Roman Breviary, 1954 (Divino Afflatu)
Sunday, 6 December 2026
Dominica II AdventusSecond Sunday of Advent
Semiduplex II classis
Commemoratio: S. Nicolai Episcopi et Confessoris
Commemoration: St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor
Lectio I
Lesson I
De Isaía Prophéta
Lesson from the book of Isaias
Isa 11:1-4
Isa 11:1-4
Et egrediétur virga de radíce Jesse, et flos de radíce ejus ascéndet. Et requiéscet super eum Spíritus Dómini: spíritus sapiéntiæ et intelléctus, spíritus consílii et fortitúdinis, spíritus sciéntiæ et pietátis; Et replébit eum spíritus timóris Dómini: non secúndum visiónem oculórum judicábit, neque secúndum audítum áurium árguet: Sed judicábit in justítia páuperes, et árguet in æquitáte pro mansuétis terræ:
And there shall come forth a rod out of the root of Jesse, and a flower shall rise up out of his root. And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him: the spirit of wisdom, and of understanding, the spirit of counsel, and of fortitude, the spirit of knowledge, and of godliness. And he shall be filled with the spirit of the fear of the Lord. He shall not judge according to the sight of the eyes, nor reprove according to the hearing of the ears. But he shall judge the poor with justice, and shall reprove with equity for the meek of the earth.
℟. Jerúsalem, cito véniet salus tua: Quare mœróre consúmeris? numquid consiliárius non est tibi, quia innovávit te dolor? * Salvábo te, et liberábo te, noli timére.
℟. Thy salvation cometh quickly, O Jerusalem; why art thou wasted with sorrow? Is there no counselor in thee, that pangs have taken thee? * Fear not, for I will save thee and deliver thee.
℣. Ego enim sum Dóminus, Deus tuus, Sanctus Israël, Redémptor tuus.
℣. For I am the Lord, thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.
℟. Salvábo te, et liberábo te, noli timére.
℟. Fear not, for I will save thee, and deliver thee.
Lectio II
Lesson II
Isa 11:4-7
Isa 11:4-7
Et percútiet terram virga oris sui, et spíritu labiórum suórum interfíciet ímpium. Et erit justítia cíngulum lumbórum ejus: et fides cinctórium renis ejus. Habitábit lupus cum agno, et pardus cum hædo accubábit, vitúlus et leo et ovis simul morabúntur, et puer párvulus minábit eos. Vítulus et ursus pascéntur, simul requiéscent cátuli eórum, et leo quasi bos cómedet páleas.
And he shall strike the earth with the rod of his mouth, and with the breath of his lips he shall slay the wicked. And justice shall be the girdle of his loins: and faith the girdle of his reins. The wolf shall dwell with the lamb: and the leopard shall lie down with the kid: the calf and the lion, and the sheep shall abide together, and a little child shall lead them. The calf and the bear shall feed: their young ones shall rest together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
℟. Ecce Dóminus véniet, et omnes Sancti ejus cum eo, et erit in die illa lux magna: et exíbunt de Jerúsalem sicut aqua munda: et regnábit Dóminus in ætérnum * Super omnes gentes.
℟. Behold, the Lord shall come, and all His saints with Him, and it shall come to pass in that day that the light shall be great; and they shall go out from Jerusalem like clean water; and the Lord shall be King for ever, * Over all the earth.
℣. Ecce Dóminus cum virtúte véniet: et regnum in manu ejus, et potéstas, et impérium.
℣. Behold, the Lord cometh with an host, and in His hand are the kingdom, and power, and dominion.
℟. Super omnes gentes.
℟. Over all the earth.
Lectio III
Lesson III
Isa 11:8-10
Isa 11:8-10
Et delectábitur infans ab úbere super forámine áspidis, et in cavérna réguli, qui ablactátus fúerit, manum suam mittet. Non nocébunt, et non occídent in univérso monte sancto meo: quia repléta est terra sciéntia Dómini, sicut aquæ maris operiéntes. In die illa radix Jesse, qui stat in signum populórum, ipsum gentes deprecabúntur, et erit sepúlcrum ejus gloriósum.
