Today, on the fist day of the Octave of Epiphany, in the Traditional Form of the Ambrosian Rite, falls the Solemnity of the Christophory, or Our Lord's Return from the Egyptian exile. As I mentioned in my previous post, the Christophory closes the Epiphany triduum.
The memory of this recurrence on January 7th was in Ambrosian Calendars from the Middle Age, but only at the beginning of the XVIIth century Federico Card. Borromeo ordered a Mass to be prepared, using some already existent antiphons, and composing new prayers and a Preface, to celebrate it
The result is, in my opinion, very beautiful.
Infra Oct. Epiph. in die primo,itemque Festo
CHRISTOPHORIÆ
Ingressa.
Visi sunt gressus tui, Dómine: gressus Dei mei, regis, qui est in sancto. Prævenerunt príncipes conjuncti psalléntibus.
Ps. 67.
Ingressa.
They have seen Thy goings, O God, the goings of my God: of my king Who is in His sanctuary. Princes went before joined with singers.
Ps. 67
Oratio super populum.
Præsta, omnípotens Deus, córdibus nostris: * ut júgiter Ægipticæ servitutis, et peccati jugum excútere cupiamus, atque majestati tuæ apparere possimus in cælesti pátria, quam nobis promisisti. Per Dóminum .
Pro Commem. Octavæ Oratio.
Deus, qui hunc diem electionis géntium primítiis consecrasti, et per lúminis tui stellam manifestum te nobis ostendisti, * tríbue quæsumus: ut nova cælorum mirábilis cláritas in nostris semper córdibus oriatur. Qui vivis.
Prayer upon the People.
Vouchsafe, almighty God, to our hearts: that we may always desire to throw off the yoke of the Egyptian servitude, and of the sin, and that we can appear before Thy Majesty in the heavenly country, which Thou promised to us. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For the commemoration of the Octave.
O God, Thou who hallowed this day through the choice of the primeur of the gentiles, and manifested Thyself through the light of Thy star, vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, that a new admirable clarity may always rise in our hearts. Thou who livest and reignest in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Léctio Oseæ Prophetæ. c. 11.
Sicut mane tránsit, pertránsiit rex Ísrael. Quia puer Ísrael, et dilexi eum: et ex Ægypto vocavi fílium meum. Vocaverunt eos, sic abiérunt a fácie eorum: Báalim immolabant, et simulachris sacrificabant. Et ego, quasi nutrítus Éphraim, portabam eos in bráchiis meis: et nescierunt, quod curarem eos. In funículis Adam traham eos, in vínculis caritatis: et ero eis quasi exaltans jugum super maxillas eorum: et declinavi ad eum, ut vesceretur. Non revertetur in terram Ægypti, et Assur ipse rex ejus: quóniam noluerunt converti. Cœpit gládius in civitátibus ejus, et consúmet electos ejus, et cómedet cápita eorum. Et pópulus meus pendébit ad réditum meum: jugum autem imponetur eis simul, quod non auferetur. Quómodo dabo te, Éphraim, prótegam te, Ísrael ? Quómodo dabo te, sicut Ádama, ponam te, ut Séboim ? Conversum est in me cor meum, páriter conturbata est pœnitudo mea. Non fáciam furorem iræ meæ: non convertar, ut disperdam Éphraim: quóniam Deus ego, et non homo: in médio tui sanctus, et non ingrédiar civitatem. Post Dóminum ambulabunt, quasi leo rúgiet: quia ipse rúgiet, et formidabunt fílii maris. Et avolabunt quasi avis ex Ægypto, et quasi columba de terra Assyriorum: et collocabo eos in dómibus suis, dicit Dóminus. Circúmdedit me in negatione Éphraim, et in dolo domus Ísrael: Judas autem testis descendit cum Deo, et cum sanctis fidelis.
Reading from the Book of Osee. c.11
As the morning passeth, so hath the king of Israel passed away. Because Israel was a child, and I loved him: and I called my son out of Egypt. As they called them, they went away from before their face: they offered victims to Baalim, and sacrificed to idols. And I was like a foster father to Ephraim, I carried them in my arms: and they knew not that I healed them. I will draw them with the cords of Adam, with the bands of love: and I will be to them as one that taketh off the yoke on their jaws: and I put his meat to him that he might eat. He shall not return into the land of Egypt, but the Assyrian shall be his king: because they would not be converted. The sword hath begun in his cities, and it shall consume his chosen men, and shall devour their heads. And my people shall long for my return: but a yoke shall be put upon them together, which shall not be taken off. How shall I deal with thee, O Ephraim, shall I protect thee, O Israel? how shall I make thee as Adama, shall I set thee as Seboim? my heart is turned within me, my repentance is stirred up. I will not execute the fierceness of my wrath: I will not return to destroy Ephraim: because I am God, and not man: the holy one in the midst of thee, and I will not enter into the city. They shall walk after the Lord, he shall roar as a lion: because he shall roar, and the children of the sea shall fear. And they shall fly away like a bird out of Egypt, and like a dove out of the land of the Assyrians: and I will place them in their own houses, saith the Lord. Ephraim hath compassed me about with denials, and the house of Israel with deceit: but Juda went down as a
witness with God, and is faithful with the saints.
