Dom Guéranger's 'The Liturgical Year - THE FOURTH SUNDAY OF LENT - Vespers

The Psalms and Antiphons are given above.

CAPITULUM.

(Gal. iv.)

Fratres: Scriptum est, quoniam Abraham duos filios habuit: unum de ancilla, et unum de libera. Sed qui de ancilla, secundum carnem natus est; qui autem de libera, per repromissionem: quae sunt per allegoriam dicta.

Brethren: It is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bond-woman, and the other by a free-woman. But he who was of the bond- woman, was born according to the flesh: but he of the free-woman, was by promise: which things are said by an allegory.

For the Hymn and Versicle, see above.

ANTIPHON OF THE MAGNIFICAT

Subiit ergo in montem Jesus, et ibi sedebat cum discipulis suis.

Jesus therefore went up into a mountain, and there he sat with his disciples.

OREMUS. Concede, quaesumus, omnipotens Deus; ut qui ex merito nostrae actionis affligimur, tuae gratiae consolatione respiremus. Per Dominum.

LET US PRAY. Grant, we beseech thee, O Almighty God, that we, who are justly afflicted according to our demerits, may be relieved by thy comforting grace. Through, &c.

 

---

We borrow the following stanzas from the Triodion of the Greek Church. They are in keeping with to- day’s Office, and with the sentiments we should have on Mid-Lent Sunday.

(Dominica IV. Jejuniorum.)

Sacro jejunii stadio jam dimidio superemenso, ad futurum in laetitia recte curramus, bonorum operum oleo animos ungentes, ut Christi Dei nostri divinas passiones adorare, et ad ejus venerandam et sanctam resurrectionem pervenire mereamur. Qui vitem plantavit et operarios vocavit, prope adest Salvator; venite, jejunii athletae, mercedem capiamus, quia dives est dispensator et misericors; parum laborantes, animae misericordiam recipiemus. O Deus qui das vitam, aperi mihi portas poenitentiae; vigilat enim ad templum sanctum tuum spiritus meus, templum corporis ferens penitus maculatum: sed tu miserans, purifica me propitiabili misericordia tua. Venite, faciamus in mystica vite fructus poenitentiae in illa laborantes, non epulemur in escis et potibus, sed in precibus et jejuniis, actiones virtutis operantes his complacens Doniinus operis denarium praebet, per quod ab iniquitatis debito animas liberat solus multum Deus misericors.

We have passed one half of our journey through the holy Fast; let us, then, as it behoves us, joyfully complete what remains. Let us anoint our souls with the oil of good works, that we may be made worthy to celebrate the divine sufferings of Christ our Lord, and to be brought to his venerable and holy Resurrection. Jesus, he that planted the vine and hired the labourers, is near at hand. Come, ye brave Fasters! let us receive the reward; for he that pays us is rich and merciful. After our short labours, he will requite our souls with his mercy. O God, thou Giver of Life! open to me the gate of penance. My spirit keepeth watch in thy holy temple; but the temple of the flesh, which I have to carry with me, is defiled with many sins. Have pity on me, notwithstanding; and in thy tender mercy, cleanse me. Come, let us, who are in the mystic Vine, produce fruits of penance. Here labouring, let our feasting be, not in meat and drink, but in prayer and fasting and good works. Our Lord, being pleased with our labour, will pay us with that, whereby he, the one God, rich in mercy, will forgive us the debt of our sins.