January 13th - Octave Day of the Epiphany

The Octave Day of the Epiphany is of double rite and its liturgical colour, like that of the feast and the days within the Octave, is white. When the Epiphany and its Octave day fall on a Sunday the Sunday within the Octave is anticipated on the Saturday. Yesterday, in the Office of the anticipated Sunday the lessons in the first nocturn were from the sixteenth chapter of Romans, Commendo autem etc.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116 as were sung as first Vespers of the Epiphany. The Office hymn was Hostis Herodes impie. The collect was proper to the Octave Day. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the anticipated Sunday within the Octave.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus apparuit nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Hostis Herodes impie. The special arrangement being for the feast only. The antiphons Afferte Domino etc are sung, doubled, with the psalms of the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Epistle to the Corinthians, Paulus vocatus Apostolus. These are significantly longer than those found in the later editions. The first responsory is Hodie. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon of St. Gregory the Theologian. Again, these are significantly longer than those found in the post-Clementine books. In the third nocturn the homily if from St. Augustine on St. John's Gospel. Yet again, these are longer than those found in the later books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is O sola magnarum urbium. The collect is proper to the Octave Day Deus, cujus Unigenitus.

At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology and melody of the Epiphany. The antiphons and psalms are sung as on the feast but with the proper collect of the Octave Day.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary is the same as on the feast except the orations and Gospel are proper. The Gloria is sung, the Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Epiphany.

At Vespers the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is, again, Hostis Herodes impie. After the collect of the Octave Day commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers and of St. Felix.


Icon: Russian, 15th century, Wikipedia

July 1st - The Octave Day of St. John the Baptist

The Octave Day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is of double rite and the liturgical colour, from Mattins onwards, is white. Today is also the third Sunday after Pentecost, and Sunday within the Octave of SS Peter & Paul, which is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of the Commemoration of St. Paul the Apostle were sung. The antiphons from the Common, Juravit Dominus etc, were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn was Doctor egregie. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Peter the Apostle, of the Octave of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and of the third Sunday after Pentecost. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast and Octaves as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper, as on the feast, Regem Praecursoris Dominum, Venite adoremus. The Office hymn is Antra deserti teneris sub annis. In the first nocturn the antiphons Priusquam te formarem etc are sung, doubled, with psalms. 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are those appointed for the Sunday from the First Book of the Kings. These are the same as in the later editions. The responsories are those sung on the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Misit Dominus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are proper to the Octave Day from a sermon of St. Maximus. These are the same as those in the post-Clementine books. In the third nocturn the antiphons Posuit os meum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 14, 20 & 23. The lessons are from a homily of St. Ambrose, as on the feast. The eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed from the three lessons appointed for the homily of the Sunday. The Sunday's homily is from St. Augustine but the lessons are longer than those found in the post-Clementine books. The seventh lesson (of the Sunday) consists of text which forms the seventh and eighth lessons in the later books. The eighth lesson is several sentences longer than the modern ninth lesson and the ninth lesson is not found in the later books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Elisabeth Zachariae etc are sung, doubled, with the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150). The rest of Lauds is proper to the feast with the Office hymn O nimis felix. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and the Octave of SS Peter and Paul.

At the Hours the antiphons of Lauds are sung with the festal psalms. At Prime Pss. 53, 118(i) & 118(ii) the lectio brevis is Reges videbunt. The Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass is proper, De ventre, as on the feast. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect is of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Apostles. The last Gospel is of the Sunday.

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of the Visitation of the BVM. The antiphons Visitatio gloriosae etc are sung, doubled, with Psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Ave Maris stella. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Octave Day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, of the third Sunday after Pentecost, of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul and of SS Processus and Martinian. The Suffrages are omitted (because of the double feast and concurrent Octaves) and at Compline Te lucis is sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation Gloria tibi Domine etc.

Icon: Wikipedia

January 1st - The Circumcision and Octave-Day of the Nativity

The feast of the Circumcision of the LORD and Octave Day of the Nativity is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. It is also the Sunday within the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the Holy Innocents but these are not commemorated today in either the Office or Mass.

