論集 第 2 章

MASS I. Collect.— Rejoicing, O Lord, in the venerable festivity of this day, enlightened by Thy holy priest and confessor Zeno, we are glad; graciously grant, being entreated by his worthy prayers, that, refreshed by the joy of spiritual nourishment, we may follow by imitation the way of salvation which he taught. Through our Lord. Another collect.— O God, who dost gladden us by the yearly solemnity of the blessed confession of Thy holy priest and confessor Zeno, grant, we beseech Thee, that, the cunning assault of the enemy being overcome by reliance on Thy power, we may, by his intercession, deserve to come to eternal joys. Through. Secret.— Look graciously, we beseech Thee, O God the Father almighty, upon the gifts offered to Thee, and by the intercession of blessed

Zeno, Thy priest and confessor, may they guard our frailty unharmed from the hidden impulse of the lier-in-wait, and, taken up by the angelic hands in devotion, may they be eagerly borne, before the sight of Thy glorious and dread majesty, as a sweet-smelling savor unto the holy places. Through. Preface.— It is truly meet. Who didst deign to lead blessed Zeno—abundantly satisfied with the rich sweetness of love for Thy holy name—to behold the longed-for brightness of Thy Godhead; whom the unconquered clemency of Thy pity so kept unharmed, the more strongly, amid the pomps of the world, that he neither swelled with the alluring greatness of prosperity, nor was bent by the surging assault of adversity's stormy falsehood:

for, steadfast in faith, long-suffering in charity, comely in the liveliness of chaste purity, he stood forth in the miracles of virtues as a most renowned worker of salvation; and likewise, in carrying out the doctrine of the Lord's dignity committed to him, day by day he refreshed the peoples by instructing them with the divine word, the nourishment of life; and what the comely soldier of heaven faithfully preached as to be followed, this the devout and wondrous steward took care to fulfill unceasingly in his work. And therefore we, suppliants, beseech Thee, O Lord almighty, author of all things and of all good gifts, that, being entreated for the sake of him whose most celebrated day of precious death

of this day's festivity we commemorate, by his most sacred prayers grant us, being entreated, that, both loosed from the bonds of our sins and defended from the cunning ferocity of the enemy's assault, we may deserve, under Thy leading, to come to the kingdoms of the heavens. Through Christ. At the Communion.— Having received, O Lord, the mysteries of the most holy redemption, we beseech Thee that, both strengthened by the fullness of this saving remedy, and upheld by the most healthful safeguards of the blessed intercession of Thy holy priest and confessor Zeno, we may deserve to come to the eternal joys of the full festivity. Through. Another.

— Guard us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, as we frequent the birthday feasts of Thy saints, and ever stir up our wills to carry out the saving precepts of Thy commandments. Through. MASS II. Collect.— O God, who art the most powerful enlightener of Thy bishops, grant, we beseech Thee, that, formed by the magnificent examples of Thy most blessed priest and confessor Zeno, we may pass through the darkness of this world without peril. Through. Secret.— Let us pray, almighty God: may the pleasing supplication of blessed Zeno obtain for us pardon of our faults before Thee. Through. Postcommunion.

— Grant, we beseech Thee, almighty God, that we who keep with yearly vigils the venerable translation of Thy glorious confessor Zeno, by worthily following his manner of life, may deserve to be partakers of his joys. Through. MASS III. Collect.— Keeping today with holy devotion the venerable day of Thy blessed confessor Zeno, we faithfully beseech Thee, O Lord, the preserver of all, that, gracious and merciful, Thou mayest breathe upon our prayers as a loving Father, even as Thou didst lavish mercy upon him. Through. Secret.

— O God, who by shining pearls dost bring clear light into the world, who hast prepared for the blessed bishopric of Zeno an eternal crown in the heavens, deign also to be present to us Thy servants standing before the sight of Thy majesty. Through. At the Completion.— O God, who hast made for Thy Church such a Bishop, in that Thou hast appointed in our times such a Priest, who is able to offer a most pure and immaculate victim. Through. MASS IV. Collect.

