Aberdeen Breviary, summer part (Blew, 1854) — office of St Kentigern, 13 January, running from lesson 7 through second Vespers and the St Felix commemoration, with the octave rubrics.

[Lesson 7, continued:] … it was revealed that Saint Kentigern would in his presence depart from this world; and when he was dead, the blessed Kentigern, by angelic admonition, placing his body on a little waggon drawn by untamed oxen, following the waggon-driver, with no man guiding it, came to the place which is called Glasgow, and there he buried the body, and there he lived serving God by angelic revelation.

There was a certain king suddenly blinded, Melchon by name, a cruel man; whom the prelate prayed might be governed and receive the organs of light… in Wales, where the toison is believed… with the prince of Christ. Who prayed: “Glory to the Father…” Amen. Prayer.

In the third nocturn. Antiphon: “This man rests in the tabernacle of the Lord, the provident shepherd who knows no stain.” Psalm: Domine quis. Antiphon: “The golden image of the precious stone — the head of the just man in the sign of the victor.” Psalm: Domine in virtute tua. Antiphon: “The earth obeys Kentigern, who rules all, holding the cathedral chair, preaching.” Psalm: Domini est terra. Verse: “The just shall flourish as the palm.” According to Matthew. Lesson 7.

“At that time Jesus said to his disciples this parable: A certain man going into a far country called his servants…” and the rest. And the homily of the saint.

It came to pass that the queen of Cadzow was slandered for love of a certain knight whom the king kept with him while hunting; and while he slept the king drew from the sleeper’s finger the ring which the queen had given him, and cast it into the river named Clyde; and when he came home he demanded it of the queen, threatening death if she did not restore it. But she, a woman, sending to the knight, did not get the ring; therefore she made known all these things by messenger to the blessed Kentigern, promising that she would do worthy penance. Now Saint Kentigern, pitying the said queen, sent one of his men to the river to fish with a hook, bidding him bring the first fish he caught to him at home; which was done. From the fish’s mouth the saint drew out the ring and sent it to the queen, who, restoring it to the king, escaped death. Response: “When the queen confessed her guilt, the prelate gave her the fish and the ring of gold. It was restored; the king wondered; thus infamy fled.” Verse: “The fish…”

Lesson 8.

Now when the blessed Kentigern by God’s bidding returned from Wales to Glasgow, leaving his disciple Asaph behind him for the rule of his church, he came into Wales, and King Rederech met him at Glasgow with a very great multitude of the nobles and the people, and he preached the word of God to them; and by a certain part of the people he was seen but his speech was not heard. Therefore by divine will the earth on which he stood raised itself into a little hill, so that he might be seen by all the people and his preaching might be heard; where a notable chapel is dedicated in his honour near Glasgow. Now when the coming of Saint Kentigern from Wales to Glasgow was made known, Saint Columba the abbot came to the torrent called Molendinar, desiring much to enjoy the blessing and conversation of so great and so holy a prelate; and before they met, Saint Columba saw angels descending around him and a bright column descending upon his head and a golden crown upon his head. Verse: “When Kentigern and Columba came together, a golden light was given to the head descending from the saints. An angel brought him a crown of gold upon the head with light.”

Lesson 9.

When they had come together they gave thanks to God with devout hearts. Now at their departure the companions of Saint Columba stole a ram from the flock of Saint Kentigern; and when it was found beheaded it walked among the sheep, but its head was missing. While they wondered and looked on, it was transformed into a stone; for so great was his power of devotion that when mass was celebrated a bright cloud descended upon his head as it were a bright cloud. Moreover when “Lift up your hearts” was sung his body was raised from the earth into the air; for so great was the austerity of his life that in the dress of a prelate he used a hair-shirt and a chain, and many times he would sleep upon a stone in cold water until he had recited the psalter before he came together with his brethren in church for matins. Now Saint Kentigern in holy old age, full of days, on the Ides of January [13 January] passed to Christ in the heavens, to whom he had faithfully served on earth. “That he might complete eighty and five years each, he died at Glasgow, having fulfilled his office.” Verse: “The saint rests above the stars and reigns blessed.” Antiphon on the psalms: “That he might complete.” Psalm: Credidi. Antiphon: “He offered himself for us.” Verse: “That we may be worthy.”