At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons O admirabile commercium etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms for feasts of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Christe Redemptor omnium (as on the feast of the Nativity). The Doxology which has been sung since first Vespers of the Nativity Gloria tibi Domineetc continues to be sung until the Epiphany. After the collect of the feast there were no commemorations nor Suffrages. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus es nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dominus dixit ad me etc, are sung with psalms 2, 18 & 23. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Epistle to the Romans, Chapters 3 and 4 , 'What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? and all of St. Paul's discourse on circumcison and the Gentiles. They are, therefore, longer than those found in the post-1911 books. In the second nocturn the antiphons Speciosus forma etc are sung6 & 95. The lessons are from St. Leo's seventh sermon on the Nativity of the LORD. These are significantly longer than those found in post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons In principio etc are sung with psalms 96, 97 & 98 and the homily is from the writings of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the same antiphons that were sung at Vespers, O admirabile commercium etc, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is as on the feast of the Nativity, A solis ortus cardine. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Mirabile mysterium etc, is proper to the feast. There are no commemorations nor Suffrages.

At the Hours, the antiphons from Lauds are used in the usual order. The Doxology in honour of the Incarnation is sung at the hymns. At Prime the antiphon O admirabile commercium is sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung, as it has been from the feast of the Nativity and will be sung until the Vigil of the Epiphany inclusive. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. The chapters at the Hours of Sext and None are the same as those sung on the feast of the Nativity.

Mass is sung after Terce. The introit Puer natus is sung, there is a single collect, the Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Second Vespers the antiphons O admirabile commercium are again sung with the same psalms as at first Vespers (Pss. Pss.109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The versicle and its respond and the antiphon on the Magnificat are proper to Second Vespers of the feast. A commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of St. Stephen.

August 22nd - Octave Day of the Assumption

The Octave Day of the Assumption is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The twelfth Sunday after Pentecost (and fourth Sunday of August) is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc were sung (doubled as on the feast day) with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The chapter was from Ecclesiasticus, In omnibus requiem etc., and the Office hymn was Ave, Maris stella. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday, the antiphon on the Magnificat being Sapientia for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of August, and of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation, Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula, as it has been throughout the Octave. The Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory, antiphons, psalmody and responsories are as on the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the Canticle of Canticles. These are the same as those found in post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Bernard. The selection of texts is completely different to that found in the modern editions (1891 & 1932). In the third nocturn St. Bernard again provides the homily on the fragment from St. Luke's Gospel. The texts are slightly longer than those found in the modern books. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together and ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons of the homily for the Sunday. These are from the text of a homily of St. Bede on St. Luke’s Gospel. These lessons are longer than those found in modern editions with lessons seven (of the Sunday) and eight comprising of the text of all of the later third nocturn lessons. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The hymn is O gloriosa Domina. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian.

At Prime and the Hours the hymns are sung with the proper Doxology and tone as noted above. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) in the short responsory Qui natus es de Virgine is sung and the lectio brevis is In plateis.

Mass is celebrated after Terce. The Mass formulary is the sublime Gaudeamus etc. The Gloria is sung. The second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Creed is sung, the preface is that of the BVM and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

In the afternoon at second Vespers all is as at first Vespers of the feast except the antiphon on the Magnificat which is Hodie Maria Virgo caelos ascendit: gaudete, quia cum Christo regnat in aeternum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. With the singing of Compline the Office of this great Octave, perhaps the most stunning in the whole Roman Office, comes to a close for this year.

January 3rd - Octave Day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist

The Octave Day of St. John the Evangelist is of double rite and the liturgical colour of the day is white. The Octave Days of the Comites Christi feasts entirely replace the Office of the second Sunday after the Nativity.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Lapidavernunt Stephanum etc were sung,doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter Qui timet Deum etc., the Office was of St. John and the Office hymn Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of St. John commemorations were sung of the Octave Day of St. Stephen and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera, as on the feast itself, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are from the fourth chapter of the Book of the Apocalypse. These lessons are the same as in modern (i.e. until the 1911-13 reform) editions of the Breviary. The responsories are those proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 46, 60 & 63 and the lessons are from a tract of St. Augustine on St. John. The sixth lesson is substantially longer than that found in modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from St. Chrysostom. These are, again, significantly longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions and the ninth lesson is entirely absent from the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Valde honorandus est etc are sung, doubled, with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus sung, of course, with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At the Hours the same antiphons from Lauds, Valde honorandus est etc., are sung in the normal sequence. At Prime the festal psalms are sung (53, 118i & 118ii), the lectio brevis is In medio Ecclesiae.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung. The second collect if of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Credo is sung and the preface is of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons Valde honorandus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of the Holy Innocents.

