Selecta Ex Officio Zenonis Loca

[CLXXXVII] SELECTED PASSAGES FROM THE OFFICE OF ZENO. I. — ANTIPHONS AND RESPONSORIES. (From two Veronese manuscripts.) On the Feast of Saint Zeno. At Vespers. While Zeno was very powerful in the honor of the pontificate, being worthy, with few others existing, he healed the daughter of Caesar Gallienus from a ruinous plague by the power of God. Alleluia. Holy Confessor, Great Priest, Blessed Zeno, intercede for us. Over the Venite. King of Confessors. Psalm: Venite. Antiphon: From his mother’s womb was blessed Zeno sanctified, and from the cradle blessed. Alleluia. Psalm: Beatus vir. Antiphon: By constant increases of integrity and learning he merited to attain this, that through a most holy life he might be made a Pastor among the peoples. Psalm: Quare fremuerunt. Antiphon: By continuous fasts and frequent prayers he asked of the Lord that he might open for himself a way of preaching among the peoples. Alleluia. Psalm: Domine, quid multiplicasti. Verse: Voce mea.

Response. This is the holy bishop Zeno, whom the Lord adorned with the twin virtues of holiness and wisdom, whose glorious miracles shone forth in the world, and who in the heavens attained the fellowship of the angels. Alleluia. This is the one who performed great works of virtue before God, and whose teaching filled the whole earth. And in the heavens. Response. Blessed Zeno, sanctified from the womb and blessed from the cradle, merited to attain this: that he should become a shepherd among the peoples through his most holy life. Alleluia, alleluia. [CLXXXVIII] The sound of his manner of life went forth into every land, and his holiness shone forth brilliantly. Through his most holy life. Response. In a more secluded part of the oratory, with continuous fasts and frequent prayers, he begged the Lord that He might deign to open for him the way of preaching among the peoples. Alleluia, alleluia. For the conversion of souls to the love of Christ, he was devoted day and night. That He might for him. Antiphon. He was so affable in his words and so gentle in his bearing that God was praised in him by all who came to him. Psalm: When I called.

While he was engaged in the exercise of fishing in the river, he saw a certain man sitting in a cart being plunged headlong into the stream. Alleluia. Psalm: Verba mea. The man of God, raising his hand upward, made the sign of the cross, saying: “Turn back, Satan, lest you destroy the man whom God created.” Alleluia. Psalm: Domine, Dominus noster. Verse: The Lord led the just man. ℟. He was so affable in speech, and so gentle in meekness and demeanor, that God was praised in him by all who came to him. Alleluia, alleluia. He was so eager that soon they hastened to him, abandoned the idols, and believed in the Lord Jesus Christ. So that God was. ℟. While he was engaged in the exercise of fishing in the river Alhesis, with his eyes raised upward, he saw a certain man sitting in a cart with oxen yoked being plunged into the stream. Alleluia, alleluia. For it was carried with such speed that it was shown to all to have been accomplished by the craft of the ancient enemy. He saw.

Response. The blessed Zeno, raising his hand upward, made the sign of the holy cross, and with a loud voice said: Turn back, Satan, you who would destroy the man whom God created. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Verse. When the demon saw that sign, it vanished like smoke with howls and unspeakable shrieking. Turn back. Antiphon. The blessed Zeno said: The Lord does not permit you to do anything against his servant. Auct. Psalm: Lord, who will dwell. The wretched father and the whole royal household were afflicted with grief, because the girl was being violently choked. Amiel. Psalm: Lord, in power. Zeno, the priest of God, sat upon a stone, and following the apostolic teachings, was fishing in the river. Alleluia. Psalm: The earth is the Lord's. The Lord loved him. Response. Therefore the demon, hastening, entered the palace of Caesar Gallienus, and seizing his only daughter, began to cruelly torment her. Alleluia, alleluia. [CLXXXIX] f. The wretched father, and likewise his whole household, were afflicted with torment and grief. And seizing.

