Does anybody know where I can find a decent english translation of the new preface for this feast (Apostle of the Apostles)? Salt + Light has one but it’s not really that good. Officially, its supposed to be up to Bishops’ Conferences to produce their own but my conference are is very small and it’s hardly likely to be much of a priority - if anything we’re probably more likely to wait for some other conference to do the work for us!
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Præfatio: de apostolorum apostola
Vere dignum et iustum est,
æquum et salutáre,
nos te, Pater omnípotens,
cuius non minor est misericórdia quam potéstas,
in ómnibus prædicáre per Christum Dóminum nostrum.
Qui in hortu maniféstus appáruit Maríæ Magdalénæ,
quippe quae eum diléxerat vivéntem,
in cruce víderat moriéntem,
quæsíerat in sepúlcro iacéntem,
ac prima adoráverat a mórtuis resurgéntem,
et eam apostolátus offício coram apóstolis honorávit
ut bonum novæ vitæ núntium
ad mundi fines perveníret.
Unde et nos, Dómine, cum Angelis et Sanctis univérsis
tibi confitémur, in exsultatióne dicéntes:
Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus Dóminus Deus Sábaoth.
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Translation by Fr. Thomas Rosica, CSB
Preface of the Apostle of the Apostles
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks,
Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
whose mercy is no less than His power,
to preach the Gospel to everyone, through Christ, our Lord.
In the garden He appeared to Mary Magdalene,
who loved him in life, who witnessed his death on the cross
who sought him as he lay in the tomb
who was the first to adore him when he rose from the dead,
and whose apostolic duty was honored by the apostles
that the good news of life might reach the ends of the earth.
And so Lord, with all the Angels and Saints,
we, too, give you thanks, as in exultation we acclaim:
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might …
Byzantine:
Toparion Tone 1
You followed Christ who was born of a virgin for us,
keeping his laws and observing his decrees, O Mary.
In return we observe your holy memory,
that our sins might be forgiven through your pray’rs.
Kontakion Tone 3
You stood before the cross with the others, O glorious Mary,
and you cried as you suffered there with the Theotokos.
You opened your mouth in praise, saying:
How strange this is that he who uphold all creation
has deigned to suffer. Glory to your pow’r!