Portrait of St. John from the Book of Kells

November 8th - Octave Day of All Saints

The Octave Day of All Saints is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, and the third Sunday of November, is commemorated in the Office and at Mass. This year the second Sunday of November and its week are omitted. 

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn was Christe Redemptor omnium. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday (the antiphon being Muro tuo for the Saturday before the third Sunday of November) and of the Four Crowned Martyrs. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper and the hymn, Christe Redemptor omnium, is again sung as on the feast. In the first nocturn the antiphons Novit Dominus etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 1, 4 and 8. The lessons in the first nocturn are taken from occurring scripture i.e. from the third Sunday in November, the Incipit of the book of Daniel the Prophet. These are almost the same as in the modern editions of the Breviary but, unusually the Tridentine third lesson is slightly shorter ending ... facies cum servis tuis. In the second nocturn the antiphons Domine, qui operati etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 14, 23 and 31. The lessons are from St. Cyprian's writings. These are longer than those found in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Timete Dominum etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 33, 60 and 96. The homily is from St. Augustine. These lessons are identical to those found in the modern editions. Today the ninth lesson appointed for the Four Crowned Martyrs is omitted and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the homily of the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost. These are from St. Hiliary on St. Matthew's Gospel and are the same as those found in later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung with the Sunday psalms (Pss. 99, 92, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150). The Office hymn is Jesu salvator saeculi. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the Four Crowned Martyrs. The antiphons of Lauds are sung at the Hours in the usual way. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted. The lectio brevis is proper to the feast and octave, Benedictio et claritas.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect of the Four Crowned Martyrs. The Creed is sung, the common preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday. 

At Vespers the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter, Vidi civitatem, the Office is of feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica. The Office hymn is Urbs beata Jerusalem. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Octave Day of All Saints, of the Sunday and of St. Theodore. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline. Icon: All Saints Antiochian Orthodox Church, Illinois.

January 4th - Octave Day of the Holy Innocents

The Octave Day of the Holy Innocents is of double rite. The liturgical colour of the Octave Day, from Mattins, is always red regardless of on what day of the week the feast falls. A peculiarity of the Calendar is that no commemoration of the Sunday is made in either the Office or Mass. The orations for the second Sunday after the Nativity of Christ are actually those found for the Vigil of the Epiphany with the ancient orations for the Vigil (the collect Corda nostra etc) being found in many sacramentaries and extant in the Dominican rite.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the Octave Day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. The antiphons Valde honorandus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn was Exultet caelum laudibus. Hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the following Octave Day of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Audit tyrannus anxius as on the feast. In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. The first lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions. It continues Ut quid enim Christus... until ... quis audeat mori, i.e. vv. 6-7 which in later editions form the opening sentences of the second lesson. The second lesson begins Commendat autem charitatem and continues until ...per quem nunc reconcilliationem accepimus, i.e. vv. 8-11 what is contained in the modern second and most of the third lesson. The third lesson begins Propterea sicut per unum and continues until ...Christi in plures abundavit, i.e. vv. 12-15. The responsories are from the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the Epistle to the Romans. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo sanctis meis etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Augustine on the Holy Innocents. These are the same as in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 32, 33 & 45. The homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Chrysostom. The lessons are the same as those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the feast, Herodes iratus are sung, doubled, with the festal psalms (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150). The Office hymn is Salvete flores martyrum.

The antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual sequence at the Little Hours. At Prime the festal psalms (53, 118i, 118ii) are sung. At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology in honour of the Incarnation sung Gloria tibi Domine etc.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung. The Alleluia and its verse are always sung on the Octave Day in place of the Tract. The preface is that of the Nativity (but not the communicantes).

