DIVINUM OFFICIUM Prayer

Oratio

Common of Confessors - Collect

This collect's structure - 'laetificas...concede...mereamur' (thou dost gladden...grant...may we merit) - moves from divine action to petition to hoped-for result. The 'annua sollemnitas' (annual solemnity) marks the liturgical year's rhythm of commemorations. The phrase 'cuius natalitia colimus, eius etiam actibus imitemur' (whose birthday we celebrate, we may also imitate in deeds) defines proper veneration: celebration leading to imitation. The collect rejects mere admiration for active discipleship - honoring the confessor means becoming like him.

LATINE
Deus, qui nos beati N. Confessoris tui annua solemnitate laetificas: concede propitius; ut cuius natalitia colimus, etiam actiones imitemur. Per Dominum.
ENGLISH
O God, who hast gladdened us by the annual solemnity of blessed N. thy Confessor: mercifully grant, that we who celebrate his birthday may also imitate his deeds. Through our Lord.
NOTA
FONS
Breviarium Romanum (1962)
USUS
Common of Confessors - Collect
HORA
Vespers
GENVS
Prayer