Psalmellus.
Benedictus qui venit in nómine Dómini: Deus Dóminus, et illuxit nobis.
V. Confitémini Dómino, quoniam bonus: quóniam in séculum misericórdia
ejus. Ps. 117.
Psalmellus
Blessed be He that cometh in the name of the Lord: The Lord is God, and He hath shone upon us.
V. O praise ye the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth for ever.
Ps. 117
Epístola beati Pauli Apóstoli ad Hebræos. c. 11.
Fratres. Juxta fidem defuncti sunt patres, non acceptis repromissiónibus, sed a longe eas aspicientes, et salutantes, et confitentes, quia peregrini, et hóspites sunt super terram. Qui enim hæc dicunt, signíficant se pátriam inquírere. Et si quidem ipsius meminissent, de qua exierunt, habebant útique tempus revertendi. Nunc autem meliorem áppetunt, idest cælestem. Ídeo non confúnditur Deus vocari Deus eorum: paravit enim illis civitatem.
Epistle of Blessed Paul the Apostole to the Hebrews. c.11
My Brethren. Our fathers died according to faith, not having received the promises but beholding them afar off and saluting them and confessing that they are pilgrims and strangers on the earth. For they that say these things do signify that they seek a country. And truly, if they had been mindful of that from whence they came out, they had doubtless, time to return. But now they desire a better, that is to say, a heavenly country. Therefore, God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.
Hallelujah, hallelujah.
V. Jubilate Deo omnis terra: psalmum dícite nómini ejus. Hallelujah.
Ps. 65.
Alleluia, alleluia.
V. Shout with joy to God, all the earth, sing ye a psalm to His name.
Alleluia. Ps. 65.
+ Léctio sancti Evangélii secundum Matthæum. c. 2.
In illo témpore. Defuncto Herode, ecce Ángelus Dómini appáruit in somnis Joseph in Ægypto, dicens: Surge, et áccipe púerum, et matrem ejus, et vade in terram Ísrael: defuncti sunt enim, qui quærebant ánimam púeri. Qui consurgens accepit púerum, et matrem ejus, et venit in terram Ísrael. Áudiens autem, quod Archelaus regnaret in Judæa pro Herode patre suo, tímuit
illo ire: et admónitus in somnis, secessit in partes Galilææ. Et véniens habitavit in civitate, quæ vocatur Názareth: ut adimpleretur, quod dictum est per Prophetas: Quóniam Nazaræus vocábitur.
+ Reading from the Holy Gospel according to Matthew.
In those days. When Herod was dead, behold an angel of the Lord appeared in sleep to Joseph in Egypt, saying: Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel. For they are dead that sought the life of the child. Who arose, and took the child and his mother, and came into the land of Israel. But hearing that Archclaus reigned in Judea in the room of Herod his father, he was afraid to go thither: and being warned in sleep retired into the quarters of Galilee. And coming he dwelt in a city called Nazareth: that it might be fulfilled which was said by the prophets: That He shall be called a Nazarene.
Antiphona post Evangelium.
Laudate Dóminum, omnes Ángeli ejus: laudate eum, omnes Virtutes ejus.
Laudate eum, sol, et luna: laudate eum, omnes stellæ, et lumen.
Ps. 148.
Antiphon after the Gospel.
Praise ye the Lord, all His angels, praise ye Him, all His hosts.
Praise ye Him, O sun and moon: praise Him, all ye stars and light.
Ps. 148.
Oratio super sindonem.
Súbveni nobis, Dómine, et concede: * ut prava desidéria deleantur ex ánimis nostris, et victóriam ex hoste reportemus. Per Dóminum.
Pro Commem. Octavæ Oratio.
Tríbue, quæsumus, omnípotens Deus: * ut sicut omnes nationes véniunt gaudentes adorare Christum Regem Dóminum natum, ita et hæc præclara lux hábitet semper in nobis. Per eundem.
