Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)
Wednesday, 25 November 2026
S. Catharinæ Virginis et MartyrisSt. Catharine of Alexandria, Virgin and Martyr
Duplex
Lectio I
Lesson I
Incipit Sophonías Prophéta
Lesson from the book of Sophonias
Soph 1:1-3
Zeph 1:1-3
Verbum Dómini, quod factum est ad Sophoníam, fílium Chusi, fílii Godolíæ, fílii Amaríæ, fílii Ezecíæ, in diébus Josíæ, fílii Amon, regis Judæ. Cóngregans congregábo ómnia a fácie terræ, dicit Dóminus, Cóngregans hóminem et pecus, cóngregans volatília cæli et pisces maris; et ruínæ impiórum erunt, et dispérdam hómines a fácie terræ, dicit Dóminus.
The word of the Lord that came to Sophonias the son of Chusi, the son of Godolias, the son of Amarias, the son of Ezechias, in the days of Josias the son of Amon king of Juda. Gathering, I will gather together all things from off the face of the land, saith the Lord: I will gather man, and beast, I will gather the birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea: and the ungodly shall meet with ruin: and I will destroy men from off the face of the land, saith the Lord.
℟. Indicábo tibi, homo, quid sit bonum aut quid Dóminus requírat a te: * Fácere judícium et justítiam et sollícitum ambuláre cum Deo tuo.
℟. I will show thee, O man, what is good, and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to * Do justice and judgment, and to walk humbly with thy God.
℣. Spera in Dómino, et fac bonitátem, et inhábita terram.
℣. Trust in the Lord, and do good, and dwell in the land.
℟. Fácere judícium et justítiam et sollícitum ambuláre cum Deo tuo.
℟. Do justice and judgment, and walk humbly with thy God.
Lectio II
Lesson II
Soph 1:4-6
Zeph 1:4-6
Et exténdam manum meam super Judam et super omnes habitántes Jerúsalem: et dispérdam de loco hoc relíquias Baal, et nómina ædituórum cum sacerdótibus, Et eos qui adórant super tecta milítiam cæli, et adórant et jurant in Dómino, et jurant in Melchom, Et qui avertúntur de post tergum Dómini, et qui non quæsiérunt Dóminum, nec investigavérunt eum.
And I will stretch out my hand upon Juda, and upon all the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and I will destroy out of this place the remnant of Baal, and the names of the wardens of the temples with the priests: And them that worship the host of heaven upon the tops of houses, and them that adore, and swear by the Lord, and swear by Melchom. And them that turn away from following after the Lord, and that have not sought the Lord, nor searched after him.
℟. 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
Soph 1:7-9
Zeph 1:7-9
Siléte a fácie Dómini Dei, quia juxta est dies Dómini: quia præparávit Dóminus hóstiam, sanctificávit vocátos suos. Et erit, in die hóstiæ Dómini, visitábo super príncipes, et super fílios regis, et super omnes qui indúti sunt veste peregrína; Et visitábo super omnem qui arrogánter ingréditur super limen in die illa, qui complent domum Dómini Dei sui iniquitáte et dolo.
Be silent before the face of the Lord God: for the day of the Lord is near, for the Lord hath prepared a victim, he hath sanctified his guests. And it shall come to pass in the day of the victim of the Lord, that I will visit upon the princes, and upon the king's sons, and upon all such as are clothed with strange apparel. And I will visit in that day upon every one that entereth arrogantly over the threshold: them that fill the house of the Lord their God with iniquity and deceit.
℟. 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
Catharina, nobilis virgo Alexandrina, a prima ætate stúdia liberalium artium cum fidei ardore conjungens, brevi ad eam sanctitátis et doctrinæ perfectiónem pervenit, ut, decem et octo annos nata, eruditíssimum quemque superaret. Quæ cum Maximíni jussu multos, propter christianæ religiónis professiónem varie tormentis cruciatos, ad supplícium rapi vidéret, non dubitanter ipsum adiit Maximinum, eique nefariam immanitátem objíciens, sapientíssimis ratiónibus Christi fidem ad salútem necessariam esse affirmavit.
This Catharine was a noble maiden of Alexandria, who from her earliest years joined the study of the liberal arts with fervent faith, and in a short while came to such an height of holiness and learning, that when she was eighteen years of age she prevailed over the chiefest wits. When she saw many diversely tormented and haled to death by command of Maximin, because they professed the Christian religion, she went boldly unto him and rebuked him for his savage cruelty, bringing forward likewise most sage reasons why the faith of Christ should be needful for salvation.
℟. 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
Cujus prudéntiam Maximinus admiratus, retineri eam jubet, accersitis undique doctíssimis homínibus, magnisque propositis præmiis, qui convictam Catharinam a Christi fide ad idolórum cultum perduxissent. Quod contra áccidit. Nam plures philosophi, qui ad eam coarguéndam convenerant, vi ac subtilitate ejus disputatiónis tanto Jesu Christi amóre sunt incénsi, ut pro illo mori non dubitaverint. Quam ob rem Maximinus blanditiis ac promissis Catharinam de senténtia dedúcere aggréditur; verum, id frustra fíeri intélligens, verbéribus affectam plumbátisque contusam, dies undecim sine cibo ac potu inclusam tenet in carcere.
Maximian marvelled at her wisdom, and bade keep her, while he gathered together the most learned men from all quarters and offered them great rewards if they would confute Catharine and bring her from believing in Christ to worship idols. But the event fell contrariwise, for many of the philosophers who had come to dispute with her were overcome by the force and skill of her reasoning, so that the love of Christ Jesus was kindled in them, and they were content even to die for His sake. Then did Maximin strive to beguile Catharine with fair words and promises, and when he found it was lost pains, he caused her to be hided, and bruised with lead-laden whips, and so cast into prison, and neither meat nor drink given to her for the space of eleven days.
℟. 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
Quo témpore Maximíni uxor et Porphyrius belli dux, visendæ Vírginis causa carcerem ingressi, et ejusdem prædicatióne in Jesum Christum credéntes, póstea martyrio coronáti sunt. Interim Catharina edúcitur e custódia; et rota expedítur, crebris et acutis præfixa gládiis, ut Vírginis corpus crudelíssime dilacerarétur. Quæ máchina, brevi Catharinæ oratióne, confracta est; eoque miraculo multi Christi fidem suscepérunt. Ipse Maximinus, in impietáte et crudelitate obstinatior, Catharinam secúri pércuti imperat. Quæ, fortiter dato cápite, ad duplicátum virginitátis et martyrii præmium evolávit septimo Kalendas Decembris; cujus corpus ab Angelis in Sina, Arábiæ monte, mirabíliter collocátum est.
At that time Maximin's wife and Porphyry the Captain of his host, went to the prison to see the damsel, and at her preaching believed in Jesus Christ, and were afterwards crowned with martyrdom. Then was Catharine brought out of ward, and a wheel was set, wherein were fastened many and sharp blades, so that her virgin body might thereby be most direfully cut and torn in pieces, but in a little while, as Catharine prayed, this machine was broken in pieces, at the which marvel many believed in Christ. But Maximin was hardened in his godlessness and cruelty, and commanded to behead Catharine. She bravely offered her neck to the stroke and passed away hence to receive the twain crowns of maidenhood and martyrdom, upon the 25th day of November. Her body was marvelously laid by angels upon Mount Sinai in Arabia.
℟. 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
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
Te Deum