St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr ~ Duplex

Start
silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. O Lord, + open thou my lips.
℟. And my mouth shall declare thy praise.
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Invitatory {Antiphon from the Common or Feast}
Ant. The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.
Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our saviour. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to him with psalms.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.
For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For the Lord will not cast off his people: for in his hand are all the ends of the earth, and the heights of the mountains are his.
Ant. O come, let us worship.
For the sea is his, and he made it: and his hands formed the dry land. (genuflect) Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us: For he is the Lord our God: and we are the people of his pasture and the sheep of his hand.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.
Today if you shall hear his voice, harden not your hearts: As in the provocation, according to the day of temptation in the wilderness: where your fathers tempted me, they proved me, and saw my works.
Ant. O come, let us worship.
Forty years long was I offended with that generation, and I said: These always err in heart. And these men have not known my ways: so I swore in my wrath that they shall not enter into my rest.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O come, let us worship.
Ant. The Lord, the King of Virgins, * O come, let us worship.

Hymn {from the Common or Feast}
Son of a virgin, maker of thy mother,
Thou, rod and blossom from a stem unstainèd,
While we a Virgin's triumphs are rehearsing,
Hear our petition!

Lo, on thy handmaid fell a two-fold blessing,
Who, in her body vanquishing the weakness,
In that same body, grace from heaven obtaining,
Bore the world witness.

Death, nor the rending pains of death appalled her;
Bondage and torment found her undefeated:
So by the shedding of her blood attained she
Heavenly guerdon.

Fountain of mercy, hear the prayers she offers;
Purge our offences, pardon our transgressions,
So that hereafter we to thee may render
Praise with thanksgiving.

Thou, the All-Father, thou, the One-Begotten,
Thou, Holy Spirit, Three in One co-equal,
Glory be henceforth thine through all the ages,
World without ending.
Amen.

Psalms with lections {Antiphons and psalms from the Proper of Saints}
Nocturn I
Ant. I am well born * and of a respectable family, as all my relations testify.
Psalm 1 [1]
1:1 Blessed is the man who hath not walked in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stood in the way of sinners, * nor sat in the chair of pestilence.
1:2 But his will is in the law of the Lord, * and on his law he shall meditate day and night.
1:3 And he shall be like a tree which is planted near the running waters, * which shall bring forth its fruit, in due season.
1:3 And his leaf shall not fall off: * and all whatsoever he shall do shall prosper.
1:4 Not so the wicked, not so: * but like the dust, which the wind driveth from the face of the earth.
1:5 Therefore the wicked shall not rise again in judgment: * nor sinners in the council of the just.
1:6 For the Lord knoweth the way of the just: * and the way of the wicked shall perish.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I am well born and of a respectable family, as all my relations testify.

Ant. The best of my birth is * that I was born the slave of Christ.
Psalm 2 [2]
2:1 Why have the Gentiles raged, * and the people devised vain things?
2:2 The kings of the earth stood up, and the princes met together, * against the Lord and against his Christ.
2:3 Let us break their bonds asunder: * and let us cast away their yoke from us.
2:4 He that dwelleth in heaven shall laugh at them: * and the Lord shall deride them.
2:5 Then shall he speak to them in his anger, * and trouble them in his rage.
2:6 But I am appointed king by him over Sion his holy mountain, * preaching his commandment.
2:7 The Lord hath said to me: * Thou art my son, this day have I begotten thee.
2:8 Ask of me, and I will give thee the Gentiles for thy inheritance, * and the utmost parts of the earth for thy possession.
2:9 Thou shalt rule them with a rod of iron, * and shalt break them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
2:10 And now, O ye kings, understand: * receive instruction, you that judge the earth.
2:11 Serve ye the Lord with fear: * and rejoice unto him with trembling.
2:12 Embrace discipline, lest at any time the Lord be angry, * and you perish from the just way.
2:13 When his wrath shall be kindled in a short time, * blessed are all they that trust in him.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The best of my birth is that I was born the slave of Christ.

Ant. I look like a slave * because I am one, the slave of Christ.
Psalm 3 [3]
3:2 Why, O Lord, are they multiplied that afflict me? * many are they who rise up against me.
3:3 Many say to my soul: * There is no salvation for him in his God.
3:4 But thou, O Lord art my protector, * my glory, and the lifter up of my head.
3:5 I have cried to the Lord with my voice: * and he hath heard me from his holy hill.
3:6 I have slept and taken my rest: * and I have risen up, because the Lord hath protected me.
3:7 I will not fear thousands of the people, surrounding me: * arise, O Lord; save me, O my God.
3:8 For thou hast struck all them who are my adversaries without cause: * thou hast broken the teeth of sinners.
3:9 Salvation is of the Lord: * and thy blessing is upon thy people.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I look like a slave because I am one, the slave of Christ.

℣. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
℟. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution. O Lord Jesus Christ, graciously hear the prayers of Thy servants, and have mercy upon us, Who livest and reignest with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, ever world without end.
℟. Amen.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Eternal Father bless us with an eternal blessing.
℟. Amen.

Reading 1
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 51:1-7
1 A prayer of Jesus the son of Sirach. I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour.
2 I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me.
3 And hast preserved my body from destruction, from the snare of an unjust tongue, and from the lips of them that forge lies, and in the sight of them that stood by, thou hast been my helper.
4 And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour.
5 Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about:
6 From the oppression of the flame which surrounded me, and in the midst of the fire I was not burnt.
7 From the depth of the belly of hell, and from an unclean tongue, and from lying words, from an unjust king, and from a slanderous tongue:
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. While the blessed Agatha was being grievously tortured in the breasts, she said to the judge:
* Thou foul, cruel, and bloody tyrant, art thou not ashamed to do this to me, having thyself sucked at a mother's breast?
℣. I have breasts within, which have been the Lord's from my childhood, and them thou canst not mangle.
℟. Thou foul, cruel, and bloody tyrant, art thou not ashamed to do this to me, having thyself sucked at a mother's breast?

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Son, the Sole-begotten, mercifully bless and keep us.
℟. Amen.

Reading 2
Sir 51:8-12
8 My soul shall praise the Lord even to death.
9 And my life was drawing near to hell beneath.
10 They compassed me on every side, and there was no one that would help me. I looked for the succour of men, and there was none.
11 I remembered thy mercy, O Lord, and thy works, which are from the beginning of the world.
12 How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Agatha went to prison with great joy and exultation,
* Like a guest to a banquet, and recommended her struggle to the Lord in prayer.
℣. She, the daughter of a most noble race, rejoiced when a vile person haled her to prison.
℟. She went like a guest to a banquet, and recommended her struggle to the Lord in prayer.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the grace of the Holy Spirit enlighten all our hearts and minds.
℟. Amen.

Reading 3
Sir 51:13-17
13 Thou hast exalted my dwelling place upon the earth and I have prayed for death to pass away.
14 I called upon the Lord, the father of my Lord, that he would not leave me in the day of my trouble, and in the time of the proud without help.
15 I will praise thy name continually, and will praise it with thanksgiving, and my prayer was heard.
16 And thou hast saved me from destruction, and hast delivered me from the evil time.
17 Therefore I will give thanks, and praise thee, and bless the name of the Lord.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. Who art thou, who comest to heal my wounds? I am an Apostle of Christ have no fear of me, my daughter He hath sent me to thee;
* Whom thy soul and thy pure heart love.
℣. For I am His Apostle, and I bid thee know that thou art healed in the Name of Him.
℟. Whom thy soul and thy pure heart love.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Whom thy soul and thy pure heart love.

Nocturn II
Ant. The holy Agatha * said: Dost thou promise me beasts? When they hear Christ's name they grow tame.
Psalm 4 [4]
4:2 When I called upon him, the God of my justice heard me: * when I was in distress, thou hast enlarged me.
4:2 Have mercy on me: * and hear my prayer.
4:3 O ye sons of men, how long will you be dull of heart? * Why do you love vanity, and seek after lying?
4:4 Know ye also that the Lord hath made his holy one wonderful: * the Lord will hear me when I shall cry unto him.
4:5 Be ye angry, and sin not: * the things you say in your hearts, be sorry for them upon your beds.
4:6 Offer up the sacrifice of justice, and trust in the Lord: * many say, Who sheweth us good things?
4:7 The light of thy countenance, O Lord, is signed upon us: * thou hast given gladness in my heart.
4:8 By the fruit of their corn, their wine, and oil, * they are multiplied.
4:9 In peace in the selfsame * I will sleep, and I will rest:
4:10 For thou, O Lord, singularly * hast settled me in hope.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The holy Agatha said: Dost thou promise me beasts? When they hear Christ's name they grow tame.