At Lauds. Antiphon: “The bountiful pure one visited the seven places; the prelate of Campania whom he serves in the sacred heavens reigned…” Verse: “Wales, the land of the pontiff, watered by the rivers, never harms him in the tempest, the gracious one.” Psalm: Iubilate. Antiphon: “Swift of their own accord, the birds of the sea and heaven submit to you, Kentigern, while the prelate is present.” Psalm: Deus regnavit. “The ram, beheaded, follows him wondering; it walks with the flock rejoicing, its head lying hid in the form of the stone.” Psalm: Benedicite. Antiphon: “He entered the holy chapel where the mute spoke by divine utterance; a greater praise and reverence remains for you.” Psalm: Laudate Dominum. Chapter: “See a great priest.”

Hymn: “O illustrious confessor, flower of grace, health of the sick; by Kentigern’s merits, equal to the saints above. This is the palm of the pontificate, the honour of the Scots, the hope of the Britons, the love of the flock, the praise of the fatherland, a lamp wondrously burning. He, the scholar of Glasgow, the worshipper of Christ through glory, abounding in countless deeds, a shepherd shining with miracles; whose whole life was a continual martyrdom; and he was more often in cold waters than in baths. There he sang the psalter of the kingly David, and subdued his flesh with thrice-repeated fasting: a chain of hair-cloth, a harsh garment he wore; and more often he cherished the angelic eloquence. O Jesus, salvation of the sheep, who did choose for yourself so great a servant from heaven: save us by his prayers. To the highest Father with the Son and the Holy Paraclete be everlasting glory in solid unity. Amen.”

Verse: “The just shall flourish.” Antiphon: “Happy confessor, flower of your people, lamp of Lothian, lantern of light, gracious one, be gracious to your subjects and merciful to the wretched, Kentigern, wondrous teacher.” Psalm: Benedictus Dominus. Prayer as above. Then let a solemn commemoration be made of the Octave of the Epiphany; of Saint Hilary; and of Saint Mary.

At Prime, antiphon: “The bountiful pure one.” At Terce and at the other hours let the chapters of the Common of one confessor and pontiff be said. The other antiphons of Lauds.

At second Vespers, antiphon: “The bountiful pure one.” Chapter: “Benedictionem…” Versicle: “The mass of compressed milk is turned into stone; the ancient form remains and the likeness of use. The liquid name keeps it through everlasting ages. Glory to the Father…” Hymn: “O confessor…” Verse: “The just shall flourish.” Antiphon on Magnificat: “A heavenly gleam of a bright star: Glasgow rejoices because of you, a humble man, good, unmeasured. O renowned rose, sent to us through the works in darkness, assist your servants.” Psalm: Magnificat. Prayer as above.

And a commemoration of Saint Felix the bishop, if there is memory, with this antiphon: “This is a true martyr…” “In glory and honour.” Prayer:

“Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that the examples of Saint Felix your martyr may stir us to a better life; that we may imitate the deeds of him whose solemnity we keep, and be aided by his intercession. Through the Lord.”

Then the third commemoration of Saint Mary.

If the feast of Saint Kentigern falls on a Saturday, Vespers will be of the saint and a solemn commemoration of Saint Felix at first Vespers, and afterwards of the Sunday; then of Saint Mary. Compline is not of the Epiphany — it is not changed whether it falls on a Saturday or not. And it is to be known that in the Octave with rule of the choir, as is done at the Epiphany, the Ascension of the Lord, the Body of Christ, the Assumption, and the Nativity, and on…