Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)

Monday, 16 November 2026

S. Gertrudis VirginisSt. Gertrude, Virgin

Duplex

Lectio I

Lesson I

De Osée Prophéta

Lesson from the book of Osee

Osee 4:1-3

Audíte verbum Dómini, fílii Israël, quia judícium Dómino cum habitatóribus terræ: non est enim véritas, et non est misericórdia, et non est sciéntia Dei in terra. Maledíctum, et mendácium, et homicídium, et furtum, et adultérium inundavérunt, et sanguis sánguinem tétigit. Propter hoc lugébit terra, et infirmábitur omnis qui hábitat in ea, in béstia agri, et in vólucre cæli; sed et pisces maris congregabúntur.

Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel, for the Lord shall enter into judgment with the inhabitants of the land: for there is no truth, and there is no mercy, and there is no knowledge of God in the land. Cursing, and lying, and killing, and theft, and adultery have overflowed, and blood hath touched blood. Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwelleth in it shall languish with the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of the air: yea, the fishes of the sea also shall be gathered together.

℟. Redémit pópulum suum et liberávit eum, et vénient et exsultábunt in monte Sion et gaudébunt de bonis Dómini super fruménto, vino et óleo, * Et ultra non esúrient.

℟. He hath redeemed His people, and ransomed them therefore they shall come and sing in the height of Zion, and shall rejoice in the goodness of the Lord, for wheat, and for wine, and for oil * And they shall hunger no more.

℣. Erítque ánima eórum quasi hortus irríguus.

℣. And their soul shall be as a watered garden.

℟. Et ultra non esúrient.

℟. And they shall hunger no more.

Lectio II

Lesson II

Osee 4:4-6

Verúmtamen unusquísque non júdicet, et non arguátur vir: pópulus enim tuus sicut hi qui contradícunt sacerdóti. Et córrues hódie, et córruet étiam prophéta tecum. Nocte tacére feci matrem tuam. Contícuit pópulus meus, eo quod non habúerit sciéntiam: quia tu sciéntiam repulísti, repéllam te, ne sacerdótio fungáris mihi; et oblíta es legis Dei tui, oblivíscar filiórum tuórum et ego.

But yet let not any man judge: and let not a man be rebuked: for thy people are as they that contradict the priest. And thou shalt fall to day, and the prophet also shall fall with thee: in the night I have made thy mother to be silent. My people have been silent, because they had no knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will reject thee, that thou shalt not do the office of priesthood to me: and thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children.

℟. Angústiæ mihi sunt úndique, et quid éligam ignóro; * Mélius est mihi incídere in manus hóminum, quam derelínquere legem Dei mei.

℟. I am straitened on every side, and know not what to choose. * It is better for me to fall into the hands of men, than to sin against the law of my God.

℣. Si enim hoc égero, mors mihi est; si autem non égero, non effúgiam manus vestras.

℣. For if I do this thing, it is death unto me and if I do it not, I cannot escape your hands.

℟. Mélius est mihi incídere in manus hóminum, quam derelínquere legem Dei mei.

℟. It is better for me to fall into the hands of men, than to sin against the law of my God.

Lectio III

Lesson III

Osee 4:7-10

Secúndum multitúdinem eórum sic peccavérunt mihi: glóriam eórum in ignomíniam commutábo. Peccáta pópuli mei cómedent, et ad iniquitátem eórum sublevábunt ánimas eórum. Et erit sicut pópulus, sic sacérdos; et visitábo super eum vias ejus, et cogitatiónes ejus reddam ei. Et cómedent, et non saturabúntur; fornicáti sunt, et non cessavérunt: quóniam Dóminum dereliquérunt in non custodiéndo.

According to the multitude of them so have they sinned against me: I will change their glory into shame. They shall eat the sins of my people, and shall lift up their souls to their iniquity. And there shall be like people like priest: and I will visit their ways upon them, and I will repay them their devices. And they shall eat and shall not be filled: they have committed fornication, and have not ceased: because they have forsaken the Lord in not observing his law.