Ant. If thou put * the fire to me, Angels will bring me a saving dew from heaven.
Psalm 5 [5]
5:2 Give ear, O Lord, to my words * understand my cry.
5:3 Hearken to the voice of my prayer, * O my King and my God.
5:4 For to thee will I pray: * O Lord, in the morning thou shalt hear my voice.
5:5 In the morning I will stand before thee, and will see: * because thou art not a God that willest iniquity.
5:6 Neither shall the wicked dwell near thee: * nor shall the unjust abide before thy eyes.
5:7 Thou hatest all the workers of iniquity: * thou wilt destroy all that speak a lie.
5:7 The bloody and the deceitful man the Lord will abhor. * But as for me in the multitude of thy mercy,
5:8 I will come into thy house; * I will worship towards thy holy temple, in thy fear.
5:9 Conduct me, O Lord, in thy justice: * because of my enemies, direct my way in thy sight.
5:10 For there is no truth in their mouth: * their heart is vain.
5:11 Their throat is an open sepulchre: they dealt deceitfully with their tongues: * judge them, O God.
5:11 Let them fall from their devices: according to the multitude of their wickednesses cast them out: * for they have provoked thee, O Lord.
5:12 But let all them be glad that hope in thee: * they shall rejoice for ever, and thou shalt dwell in them.
5:12 And all they that love thy name shall glory in thee: * For thou wilt bless the just.
5:13 O Lord, thou hast crowned us, * as with a shield of thy good will.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. If thou put the fire to me, Angels will bring me a saving dew from heaven.

Ant. Agatha went to prison * with great joy and exultation, like a guest to a banquet, and recommended her struggle to the Lord in prayer.
Psalm 8 [6]
8:2 O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is thy name in the whole earth!
8:2 For thy magnificence is elevated * above the heavens.
8:3 Out of the mouth of infants and of sucklings thou hast perfected praise, because of thy enemies, * that thou mayst destroy the enemy and the avenger.
8:4 For I will behold thy heavens, the works of thy fingers: * the moon and the stars which thou hast founded.
8:5 What is man that thou art mindful of him? * or the son of man that thou visitest him?
8:6 Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honour: * and hast set him over the works of thy hands.
8:8 Thou hast subjected all things under his feet, * all sheep and oxen: moreover the beasts also of the fields.
8:9 The birds of the air, and the fishes of the sea, * that pass through the paths of the sea.
8:10 O Lord our Lord, * how admirable is thy name in all the earth!
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Agatha went to prison with great joy and exultation, like a guest to a banquet, and recommended her struggle to the Lord in prayer.

℣. God shall help her with His countenance.
℟. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved.

Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution. May His loving-kindness and mercy help us, Who liveth and reigneth with the Father, and the Holy Ghost, world without end.
℟. Amen.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May God the Father Omnipotent, be to us merciful and clement.
℟. Amen.

Reading 4
The Maiden Agatha was a Sicilian of noble birth. The citizens of Palermo and Catania dispute as to which city had the honour of being her birthplace. It was at Catania that, during the persecution under the Emperor Decius, she won the crown of a glorious martyrdom. She was equally celebrated for her beauty and her chastity, and Quintianus, Praetor of Sicily, conceived a passion for her. He tried every sort of device to overcome her modesty, and when he found it impossible to make her consent to his wishes, he caused her to be arrested on a charge of Christian superstition, and handed over to a woman named Aphrodisia to be corrupted. The company, however, of this woman had no effect in shaking her constancy in the Christian worship, nor her settled determination to preserve her purity. Aphrodisia therefore reported to Quintianus that she was only throwing away her pains on Agatha. He ordered her to be brought before him. Thou, said he, art the daughter of a noble family dost thou feel no shame in living the degraded and slavish life of a Christian? Agatha answered him, The lowliness and bondage of a Christian are far nobler than the estate and pride of a king.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. But by the Lord's help I will continue to acknowledge Him Who hath saved me
* And strengthened me.
℣. I thank thee, O my Lord Jesus Christ, because Thou hast sent thine Apostle unto me to heal my wounds.
℟. And strengthened me.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May Christ to all His people give, for ever in His sight to live.
℟. Amen.

Reading 5
Then the Praetor, being incensed against her, gave her the alternative of either sacrificing to the gods, or being submitted to the torture; and as she remained firm in the faith, she was buffeted and sent back to prison. The next day she was brought forth, and, because her resolution was still unshaken, she was stretched on the rack and tortured with pieces of white-hot metal. Then her breasts were cut off. When Agatha received this injury she cried out to Quintianus, Cruel tyrant, art thou not ashamed to do this to me, having thyself sucked at a mother's breast? She was remanded again to prison and put in irons. That night an old man, who called himself an Apostle of Christ, came to her, and healed her wounds. The following day she was brought for the last time before the Praetor. Her constancy was unmoved, and she was rolled on sharp potsherds and live embers.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. He hath cured me Who hath sent His Apostle Peter to the prison to strengthen me, after I was ordered to be put on the rack.
* Because of my chastity, help me, O Lord my God, for they are torturing my breasts.
℣. He hath vouchsafed to heal me of all my wounds, and to put new paps on my breasts.
℟. Because of my chastity, help me, O Lord my God, for they are torturing my breasts.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May the Spirit's fire Divine in our hearts enkindled shine.
℟. Amen.

Reading 6
At that time the whole city was shaken with a great earthquake, and two of the Praetor's dearest friends, Silvinus and Falconius, were killed by falling walls. The townspeople were in an uproar, and Quintianus, in fear of a riot, ordered Agatha, who was half dead, to be carried back to prison quietly. Then she made the following prayer O Lord, Who hast been my Keeper from my childhood, Who hast taken from me all love for this present world, Who hast strengthened me so that I am more than conqueror over the cruelty of the executioners, receive my spirit, and with these words she passed to heaven. She finished her testimony on the 5th day of February, in the year of our Lord 251. Her body was buried by the Christians.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. O Lord, Thou hast seen and known how I have fought, and how I have run in the race; but, because I would not obey the magistrates
* They ordered me to be tortured in the breasts.
℣. Because of truth, and meekness, and righteousness,
℟. They ordered me to be tortured in the breasts.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. They ordered me to be tortured in the breasts.

Nocturn III
Ant. Unless thou make * the executioners to handle my body vigorously, my soul will not be able to enter into the Lord's paradise with the palm of martyrdom.
Psalm 10 [7]
10:2 In the Lord I put my trust: how then do you say to my soul: * Get thee away from hence to the mountain, like a sparrow?
10:3 For, lo, the wicked have bent their bow: they have prepared their arrows in the quiver, * to shoot in the dark the upright of heart.
10:4 For they have destroyed the things which thou hast made: * but what has the just man done?
10:5 The Lord is in his holy temple, * the Lord’s throne is in heaven.
10:5 His eyes look on the poor man: * his eyelids examine the sons of men.
10:6 The Lord trieth the just and the wicked: * but he that loveth iniquity, hateth his own soul.
10:7 He shall rain snares upon sinners: * fire and brimstone, and storms of winds, shall be the portion of their cup.
10:8 For the Lord is just, and hath loved justice: * his countenance hath beheld righteousness.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Unless thou make the executioners to handle my body vigorously, my soul will not be able to enter into the Lord's paradise with the palm of martyrdom.

Ant. O Lord, Thou hast seen * how I have fought, and how I have run in the race; but, because I would not obey the magistrates, they ordered me to be tortured in the breasts.
Psalm 14 [8]
14:1 Lord, who shall dwell in thy tabernacle? * or who shall rest in thy holy hill?
14:2 He that walketh without blemish, * and worketh justice:
14:3 He that speaketh truth in his heart, * who hath not used deceit in his tongue:
14:3 Nor hath done evil to his neighbour: * nor taken up a reproach against his neighbours.
14:4 In his sight the malignant is brought to nothing: * but he glorifieth them that fear the Lord:
14:4 He that sweareth to his neighbour, and deceiveth not; * He that hath not put out his money to usury, nor taken bribes against the innocent:
14:5 He that doth these things, * shall not be moved for ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O Lord, Thou hast seen how I have fought, and how I have run in the race; but, because I would not obey the magistrates, they ordered me to be tortured in the breasts.

