July 2nd - Visitation of the BVM

The Visitation of the BVM commemorates the Visitation made by the BVM to her cousin Elizabeth (c.f. Luke 1: 39-80). The feast is of double rank and its liturgical colour is white. In the 1568BR the feast does not have proper antiphons and the user is directed to use the Office of the Nativity of the BVM substituting the word 'Visitation' for 'Nativity'.

At Mattins the invitatory is Visitationem Virginis Mariae celebremus: Christum ejus Filium adoremus Dominum. The Office hymn is Quem terra. The antiphons and psalms are from the Common of the BVM. In the first nocturn the antiphons Benedicta tu etc are sung with psalms 8, 18 & 23. The lessons are taken from the second chapter of the Canticle of Canticles. These are the same as in the modern editions. In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung with psalms 44, 45 & 86 and the lessons are from a homily of St. Bede. These are not found in the post-Clementine editions where they are replaced by a sermon of St. Chrysostom. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gaude Maria Virgo etc are sung with psalms 95, 96 & 97. The homily is from St. Chrysostom whilst the later editions have a homily from St. Ambrose. The ninth lesson is of SS Processus and Martinian. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Visitatio gloriosae etc are sung with Psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is O gloriosa Domina. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul and of SS Processus and Martinian. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime and the Hours the hymns are sung to the melody of the Nativity and with its Doxology. At Prime the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii) are sung, in the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung and the lectio brevis is In plateis.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass Salve sancte parens is sung, the Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul and the third collect is of SS Processus and Martinian. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the BVM.

At Vespers the antiphons Visitatio gloriosae etc are again sung with the psalms for feasts of the BVM as at first Vespers. The Office hymn is Ave, maris stella. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul.