DIVINUM OFFICIUM Antiphon

Antiphona 3

Common of Virgin Martyrs - Lauds Antiphon 3

Psalm 44:5 (Vulgate: 44:4-5) provides this royal psalm text, originally addressed to the king's bride but applied to virgin martyrs. 'Specie' (comeliness/form) indicates external beauty; 'pulchritudo' (beauty) suggests interior radiance. The triple imperative 'intende, prospere procede, et regna' describes royal conquest - but the virgin conquers through suffering, proceeds through death, and reigns eternally. At Lauds, as dawn's beauty appears, this antiphon presents the virgin martyr as more beautiful than sunrise, proceeding triumphantly to her heavenly coronation.

LATINE
Specie tua et pulchritudine tua, intende, prospere procede, et regna.
ENGLISH
With thy comeliness and thy beauty, set out, proceed prosperously, and reign.
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Common of Virgin Martyrs - Lauds Antiphon 3
HORA
Lauds
GENVS
Antiphon