And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp: and the weaned child shall thrust his hand into the den of the basilisk. They shall not hurt, nor shall they kill in all my holy mountain, for the earth is filled with the knowledge of the Lord, as the covering waters of the sea. In that day the root of Jesse, who standeth for an ensign of the people, him the Gentiles shall beseech, and his sepulchre shall be glorious.
℟. Cívitas Jerúsalem, noli flere: quóniam dóluit Dóminus super te: * Et áuferet a te omnem tribulatiónem.
℟. O, thou city of Jerusalem, weep not, for the Lord hath repented Him concerning thee. * And He will take away from thee all distress.
℣. Ecce Dóminus in fortitúdine véniet: et brácchium ejus dominábitur.
℣. Behold, the Lord shall come with might, and His arm shall rule.
℟. Et áuferet a te omnem tribulatiónem.
℟. And He will take away from thee all distress.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Et áuferet a te omnem tribulatiónem.
℟. And He will take away from thee all distress.
Lectio IV
Lesson IV
De Expositióne sancti Hierónymi Presbýteri in Isaíam Prophétam
From the Commentary on the Prophecies of Isaiah made by St. Jerome, Priest (at Bethlehem)
Liber 4. in cap. 11 Isaíæ.
Book iv, c. xi
Et egrediétur virga de radíce Jesse. Usque ad principium visiónis, vel pónderis Babylónis, quod vidit Isaías, fílius Amos, omnis hæc prophetía de Christo est: quam per partes vólumus explanare, ne simul propósita atque disserta lectóris confundat memóriam. Virgam et florem de radíce Jesse ipsum Dóminum Judæi interpretántur: quod scilicet in virga regnántis poténtia, in flore pulchritúdo monstrétur.
And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse. From the beginning of the Book of this Prophet till the xiiith chapter, where commenceth the vision, or burden of Babylon, the whole of the vision of Isaiah, the son of Amoz, is one continual prophecy of Christ. We must explain it part by part, for if we were to take it all at once, the memory of the reader would be confused. According to the Jewish commentators, the rod and the flower would both relate to the Lord Himself. They take the rod to mean the sceptre of His Royal dominion, and the flower the loveliness of His beauty.
℟. Ecce véniet Dóminus, protéctor noster, Sanctus Israël, * Corónam regni habens in cápite suo.
℟. Behold, there cometh the Lord, our defender, the Holy One of Israel, * Wearing a royal crown upon His head.
℣. Et dominábitur a mari usque ad mare, et a flúmine usque ad términos orbis terrárum.
℣. And His dominion shall be from sea even to sea, and from the river even to the ends of the earth.
℟. Corónam regni habens in cápite suo.
℟. Wearing a royal crown upon His head.
Lectio V
Lesson V
Nos autem virgam de radíce Jesse sanctam Mariam Vírginem intelligámus, quæ nullum hábuit sibi frúticem cohæréntem, de qua et supra légimus: Ecce virgo concípiet et pariet fílium. Et florem, Dóminum Salvatórem, qui dicit in Cántico canticórum: Ego flos campi, et lílium convallium.
We, however, understand that the rod out of the root of Jesse signifieth the holy Virgin Mary. She was a clean stem that had as yet put forth no shoot; as we have read above Behold, the Virgin shall conceive and bear a son. (Isa. vii. 14.) And the flower we believe to mean the Lord our Redeemer, Who hath elsewhere compared Himself to a flower; I am a flower of the plain, and a lily of the valleys. (Cant. ii. 1.)
℟. Sicut mater consolátur fílios suos, ita consolábor vos, dicit Dóminus: et de Jerúsalem civitáte quam elégi, véniet vobis auxílium: * Et vidébitis et gaudébit cor vestrum.
℟. As a mother comforteth her children, so will I comfort you, saith the Lord; My help also cometh unto you out of Jerusalem, the city which I have chosen. * And when ye see this, your heart shall rejoice.