Ant. Because of my chastity * they ordered me to be stretched upon the rack; help me, O Lord my God, for they are torturing my breasts.
Psalm 15 [9]
15:1 Preserve me, O Lord, for I have put my trust in thee. * I have said to the Lord, thou art my God, for thou hast no need of my goods.
15:3 To the saints, who are in his land, * he hath made wonderful all my desires in them.
15:4 Their infirmities were multiplied: * afterwards they made haste.
15:4 I will not gather together their meetings for blood offerings: * nor will I be mindful of their names by my lips.
15:5 The Lord is the portion of my inheritance and of my cup: * it is thou that wilt restore my inheritance to me.
15:6 The lines are fallen unto me in goodly places: * for my inheritance is goodly to me.
15:7 I will bless the Lord, who hath given me understanding: * moreover my reins also have corrected me even till night.
15:8 I set the Lord always in my sight: * for he is at my right hand, that I be not moved.
15:9 Therefore my heart hath been glad, and my tongue hath rejoiced: * moreover my flesh also shall rest in hope.
15:10 Because thou wilt not leave my soul in hell; * nor wilt thou give thy holy one to see corruption.
15:11 Thou hast made known to me the ways of life, thou shalt fill me with joy with thy countenance: * at thy right hand are delights even to the end.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Because of my chastity they ordered me to be stretched upon the rack; help me, O Lord my God, for they are torturing my breasts.

℣. God hath chosen her, and fore-chosen her.
℟. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle.

Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
Absolution. May the Almighty and merciful Lord loose us from the bonds of our sins.
℟. Amen.

℣. 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 Matthew
Matt 19:3-12
In that time, there came to him the Pharisees tempting him, and saying: Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? And so on.

Homily by St. John Chrysostom, Patriarch of Constantinople.
63th on Matthew.
Seeing that directly to exhort them unto virginity was well-nigh more than they could bear, our Lord seeketh to draw them to the desire thereof, taking occasion by the needfulness of a law against divorce. Then He showeth that virginity is possible, saying There are some eunuchs which were so born from their mother's womb; and there are some eunuchs which were made eunuchs of men; and there be eunuchs which have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. In these words He persuadeth them indirectly to choose virginity, while He teacheth them that such a gift is not so good as to be impossible.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. When the blessed Agatha came into the prison, she stretched forth her hands to God, and said O Lord, Who hast made me to overcome the cruelty of the executioners
* May it please thee that I should attain unto thy mercy.
℣. O Lord, Who hast made me, Who hast taken from me all love for this present world, and Who hast saved my body from pollution,
℟. May it please thee that I should attain unto thy mercy.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. She whose feast-day we are keeping, be our Advocate with God.
℟. Amen.

Reading 8
This doctrine He establisheth somewhat thus. Supposing that thou hadst been born a eunuch by nature, or hadst been made a eunuch by the cruelty of men, so that thou hadst no sexual enjoyment, and hadst no credit for having none, what wouldest thou do? Give God thanks therefore, that thou dost, for a reward and a crown, what such others suffer with no reward and no crown yea, and that, rather a lighter burden than the same, and that not only because thou hast the joy of hope, and of knowing that thou doest well, but also because thou art not so battered by storms of desire as they are.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟. I have used no earthly medicine for my body, but I have for a Master, Christ Jesus
* By Whose Word alone all things are made.
℣. He hath vouchsafed to heal me of all my wounds, and to put new paps on my breasts, and upon Him will I call, even upon the Living God.
℟. By Whose Word alone all things are made.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. By Whose Word alone all things are made.

℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May He that is the Angels' King to that high realm His people bring.
℟. Amen.

Reading 9
When, therefore, He had spoken of such as are eunuchs by nature, or by mutilation, and are eunuchs vainly and uselessly, unless they also bridle their thoughts, and of such as deny themselves for the kingdom of heaven's sake, He added He that is able to receive it, let him receive it, that He might make them the readier by showing the very sternness of the work, and, in His unspeakable goodness, He would not include any such precept within the requirements of the law, and, by saying this, showeth it to be the more possible, that He might increase the desire of freely choosing it.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Te Deum
We praise thee, O God, * we acknowledge thee to be the Lord.
All the earth doth worship thee, * the Father everlasting.
To thee all Angels cry aloud, * the Heavens, and all the Powers therein.
To thee Cherubim and Seraphim * continually do cry.
bow head Holy, Holy, Holy * Lord God of Sabaoth;
Heaven and earth are full * of the Majesty of thy glory.
The glorious company of the Apostles * praise thee.
The goodly fellowship of the Prophets * praise thee.
The noble army of Martyrs * praise thee.
The holy Church throughout all the world * doth acknowledge thee;
The Father, * of an infinite Majesty.
Thine honourable, true, * and only Son;
Also the Holy Ghost, * the Comforter.
Thou art the King of Glory, * O Christ.
Thou art the everlasting * Son of the Father.
During the following verse all make a profound bow: When thou tookest upon thee to deliver man, * thou didst not abhor the Virgin's womb.
When thou hadst overcome the sharpness of death, * thou didst open the Kingdom of Heaven to all believers.
Thou sittest at the right hand of God, * in the glory of the Father.
We believe that thou shalt come * to be our Judge.
Kneel for the following verse We therefore pray thee, help thy servants, * whom thou hast redeemed with thy precious Blood.
Make them to be numbered with thy Saints, * in glory everlasting.
O Lord, save thy people, * and bless thine heritage.
Govern them, * and lift them up for ever.
Day by day * we magnify thee;
During the following verse, by local custom, all make a profound bow. And we worship thy Name * ever, world without end.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, to keep us * this day without sin.
O Lord, have mercy upon us, * have mercy upon us.
O Lord, let thy mercy lighten upon us, * as our trust is in thee.
O Lord, in thee have I trusted, * let me never be confounded.

Skip the rest, unless praying Lauds separately.

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who among the other miracles of thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to thee by the path of her example.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Our Father is said completely in silence.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Start
If Matins and Lauds are separated, then is said silently:
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Otherwise, the hour is started directly as follows:
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Psalms {Laudes:1 Psalms & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. Who art thou * who comest to heal my wounds? I am an Apostle of Christ, have no fear of me, my daughter.
Psalm 92 [1]
92:1 The Lord hath reigned, he is clothed with beauty: * the Lord is clothed with strength, and hath girded himself.
92:1 For he hath established the world * which shall not be moved.
92:2 Thy throne is prepared from of old: * thou art from everlasting.
92:3 The floods have lifted up, O Lord: * the floods have lifted up their voice.
92:3 The floods have lifted up their waves, * with the noise of many waters.
92:4 Wonderful are the surges of the sea: * wonderful is the Lord on high.
92:5 Thy testimonies are become exceedingly credible: * holiness becometh thy house, O Lord, unto length of days.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Who art thou who comest to heal my wounds? I am an Apostle of Christ, have no fear of me, my daughter.

Ant. I have used no earthly medicine * for my body, but I have for a Master Christ Jesus, by Whose Word alone all things were made.
Psalm 99 [2]
99:2 Sing joyfully to God, all the earth: * serve ye the Lord with gladness.
99:2 Come in before his presence * with exceeding great joy.
99:3 Know ye that the Lord he is God: * he made us, and not we ourselves.
99:3 We are his people and the sheep of his pasture. * Go ye into his gates with praise, into his courts with hymns: and give glory to him.
99:4 Praise ye his name: for the Lord is sweet, his mercy endureth for ever, * and his truth to generation and generation.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I have used no earthly medicine for my body, but I have for a Master Christ Jesus, by Whose Word alone all things were made.