At Vespers the antiphons Herodes iratus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The Office hymn is again Salvete flores martyrum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the following Vigil of the Epiphany.
Art: Giotto, Wikipedia

August 17th - Octave Day of St. Lawrence

The Octave Day of St. Lawrence is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. The XII Sunday after Pentecost and the third Sunday of August is commemorated in the Office and Mass. Today is also the Sunday within the Octave of the Assumption.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Laurentius ingressus est martyr etc were sung, doubled, with psalms from the Common of Apostles, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Deus, tuorum militum sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation, Gloria tibi Domine etc. The chapter, antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper, the rest of the Office from the Common of Martyrs. After the collect of the feast (which is proper to the Octave Day) commemorations were sung of the Sunday (the antiphon being Omnis sapientia for the Saturday before the third Sunday of August) and of the Octave of the Assumption. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc and the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Beatus Laurentius, Christi Martyr, triumphat coronatus in caelis: Venite, adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is, again, Deus, tuorum militum, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. In the first nocturn the antiphons Quo progredis etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons, for the Sunday, are the Incipit of the Book of Wisdom. The first lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions. It continues Spiritus enim ... superveniente iniquitate. The second lesson begins Benignus est enim and continues until quod mentitur occidit animam - what is now the end of third lesson. The text of the third lesson is not found in the post-Clementine Nolite zelare ...qui sunt ex parte illius, vv. 12-16. The responsories are from the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Beatus Laurentius etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are from the writings of St. Augustine on St. John. These are the same as those found in the later edtions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Strinxerunt etc are sung, doubled, with 14, 16 & 20. The lessons in the third nocturn are from a sermon of St. Chrysostom on St. John's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later books. Today the eighth and ninth lessons of the Octave Day are read together to form an extended eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons of the Sunday's homily from St. Bede on St. Luke's Gospel. These lessons are longer than those found in modern editions with lessons seven and eight (of the Sunday) comprising of the text of all of the later third nocturn lessons. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Laurentius ingressus est martyr etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Martyr dei. After the collect of the Octave Day commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the Octave of the Assumption. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons from Lauds, Laurentius etc., are sung with the festal psalms. At Prime the Dominical preces are omitted and the lectio brevis is Potens est autem. The hymns are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect is of the Octave of the Assumption. The Credo is sung, the preface is of the Blessed Virgin and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At second Vespers the antiphons Laurentius etc are again sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. . After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday, of the Octave of the Assumption and of St. Agapitus. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Image: Fifteenth century painted panel featuring St. Lawrence from the Rood screen of St. Helen's Church, Ranworth, Norfolk.

January 13th - Octave Day of the Epiphany

The Octave Day of the Epiphany is of double rite and its liturgical colour, like that of the feast and the days within the Octave, is white. When the Epiphany and its Octave day fall on a Sunday the Sunday within the Octave is anticipated on the Saturday. Yesterday, in the Office of the anticipated Sunday the lessons in the first nocturn were from the sixteenth chapter of Romans, Commendo autem etc.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116 as were sung as first Vespers of the Epiphany. The Office hymn was Hostis Herodes impie. The collect was proper to the Octave Day. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the anticipated Sunday within the Octave.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus apparuit nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Hostis Herodes impie. The special arrangement being for the feast only. The antiphons Afferte Domino etc are sung, doubled, with the psalms of the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Epistle to the Corinthians, Paulus vocatus Apostolus. These are significantly longer than those found in the later editions. The first responsory is Hodie. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon of St. Gregory the Theologian. Again, these are significantly longer than those found in the post-Clementine books. In the third nocturn the homily if from St. Augustine on St. John's Gospel. Yet again, these are longer than those found in the later books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is O sola magnarum urbium. The collect is proper to the Octave Day Deus, cujus Unigenitus.

At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology and melody of the Epiphany. The antiphons and psalms are sung as on the feast but with the proper collect of the Octave Day.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary is the same as on the feast except the orations and Gospel are proper. The Gloria is sung, the Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Epiphany.