℣. Dabo in Sion salútem, et in Jerúsalem glóriam meam.
℣. I will place salvation in Zion and in Jerusalem My glory.
℟. Et vidébitis et gaudébit cor vestrum.
℟. And when ye shall see this, your heart shall rejoice.
Lectio VI
Lesson VI
Super hunc ígitur florem, qui de trunco et radíce Jesse per Mariam Vírginem repénte consúrget, requiéscet Spíritus Dómini: quia in ipso complácuit omnem plenitúdinem divinitátis habitáre corporáliter: nequáquam per partes, ut in ceteris Sanctis: sed juxta Evangélium eórum, quod Hebræo sermóne conscríptum legunt Nazaræi: Descéndet super eum omnis fons Spíritus Sancti. Dóminus autem Spíritus est: et ubi Spíritus Dómini, ibi libertas.
The Spirit of the Lord then shall rest upon this flower; this flower which shall come forth from the stem and roots of Jesse by means of the Virgin Mary. And truly the Spirit of the Lord did rest upon our Redeemer. It is written that In Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. (Col. ii. 9.) The Spirit was not shed on Him by measure, as it is upon the (4 Isa. Ixvi. 13, 14. Isa. xlvi. 13.) Saints. To Him we may apply the words of the Hebrew Gospel used by the Nazarenes; The whole fountain of the Holy Ghost shall be poured forth upon Him The Lord is a spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. (2 Cor. iii. 17.)
℟. Jerúsalem, plantábis víneam in móntibus tuis: exsultábis, quóniam dies Dómini véniet: surge, Sion, convértere ad Dóminum Deum tuum: gaude et lætáre, Jacob: * Quia de médio géntium Salvátor tuus véniet.
℟. Thou shalt yet plant vines upon thy mountains, O Jerusalem thou shalt sing for joy, for the day of the Lord cometh; arise, O Zion, and turn unto the Lord thy God; rejoice and be glad, O Jacob. * For thy Saviour cometh from the midst of the nations.
℣. Exsúlta satis, fília Sion: júbila, fília Jerúsalem.
℣. Sing aloud for joy, O daughter of Zion; shout with gladness, O daughter of Jerusalem.
℟. Quia de médio géntium Salvátor tuus véniet.
℟. For thy Saviour cometh from the midst of the nations.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Quia de médio géntium Salvátor tuus véniet.
℟. For thy Saviour cometh from the midst of the nations.
Lectio VII
Lesson VII
Léctio sancti Evangélii secúndum Matthǽum
From the Holy Gospel according to Matthew
Matt 11:2-10
Matt 11:2-10
In illo témpore: Cum audísset Joánnes in vínculis ópera Christi, mittens duos de discípulis suis, ait illi: Tu es qui ventúrus es, an álium exspectámus? Et réliqua.
In that time, when John had heard in prison the works of Christ: sending two of his disciples he said to him: Art thou he that art to come, or look we for another? And so on.
Homilía sancti Gregórii Papæ
Homily by Pope St. Gregory (the Great.)
Homilia 6 in Evangelia, post initium
6th Homily on the Gospels
Visis tot signis tantísque virtútibus, non scandalizári quisque pótuit, sed admirári. Sed infidélium mens grave in illo scándalum pértulit, cum eum post tot mirácula moriéntem vidit. Unde et Paulus dicit: Nos autem prædicámus Christum crucifíxum, Judǽis quidem scándalum, géntibus autem stultítiam. Stultum quippe homínibus visum est, ut pro homínibus Auctor vitæ morerétur: et inde contra eum homo scándalum sumpsit, unde ei ámplius débitor fíeri débuit. Nam tanto Deus ab homínibus dígnius honorándus est, quanto pro homínibus et indígna suscépit.