Ant. O my Lord Jesus Christ, I thank thee, * because Thou hast been mindful of me, and hast sent unto me thine Apostle, to heal my wounds.
Psalm 62 [3]
62:2 O God, my God, * to thee do I watch at break of day.
62:2 For thee my soul hath thirsted; * for thee my flesh, O how many ways!
62:3 In a desert land, and where there is no way, and no water: * so in the sanctuary have I come before thee, to see thy power and thy glory.
62:4 For thy mercy is better than lives: * thee my lips shall praise.
62:5 Thus will I bless thee all my life long: * and in thy name I will lift up my hands.
62:6 Let my soul be filled as with marrow and fatness: * and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips.
62:7 If I have remembered thee upon my bed, I will meditate on thee in the morning: * because thou hast been my helper.
62:8 And I will rejoice under the covert of thy wings: my soul hath stuck close to thee: * thy right hand hath received me.
62:10 But they have sought my soul in vain, they shall go into the lower parts of the earth: * they shall be delivered into the hands of the sword, they shall be the portions of foxes.
62:12 But the king shall rejoice in God, all they shall be praised that swear by him: * because the mouth is stopped of them that speak wicked things.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O my Lord Jesus Christ, I thank thee, because Thou hast been mindful of me, and hast sent unto me thine Apostle, to heal my wounds.

Ant. I bless thee, O Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, because by thine Apostle Thou hast put new paps on my breasts.
Canticle of the Three Young Men [4]
Dan 3:57-88,56
3:57 All ye works of the Lord, bless the Lord: * praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:58 O ye angels of the Lord, bless the Lord: * O ye heavens, bless the Lord:
3:59 O all ye waters that are above the heavens, bless the Lord: * O all ye powers of the Lord, bless the Lord.
3:60 O ye sun and moon, bless the Lord: * O ye stars of heaven, bless the Lord.
3:61 O every shower and dew, bless ye the Lord: * O all ye spirits of God, bless the Lord.
3:62 O ye fire and heat, bless the Lord: * O ye cold and heat, bless the Lord.
3:63 O ye dews and hoar frosts, bless the Lord: * O ye frost and cold, bless the Lord.
3:64 O ye ice and snow, bless the Lord: * O ye nights and days, bless the Lord.
3:65 O ye light and darkness, bless the Lord: * O ye lightnings and clouds, bless the Lord.
3:66 O let the earth bless the Lord: * let it praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:67 O ye mountains and hills, bless the Lord: * O all ye things that spring up in the earth, bless the Lord.
3:68 O ye fountains, bless the Lord: * O ye seas and rivers, bless the Lord.
3:69 O ye whales, and all that move in the waters, bless the Lord: * O all ye fowls of the air, bless the Lord.
3:70 O all ye beasts and cattle, bless the Lord: * O ye sons of men, bless the Lord.
3:71 O let Israel bless the Lord: * let them praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:72 O ye priests of the Lord, bless the Lord: * O ye servants of the Lord, bless the Lord.
3:73 O ye spirits and souls of the just, bless the Lord: * O ye holy and humble of heart, bless the Lord.
3:74 O Ananias, Azarias, and Misael, bless ye the Lord: * praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:75 (Bow head) Let us bless the Father and the Son, with the Holy Ghost; * let us praise and exalt him above all for ever.
3:56 Blessed art thou, O Lord, in the firmament of heaven: * and worthy of praise, and glorious for ever.
Ant. I bless thee, O Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, because by thine Apostle Thou hast put new paps on my breasts.

Ant. Upon Him Who hath vouchsafed * to heal me of all my wounds, and to put new paps on my breasts, upon Him will I call, even upon the Living God.
Psalm 148 [5]
148:1 Praise ye the Lord from the heavens * praise ye him in the high places.
148:2 Praise ye him, all his angels: * praise ye him, all his hosts.
148:3 Praise ye him, O sun and moon: * praise him, all ye stars and light.
148:4 Praise him, ye heavens of heavens: * and let all the waters that are above the heavens, praise the name of the Lord.
148:5 For he spoke, and they were made: * he commanded, and they were created.
148:6 He hath established them for ever, and for ages of ages: * he hath made a decree, and it shall not pass away.
148:7 Praise the Lord from the earth, * ye dragons, and all ye deeps:
148:8 Fire, hail, snow, ice, stormy winds * which fulfill his word:
148:9 Mountains and all hills, * fruitful trees and all cedars:
148:10 Beasts and all cattle: * serpents and feathered fowls:
148:11 Kings of the earth and all people: * princes and all judges of the earth:
148:12 Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: * For his name alone is exalted.
148:14 The praise of him is above heaven and earth: * and he hath exalted the horn of his people.
148:14 A hymn to all his saints: to the children of Israel, a people approaching him.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Upon Him Who hath vouchsafed to heal me of all my wounds, and to put new paps on my breasts, upon Him will I call, even upon the Living God.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Sir 51:1-3
I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
Jesu, the virgins' crown, do thou
Accept us as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The mother and the maid we own.

Amongst the lilies thou dost feed,
By virgin choirs accompanied;
With glory decked, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts thy love provides.

They, wheresoe'er thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend:
In blessèd troops they follow thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.

We pray thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory as is ever meet,
To God, the holy Paraclete.
Amen.

℣. Grace is poured into thy lips.
℟. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Canticle: Benedictus {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. The heathen multitude made haste * and came to the grave of the virgin, and took therefrom her veil wherewith to stem the fire; that the Lord might show Himself to be a Deliverer from the burning, for the sake of Agatha, His blessed Martyr.
Canticle of Zacharias
Luke 1:68-79
1:68 Blessed be the Lord ✠ God of Israel; * because he hath visited and wrought the redemption of his people:
1:69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation to us, * in the house of David his servant:
1:70 As he spoke by the mouth of his holy Prophets, * who are from the beginning:
1:71 Salvation from our enemies, * and from the hand of all that hate us:
1:72 To perform mercy to our fathers, * and to remember his holy testament,
1:73 The oath, which he swore to Abraham our father, * that he would grant to us,
1:74 That being delivered from the hand of our enemies, * we may serve him without fear,
1:75 In holiness and justice before him, * all our days.
1:76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: * for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways:
1:77 To give knowledge of salvation to his people, * unto the remission of their sins:
1:78 Through the bowels of the mercy of our God, * in which the Orient from on high hath visited us:
1:79 To enlighten them that sit in darkness, and in the shadow of death: * to direct our feet into the way of peace.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The heathen multitude made haste and came to the grave of the virgin, and took therefrom her veil wherewith to stem the fire; that the Lord might show Himself to be a Deliverer from the burning, for the sake of Agatha, His blessed Martyr.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who among the other miracles of thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to thee by the path of her example.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Suffrage{omit}

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Our Father is said completely in silence.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
℣. May the Lord grant us his peace.
℟. And life everlasting. Amen.

Final Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail, O Queen of heaven, enthroned!
Hail, by Angels Mistress owned!
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world's true Light was born:

Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see:
Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

℣. Allow me to praise thee, holy Virgin.
℟. Give me strength against thine enemies.

Let us pray.
Grant, O merciful God, to our weak natures thy protection, that we who commemorate the holy Mother of God may, by the help of her intercession, arise from our iniquities. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
℣. May the divine assistance ✠ remain with us always.
℟. Amen.

Start
silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Hymn
Now in the sun's new dawning ray,
Lowly of heart, our God we pray
That he from harm may keep us free
In all the deeds this day shall see.

May fear of him our tongues restrain,
Lest strife unguarded speech should stain:
His favouring care our guardian be,
Lest our eyes feed on vanity.

May every heart be pure from sin
And folly find no place therein:
Scant need of food, excess denied,
Wear down in us the body's pride.

