In Festo S. Francisci Salesii (Jan. 29), Acta

In Festo S. Francisci Salesii (Jan. 29), Acta

From Matins of the Feast of St. Francis de Sales, Doctor of the Church
Online 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
St. Francis de Sales, born August 21st, 1567
Francíscus in óppido Salésio, unde famíliæcognómen, piis et nobílibus paréntibus natus, a téneris annis futúræ sanctitátis indícia præbuit, morum innocéntia et gravitáte.  Adoléscens liberálibus disciplínis erudítus, mox philosophíæ ac theologíæ Parísiis óperam dedit ; et, ne quid sibi deésset ad ánimi cultúram, juris utriúsque láuream summa cum laude Patávii obtínuit.  In sacra æde Lauretána perpétuæ virginitátis votum, quo pridem Parísiis se obstrínxerat, innovávit ; a cujus virtútis propósito nullis umquam dæmonum fráudibus, nullis sénsuum illécebris pótuit dimovéri.	Francis was born of godly and noble parents, in the town of Sales, from which his family take their name of de Sales.  In his childish years his staid and godly demeanour gave promise of his future sanctity.  He received a liberal education as he grew up, and afterwards studied Philosophy and Theology at Paris.  In order to the complete furnishing of his mind, he took the degree of Doctor of Laws, both Civil and Ecclesiastical, at Padua, with much distinction.  He had already bound himself with a vow of perpetual virginity at Paris, and he renewed the same in the Holy House of Loreto.  From this path of virtue, neither the temptations of the devil nor the allurements of the world ever induced him to swerve.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
Inside the Holy House of Loreto
R.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei. V.  Nihil profíciet inimícus in eo, et fílius iniquitátis non nocébit ei. R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.	R.  I have found David my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. * My hand shall hold him fast. V.  The enemy shall not be able to do him violence ; the son of wickedness shall not hurt him. R.  My hand shall hold him fast.
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
The Cathedral at Geneva, Switzerland
Recusáta in Sabáudiæ senátu amplíssima dignitáte, clericáli milítiæ nomen dedit.  Tum sacerdótio initiátus et Genevénsis ecclésiæ præpositúram adéptus, ejus múneris partes ádeo perfécte explévit, ut eum Granérius epíscopus vindicándis ab hæresi Calviniána Chaballicénsibus aliísque Genévæ finítimis pópulis, divíni verbi præcónem destinárit.  Quam expeditiónem álacri ánimo suscípiens, aspérrima quæque perpéssus est, sæpe ab hæréticis conquisítus ad necem, variísque calúmniis et insídiis vexátus.  Sed inter tot discrímina et agónes, insuperábilis ejus constántia semper enítuit ; Deíque ope protéctus, septuagínta duo míllia hæreticórum ad cathólicam fidem reduxísse dícitur, inter quos multi nobilitáte et doctrína insígnes numerántur.	He refused to be made Counsellor of the Parliament of Chambery, for which his family had obtained for him patents from the Duke of Savoy, and determined to become a clergyman.  He was appointed to the Provostship of the Church of Geneva, and, being shortly afterward ordained Priest, discharged so admirably the duties of his position, that he was sent by Granier, his Bishop, to preach the Word of God in Chablais, and other places in the outskirts of the diocese, where the inhabitants had embraced the heresy of Calvin.  He joyfully undertook this mission, in which he suffered much, being often hunted by the Protestants to murder him, and assailed by many calumnies and plots.  Amid all these dangers and struggles his constancy remained invincible, and under the blessing and care of God he is said to have recalled seventy-two thousand of these hereticks to the Faith of Christ's Universal Church, among whom were many distinguished by rank and learning.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
St. Francis de Sales, consecrated Bishop December 3rd, 1602
R.  Pósui adjutórium super poténtem, et exaltávi eléctum de plebe mea : * Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei. V.  Invéni David servum meum, óleo sancto meo unxi eum. R.  Manus enim mea auxiliábitur ei.	R.  I have laid help upon one that is mighty, I have exalted one chosen out of the people. * My hand shall hold him fast.V.  I have found David, my servant, with my holy oil have I anointed him. R.  My hand shall hold him fast.
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
Mórtuo Granério, qui eum sibi coadjutórem decérni curáverat, epíscopus consecrátus, sanctitátis suæ rádios circumquáque diffúdit, zelo ecclesiásticæ disciplínæ, pacis stúdio, misericórdia in páuperes, omníque virtúte conspícuus.  Ad divíni cultus augméntum novum órdinem sanctimoniálium instítuit, a Visitatióne beátæ Vírginis nuncupátum, sub régula sancti Augustíni ; cui áddidit constitutiónes sapiéntia, discretióne et suavitáte mirábiles.  Suis étiam scriptis cælésti doctrína refértis Ecclésiam illustrávit, quibus iter ad christiánam perfectiónem tutum et planum demónstrat.  Annum dénique agens quinquagésimum quintum, dum e Gállia Annésium regréditur, post Sacrum in die sancti Joánnis Evangelístæ Lugdúni celebrátum, gravi morbo corréptus, sequénti die migrávit in cælum, anno Dómini millésimo sexcentésimo vigésimo secúndo.  Ejus corpus Annésium delátum, in ecclésia moniálium dicti órdinis honorífice cónditum fuit, cœpítque statis miráculis claréscere.  Quibus rite probátis, ab Alexándro séptimo Pontífice máximo in Sanctórum númerum relátus est, assignáta ejus festivitáti die vigésima nona Januárii ; et a summo Pontífice Pio nono, ex sacrórum Rítuum Congregatiónis consúlto, universális Ecclésiæ Doctor fuit declarátus.	After the death of Bishop Granier, who had procured his appointment as Coadjutor, he was consecrated Bishop.  In that office he was truly a burning and a shining light, shewing all around a bright example of godliness, zeal for the discipline of the Church, ardent love of peace, tenderness to the poor, and, indeed, of all graces.  For the greater ornament of God's worship he established a new Order of Nuns, which is named from the Visitation of the Blessed Virgin.  These nuns follow the Rule of St. Augustine, but Francis added thereto several additional constitutions distinguished by wisdom, prudence, and tenderness.  He enlightened the Church by writings full of heavenly teaching, and pointing out a safe and simple road to Christian perfection.  In the 55th year of his age, while on his way from France to Annecy, after saying Mass at Lyons on the Feast of St. John the Evangelist, he was seized with a fatal illness, and on the next day passed from earth to heaven, in the year of our Lord 1622.  His body was carried to Annecy and honourably buried in the Church of the nuns of the Visitation, where it soon began to be distinguished for miracles.  The truth of these having been proved, the Supreme Pontiff, Alexander VII, enrolled his name among those of the Saints, and appointed for his Feastday the 29th of January.  And the Supreme Pontiff, Pius IX, on the advice of the Congregation of Sacred Rites, declared him a Doctor of the Universal Church.
V.  Tu autem, Dómine, miserére nobis. R.  Deo grátias.	V.  But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us. R.  Thanks be to God.
R.  Iste est, qui ante Deum magnas virtútes operátus est, et omnis terra doctrína ejus repléta est : * Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.V.  Iste est, qui contémpsit vitam mundi, et pervénit ad cæléstia regna. R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.V.  Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R.  Ipse intercédat pro peccátis ómnium populórum.	R.  This is he who wrought mighty deeds and valiant in the sight of God, and all the earth is filled with his doctrine: * May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.V.  He was a man who despised the life of the world and attained unto the kingdom of heaven. R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.V.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R.  May his intercession avail for the sins of all the people.