The sight of so many signs and so many mighty works should have been a source of wonder, and not a stumbling-block. And yet the unfaithful (Jer. xxxi. 5.) found these very works a rock of offence, when they afterwards saw Him Who had worked so many miracles dying on the Cross. Hence Paul saith: “We preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumbling-block and unto the Gentiles foolishness.” (1 Cor. i. 23.) It is indeed folly in the eyes of men to say that the Author of life died for men and thus men put as a stumbling-block to hinder them from coming to Jesus, the very thing that doth oblige them the most unto Him. For the more humbling God hath undergone for man's sake, the more worthy is He that man should worship Him.
℟. Egrediétur Dóminus de Samaría ad portam, quæ réspicit ad Oriéntem: et véniet in Béthlehem ámbulans super aquas redemptiónis Judæ: * Tunc salvus erit omnis homo: quia ecce véniet.
℟. The Lord shall go forth out of Samaria unto the gate that looketh toward the East; and He shall come into Bethlehem, walking upon the waters of the redemption of Judah. * Then shall every one be saved for, behold, He cometh.
℣. Et præparábitur in misericórdia sólium ejus, et sedébit super illud in veritáte.
℣. And in mercy shall His throne be established, and He shall sit upon it in truth.
℟. Tunc salvus erit omnis homo: quia ecce véniet.
℟. Then shall every one be saved for, behold, He cometh.
Lectio VIII
Lesson VIII
Quid est ergo dicere: Beátus qui non fúerit scandalizátus in me; nisi apérta voce abjectiónem mortis suæ humilitátemque signare? Ac si patenter dicat: Mira quidem facio, sed abjecta pérpeti non dedignor. Quia ergo moriéndo te súbsequor, cavéndum valde est homínibus, ne in me mortem despíciant, qui signa venerántur.
And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in Me. Now what is this, but a plain mention of that time, when He afterwards humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even the death of the Cross? It is as if He said: I indeed do wonderful works, but the day will come when I shall not refuse to suffer shame and evil treatment. Take heed then, ye who now worship Me for the works' sake, that when I come to die ye despise Me not for My death's sake.
℟. Festína, ne tardáveris, Dómine: * Et líbera pópulum tuum.
℟. Make haste, O Lord, make no tarrying. * And deliver thy people.
℣. Veni, Dómine, et noli tardáre: reláxa facínora plebi tuæ.
℣. O Lord, come and make no tarrying loose the bonds of thy people.
℟. Et líbera pópulum tuum.
℟. And deliver thy people.
Lectio IX
Lesson IX
Sed dimissis Joánnis discípulis, quid de eodem Joánne turbis dicat, audiámus: Quid exístis in desértum vidére? Arúndinem vento agitatam? Quod videlicet non asseréndo , sed negando intulit. Arúndinem quippe mox ut aura contígerit, in partem álteram inflectit. Et quid per arúndinem, nisi carnalis animus designátur? Qui mox ut favore vel detractióne tangitur, statim in partem quámlibet inclinátur?
And, as the disciples of John departed, what did Jesus say unto the multitudes concerning this same John? Let us hear. What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? Here our Lord teacheth not by assertion, but by negation. Now a reed is a thing so made that as soon as the wind bloweth upon it, it bendeth it over toward the opposite quarter. And the fleshly-minded man is like a human reed. As he is praised or blamed so he bendeth himself in the one direction or the other.
℟. Ecce Dóminus véniet cum splendóre descéndens, et virtus ejus cum eo, * Visitáre pópulum suum in pace, et constitúere super eum vitam sempitérnam.
℟. Behold, the Lord cometh down with glory, and His host is with Him. * To visit His people in peace, and to establish them in life everlasting.
℣. Ecce Dóminus noster cum virtúte véniet.
℣. Behold, our Lord cometh with an host.
℟. Visitáre pópulum suum in pace, et constitúere super eum vitam sempitérnam.
℟. To visit His people in peace, and to establish them in life everlasting.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Visitáre pópulum suum in pace, et constitúere super eum vitam sempitérnam.
℟. To visit His people in peace, and to establish them in life everlasting.