January 11th - Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany

Today is Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, or as recorded in some liturigical books, the first Sunday after the Epiphany. The rite of the day is semi-double. The liturgical colour is white. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke describe the Finding in the Temple with the LORD debating with the learned doctors to the amazement of those who witnessed this manifestation of Him.

At Vespers yesterday the antiphons and psalms from Vespers of the feast were sung. The chapter and antiphon on the Magnificat were proper. The hymn Hostis Herodes impie was sung and commemorations were sung of the Octave of the Epiphany (the antiphon being proper for the 10th January) and St. Hyginus. At Compline Te lucis was sung with a Doxology of the Epiphany Gloria tibi Domine, Qui apparuisti hodie, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus apparuit nobis, Venite adoremus. The hymn is Hostis Herodes impie. The antiphons and psalms are as on the second day within the Octave. In the first nocturn the Incipit of St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians is read. The lessons are longer than in later editions: LI Paulus vocatus Apostolus...Christi Domini nostri (i.e. includes LII in the later books); LII Obsecro autem...Pauli baptizati estis? (i.e. LIII in the later books); LIII Gratias ago Deo...prudentiam reprobabo. The first responsory is Hodie. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon of St. Leo (again they are longer than in later editions of the Breviary). In the thrird nocturn the homily is from St. Augustine (the same as later editions).

At Lauds the antiphons from the feast, Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150). The chapter is proper to the Sunday, the hymn O Sola magnarum urbium. Commemorations are sung of the Octave (the antiphon on the Benedictus proper for the 11th January) and St. Hyginus.

At the Hours the psalms of Lauds are used with the feastal psalms (at Prime Pss. 53, 118(i), 118(ii)). The hymns have the Doxology and melody of the Epiphany.

The Mass In excelso throno is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave, the third of St. Hyginus. The Creed is sung and the communicantes and Hanc igitur are of the Epiphany.

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms are as on the feast. The chapter is proper to the Sunday. A commemoration is sung of the Octave.

Art: Jerome Nadal