At Vespers the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is, again, Hostis Herodes impie. After the collect of the Octave Day commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers and of St. Felix.


Icon: Russian, 15th century, Wikipedia

July 1st - Octave Day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

The Octave Day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is of double rite and the liturgical colour, from Mattins onwards, is white. Today is also the fourth Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday within the Octave of the Apostles SS Peter and Paul.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of the Commemoration of St. Paul the Apostle were sung. The antiphons from the Common, Juravit Dominus etc, were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn was Doctor egregie. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Peter the Apostle, of the Octave of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and of the fourth Sunday after Pentecost. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast and Octaves as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper, as on the feast, Regem Praecursoris Dominum, Venite adoremus. The Office hymn is Antra deserti teneris sub annis. In the first nocturn the antiphons Priusquam te formarem etc are sung with psalms. 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are those appointed for the Sunday from the First Book of the Kings. The first lesson is the same as found in modern recensions, the second lesson continues David autem...grandaevus inter viros (from the modern third lesson) and the third lesson begins Abierunt autem ... quadraginta diebus. However, it then continues Dixit autem... sicut Isai - from v. 17 through to half of v. 20. The responsories are those sung on the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Misit Dominus etc are sung with psalms 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are proper to the Octave Day from a sermon of St. Maximus. These are the same as those in the post-Clementine books. In the third nocturn the antiphons Posuit os meum etc are sung with psalms 14, 20 & 23. The lessons are from a homily of St. Ambrose, as on the feast. The eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed from the three lessons appointed for the homily of the Sunday. These are again a homily of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. These lessons are longer than those found in the post-Clementine books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Elisabeth Zachariae etc are sung, doubled, with the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150). The rest of Lauds is proper to the feast with the Office hymn O nimis felix. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and the Octave of SS Peter and Pauli.

At the Hours the antiphons of Lauds are sung with the festal psalms. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the lectio brevis is Reges videbunt. The Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass is proper, De ventre, as on the feast. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect is of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Apostles. The last Gospel is of the Sunday.

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of the Visitation of the BVM. The antiphons Visitatio gloriosae etc are sung, doubled, with Psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Ave Maris stella. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Octave Day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, of the fourth Sunday after Pentecost, of the Octave of SS Peter and Paul and of SS Processus and Martinian. The Suffrages are omitted (both because of the double feast and concurrent Octaves) and at Compline Te lucis is sung with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc.

Icon: Wikipedia

January 1st - The Circumcision and Octave-Day of the Nativity of the LORD

The feast of the Circumcision of the LORD and Octave Day of the Nativity is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. It is also the Sunday within the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the Holy Innocents but these are not commemorated today in either the Office or Mass.

At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons O admirabile commercium etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms for feasts of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Christe Redemptor omnium (as on the feast of the Nativity). The Doxology which has been sung since first Vespers of the Nativity Gloria tibi Domineetc continues to be sung until the Epiphany. After the collect of the feast there were no commemorations. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus es nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dominus dixit ad me etc, are sung with psalms 2, 18 & 23. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Epistle to the Romans, Chapters 3 and 4 , 'What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? and all of St. Paul's discourse on circumcison and the Gentiles. They are, therefore, longer than those found in the post-1911 books. In the second nocturn the antiphons Speciosus forma etc are sung6 & 95. The lessons are from St. Leo's seventh sermon on the Nativity of the LORD. These are significantly longer than those found in post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons In principio etc are sung with psalms 96, 97 & 98 and the homily is from the writings of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the same antiphons that were sung at Vespers, O admirabile commercium etc, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is as on the feast of the Nativity, A solis ortus cardine. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Mirabile mysterium etc, is proper to the feast. There are no commemorations.

At the Hours, the antiphons from Lauds are used in the usual order. The Doxology in honour of the Incarnation is sung at the hymns. At Prime the antiphon O admirabile commercium is sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung, as it has been from the feast of the Nativity and will be sung until the Vigil of the Epiphany inclusive. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. The chapters at the Hours of Sext and None are the same as those sung on the feast of the Nativity.