— Almighty and everlasting God, who art the wondrous splendor of Thy saints, and who on this present day didst exalt Thy blessed confessor Zeno with the glory of eternal blessedness, graciously grant that we, whose feasts we venerate on earth, may be fortified by the help of his intercession before Thy mercy in the heavens. Through. Secret.— Of the gifts offered to Thee, etc., as in the Secret of the first Mass. At the Communion.— Of Thy holy priest Zeno, etc., as in the first collect of the first Mass; with this one difference in the last words: by imitating the way of salvation which he taught, may we obtain pardon. Through. MASS V. Collect.

— Be propitious, we beseech Thee, O God, to Thy servants through the glorious merits of Thy holy confessor and bishop Zeno, who rests in this present church, and by his loving intercession may we be protected from all adversities. Through. Secret.— May Thy clemency, almighty God, receive from our hands the gift offered, and through the prayers of this Thy holy confessor and bishop Zeno absolve us from all sins. Postcommunion.— Pouring out the divine mysteries, O Lord, which we have offered to Thy venerable majesty for this Thy holy confessor and bishop Zeno, grant, we beseech Thee, that through them we may deserve pardon of our sins, and be refreshed by the gifts of heavenly grace.

OTHER COMMON TEXTS PERTAINING TO THE MASSES OF ST. ZENO, FROM THE VERONESE MANUSCRIPT OF THE MONASTERY OF ST. ZENO. Introit.— The Lord established with him a covenant of peace, and made him a prince, that the dignity of the priesthood should be his forever. Psalm. The mercies of the Lord will I sing forever. Verse. Glory. A Reading from the book of Wisdom.— Behold a great priest, down to the words 'unto a sweet-smelling savor,' which, consulting brevity, we have judged best to pass over. Response. Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God. Verse. There was not found the like of him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia. Behold, confessor Zeno, shepherd of the Lord, intercede for the devout people of God. According to Luke.— At that time Jesus said to His disciples.

No one lights a lamp, etc., down to the words 'and like a lamp of brightness it will enlighten thee.' In Paschal Time of the Lord. According to John.— At that time Jesus said to His disciples, I am the true vine, etc., down to the words 'and your joy may be fulfilled.' Offertory.— My truth and my mercy shall be with him, and in my name shall his horn be exalted. Communion.— Lord, Thou didst deliver to me five talents; behold, I have gained five others besides. Well done, good and faithful servant; because thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will set thee over many; enter into the joy of thy Lord. MASS VI. (From the Ambrosian Missals, manuscript and printed.) On the Feast of St. Zeno bishop, the 7th of December. Over the people.

— Almighty and everlasting God, who didst adorn Thy blessed confessor Zeno with the fillets of the episcopate, make us, we beseech Thee, by his example and his magnificent intervention, to despise the glory of the world in mind, and ever to aspire to heaven. Through our Lord. Over the Shroud.— O God, who didst make the present day solemn by the glorious passing of Thy blessed bishop Zeno, grant that we may be helped by his continual suffrages before Thee, and cherished by his magnificent intercessions. Through our Lord. Over the offerings.— Let the illustrious intercession of blessed Zeno be present to Thy Church, O God, which may both make our gifts acceptable to the eyes of Thy majesty, and render Thee placable toward us. Through our Lord. Preface.

— Eternal God, recalling the merits of Thy blessed bishop and confessor Zeno, whom by Thy gratuitous kindness Thou didst deign to exalt in the office of the episcopate and in the gift of faith, that he might both shine with immense virtues and not forsake his purpose of holy humility. For he both delivered the daughter of the emperor Gallienus from the power of the demon, and healed the infirmities of many by his mighty power. The river Athesis too perceived beforehand how greatly the power of so great a prelate availed, when, overflowing beyond its wont, it dared not enter the approaches of the consecrated temple. Worthily, therefore, in Thy name we are not silent about his praises; worthily we proclaim his miracles with festive praises;

— worthily, together with him, to Thee, O Lord, the bestower of all good things, we pay our vows of thanksgiving. Through Christ our Lord. Postcommunion.— May the glorious merits of Thy blessed bishop and confessor Zeno, we beseech Thee, O Lord, ever guard us from all evils, in whose solemnity we receive Thy holy things with rejoicing. Through our Lord.