November 11
St Martin, Bishop and Confessor
Wednesday after the 5th Sunday after Epiphany
Commemoration of Saint Menas, Martyr
Saint Martin of Tours, commemorated today, is among the most beloved figures of the Western Church. Born in the 4th century in the Roman province of Pannonia (modern-day Hungary), Martin became known for his humility, charity, and unwavering faith. Initially a soldier, his most celebrated act is the legendary cutting of his military cloak to share with a beggar suffering from the cold—a gesture of compassion that resonates in Christian iconography. After his baptism, Martin left military service, became a disciple of St. Hilary of Poitiers, and embraced a monastic life, contributing greatly to the spread of monasticism in Gaul.
Despite his desire for a life of solitude, Martin was acclaimed as Bishop of Tours, where he exemplified the pastoral ideal, evangelizing rural populations, defending the poor, and opposing both paganism and certain errors within the Church. His life reflects heroic charity and simplicity, earning him the title of 'Confessor,' recognizing his fearless witness to Christ amid trials. His cult spread rapidly after his death on November 8th (some ancient sources note other nearby days), and his feast is universally kept on the 11th of November, which is traditionally cited as the date of his burial. The observance of his feast on this day underscores his enduring influence on Christian life and the profound affection in which he was held across medieval Christendom, particularly for his practical charity and holiness as a bishop.
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Questions about St Martin, Bishop and Confessor (Vetus Ordo Missae)
The liturgical day
IntroitEccli 45:30
Latin
Eccli 45:30
Státuit ei Dóminus testaméntum pacis, et príncipem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdótii dígnitas in ætérnum.
Ps 131:1.
Meménto, Dómine, David: et omnis mansuetúdinis eius.
℣. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.
℟. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sǽcula sæculórum. Amen.
Státuit ei Dóminus testaméntum pacis, et príncipem fecit eum: ut sit illi sacerdótii dígnitas in ætérnum.
English
Sir 45:30
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever.
Ps. 131:1
Remember, O Lord, David and all his meekness.
℣. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
℟. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Lord made a covenant of friendship with him, and made him a prince; that he should possess the dignity of priesthood forever.
Collect
Latin
Deus, qui cónspicis, quia ex nulla nostra virtúte subsístimus: concéde propítius; ut, intercessióne beáti Martíni Confessóris tui atque Pontíficis, contra ómnia advérsa muniámur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Mennæ Martyris
Præsta, quǽsumus, omnípotens Deus: ut, qui beáti Mennæ Mártyris tui natalítia cólimus, intercessióne eius in tui nóminis amóre roborémur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
O God, Who see that we cannot survive by any power of our own, mercifully grant that, by the intercession of blessed Martin, Your Confessor and Bishop, we may be made safe from all harm.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration S. Menna, Martyr
Grant, we beseech thee, almighty God, that we who celebrate the martyrdom of blessed Menna, through his intercession be strengthened in your love.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
LessonEccli 44:16-27
Latin
Léctio libri Sapiéntiæ
Eccli 44:16-27; 45, 3-20
Ecce sacérdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo, et invéntus est iustus: et in témpore iracúndiæ factus est reconciliátio. Non est invéntus símilis illi, qui conservávit legem Excélsi. Ideo iureiurándo fecit illum Dóminus créscere in plebem suam. Benedictiónem ómnium géntium dedit illi, et testaméntum suum confirmávit super caput eius. Agnóvit eum in benedictiónibus suis: conservávit illi misericórdiam suam: et invénit grátiam coram óculis Dómini. Magnificávit eum in conspéctu regum: et dedit illi corónam glóriæ. Státuit illi testaméntum ætérnum, et dedit illi sacerdótium magnum: et beatificávit illum in glória. Fungi sacerdótio, et habére laudem in nómine ipsíus, et offérre illi incénsum dignum in odórem suavitátis.
℟. Deo grátias.
English
Lesson from the book of Ecclesiasticus
Sir 44:16-27; 45:3-20
Behold, a great priest, who in his days pleased God, and was found just; and in the time of wrath he was made a reconciliation. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Therefore, by an oath, the Lord made him to increase among his people. He gave him the blessing of all nations, and confirmed His covenant upon his head. He acknowledged him in His blessings; He preserved for him His mercy; and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. He glorified him in the sight of kings, and gave him a crown of glory. He made an everlasting covenant with him, and gave him a great priesthood; and made him blessed in glory. To execute the office of the priesthood, and to have praise in His name, and to offer Him a worthy incense for an odor of sweetness.
