E04548: Augustine of Hippo preaches in Latin, recalling the old ways of celebrating vigils when even in the memorial shrine of Cyprian (bishop and martyr of Carthage, S00411) men mixed with women and impudent songs were sung. Sermon Dolbeau 2, delivered in Carthage (North Africa), the day after the feast of *Vincent (deacon and martyr of Saragossa and Valencia, S00290), probably in AD 404.

Augustine of Hippo, Sermo Dolbeau 2 (= 359B,5)

5. Augustine praises his Carthaginian audience for their obedience to bishop Aurelius. This obedience is proved by the abandonment of the old ways of celebrating vigils in which men mixed with women, which led young people into temptation.

In ecclesia Mappaliensi apud memoriam beati episcopi et martyris Cypriani, quanta fieri solebant, si meminerimus, fortasse adhuc dolebimus; si obliuiscamur, minus Deo gratias agimus. Recolat nobiscum caritas uestra, fratres: beneficia Dei commemoro in uos per episcopum uestrum. Vbi tunc impudicae cantiunculae perstrepebant, nunc hymni personant; ubi uigilabatur ad luxuriam, uigilatur ad sanctitatem; postremo ubi offendebatur Deus, propitiatur Deus.

'Up to now we grieve when we recall how often this happened in the church of Mappalia, at the memorial shrine of the blessed bishop and martyr Cyprian. We would fail to give thanks to God if we forgot about it. Let Your Charity, brothers, recollect with us: I'm recounting the good deeds on God in you through your bishop. The hymns resound now where impudent songs were heard. Vigils are kept for sanctity where vigils were kept for lust. And finally, God is venerated where God was offended.'


13. ... Hesterna die martyris ueri laudes audiuimus: quae tormenta pertulit, quam ingentia, quam multa, quam densa!

'Yesterday we heard praises of a true martyr. What torments he suffered, how refined, how numerous, how intense!'


14. Vnde ergo oboediens, unde sanctus, unde adeptor uerae coronae Vincentius, unde uictor tot passionum et suo nomini congruus?

'That is why Vincent was obedient, why he was saint, why he obtained a true crown, why he won over all the sufferings and was equal to his name.'


Text: Dolbeau 1996, 330, 337 and 338. Translation and summary: Robert Wiśniewski.