Mass is sung after Terce. The introit Puer natus is sung, there is a single collect, the Credo is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Second Vespers the antiphons O admirabile commercium are again sung with the same psalms as at first Vespers (Pss. Pss.109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The versicle and its respond and the antiphon on the Magnificat are proper to Second Vespers of the feast. A commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of St. Stephen.

January 4th - Octave Day of the Holy Innocents

The Octave Day of the Holy Innocents is of double rite. The liturgical colour of the Octave Day, from Mattins, is always red regardless of on what day of the week the feast falls.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the Octave Day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. The antiphons Valde honorandus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn was Exultet caelum laudibus. Hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the following Octave Day of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Audit tyrannus anxius as on the feast. In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. The first lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions. It continues Ut quid enim Christus... until ... quis audeat mori, i.e. vv. 6-7 which in later editions form the opening sentences of the second lesson. The second lesson begins Commendat autem charitatem and continues until ...per quem nunc reconcilliationem accepimus, i.e. vv. 8-11 what is contained in the modern second and most of the third lesson. The third lesson begins Propterea sicut per unum and continues until ...Christi in plures abundavit, i.e. vv. 12-15. The responsories are from the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the Epistle to the Romans. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo sanctis meis etc are sung with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Augustine on the Holy Innocents. These are the same as in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung with psalms 32, 33 & 45. The homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Chrysostom. The lessons are the same as those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the feast, Herodes iratus are sung with the festal psalms (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150). The Office hymn is Salvete flores martyrum.

The antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual sequence at the Little Hours. At Prime the festal psalms (53, 118i, 118ii) are sung. At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology in honour of the Incarnation sung Gloria tibi Domine etc.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung. The Alleluia and its verse are always sung on the Octave Day in place of the Tract. The preface is that of the Nativity (but not the communicantes).

At Vespers the antiphons Herodes iratus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The Office hymn is again Salvete flores martyrum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the following Vigil of the Epiphany.

January 1st - The Circumcision and Octave Day of the Nativity

The feast of the Circumcision of the LORD and Octave Day of the Nativity is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white.

At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons O admirabile commercium etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms for feasts of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Christe Redemptor omnium (as on the feast of the Nativity). The Doxology which has been sung since first Vespers of the Nativity Gloria tibi Domineetc continues to be sung until the Epiphany. After the collect of the feast there were no commemorations. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus es nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dominus dixit ad me etc, are sung with psalms 2, 18 & 23. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Epistle to the Romans, Chapters 3 and 4 , 'What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? and all of St. Paul's discourse on circumcison and the Gentiles. They are, therefore, longer than those found in the post-1911 books. In the second nocturn the antiphons Speciosus forma etc are sung6 & 95. The lessons are from St. Leo's seventh sermon on the Nativity of the LORD. These are significantly longer than those found in post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons In principio etc are sung with psalms 96, 97 & 98 and the homily is from the writings of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the same antiphons that were sung at Vespers, O admirabile commercium etc, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is as on the feast of the Nativity, A solis ortus cardine. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Mirabile mysterium etc, is proper to the feast. There are no commemorations.

At the Hours, the antiphons from Lauds are used in the usual order. The Doxology in honour of the Incarnation is sung at the hymns. At Prime the antiphon O admirabile commercium is sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung, as it has been from the feast of the Nativity and will be sung until the Vigil of the Epiphany inclusive. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. The chapters at the Hours of Sext and None are the same as those sung on the feast of the Nativity.

Mass is sung after Terce. The introit Puer natus is sung, there is a single collect, the Credo is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Second Vespers the antiphons O admirabile commercium are again sung with the same psalms as at first Vespers (Pss. Pss.109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The versicle and its respond and the antiphon on the Magnificat are proper to Second Vespers of the feast. A commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of St. Stephen.