When Christ’s priest entered the palace and made the sign of the cross, the demon immediately began to cry out, saying: “You, Zeno, are driving me out; and because of your sanctity I cannot remain.” Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. Verse. And if I go away from here, I go to Verona, and there you will find me. And I. Response. Saint Zeno, confessor of Christ, hear your suppliant servants; and the indulgence thrice granted from heaven by your God, receive with your accustomed clemency, O golden star, by the grace of the Lord, the groans of your servants. In the Matins Lauds. Antiphon. The Lord Jesus Christ is almighty, for the miracles of God must be made manifest. Alleluia. The blessed priest arose, made a prayer, and proceeded to the palace where the king was afflicted for his daughter. Alleluia. When Christ’s confessor entered the palace, by the sign of the cross the demon cried out through the girl’s mouth, saying: “You, Zeno, have come to drive me out, and because of your sanctity I cannot remain.” Alleluia.

The blessed Zeno, holding the maiden’s hand, said: “In the name of my Lord Jesus Christ, I command you, demon, depart from her.” Alleluia. For Christ’s priest restored the king’s daughter to health, free from every demonic assault and delusion. Alleluia. ℣. He chose him. In the Gospel. The blessed Zeno, having received a crown from the king, distributed it to the poor, saying: “If the Lord works the highest deeds, to Him alone let perpetual praises and glory be rendered.” Alleluia. Antiphon. Holy confessor Zeno, shepherd of the Lord’s flock, we beseech you, intercede for us, that we may merit to be with you in heaven. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia. [CXC] II. — SHORT READINGS AND HYMNS. (From various codices and breviaries.) For the feast of Saint Zeno the bishop, at Vespers, Reading. The Lord established for his holy Zeno an eternal testament and gave him the great priesthood. . Sanctified from the womb.. Throughout every land. Hymn (From a manuscript of the Verona chapter.) Zeno, renowned pontiff, splendid athlete of Christ, attend to our voices, which we piously pour forth to you. Glorious patron, maker of our sanctity, that we may give fitting canticles, break asunder our crimes. Deign to be present to your servants, amiable leader: let our breasts ever feel your divine power. You are our refuge, you are most powerful strength, you are our salvation and protection and our joy. Pious and renowned shepherd, kindly succor us, and look upon us suppliants, receive the vows of your servants. Glory be to God the Father and to His only Son, together with the Paraclete Spirit, both now and forever.

Amen. At Nocturns. Hymn. Jesus, Redeemer of all, etc. At Lauds, Reading. The Lord knew his holy one Zeno in his blessings, preserved his mercy for him, and he found grace before the eyes of the Lord. [CXCI] n. The Lord loved him and adorned him. ℣. He clothed him with the glory of a stole. And they adorn. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. Another hymn, i-lima. God, crown of your soldiers, hope and reward, listen with inclined ears to our unworthy voices. You who, Zeno the bishop, pure from every crime, led forth from the cage of the flesh, placed him above the ether. By his nourishing merits, release our crimes, free us here from harmful things, and in future ages. All things praise you equally, highest arbiter of all, whose kingdom is stable through the age without time. Amen. ℣ You are a priest forever. Three hymns (From the manuscript Breviaries of the Benedictine monks and nuns of Verona.)

At Vespers of Saint Zeno, Hymn I. The mirror of the world shines forth, Zeno, a wondrous bishop, whose solemn feasts the year's cycle brings to us. He, fervent in the faith of Christ, spurning this present age, endowed with a flower of virtues, gained the reward of heaven. Bearing the burden of the flesh, he performed many miracles, so that a most brilliant light shone forth, and he put blind darkness to flight. [CXCII] Indeed, while fishing in the river, he saw a peasant with his oxen, headlong from a cart, sink into the depths of the stream. That the most wicked enemy had wrought this, the pious man, perceiving, poured forth prayers to the Lord, seeking his aid. The grace of Christ came to his aid, which rewards those who trust in him; he freed this man, restoring his former health. Glory be to God the Father, etc. At Nocturns, Hymn II. After this, he cured the only daughter of the emperor, whom the most wicked demon had then made his abode. The channel of the river Athesis, swelling beyond its usual bounds, climbed to the lofty summit of the church. Immediately, the most worthy merits of the holy man shine forth, for the water remained solid, though its nature is fluid. Therefore we, suppliants, pray, Zeno, most holy bishop, that you make the Lord of heaven propitious to us. So that, after washing away our sins, we may enjoy his glory, about to have blessed solemnities in eternity. Grant, most pious Father, etc.