℟. Misit Dóminus Angelum suum et conclúsit ora leónum, * Et non contaminavérunt, quia coram eo injustítia invénta non est in me.

℟. The Lord hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that * They have not hurt me forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me.

℣. Misit Deus misericórdiam suam et veritátem suam: ánimam meam erípuit de médio catulórum leónum.

℣. God hath sent forth His mercy and His truth, (and delivered) my soul from among the lions' whelps.

℟. Et non contaminavérunt, quia coram eo injustítia invénta non est in me.

℟. They have not hurt me forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me.

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

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

℟. Et non contaminavérunt: quia coram eo injustítia invénta non est in me.

℟. They have not hurt me forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me.

Lectio IV

Lesson IV

Gertrúdis, Islébii in Saxónia nobili genere nata, quinquénnis in monastério Rodardénsi, ordinis sancti Benedicti, virginitátem suam ac seipsam Jesu Christo óbtulit. Quo ex témpore a mundanis rebus prorsus aliena, virtútique sedulo intenta, cæléstis vitæ genus instituit. Ad humaniórum litterárum notítiam, rerum divinárum cognitiónem adjunxit; quarum meditatióne vehementius ad virtútem incensa, brevi christianam perfectiónem adepta est. De Christo ejusque vitæ mystériis sæpenúmero pio cum animi sensu loquebátur, unamque Dei glóriam cogitans, ad illam vota sua ómnia et actiónes referebat. Quamvis autem multis exímiis natúræ et gratiæ donis a Deo aucta esset, ita tamen sibi ipsa vilescebat, ut, inter præcipua divinæ bonitátis miracula, hoc item memoráret, quod se indigníssimam misericorditer sustinéret.

Gertrude was born of a noble family at Eisleben, in Saxony, (about the year of our Lord 1264.) At five years of age she offered her virginity and herself to Jesus Christ, in the Benedictine nunnery at Rodalsdorf. From that time forth she was utterly estranged from earthly things, ever striving for things higher, and began to lead a kind of heavenly life. To learning in human letters she added knowledge of the things of God. In the thought thereof she earnestly desired, and soon reached, the perfection of a Christian soul. Of Christ, and of the things in His life, she spoke oftentimes with movings of spirit. The glory of God was the one end of all her thoughts, and to that her every longing and her every act were given. Though God had crowned her with so many and so noble gifts both of nature and of grace, her belief regarding herself was so humble that she was used to number as among the greatest of the wonders of His goodness that He had always in His mercy borne with one who was so utterly unworthy.

℟. 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

Trigesimum ætátis annum agens, primum Rodardénsis monasterii, ubi religiosam vitam est professa, deínde Elpediáni præses electa, quadragínta annórum spátio, ea caritate, prudéntia, et regularis disciplinæ studio munus obívit, ut cœnobium religiosæ perfectiónis domicílium viderétur. Utrobíque vero, licet esset ómnium mater et magistra, ómnium tamen minima haberi volebat, ac demissióne pari ministram se exhibebat. Quo liberius Deo vacaret, vigiliis, abstinéntia aliisque cruciátibus corpus afflixit; semperque sui símilis, morum innocéntiam, mansuetúdinem ac patiéntiam prætulit singularem. Proximórum salúti omni ope studuit, piæque curæ copiósum fructum rétulit. Divini amoris vi frequéntes patiebátur éxstases, altissimǽque contemplatiónis et divinæ uniónis donum obtinuit.

In the thirtieth year of her age she was elected Abbess of Rodalsdorf, where she had professed herself in the religious life, and afterwards of Heldelfs. This office she bore for forty years in love, wisdom, and zeal for strict observance, so that the house seemed like an ideal example of a sisterhood of perfect nuns. To each one she was a mother and a teacher, and yet would be as the least of all, being in sooth in all lowliness among them as she that served. That she might be more utterly God's only, she tormented her body with sleeplessness, hunger, and other afflictions, but withal ever true to herself, stood forth a pattern of innocency, gentleness, and long-suffering. The salvation of her neighbours was her constant earnest endeavour, and her godly toil bore abundant fruit. The love of God oftentimes threw her into trances, and she was given the grace of the deepest contemplation, even to union of spirit with God.

