In Festo Sanctae Catharinae Alexandriae (Nov. 25), Acta

In Festo Sanctae Catharinae Alexandriae (Nov. 25), Acta

From Matins of the Feast of St. Catherine of Alexandria
Virgin and Martyr, Patroness of Philosophers

Source: www.breviary.net

Second Nocturn
Absolutio: Ipsíus píetas et misericórdia nos ádjuvet, qui cum Patre et Spíritu Sancto vivit et regnat in sæcula sæculórum. R.  Amen.	Absolution:  May his loving-kindness and mercy assist us.  Who, with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, liveth and reigneth, for ever and ever. R.  Amen.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 4: Deus Pater omnípotens sit nobis propítius et clemens. R.  Amen.	Benediction 4:  May God the Father Almighty shew us his mercy and pity. R.  Amen.
Lesson iv
Catharína, nóbilis virgo Alexandrína, a primaætáte stúdia liberálium ártium cum fídei ardóre conjúngens, brevi ad eam sanctitátis et doctrínæ perfectiónem pervénit, ut, decem et octo annos nata, eruditíssimum quemque superáret.  Quæ cum Maximíni jussu multos, propter christiánæ religiónis professiónem varie torméntis cruciátos, ad supplícium rapi vidéret, non dubitánter ipsum ádiit Maximínum, eíque nefáriam immanitátem objíciens, sapientíssimis ratiónibus Christi fidem ad salútem necessáriam esse affirmávit.	Catherine 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 Maximinus, 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.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam : * Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua. V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna. R.  Et dedúcet te mirabíliter déxtera tua.	R.  Ride on because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and righteousness : * And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things. V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign. R.  And thy right hand shall teach thee terrible things.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 5: Christus perpétuæ det nobis gáudia vitæ. R.  Amen.	Benediction 5: May Christ bestow upon us the joys of life eternal. R.  Amen.
Lesson v
Cujus prudéntiam Maximínus admirátus, retinéri eam jubet, accersítis úndique doctíssimis homínibus, magnísque propósitis præmiis, qui convíctam Catharínam a Christi fide ad idolórum cultum perduxíssent.  Quod contra áccidit.  Nam plures philósophi, qui ad eam coarguéndam convénerant, vi ac subtilitáte ejus disputatiónis tanto Jesu Christi amóre sunt incénsi, ut pro illo mori non dubitáverint.  Quam ob rem Maximínus blandítiis ac promíssis Catharínam de senténtia dedúcere aggréditur ; verum, id frustra fíeri intélligens, verbéribus afféctam plumbatísque contúsam, dies úndecim sine cibo ac potu inclúsam tenet in cárcere.	Maximinus 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 Catherine 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 Maximinus strive to beguile Catherine 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.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Dilexísti justítiam, et odísti iniquitátem : *Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ. V.  Propter veritátem, et mansuetúdinem, et justítiam. R.  Proptérea unxit te Deus, Deus tuus, óleo lætítiæ.	R.  Thou hast loved righteousness and hated iniquity : * Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness. V.  Because of the Word of truth, of meekness, and of righteousness. R.  Wherefore God, even thy God, hath anointed thee with the oil of gladness.
V.  Jube domne, (Dómine) benedícere.	V.  Vouchsafe, Reverend Father (O Lord), thy blessing.
Benedíctio 6: Ignem sui amóris accéndat Deus in córdibus nostris. R.  Amen.	Benediction 6: May God enkindle in our hearts the fire of his holy love. R.  Amen.
Lesson vi
Quo témpore Maximíni uxor et Porphyrius belli dux, viséndæ Vírginis causa cárcerem ingréssi, et ejúsdem prædicatióne in Jesum Christum credéntes, póstea martyrio coronáti sunt.  Interim Catharína edúcitur e custódia ; et rota expedítur, crebris et acútis præfíxa gládiis, ut Vírginis corpus crudelíssime dilacerarétur.  Quæ máchina, brevi Catharínæ oratióne, confrácta est ; eóque miráculo multi Christi fidem suscepérunt.  Ipse Maximínus, in impietáte et crudelitáte obstinátior, Catharínam secúri pércuti ímperat.  Quæ, fórtiter dato cápite, ad duplicátum virginitátis et martyrii præmium evolávit séptimo Kaléndas Decémbris; cujus corpus ab Angelis in Sina, Arábiæ monte, mirabíliter collocátum est.	At that time Maximinus' 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 Catherine 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 Catherine prayed, this machine was broken in pieces, at the which marvel many believed in Christ.  But Maximinus was hardened in his godlessness and cruelty, and commanded to behead Catherine.  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 marvellously laid by Angels upon Mount Sinai in Arabia.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Afferéntur Regi vírgines post eam, próximæejus * Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne. V.  Spécie tua et pulchritúdine tua inténde, próspere procéde, et regna. R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne. V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R.  Afferéntur tibi in lætítia et exsultatióne.	R.  After her shall virgins be brought unto the King : * Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing. V.  In thy comeliness, yea, in thy beauty, go forth, ride prosperously, and reign. R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing. V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R.  Her fellows shall be brought unto thee with gladness and rejoicing.
This Ceremonial cloth was a cover for the reliquary of St. Catherine. The central representation shows the angels carrying the Saint's body to the highest peak of Mount Sinai.