Above: Death of the Virgin, oil on panel, c. 1480-90, Master of the Drapery Studies, National Museum in Kraków
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May God the Father Omnipotent, be to us merciful and clement.
℟. Amen.
Reading 4
Sermo sancti Joannis Damasceni
Orat. 2 de Dorm. Deiparæ
Let us rejoice in the ark of the Lord God with all our heart, and the walls of Hiericon will fall, the hostile strongholds of opposing powers. Let us exult in spirit with David. For the ark of the Lord has rested today. Let us cry out with Gabriel, who holds the first place among the angels: Hail, full of grace: the Lord is with you. Hail, inexhaustible ocean of joy. Hail, the only relief from troubles. Hail, the medicine for all heartaches. Hail, holy virgin, through whom death was indeed driven out, but life was introduced.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. When the Lord beheld the daughter of Jerusalem adorned with her jewels, He greatly desired her beauty
* And when the daughters of Zion saw her, they cried out that she was most blessed, saying thy name is as ointment poured forth.
℣. Upon thy right hand did stand the Queen in a vesture of gold wrought about with diverse colours.
℟. And when the daughters of Zion saw her, they cried out that she was most blessed, saying thy name is as ointment poured forth.
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May Christ to all His people give, for ever in His sight to live.
℟. Amen.
Reading 5
But you, O most sacred of sacred tombs, after the tomb of the Lord, which gave the beginning of life, which was the fountain of resurrection, (for I will speak to you as to a living being) where is that pure gold which the hands of the apostles have hid in you! Where are the riches which cannot be consumed! Where is the new volume, in which the word of God was ineffably inscribed without hand! Where is the abyss of grace? Where is the sea of healings? Where is that desirable body of the most perfect Virgin?
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. All generations shall call me blessed.
* For He that is mighty, even the Lord, hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name.
℣. And his mercy is on them that fear Him, from generation to generation.
℟. He that is mighty, even the Lord, hath done to me great things; and Holy is His Name.
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Spirit’s fire Divine in our hearts enkindled shine.
℟. Amen.
Reading 6
Why do you seek in the tomb that which has been translated to the heavenly tabernacle? Why do you demand from me the reason for its guarding? I cannot resist the divine commands. The sacred body also imparted holiness to me, for it filled me with the fragrance of the most precious ointment, and made me a divine temple, leaving behind the shrouds, it went away raptured on high, accompanied by angels, archangels, and all the heavenly powers. Now angels surround me; now divine grace dwells in me. Therefore I have escaped from the workshop of medicine for the sick. I am the fountain of everlasting healings: I am the remedy against demons: I am the city of refuge for all who take refuge in me.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Blessed art thou, O Virgin Mary, who hast carried the Lord, the Maker of the world.
* Thou hast borne Him Who created thee, and thou abidest a virgin for ever.
℣. Hail, Mary, full of grace. the Lord is with thee.
℟. Thou hast borne Him Who created thee, and thou abidest a virgin for ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Thou hast borne Him Who created thee, and thou abidest a virgin for ever.
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Gospel’s holy lection Be our safety and protection.
℟. Amen.
Reading 7
From the holy Gospel according to Luke.
Luke 10:38-42
In that time Jesus entered into a certain town: and a certain woman named Martha, received him into her house. And so on.
Homily of St. Augustine, Bishop of Hippo
Ex Serm. 27. de Verbis Dom., paulo ante medium
Well, Martha, concerning the Lord’s bodily, what shall I say, necessity or will? She ministered to mortal flesh. But who was in mortal flesh? In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and God was the Word. Behold what Mary heard. The Word became flesh, and dwelt among us. Behold whom Martha ministered to. Therefore Mary chose the better part, which shall not be taken away from her. For she chose that which shall remain forever, therefore it shall not be taken away from her.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. Grace is poured into thy lips
* Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
℣. thy garments smell of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia, out of the ivory palaces whereby kings’ daughters among thy honourable women have made thee glad.
℟. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. She whose feast-day we are keeping, Mary, blessed Maid of Maidens, be our Advocate with God.
℟. Amen.
Reading 8
Mary wanted to occupy herself with one thing. She already held: But for me it is good to cleave to God. She sat at the feet of our head. The more humble she sat, the more she received. For water flows to the lowliness of the valley, denotes the swellings of the hill. Therefore the Lord did not reproach the work, but distinguished the gift. You are occupied with many things: yet one thing is necessary. Mary has already chosen this for herself.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℟. O Virgin Mary, Mother of God, blessed art thou that didst believe the Lord, for there hath been a performance of those things which were told thee from the Lord. Behold, thou art exalted over choirs of Angels.
* Plead for us with the Lord our God.
℣. Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
℟. Plead for us with the Lord our God.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Plead for us with the Lord our God.
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May He that is the Angels’ King to that high realm His people bring.
℟. Amen.
Reading 9
Commemoration of S. Agapitus, Martyr
Agapitus was a young man of Palestrina, who eagerly accepted martyrdom at the age of fifteen years, under the Emperor Aurelian. On account of his firmness in his religion, the Emperor ordered him first to receive an exceedingly long hiding with cat-gut, and then to be thrown into a foul dungeon, where he remained for four days without food. Being brought out of prison, live embers were put upon his head, but, whereas he still gave God thanks, he was whipped again, and hung up naked by the feet, in such wise that a thick smoke from a fire kindled under his face might pour into his mouth. Afterwards, boiling water was poured upon his belly, and his jaws were broken. Then presently the judge fell from his judgement seat, and shortly after died. Whereupon the Emperor was enraged, and commanded the holy youth to be thrown to wild beasts, but these dared not to touch him, and he was stricken by the sword at Palestrina.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.
Te Deum