℟. Thanks be to God.
GradualEccli 44:16
Latin
Eccli 44:16
Ecce sacérdos magnus, qui in diébus suis plácuit Deo.
Eccli 44:20
Non est invéntus símilis illi, qui conserváret legem Excelsi.
Allelúia, allelúia.
℣. Beátus vir, sanctus Martínus, urbis Turónis Epíscopus, requiévit: quem suscéperunt Angeli atque Archángeli, Throni, Dominatiónes et Virtútes. Allelúia.
English
Sir 44:16, 20
Behold a great priest, who in his days pleased God.
℣. There was not found the like to him, who kept the law of the Most High. Alleluia, alleluia.
℣. The blessed man, St. Martin, Bishop of the city of Tours, has gone to rest; and the Angels, Archangels, Thrones, Dominations and Powers have received him. Alleluia.
GospelLuc 11:33-36
Latin
℟. Glória tibi, Dómine.
Luc 11:33-36
In illo témpore: Dixit Iesus discípulis suis: Nemo lucérnam accéndit, et in abscóndito ponit, neque sub módio: sed supra candelábrum, ut, qui ingrediúntur, lumen vídeant. Lucérna córporis tui est óculus tuus. Si óculus tuus fúerit simplex, totum corpus tuum lúcidum erit: si autem nequam fúerit, étiam corpus tuum tenebrósum erit. Vide ergo, ne lumen, quod in te est, ténebræ sint. Si ergo corpus tuum totum lúcidum fúerit, non habens áliquam partem tenebrárum, erit lúcidum totum, et sicut lucérna fulgóris illuminábit te.
English
℟. Glory be to Thee, O Lord.
Luke 11:33-36
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples, No one lights a lamp and puts it in a cellar or even under the measure, but upon the lamp-stand, that they who enter in may see the light. The lamp of your body is your eye. If your eye be sound, your whole body will be full of light. But if it be evil, your body also will be full of darkness. Take care, therefore, that the light that is in you is not darkness. If, then, your whole body is full of light, having no part in darkness, it will all be illumined, as when a bright lamp illumines you.
OffertoryPs 88:25
Latin
Ps 88:25
Véritas mea et misericórdia mea cum ipso: et in nómine meo exaltábitur cornu eius.
English
Ps 88:25
My faithfulness and My kindness shall be with him, and through My name shall his horn be exalted.
Secret
Latin
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Commemoratio S. Mennæ Martyris
Munéribus nostris, quǽsumus, Dómine, precibúsque suscéptis: et cœléstibus nos munda mystériis, et cleménter exáudi.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Commemoration S. Menna, Martyr
As thou hast received our gifts and prayers, O Lord, cleanse us, we ask by thy heavenly mysteries, and graciously hear us.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
CommunionMatt 24:46-47
Latin
Matt 24:46-47
Beátus servus, quem, cum vénerit dóminus, invénerit vigilántem: amen, dico vobis, super ómnia bona sua constítuet eum.
English
Matt 24:46-47
Blessed is that servant whom his master, when he comes, shall find watching. Amen I say to you, he will set him over all his goods.
Post Communion
Latin
Præsta, quǽsumus, Dómine, Deus noster: ut, quorum festivitáte votíva sunt sacraménta, eórum intercessióne salutária nobis reddántur.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
Orémus.
Commemoratio S. Mennæ Martyris
Da, quǽsumus, Dómine, Deus noster: ut, sicut tuórum commemoratióne Sanctórum temporáli gratulámur offício; ita perpétuo lætémur aspéctu.
Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum, Fílium tuum: qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum.
℟. Amen.
English
Grant, we beseech You, O Lord our God, that this sacrifice may be beneficial for our salvation, by the intercession of those on whose feast-day it is offered.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Let us pray.
Commemoration S. Menna, Martyr
Grant, we beseech thee, O our God, that we who in time render joyful service in memory of thy saints, may be gladdened by their company in eternity.
Through Jesus Christ, thy Son our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God, world without end.
℟. Amen.
Vetus Ordo texts: Divinum Officium