That when the light of day is gone,
And night in course shall follow on.
We, free from cares the world affords,
May chant the praise that is our Lord's.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, Eternal Son, to thee:
All glory, as is ever meet,
To God the holy Paraclete.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Depart not from me.
Psalm 21(2-12) [1]
21:2 O God my God, look upon me: why hast thou forsaken me? * Far from my salvation are the words of my sins.
21:3 O my God, I shall cry by day, and thou wilt not hear: * and by night, and it shall not be reputed as folly in me.
21:4 But thou dwellest in the holy place, * the praise of Israel.
21:5 In thee have our fathers hoped: * they have hoped, and thou hast delivered them.
21:6 They cried to thee, and they were saved: * they trusted in thee, and were not confounded.
21:7 But I am a worm, and no man: * the reproach of men, and the outcast of the people.
21:8 All they that saw me have laughed me to scorn: * they have spoken with the lips, and wagged the head.
21:9 He hoped in the Lord, let him deliver him: * let him save him, seeing he delighteth in him.
21:10 For thou art he that hast drawn me out of the womb: * my hope from the breasts of my mother. I was cast upon thee from the womb.
21:11 From my mother’s womb thou art my God, * depart not from me.
21:12 For tribulation is very near: * for there is none to help me.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 21(13-23) [2]
21:13 Many calves have surrounded me: * fat bulls have besieged me.
21:14 They have opened their mouths against me, * as a lion ravening and roaring.
21:15 I am poured out like water; * and all my bones are scattered.
21:15 My heart is become like wax melting * in the midst of my bowels.
21:16 My strength is dried up like a potsherd, and my tongue hath cleaved to my jaws: * and thou hast brought me down into the dust of death.
21:17 For many dogs have encompassed me: * the council of the malignant hath besieged me.
21:17 They have dug my hands and feet. * They have numbered all my bones.
21:18 And they have looked and stared upon me. * They parted my garments amongst them; and upon my vesture they cast lots.
21:20 But thou, O Lord, remove not thy help to a distance from me; * look towards my defence.
21:21 Deliver, O God, my soul from the sword: * my only one from the hand of the dog.
21:22 Save me from the lion’s mouth; * and my lowness from the horns of the unicorns.
21:23 I will declare thy name to my brethren: * in the midst of the church will I praise thee.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 21(24-32) [3]
21:24 Ye that fear the Lord, praise him: * all ye the seed of Jacob, glorify him.
21:25 Let all the seed of Israel fear him: * because he hath not slighted nor despised the supplication of the poor man.
21:25 Neither hath he turned away his face from me: * and when I cried to him he heard me.
21:26 With thee is my praise in a great church: * I will pay my vows in the sight of them that fear him.
21:27 The poor shall eat and shall be filled: and they shall praise the Lord that seek him: * their hearts shall live for ever and ever.
21:28 All the ends of the earth * shall remember, and shall be converted to the Lord:
21:28 And all the kindreds of the Gentiles * shall adore in his sight.
21:29 For the kingdom is the Lord’s; * and he shall have dominion over the nations.
21:30 All the fat ones of the earth have eaten and have adored: * all they that go down to the earth shall fall before him.
21:31 And to him my soul shall live: * and my seed shall serve him.
21:32 There shall be declared to the Lord a generation to come: * and the heavens shall shew forth his justice to a people that shall be born, which the Lord hath made.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Depart not from me, O Lord, for tribulation is very near; for there is none to help me.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
1 Tim. 1:17
Now to the king of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us.
℟. Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us.
℣. Thou, who sittest at the right hand of the Father.
℟. Have mercy on us.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Christ, Son of the living God, * have mercy on us.

℣. Arise, O Christ, and help us.
℟. And deliver us for thy name's sake.

Sunday and Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Sunday and Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O Lord, our heavenly Father, Almighty and everlasting God, who has safely brought us to the beginning of this day: defend us by thy mighty power; and grant that this day we fall into no sin, but that all our doings may be ordered by thy governance, to do always what is righteous in thy sight.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Martyrology {anticipated}
On the morrow we keep the feast of the holy Confessor Titus, Archbishop of Gortyna, in Crete, of whom mention is made upon the 4th day of January.
February 6th 2027, the 29th day of the Moon, were born into the better life:

At Caesarea, in Cappadocia, the holy Virgin and martyr Dorothy, who under Sapricius, President of that province, was first racked, then long scourged with palm-branches, and at length put to death [,in the year 304]. At the sight of her sufferings a certain student, named Theophilus, was converted to Christ, and forthwith grievously racked, and at length beheaded.
On the same day the holy martyrs Saturninus, Theophilus, and Revocata.
At Emessa, in Phoenicia, the holy Bishop Silvan, who, when he had been forty years in rule over that church, was cast to wild beasts along with two others, under the Emperor Maximian, and, torn to pieces, received the palm of martyrdom [in the year 312].
At [Clermont,] Auvergne, in Gaul, the holy martyr Antholian [,about the year 265].
On the same day, [in the year 540,] holy Bishop Vedastus, and [in the year 684,] holy Bishop Amandus, the first of whom ruled over the Church of Arras, the second the Church of Maastricht, whose lives and deaths were rendered glorious by diverse miracles.
At Bologna, [in the year 1159,] holy Guarinus, Cardinal Bishop of Palestrina, eminent for the holiness of his life.
℣. And elsewhere many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℣. Precious in the sight of the Lord
℟. Is the death of his saints.
Holy Mary and all the Saints, intercede for us with the Lord, our God, so that we may merit His help and salvation, who lives and reigns for ever and ever.
℟. Amen.

℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. O God, come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Lord have mercy upon us, Christ have mercy upon us, Lord have mercy upon us.
Our Father is said silently until And lead us not into temptation:.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us.
℣. And lead us not into temptation:
℟. But deliver us from evil.
℣. Look upon thy servants and upon thy works: and direct their children.
℟. And let the brightness of the Lord our God be upon us. Direct thou the works of our hands; yea, the work of our hands do thou direct.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Let us pray.
O Lord, Almighty God, King of heaven and earth, Saviour of the world, bless, lead, rule and govern our hearts and bodies, our senses, words and deeds today, following thy law and commandments, that here and for eternity with thy help we shall be saved in freedom. Who livest and reignest, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Short reading {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May Almighty God arrange our deeds and our day in His peace.
℟. Amen.
Sir 51:8; 51:12
My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations!
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Conclusion
℣. Our help is ✠ in the name of the Lord,
℟. Who made heaven and earth.
℣. Let us bless.
℟. God.
Benediction. May the Lord bless us, ✠ protect us from all evil and bring us to everlasting life. And may the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Start
silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Hymn
Come Holy Ghost who ever One
Art with the Father and the Son,
It is the hour, our souls possess
With thy full flood of holiness.

Let flesh and heart and lips and mind
Sound forth our witness to mankind;
And love light up our mortal frame,
Till others catch the living flame.

Almighty Father, hear our cry,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord most High,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Stir up thy might, O Lord.
Psalm 79(2-8) [1]
79:2 Give ear, O thou that rulest Israel: * thou that leadest Joseph like a sheep.
79:2 Thou that sittest upon the cherubims, * shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin, and Manasses.
79:3 Stir up thy might, and come * to save us.
79:4 Convert us, O God: * and shew us thy face, and we shall be saved.
79:5 O Lord God of hosts, * how long wilt thou be angry against the prayer of thy servant?
79:6 How long wilt thou feed us with the bread of tears: * and give us for our drink tears in measure?
79:7 Thou hast made us to be a contradiction to our neighbours: * and our enemies have scoffed at us.
79:8 O God of hosts, convert us: * and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 79(9-20) [2]
79:9 Thou hast brought a vineyard out of Egypt: * thou hast cast out the Gentiles and planted it.
79:10 Thou wast the guide of its journey in its sight: * thou plantedst the roots thereof, and it filled the land.
79:11 The shadow of it covered the hills: * and the branches thereof the cedars of God.
79:12 It stretched forth its branches unto the sea, * and its boughs unto the river.
79:13 Why hast thou broken down the hedge thereof, * so that all they who pass by the way do pluck it?
79:14 The boar out of the wood hath laid it waste: * and a singular wild beast hath devoured it.
79:15 Turn again, O God of hosts, * look down from heaven, and see, and visit this vineyard:
79:16 And perfect the same which thy right hand hath planted: * and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
79:17 Things set on fire and dug down * shall perish at the rebuke of thy countenance.
79:18 Let thy hand be upon the man of thy right hand: * and upon the son of man whom thou hast confirmed for thyself.
79:19 And we depart not from thee, thou shalt quicken us: * and we will call upon thy name.
79:20 O Lord God of hosts, convert us: * and shew thy face, and we shall be saved.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 81 [3]
81:1 God hath stood in the congregation of gods: * and being in the midst of them he judgeth gods.
81:2 How long will you judge unjustly: * and accept the persons of the wicked?
81:3 Judge for the needy and fatherless: * do justice to the humble and the poor.
81:4 Rescue the poor; * and deliver the needy out of the hand of the sinner.
81:5 They have not known nor understood: they walk on in darkness: * all the foundations of the earth shall be moved.
81:6 I have said: You are gods * and all of you the sons of the most High.
81:7 But you like men shall die: * and shall fall like one of the princes.
81:8 Arise, O God, judge thou the earth: * for thou shalt inherit among all the nations.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Stir up thy might, O Lord, and come to save us.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Sir 51:1-3
I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty.
℟. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty.
℣. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.
℟. In thy beauty.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. In thy comeliness * and in thy beauty.