Prayer upon the Shroud.
Succour us, o Lord, and grant us: that the wicked desires may be deleted from our minds and we may carry off a victory on our enemy. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For the commemoration of the Octave.
Vouchsafe, we beseech Thee, almighty God: that as all nations come joyfully
to worship Christ the Lord and King born, in the same way may this marvellous light dwell always in us. Through the same Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Offertorium.
Viderunt omnes fines terræ salutare Dei nostri: jubilate Deo, omnis terra.
V. Notum fecit Dóminus salutare suum: ante conspectum géntium revelavit justítiam suam. Ps. 97.
Offertory.
All the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God. Sing joyfully to God, all the earth.
V. The Lord hath made known His salvation: He hath revealed His justice in
the sight of the Gentiles.
Oratio super oblatam.
Grata tibi sit, quæsumus, Dómine, hodiernæ festivitatis Dómini nostri Jesu Christi hæc oblátio: * ut, tua grátia largiente, per hæc sacrosancta commércia, in ipsius inveniamur forma, in quo et nostram, credendo, speramus esse substántiam. Qui tecum.
Pro Commem. Octavæ Oratio.
Pietatis tuæ, Dómine, sacramentum hodierna solemnitate recolentes, pro apparitione Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, et pro nostræ vocationis exórdiis, * sacrifícium tibi laudis offérimus: quod propitiatus suscípias, deprecamur. Per eundem Dóminum.
Prayer upon the Offering.
May, we beseech Thee, O Lord, this offering of today's feast of Our Lord Jesus Christ, be welcome to Thee: so that Thou may mercifully grant us that through that most sacred trade, we may be found in the same form of That in Whom, through our faith, we hope to find our substance. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For the commemoration of the Octave.
We offer to Thee, O Lord, the sacrifice of praise, remembering in today's solemnity the sacrament of Thy mercy, in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ's manifestation and of the beginnigs of our vocation. We beseech Thee to accept it. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Præfatio.
Æterne Deus: Tuæ laudis hóstiam júgiter immolantes. Cujus figuram Abel justus instítuit, Agnus quoque legalis ostendit, celebravit Ábraham, Melchísedech sacerdos exhíbuit: sed verus Agnus, et æternus Póntifex, Jesus Christus implevit. Et ídeo cum Ángelis, et Archángelis, cum Thronis ac Dominatiónibus, cumque omni milítia cælestis exércitus, hymnum glóriæ tuæ cánimus, sine fine dicentes: Sanctus.
Preface.
... the everlasting God: immolating always the victim of Thy laud. Whose figure was institued by the just Abel, symbolized in the legal Lamb, offered by Melchisedech the priest: but fulfilled only by the True Lamb and Everlasting Priest Jesus Christ. And so, with the Angels and the Archangels, the Thrones and the Dominations, and with all the hosts of the heavenly army, we sing the hymn of Thy laud, endlessly saying: Holy...
Confractorium.
Tolle púerum, et matrem ejus, et vade in terram Ísrael:
defuncti sunt enim, qui quærebant ánimam púeri.
Matth. 2.
Confractory.
Arise, and take the child and his mother, and go into the land of Israel.
For they are dead that sought the life of the child.
Matth. 2
Transitorium.
Tui sunt cæli, et tua est terra: orbem terrarum, est plenitúdinem ejus tu fundasti: justítia, et judícium præparátio sedis tuæ.
Ps. 88.
Transitory.
Thine are the heavens, and Thine is the earth: the world and the fulness thereof Thou hast founded: justice and judgment are the preparation of Thy throne.
Ps. 88
Oratio post Communionem.
Fac nos, quæsumus, Dómine, multiplicatis solemnitátibus iterare: * quod nobis causam perpétuæ salvationis operatur. Per Dóminum.
Pro Commem. Octavæ Oratio.
Cælesti lúmine, quæsumus, Dómine, semper, et ubique nos præveni: * ut mystérium, cujus nos partícipes esse voluisti, et puro cernamus intuitu, et digno percipiamus affectu. Per Dóminum.
Prayer after the Communion.
Grant us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that through the multiplication of the solemnities, we may increase what is for us a cause of salvation. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
For the commemoration of the Octave.
Precede us, we beseech Thee, O Lord, always and everywhere with Thy heavenly light: so that we may see with a pure sight and partake with a meet love to the mystery, to which you wanted us to partake. Through Our Lord Jesus Christ, Thy Son, who liveth and reigneth with Thee in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