At Lauds, Hymn III. The holy feast of the bishop Zeno returns, Who followed the Lord, And hallowed for us this solemn day By his blessed end. He was a great priest of the Most High, Preaching, penetrating the Gentile seas; Then God saw fit to send him to the city of Verona. There he gained many people for God, Instructed them with words, strengthened them with deeds; Finally, suffering death for God, He lives forever. Now he shines eternally, bright with merits, Clear and manifest to the whole world, He who, while living in the body, strove only to please God. O pastor, radiant with eternal triumph, Hear your servants who beseech you; Ask for a reward for the just, and pardon For those fallen by sin. So that, by God’s great mercy, Filling the tenth order of heaven, We may see his face for all The time of the age. Let us all sing glory to the Father, And to You, Christ, born on high, With whom the Holy Spirit, both saint and creator, Stands together. Amen.

From Codex Vaticanus number 1235. On the Feast of Saint Zeno. We offer a hymn to Christ for the holy bishop Zeno, who despised the world and earned the reward of Christ. In his youth he kept the precepts of God, and continually distributed alms generously to the poor. He practiced the art of fishing, following orthodox teaching; he plunged his hand into the deep and fished by the grace of God. Like the Apostle Peter, he obtained worthy merits, and as pastor of Verona he shone as a high priest. By frequent fasts he repelled the vices of the flesh, and by often teaching the people he destroyed the idols of the world. Being a great physician, he healed weak bodies, and often freed souls beset by the devil. Filled with such grace, he died in the peace of Christ, and always shows us the greatest miracles. Therefore let us, the people, ask the confessor of the Most High that he may obtain for us peace and forgiveness. [CXCV] III. — Commemoration of Saint Zeno For the prayers or suffrages at Vespers and Lauds.

From the manuscript of the Verona Chapter, thirteenth century. On Saint Zeno, at Vespers, Antiphon. From his mother’s womb was the blessed Zeno sanctified, and from the cradle blessed. ℣. The Lord loved him. At Matins or at Morning Lauds, Antiphon. The blessed Zeno distributed the crown received from the King to the poor, saying: If the Lord works the highest things, let perpetual praises and glory be referred to Him. ℣. You are a Priest. Prayer. O God, who are the most powerful illuminator of your bishops, grant propitiously that, by the intercession of your most blessed Priest and Confessor Zeno, informed by his magnificent examples, we may pass through the darkness of this age without peril. IV. — BLESSING ON THE FEAST OF SAINT ZENO, BISHOP AND CONFESSOR. (From a fifteenth-century codex of the Sodality of Saint Mary of the House, inscribed.) Pontifical Blessings. May Almighty God and Lord give you an abundance of blessing, who has joined the blessed Zeno to Himself by the virtue of confession. Amen.

And He who made him shine with miracles, may adorn you with increases of good works. Amen. So that, instructed by his examples and fortified by his intercession, you whose day of deposition you celebrate, may be able to be joined to him in the heavenly region. Amen. Which may He Himself deign to grant, whose [feast it is]. Amen. [CXCVI] V. — CONSTITUTION OF THEOBALD, BISHOP OF VERONA, EXCERPTED FROM THE CONSTITUTIONS PUBLISHED BY THE SAME IN THE YEAR 1303, LATER REPEATED BY BISHOP PETER SCALIGER. (From the manuscripts of the Verona Chapter.) Chapter LXI, On the Celebration of the Festivities of Saint Zeno, and of Saints Firmus and Rusticus. Desiring with fitting devotion and due honors to venerate the glorious Confessor, blessed Zeno, Father and Patron of this city and diocese of Verona, and the blessed martyrs George, Firmus and Rusticus, from the flock entrusted to us, so that we may be aided by their merits before God, we command that their feast be solemnly celebrated annually throughout the city and diocese of Verona by the people and clergy, and that in all churches of the same city and diocese, on each ferial day, a commemoration of them be made at Matins and Vespers with their antiphon and collect, to be read in the aforementioned churches. And so for the three martyrs, one common antiphon and prayer shall be said: O God, who grants us to keep the memory of your martyrs George, Firmus and Rusticus, etc.

The same commemoration was subsequently ordered by Joannes Matthæus Gibertus, bishop of Verona, in the Constitutions, letter 2, book u, chapter 1, and not only at Lauds and Vespers, but also at Masses in the collect "A cunctis," which is still observed today.