℣. God shall help her with His countenance.
℟. God is in the midst of her she shall not be moved.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who among the other miracles of thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to thee by the path of her example.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Start
silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Hymn
O God of truth, O Lord of might,
Who orderest time and change aright,
Who send’st the early morning ray,
And light’st the glow of perfect day:

Extinguish thou each sinful fire,
And banish every ill desire;
And while thou keep’st the body whole,
Shed forth thy peace upon the soul.

Almighty Father, hear our cry,
Through Jesus Christ, our Lord most High,
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Blessed are they.
Psalm 83(2-8) [1]
83:2 How lovely are thy tabernacles, O Lord of hosts! * my soul longeth and fainteth for the courts of the Lord.
83:3 My heart and my flesh * have rejoiced in the living God.
83:4 For the sparrow hath found herself a house, * and the turtledove a nest for herself where she may lay her young ones:
83:4 Thy altars, O Lord of hosts, * my king and my God.
83:5 Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord: * they shall praise thee for ever and ever.
83:6 Blessed is the man whose help is from thee: * in his heart he hath disposed to ascend by steps, in the vale of tears, in the place which he hath set.
83:8 For the lawgiver shall give a blessing, they shall go from virtue to virtue: * the God of gods shall be seen in Sion.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 83(9-13) [2]
83:9 O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer: * give ear, O God of Jacob.
83:10 Behold, O God our protector: * and look on the face of thy Christ.
83:11 For better is one day in thy courts * above thousands.
83:11 I have chosen to be an abject in the house of my God, * rather than to dwell in the tabernacles of sinners.
83:12 For God loveth mercy and truth: * the Lord will give grace and glory.
83:13 He will not deprive of good things them that walk in innocence: * O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 86 [3]
86:1 The foundations thereof are in the holy mountains: * The Lord loveth the gates of Sion above all the tabernacles of Jacob.
86:3 Glorious things are said of thee, * O city of God.
86:4 I will be mindful of Rahab and of Babylon * knowing me.
86:4 Behold the foreigners, and Tyre, and the people of the Ethiopians, * these were there.
86:5 Shall not Sion say: This man and that man is born in her? * and the Highest himself hath founded her.
86:6 The Lord shall tell in his writings of peoples and of princes, * of them that have been in her.
86:7 The dwelling in thee * is as it were of all rejoicing.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Blessed are they that dwell in thy house, O Lord.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Sir 51:4-5
And thou hast delivered me, according to the multitude of the mercy of thy name, from them that did roar, prepared to devour. Out of the hands of them that sought my life, and from the gates of afflictions, which compassed me about.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. God shall help her * with His countenance.
℟. God shall help her * with His countenance.
℣. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved.
℟. With His countenance.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. God shall help her * with His countenance.

℣. God hath chosen her, and fore-chosen her.
℟. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who among the other miracles of thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to thee by the path of her example.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Start
silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Hymn
O strength and stay upholding all creation,
Who ever dost thyself unmoved abide,
Yet day by day the light in due gradation
From hour to hour through all its changes guide:

Grant to life’s day a calm unclouded ending,
An eve untouched by shadows of decay,
The brightness of a holy death-bed blending
With dawning glories of th’ eternal day.

Hear us, O Father, gracious and forgiving,
And thou, O Christ, the co-eternal Word,
Who, with the Holy Ghost, by all things living
Now and to endless ages art adored.
Amen.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. Mercy and truth.
Psalm 88(2-19) [1]
88:2 The mercies of the Lord * I will sing for ever.
88:2 I will shew forth thy truth with my mouth * to generation and generation.
88:3 For thou hast said: Mercy shall be built up for ever in the heavens: * thy truth shall be prepared in them.
88:4 I have made a covenant with my elect: I have sworn to David my servant: * Thy seed will I settle for ever.
88:5 And I will build up thy throne * unto generation and generation.
88:6 The heavens shall confess thy wonders, O Lord: * and thy truth in the church of the saints.
88:7 For who in the clouds can be compared to the Lord: * or who among the sons of God shall be like to God?
88:8 God, who is glorified in the assembly of the saints: * great and terrible above all them that are about him.
88:9 O Lord God of hosts, who is like to thee? * thou art mighty, O Lord, and thy truth is round about thee.
88:10 Thou rulest the power of the sea: * and appeasest the motion of the waves thereof.
88:11 Thou hast humbled the proud one, as one that is slain: * with the arm of thy strength thou hast scattered thy enemies.
88:12 Thine are the heavens, and thine is the earth: the world and the fulness thereof thou hast founded: * the north and the sea thou hast created.
88:13 Thabor and Hermon shall rejoice in thy name: * thy arm is with might.
88:14 Let thy hand be strengthened, and thy right hand exalted: * justice and judgment are the preparation of thy throne.
88:15 Mercy and truth shall go before thy face: * blessed is the people that knoweth jubilation.
88:16 They shall walk, O Lord, in the light of thy countenance: and in thy name they shall rejoice all the day, * and in thy justice they shall be exalted.
88:18 For thou art the glory of their strength: * and in thy good pleasure shall our horn be exalted.
88:19 For our protection is of the Lord, * and of our king the holy one of Israel.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 88(20-38) [2]
88:20 Then thou spokest in a vision to thy saints, and saidst: * I have laid help upon one that is mighty, and have exalted one chosen out of my people.
88:21 I have found David my servant: * with my holy oil I have anointed him.
88:22 For my hand shall help him: * and my arm shall strengthen him.
88:23 The enemy shall have no advantage over him: * nor the son of iniquity have power to hurt him.
88:24 And I will cut down his enemies before his face; * and them that hate him I will put to flight.
88:25 And my truth and my mercy shall be with him: * and in my name shall his horn be exalted.
88:26 And I will set his hand in the sea; * and his right hand in the rivers.
88:27 He shall cry out to me: Thou art my father: * my God, and the support of my salvation.
88:28 And I will make him my firstborn, * high above the kings of the earth.
88:29 I will keep my mercy for him for ever: * and my covenant faithful to him.
88:30 And I will make his seed to endure for evermore: * and his throne as the days of heaven.
88:31 And if his children forsake my law, * and walk not in my judgments:
88:32 If they profane my justices: * and keep not my commandments:
88:33 I will visit their iniquities with a rod: *and their sins with stripes.
88:34 But my mercy I will not take away from him: * nor will I suffer my truth to fail.
88:35 Neither will I profane my covenant: * and the words that proceed from my mouth I will not make void.
88:36 Once have I sworn by my holiness: I will not lie unto David: * his seed shall endure for ever.
88:37 And his throne as the sun before me: * and as the moon perfect for ever, and a faithful witness in heaven.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 88(39-53) [3]
88:39 But thou hast rejected and despised: * thou hast been angry with thy anointed.
88:40 Thou hast overthrown the covenant of thy servant: * thou hast profaned his sanctuary on the earth.
88:41 Thou hast broken down all his hedges: * thou hast made his strength fear.
88:42 All that pass by the way have robbed him: * he is become a reproach to his neighbours.
88:43 Thou hast set up the right hand of them that oppress him: * thou hast made all his enemies to rejoice.
88:44 Thou hast turned away the help of his sword; * and hast not assisted him in battle.
88:45 Thou hast made his purification to cease: * and thou hast cast his throne down to the ground.
88:46 Thou hast shortened the days of his time: * thou hast covered him with confusion.
88:47 How long, O Lord, turnest thou away unto the end? * shall thy anger burn like fire?
88:48 Remember what my substance is: * for hast thou made all the children of men in vain?
88:49 Who is the man that shall live, and not see death: * that shall deliver his soul from the hand of hell?
88:50 Lord, where are thy ancient mercies, * according to what thou didst swear to David in thy truth?
88:51 Be mindful, O Lord, of the reproach of thy servants * which I have held in my bosom of many nations:
88:52 Wherewith thy enemies have reproached, O Lord; * wherewith they have reproached the change of thy anointed.
88:53 Blessed be the Lord for evermore. * So be it. So be it.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Mercy and truth shall go before thy face, O Lord.

Chapter Responsory Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Sir 51:8; 51:12
My soul shall praise the Lord even to death. How thou deliverest them that wait for thee, O Lord, and savest them out of the hands of the nations!

℟.br. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her.
℟. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her.
℣. He hath made her to dwell in His tabernacle.
℟. And fore-chosen her.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. God hath chosen her, * and fore-chosen her.