℟. 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

Ut meritum acceptíssimæ sibi sponsæ Christus osténderet, in corde Gertrudis jucundam sibi esse mansiónem testátus est. Deiparam Vírginem, véluti matrem et curatricem a Jesu acceptam, pietáte præcipua prosequebátur, ab eáque multa accépit beneficia. Erga diviníssimum Eucharistiæ sacraméntum et passiónem Dómini tanto amóre cum grati animi sensu afficiebátur, ut intérdum ubéribus lácrimis perfunderétur. Justórum ánimas, piacularibus flammis addictas, quotidiánis subsidiis et precibus juvábat. Multa ad confovéndam pietátem scripsit. Divinárum étiam revelatiónum et prophetíæ dono cláruit. Dénique, flagrantíssimo Dei amóre potius quam morbo languéscens, anno Dómini millesimo ducentésimo nonagesimo secundo vita decessit. Miraculis vivens et post mortem a Deo illustráta est.

Christ Himself, to show what such a bride was to Him, revealed that He had in the heart of Gertrude a pleasant dwelling-place. The Virgin Mother of God she ever sought with deep reverence as a mother and warden whom she had received from Jesus Himself, and from her she had many benefits. Toward the most Divine Sacrament of the Eucharist, and the sufferings of the Lord, her soul was moved with love and gratitude, so that she sometimes wept abundantly. She helped with daily gifts and prayers the souls of the just condemned to the purifying fire. She wrote much for the fostering of godliness. She was glorified also by revelations from God, and by the gift of prophecy. Her last illness was rather the wasting of a home-sickness to be with God than a decay of the flesh, and she left this life (to live the undying life in Him, upon the 17th day of November,) in the year of our Lord 1292. God made her bright with miracles both during her life and after her death.

℟. Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæ ejus; * Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.

℟. After her shall virgins be brought unto the King, her fellows * They shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.

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

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

℟. Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.

℟. They shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.

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

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

℟. Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.

℟. They shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.

Lectio VII

Lesson VII

Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum

From the Holy Gospel according to St. Matthew

Matt 25:1-13

In illo témpore: Dixit Jesus discípulis suis parábolam hanc: Símile erit regnum cælórum decem virgínibus, quæ, accipiéntes lámpades suas, exiérunt óbviam sponso et sponsæ. Et réliqua.

At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: The Kingdom of heaven shall be likened unto ten virgins, which took their lamps, and went forth to meet the Bridegroom and the Bride. And so on.

Homilía sancti Gregórii Papæ

Homily by Pope St. Gregory the Great

Homilía 12 in Evangelia

12th on the Gospels

Sæpe vos, fratres caríssimi, admóneo prava ópera fúgere, mundi hujus inquinaménta devitáre, sed hodiérna sancti Evangélii lectióne compéllor dícere, ut, et bona, quæ ágitis, cum magna cautéla teneátis; ne per hoc, quod a vobis rectum géritur, favor aut grátia humána requirátur; ne appetítus laudis subrépat, et, quod foris osténditur, intus a mercéde vacuétur. Ecce enim Redemptóris voce decem vírgines, et omnes dicúntur vírgines, et tamen intra beatitúdinis jánuam non omnes sunt recéptæ; quia eárum quædam, dum de virginitáte sua glóriam foris éxpetunt, in vasis suis óleum habére noluérunt.

Dearly beloved brethren oftentimes do I warn you to fly corrupt conversation, and to keep yourselves unspotted from the world. But the portion which is this day read from the Holy Gospel doth oblige me to say that even to these good things which ye do, ye must needs take all careful heed. Look ye well to it, that, when ye work righteousness, ye do it not as seeking the praise and admiration of men, for if the lust of praise do once creep in, that which seemeth so fair without, loseth its reward within. Behold how the Redeemer speaketh of these ten virgins. He calleth them all virgins, yet entered not all of them into the door of blessedness, for there were some of them who sought outwardly the honour of virginity, but would take no oil within their vessels with their lamps.

