Cælum dives ingréditur, hymnis cæléstibus honorátur.

℟. Martin was carried joyfully into Abraham's bosom. Martin, who was poor here and of small estimation, * Etereth rich into heaven, and the songs of heaven are raised in his honour.

℣. Martínus epíscopus migrávit a sǽculo: vivit in Christo gemma sacerdótum.

℣. Bishop Martin, that jewel of Priests, goeth away from time, liveth in Christ.

℟. Cælum dives ingréditur, hymnis cæléstibus honorátur.

℟. Entereth rich into heaven, and the songs of heaven are raised in his honour.

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

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

℟. Cælum dives ingréditur, hymnis cæléstibus honorátur.

℟. Entereth rich into heaven, and the songs of heaven are raised in his honour.

Lectio IX

Lesson IX

Commemoratio: S. Mennæ Martyris

Commemoration of: S. Menna, Martyr

Mennas Ægýptius, christiánus miles, in persecutióne Diocletiáni et Maximiáni imperatórum, cum pœniténtiæ causa in solitúdinem secessísset, natáli die imperatórum, quo pópulus célebri spectáculo tenebátur, in theátrum prosíliens, líbera voce Gentílium superstitiónem insectabátur. Quam ob rem comprehénsus, et, Pyrrho prǽside, in metrópoli Cottiénsium Phrýgiæ vinctus, loris crudéliter cœditur. Deínde, equúleo tortus, lampádibus ardéntibus ad corpus admótis plagísque cilício confricátis, tum per tríbulos et virgas férreas mánibus ac pédibus colligátis tractus, plumbátis étiam contúsus, demum gládio interfícitur in ignémque conjícitur. Corpus, inde a Christiánis eréptum, sepúltum est ac póstea Constantinópolim translátum.

Mennas was a Christian Egyptian soldier who had withdrawn himself into a desert place to do penance, but one day, during the persecution under the Emperors Diocletian and Maximian, upon the said Emperors' birthday, when the people were gathered together at a great show, stood forth in the theatre, and reviled with a loud voice the idolatries of the Gentiles. Thereupon he was arrested, and being bound at Cotyasus, the chief city of Phrygia, under the authority of the President Pyrrhus, was first savagely lashed with thongs, then racked, then scarified with fire applied to his naked body, then had his wounds lacerated by rubbing with hair-cloth, then dragged through thorns and iron spikes with hands and feet tied, then lashed again with whips loaded with lead, and lastly slain with the sword, and thrown into a fire. The Christians saved his body thence and buried it, and it hath in after times been carried to Constantinople.

Te Deum