℣. Grace is poured into thy lips.
℟. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who among the other miracles of thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to thee by the path of her example.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

Thereafter, only Pater Noster is said silently, unless another Hour follows immediately.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Start
silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Thereafter, with hearable voice, the Versicle is said:
℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Psalms {Psalms & antiphons from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. Who art thou * who comest to heal my wounds? I am an Apostle of Christ, have no fear of me, my daughter.
Psalm 109 [1]
109:1 The Lord said to my Lord: * Sit thou at my right hand:
109:1 Until I make thy enemies * thy footstool.
109:2 The Lord will send forth the sceptre of thy power out of Sion: * rule thou in the midst of thy enemies.
109:3 With thee is the principality in the day of thy strength: in the brightness of the saints: * from the womb before the day star I begot thee.
109:4 The Lord hath sworn, and he will not repent: * Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech.
109:5 The Lord at thy right hand * hath broken kings in the day of his wrath.
109:6 He shall judge among nations, he shall fill ruins: * he shall crush the heads in the land of many.
109:7 He shall drink of the torrent in the way: * therefore shall he lift up the head.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Who art thou who comest to heal my wounds? I am an Apostle of Christ, have no fear of me, my daughter.

Ant. I have used no earthly medicine * for my body, but I have for a Master Christ Jesus, by Whose Word alone all things were made.
Psalm 110 [2]
110:1 I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; * in the council of the just, and in the congregation.
110:2 Great are the works of the Lord: * sought out according to all his wills.
110:3 His work is praise and magnificence: * and his justice continueth for ever and ever.
110:4 He hath made a remembrance of his wonderful works, being a merciful and gracious Lord: * he hath given food to them that fear him.
110:5 He will be mindful for ever of his covenant: * he will shew forth to his people the power of his works.
110:7 That he may give them the inheritance of the Gentiles: * the works of his hands are truth and judgment.
110:8 All his commandments are faithful: confirmed for ever and ever, * made in truth and equity.
110:9 He hath sent redemption to his people: * he hath commanded his covenant for ever.
110:9 (bow head) Holy and terrible is his name: * the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
110:10 A good understanding to all that do it: * his praise continueth for ever and ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I have used no earthly medicine for my body, but I have for a Master Christ Jesus, by Whose Word alone all things were made.

Ant. O my Lord Jesus Christ, I thank thee, * because Thou hast been mindful of me, and hast sent unto me thine Apostle, to heal my wounds.
Psalm 111 [3]
111:1 Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord: * he shall delight exceedingly in his commandments.
111:2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: * the generation of the righteous shall be blessed.
111:3 Glory and wealth shall be in his house: * and his justice remaineth for ever and ever.
111:4 To the righteous a light is risen up in darkness: * he is merciful, and compassionate and just.
111:5 Acceptable is the man that sheweth mercy and lendeth: he shall order his words with judgment: * because he shall not be moved for ever.
111:7 The just shall be in everlasting remembrance: * he shall not fear the evil hearing.
111:7 His heart is ready to hope in the Lord: his heart is strengthened, * he shall not be moved until he look over his enemies.
111:9 He hath distributed, he hath given to the poor: his justice remaineth for ever and ever: * his horn shall be exalted in glory.
111:10 The wicked shall see, and shall be angry, he shall gnash with his teeth and pine away: * the desire of the wicked shall perish.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. O my Lord Jesus Christ, I thank thee, because Thou hast been mindful of me, and hast sent unto me thine Apostle, to heal my wounds.

Ant. I bless thee, O Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, because by thine Apostle Thou hast put new paps on my breasts.
Psalm 112 [4]
112:1 Praise the Lord, ye children: * praise ye the name of the Lord.
112:2 (bow head) Blessed be the name of the Lord, * from henceforth now and for ever.
112:3 From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same, * the name of the Lord is worthy of praise.
112:4 The Lord is high above all nations; * and his glory above the heavens.
112:5 Who is as the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high: * and looketh down on the low things in heaven and in earth?
112:7 Raising up the needy from the earth, * and lifting up the poor out of the dunghill:
112:8 That he may place him with princes, * with the princes of his people.
112:9 Who maketh a barren woman to dwell in a house, * the joyful mother of children.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I bless thee, O Father of my Lord Jesus Christ, because by thine Apostle Thou hast put new paps on my breasts.

Ant. Upon Him Who hath vouchsafed * to heal me of all my wounds, and to put new paps on my breasts, upon Him will I call, even upon the Living God.
Psalm 147 [5]
147:1 Praise the Lord, O Jerusalem: * praise thy God, O Sion.
147:2 Because he hath strengthened the bolts of thy gates * he hath blessed thy children within thee.
147:3 Who hath placed peace in thy borders: * and filleth thee with the fat of corn.
147:4 Who sendeth forth his speech to the earth: * his word runneth swiftly.
147:5 Who giveth snow like wool: * scattereth mists like ashes.
147:6 He sendeth his crystal like morsels: * who shall stand before the face of his cold?
147:7 He shall send out his word, and shall melt them: * his wind shall blow, and the waters shall run.
147:8 Who declareth his word to Jacob: * his justices and his judgments to Israel.
147:9 He hath not done in like manner to every nation: * and his judgments he hath not made manifest to them.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Upon Him Who hath vouchsafed to heal me of all my wounds, and to put new paps on my breasts, upon Him will I call, even upon the Living God.

Chapter Hymn Verse {from the Proper of Saints}
Sir 51:1-3
I will give glory to thee, O Lord, O King, and I will praise thee, O God my Saviour. I will give glory to thy name: for thou hast been a helper and protector to me, and hast preserved my body from destruction.
℟. Thanks be to God.

Hymn
Jesu, the virgins' crown, do thou
Accept us as in prayer we bow;
Born of that Virgin, whom alone
The mother and the maid we own.

Amongst the lilies thou dost feed,
By virgin choirs accompanied;
With glory decked, the spotless brides
Whose bridal gifts thy love provides.

They, wheresoe'er thy footsteps bend,
With hymns and praises still attend:
In blessèd troops they follow thee,
With dance, and song, and melody.

We pray thee therefore to bestow
Upon our senses here below
Thy grace, that so we may endure
From taint of all corruption pure.

All laud to God the Father be,
All praise, eternal Son, to thee;
All glory as is ever meet,
To God, the holy Paraclete.
Amen.

℣. Grace is poured into thy lips.
℟. Therefore God hath blessed thee for ever.

Canticle: Magnificat {Antiphon from the Proper of Saints}
Ant. The blessed Agatha * stood in the midst of the prison, and stretched forth her hands, and prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord Jesus Christ, my Good Master, I thank thee because Thou hast made me to overcome the cruelty of the executioners and now, O Lord, may it please thee that I should happily attain unto thy glory, which fadeth not away.
Canticle of the Blessed Virgin
Luke 1:46-55
1:46 My soul ✠ * doth magnify the Lord.
1:47 And my spirit hath rejoiced * in God my Saviour.
1:48 Because he hath regarded the humility of his handmaid; * for behold from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed.
1:49 Because he that is mighty, hath done great things to me; * and holy is his name.
1:50 And his mercy is from generation unto generations, * to them that fear him.
1:51 He hath shewed might in his arm: * he hath scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
1:52 He hath put down the mighty from their seat, * and hath exalted the humble.
1:53 He hath filled the hungry with good things; * and the rich he hath sent empty away.
1:54 He hath received Israel his servant, * being mindful of his mercy:
1:55 As he spoke to our fathers, * to Abraham and to his seed for ever.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. The blessed Agatha stood in the midst of the prison, and stretched forth her hands, and prayed unto the Lord, saying: O Lord Jesus Christ, my Good Master, I thank thee because Thou hast made me to overcome the cruelty of the executioners and now, O Lord, may it please thee that I should happily attain unto thy glory, which fadeth not away.

Weekday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer {from the Proper of Saints}
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
O God, Who among the other miracles of thy power have bestowed the victory of martyrdom even upon the weaker sex, graciously grant that we who commemorate the anniversary of the death of blessed Agatha, thy Virgin and Martyr, may come to thee by the path of her example.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Commemoration of St. Titus, Bishop and Confessor
Ant. O thou Priest and Bishop, thou worker of mighty works, thou good shepherd over God’s people, pray for us unto the Lord.

℣. The Lord loved him and beautified him.
℟. He clothed him with a robe of glory.