℟. Hæc est Virgo sápiens, quam Dóminus vigilántem invénit, quæ accéptis lampádibus sumpsit secum óleum: * Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.

℟. This is one of those wise virgins, whom the Lord found watching, for when she took her lamp, she took oil with her. * And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.

℣. Média nocte clamor factus est: Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

℣. At midnight there was a cry made: Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

℟. Et veniénte Dómino, introívit cum eo ad núptias.

℟. And when the Lord came, she went in with him to the marriage.

Lectio VIII

Lesson VIII

Sed prius quæréndum nobis est quid sit regnum cælórum, aut cur decem virgínibus comparétur, quæ étiam vírgines prudéntes et fátuæ dicántur. Dum enim cælórum regnum constat quia reprobórum nullus ingréditur, étiam fátuis virgínibus cur símile esse perhibétur? Sed sciéndum nobis est quod sæpe in sacro elóquio regnum cælórum præséntis témporis Ecclésia dícitur. De quo álio in loco Dóminus dicit: Mittet Fílius hóminis Ángelos suos, et cólligent de regno ejus ómnia scándala. Neque enim in illo regno beatitúdinis, in quo pax summa est, inveníri scándala póterunt, quæ colligántur.

First of all, it is for us to ask What is the kingdom of Heaven? And wherefore shall the same be likened unto ten virgins, whereof, albeit five were wise, yet five were foolish For if the kingdom of heaven be such that there shall in no wise enter into it anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie, (Apoc. xxi. 27,) how can it be like unto five virgins which were foolish? But we must know that, in the word of God, the kingdom of heaven doth oftentimes signify the Church as she now is, touching the which the Lord saith in another place “The Son of Man shall send forth His Angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all things that offend.” (Matth. xiii. 41.) In that kingdom of Blessedness, wherein peace shall have her perfect reign, there shall be nothing found that offendeth for the angels to gather out.

℟. Média nocte clamor factus est: * Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

℟. At midnight there was a cry made: * Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

℣. Prudéntes vírgines, aptáte vestras lámpades.

℣. Trim your lamps, O ye wise virgins.

℟. Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

℟. Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

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

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

℟. Ecce sponsus venit, exíte óbviam ei.

℟. Behold, the Bridegroom cometh, go ye out to meet him.

Lectio IX

Lesson IX

In quinque autem córporis sénsibus unusquísque subsístit; geminátus autem quinárius denárium pérficit. Et, quia ex utróque sexu fidélium multitúdo collígitur, sancta Ecclésia decem virgínibus símilis esse denuntiátur. In qua quia mali cum bonis et réprobi cum eléctis admíxti sunt, recte símilis virgínibus prudéntibus et fátuis esse perhibétur. Sunt namque pleríque continéntes, qui ab appetítu se exterióri custódiunt et spe ad interióra rapiúntur, carnem mácerant, et toto desidério ad supérnam pátriam anhélant, ætérna prǽmia éxpetunt, pro labóribus suis recípere laudes humánas nolunt. Hi nimírum glóriam suam non in ore hóminum ponunt, sed intra consciéntiam cóntegunt. Et sunt pleríque, qui corpus per abstinéntiam afflígunt, sed de ipsa sua abstinéntia humános favóres éxpetunt.

The body of every man doth consist of five senses, and five being doubled, is ten. Forasmuch, therefore, as the whole body of the faithful doth consist of two sexes, the Holy Church is likened unto ten virgins. And forasmuch as in the Church the good are for the present mingled with the bad, and the reprobate with the elect, it is rightly said that, of the ten virgins, five are wise and five are foolish. There are many who have self-control, which do keep themselves from lusting after things outward, whose hope beareth them to things inward, who chastise the flesh, who long with intense home-sickness for their Fatherland which is in heaven, who seek an eternal reward, and who will not to receive for their labours the praise of men. These are they who reckon their glory, not in the mouths of men, but in the testimony of their own conscience. And many there be likewise who afflict the body by self-control, and yet who seek for their self-control applause from men.

Te Deum