Let us pray.
O God, Who didst glorify thy blessed Confessor and Bishop Titus with the graces of an Apostle, grant unto us for his sake and at his prayers, that we may so live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, that hereafter we may worthily attain unto the Fatherland which is in heaven.

Commemoration of St. Dorothy, Virgin and Martyr
Ant. Come, Bride of Christ, and take the everlasting crown which the Lord hath prepared for thee.

℣. In thy comeliness and thy beauty.
℟. Go forward, fare prosperously, and reign.

Let us pray.
O Lord, we pray thee, that thy blessed handmaiden and witness Dorothy in whom Thou hast ever been well pleased, because of her worthy maidenhood and her mighty showing-forth of thy power, may entreat thy pardon on our behalf.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Suffrage{omit}

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
℣. May the souls of the faithful, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.
℟. Amen.

And if thus the Office is ended, only Pater Noster is said silently.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Start
℣. Grant, Lord, a blessing.
Benediction. May almighty God grant us a quiet night and a perfect end.
℟. Amen.

Short reading
1 Pet 5:8-9
Brothers: Be sober and watch: because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, goeth about seeking whom he may devour. Whom resist ye, strong in faith.
℣. But thou, O Lord, have mercy upon us.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℣. Our help is ✠ in the name of the Lord,
℟. Who made heaven and earth.
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
I confess to almighty God, to blessed Mary ever Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed: strikes his breast through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech blessed Mary ever Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
May the almighty ✠ and merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution and remission of our sins. Amen.
℣. Turn us then, ✙︎ O God, our saviour:
℟. And let thy anger cease from us.

℣. O God, ✠ come to my assistance;
℟. O Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Praise be to thee, O Lord, King of eternal glory.

Psalms {from the Psalter for the day of the week}
Ant. I have cried.
Psalm 76(2-13) [1]
76:2 I cried to the Lord with my voice; * to God with my voice, and he gave ear to me.
76:3 In the day of my trouble I sought God, with my hands lifted up to him in the night, * and I was not deceived.
76:4 My soul refused to be comforted: * I remembered God, and was delighted, and was exercised, and my spirit swooned away.
76:5 My eyes prevented the watches: * I was troubled, and I spoke not.
76:6 I thought upon the days of old: * and I had in my mind the eternal years.
76:7 And I meditated in the night with my own heart: * and I was exercised and I swept my spirit.
76:8 Will God then cast off for ever? * or will he never be more favourable again?
76:9 Or will he cut off his mercy for ever, * from generation to generation?
76:10 Or will God forget to shew mercy? * or will he in his anger shut up his mercies?
76:11 And I said, Now have I begun: * this is the change of the right hand of the most High.
76:12 I remembered the works of the Lord: * for I will be mindful of thy wonders from the beginning.
76:13 And I will meditate on all thy works: * and will be employed in thy inventions.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 76(14-21) [2]
76:14 Thy way, O God, is in the holy place: who is the great God like our God? * Thou art the God that dost wonders.
76:15 Thou hast made thy power known among the nations: * with thy arm thou hast redeemed thy people, the children of Jacob and of Joseph.
76:17 The waters saw thee, O God, the waters saw thee: * and they were afraid, and the depths were troubled.
76:18 Great was the noise of the waters: * the clouds sent out a sound.
76:18 For thy arrows pass: * the voice of thy thunder in a wheel.
76:19 Thy lightnings enlightened the world: * the earth shook and trembled.
76:20 Thy way is in the sea, and thy paths in many waters: * and thy footsteps shall not be known.
76:21 Thou hast conducted thy people like sheep, * by the hand of Moses and Aaron.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Psalm 85 [3]
85:1 Incline thy ear, O Lord, and hear me: * for I am needy and poor.
85:2 Preserve my soul, for I am holy: * save thy servant, O my God, that trusteth in thee.
85:3 Have mercy on me, O Lord, for I have cried to thee all the day. * Give joy to the soul of thy servant, for to thee, O Lord, I have lifted up my soul.
85:5 For thou, O Lord, art sweet and mild: * and plenteous in mercy to all that call upon thee.
85:6 Give ear, O Lord, to my prayer: * and attend to the voice of my petition.
85:7 I have called upon thee in the day of my trouble: * because thou hast heard me.
85:8 There is none among the gods like unto thee, O Lord: * and there is none according to thy works.
85:9 All the nations thou hast made shall come and adore before thee, O Lord: * and they shall glorify thy name.
85:10 For thou art great and dost wonderful things: * thou art God alone.
85:11 Conduct me, O Lord, in thy way, and I will walk in thy truth: * let my heart rejoice that it may fear thy name.
85:12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, * and I will glorify thy name for ever:
85:13 For thy mercy is great towards me: * and thou hast delivered my soul out of the lower hell.
85:14 O God, the wicked are risen up against me, and the assembly of the mighty have sought my soul: * and they have not set thee before their eyes.
85:15 And thou, O Lord, art a God of compassion, and merciful, * patient, and of much mercy, and true.
85:16 O look upon me, and have mercy on me: * give thy command to thy servant, and save the son of thy handmaid.
85:17 Shew me a token for good: that they who hate me may see, and be confounded, * because thou, O Lord, hast helped me and hast comforted me.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. I have cried to the Lord with my voice, do not forget to show mercy, O God.

Hymn
Before the ending of the day,
Creator of the world, we pray
That with thy wonted favor thou
Wouldst be our guard and keeper now.

From all ill dreams defend our eyes,
From nightly fears and fantasies;
Tread under foot our ghostly foe,
That no pollution we may know.

O Father, that we ask be done,
Through Jesus Christ, thine only Son;
Who, with the Holy Ghost and thee,
Doth live and reign eternally.
Amen.

Chapter Responsory Verse
Jer 14:9
But thou, O Lord, art among us, and thy name is called upon by us: forsake us not, O Lord our God.
℟. Thanks be to God.

℟.br. Into thy hands, O Lord, * do I commend my spirit.
℟. Into thy hands, O Lord, * do I commend my spirit.
℣. For thou hast redeemed us, O Lord, God of truth.
℟. I commend my spirit.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. Into thy hands, O Lord, * do I commend my spirit.

℣. Keep us, Lord, as the apple of thine eye.
℟. Protect us under the shadow of thy wings.

Canticle: Nunc dimittis
Ant. Protect us.
Canticle of Simeon
Luke 2:29-32
2:29 Now thou dost dismiss thy servant, O Lord, ✠ * according to thy word in peace;
2:30 Because my eyes have seen * thy salvation,
2:31 Which thou hast prepared * before the face of all peoples:
2:32 A light to the revelation of the Gentiles, * and the glory of thy people Israel.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, * and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Ant. Protect us, Lord, while we are awake and safeguard us while we sleep; that we may keep watch with Christ, and rest in peace.

Sunday Intercessions{omit}

Prayer
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
Let us pray.
Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this dwelling, and drive far from it the snares of the enemy; let thy holy angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and let thy blessing be always upon us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.

Conclusion
℣. O Lord, hear my prayer.
℟. And let my cry come unto thee.
℣. Let us bless the Lord.
℟. Thanks be to God.
Benediction. The almighty and merciful Lord, ✠ the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, bless us and keep us.
℟. Amen.

Final Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin Mary
Hail, O Queen of heaven, enthroned!
Hail, by Angels Mistress owned!
Root of Jesse, Gate of morn,
Whence the world's true Light was born:

Glorious Virgin, joy to thee,
Loveliest whom in heaven they see:
Fairest thou, where all are fair,
Plead with Christ our sins to spare.

℣. Allow me to praise thee, holy Virgin.
℟. Give me strength against thine enemies.

Let us pray.
Grant, O merciful God, to our weak natures thy protection, that we who commemorate the holy Mother of God may, by the help of her intercession, arise from our iniquities. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
℣. May the divine assistance ✠ remain with us always.
℟. Amen.

Thereafter is said silently
Our Father, who art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation: But deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth. And in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord; who was conceived by the Holy Ghost, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried: he descended into hell; the third day he arose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven; sitteth at the right hand of God the Father almighty: from thence he shall come to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost, the holy catholic Church, the communion of Saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting. Amen.
If right after Compline, Matins is said, then Our Father, Hail Mary and Credo, are said twice, once each for end of the Office of the previous day, and for the beginning of the Office of the next.