August 22nd - Octave Day of the Assumption

The Octave Day of the Assumption is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The eleventh Sunday after Pentecost (and fourth Sunday of August) is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc were sung (doubled as on the feast day) with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The chapter was from Ecclesiasticus, In omnibus requiem etc., and the Office hymn was Ave, Maris stella. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday, the antiphon on the Magnificat was Sapientia for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of August, and of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation, Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula, as it has been throughout the Octave. The Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory, antiphons, psalmody and responsories are as on the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the Canticle of Canticles. These are the same as those found in post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Bernard. The selection of texts is completely different to that found in the modern editions (1891 & 1932). In the third nocturn St. Bernard again provides the homily on the fragment from St. Luke's Gospel. The texts are slightly longer than those found in the modern books. Tpday the eighth and ninth lessons are read together and ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons of the homily for the Sunday. These are from the text of a homily of St. Gregory on St. Mark's Gospel. These are the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The hymn is O gloriosa Domina. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian.

At Prime and the Hours the hymns are sung with the proper Doxology and tone as noted above. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) in the short responsory Qui natus es de Virgine is sung and the lectio brevis is In plateis.

Mass is celebrated after Terce. The Mass formulary is the sublime Gaudeamus etc. The Gloria is sung. The second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Creed is sung, the preface is that of the BVM and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

In the afternoon at second Vespers all is as at first Vespers of the feast except the antiphon on the Magnificat which is Hodie Maria Virgo caelos ascendit: gaudete, quia cum Christo regnat in aeternum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. With the singing of Compline the Office of this great Octave, perhaps the most stunning in the whole Roman Office, comes to a close for this year.

June 24th - Nativity of St. John the Baptist

The great feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is a double feast with an Octave. The liturgical colour for the feast and Octave is white. The celebration of the feast on June 24th is ancient and is mentioned by the Council of Agde in 506 and in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum. The Octave Day of Corpus Christi is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At first Vespers yesterday the antiphons, Ipse praeibit etc, were sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Ut queant laxis resonare fibris. The hymn famously rises through a scale in its verses: Ut (Doh), Resonare, Mira, Famuli, Solve, Labii. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Octave Day of Corpus Christi. At Compline Te lucis is sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation, Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine etc.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper Regem Praecursoris Dominum, Venite adoremus. The Office hymn is Antra deserti teneris sub annis. The antiphons and responsories are proper for all three nocturns. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2 & 3) the lessons are taken from the Incipit of the Prophet Jeremiah. These are identical to those found in the modern editions. In the second nocturn (Pss. 4, 5 & 8) the lessons are taken from a sermon by St. Augustine on the saints. The first lesson is slightly shorter than that found in the modern books with the omitted text beginning the second lesson. In the third nocturn (Pss. 14, 20 & 23) the homily is from the writings of St. Ambrose on the first chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as in modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Elisabeth Zachariae etc are sung with the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150). The Office hymn is O nimis felix. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave Day of Corpus Christi.

At the Hours the hymns are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. The antiphons of Lauds are sung with the Dominical psalms. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the lectio brevis is Reges videbunt.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass is proper, De ventre. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave Day of Corpus Christi. The Creed is sung - as the feast falls within the Octave of Corpus Christi - and the preface is of the Nativity. The last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At second Vespers the antiphons sung at Lauds are sung again with the psalms from Vespers for the Common of Apostles. The hymn Ut queant laxis is again sung, the rest of the Office is proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave Day of Corpus Christi. At Compline Te lucis has the Doxology of the Incarnation.

January 4th - Octave Day of the Holy Innocents

The Octave Day of the Holy Innocents is of double rite. The liturgical colour of the Octave Day, from Mattins, is always red regardless of on what day of the week the feast falls.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the Octave Day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist. The antiphons Valde honorandus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn was Exultet caelum laudibus. Hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the following Octave Day of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Audit tyrannus anxius as on the feast. In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from the fifth chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. The first lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions. It continues Ut quid enim Christus... until ... quis audeat mori, i.e. vv. 6-7 which in later editions form the opening sentences of the second lesson. The second lesson begins Commendat autem charitatem and continues until ...per quem nunc reconcilliationem accepimus, i.e. vv. 8-11 what is contained in the modern second and most of the third lesson. The third lesson begins Propterea sicut per unum and continues until ...Christi in plures abundavit, i.e. vv. 12-15. The responsories are from the feast. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the Epistle to the Romans. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo sanctis meis etc are sung with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Augustine on the Holy Innocents. These are the same as in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung with psalms 32, 33 & 45. The homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Chrysostom. The lessons are the same as those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the feast, Herodes iratus are sung with the festal psalms (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150). The Office hymn is Salvete flores martyrum.

The antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual sequence at the Little Hours. At Prime the festal psalms (53, 118i, 118ii) are sung. At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology in honour of the Incarnation sung Gloria tibi Domine etc.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung. The Alleluia and its verse are always sung on the Octave Day in place of the Tract. The preface is that of the Nativity (but not the communicantes).

At Vespers the antiphons Herodes iratus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The Office hymn is again Salvete flores martyrum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the following Vigil of the Epiphany.

January 2nd - Octave Day of St. Stephen the Protomartyr

The Octave Day of St. Stephen the Protomartyr is of double rite and the liturgical colour of the day is red.

At Mattins the invitatory is as on the feast, Christum natum, qui beatum hodie coronavit Stephanum. The Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum sung with the Doxology of the Nativity. In the first nocturn the antiphons In lege Domini etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3 all from the Common of a Martyr. The lessons are from the seventh and eighth chapters of the Acts of the Apostles with responsories proper to the feast. The first lesson begins Tabernaculum tesmimonii fuit cum patribus (7:44) and continues until the end of verse 50. This lesson is absent from the modern (pre-1911) books. The second lesson begins Dura cervice... and continues until the end of verse 55, ...a dextris virtutis Dei, i.e. including the first sentence of the 'modern' second lesson. The third lesson begins Exclamantes autem... and continues until ...planctum magnum super eum. In the second nocturn the antiphons Filii hominum etc are sung with psalms 4, 5 & 8 and the lessons are from a sermon of St. Augustine. These lessons are significantly longer than those found in the later books. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justus Dominus etc are sung with psalms 10, 14 & 20. The homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The ninth lesson is a sentence longer than that found in the modern books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the proper antiphons, Lapidaverunt Stephanum etc., is sung with the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150). The Office hymn is Martyr Dei, qui unicum sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast, proper to the Octave Day, commemorations are sung of the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At Prime the antiphon Lapidaverunt Stephanum is sung with the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii). The short responsory has the versicle of the Incarnation and the lectio brevis is Positis autem. At the other Little Hours the antiphons sung at Lauds are used in the usual order. The hymns of the Little Hours have the tone and Doxology of the Incarnation.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung and the second collect is of the Octave of St. John, the third collect of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Credo is sung. The preface is of the Nativity.

Vespers are from the chapter of the following Octave Day of St. John and so the liturgical colour is white. The antiphons Lapidavernunt Stephanum etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The chapter is Qui timet Deum etc., and the Office hymn Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of St. John commemorations are sung of the Octave Day of St. Stephen and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

January 1st 2015 - The Circumcision of the LORD and Octave Day of the Nativity

The feast of the Circumcision of the LORD and Octave Day is of double rite and the liturgical colour is white.

At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons O admirabile commercium etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms for feasts of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Christe Redemptor omnium (as on the feast of the Nativity). The Doxology which has been sung since first Vespers of the Nativity Gloria tibi Domineetc continues to be sung until the Epiphany. After the collect of the feast there were no commemorations. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus es nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dominus dixit ad me etc, are sung with psalms 2, 18 & 23. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Epistle to the Romans, Chapters 3 and 4 , 'What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? and all of St. Paul's discourse on circumcison and the Gentiles. They are, therefore, longer than those found in the post-1911 books. In the second nocturn the antiphons Speciosus forma etc are sung6 & 95. The lessons are from St. Leo's seventh sermon on the Nativity of the LORD. These are significantly longer than those found in post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons In principio etc are sung with psalms 96, 97 & 98 and the homily is from the writings of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the same antiphons that were sung at Vespers, O admirabile commercium etc, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is as on the feast of the Nativity, A solis ortus cardine. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Mirabile mysterium etc, is proper to the feast.

At the Hours, the antiphons from Lauds are used in the usual order. The Doxology in honour of the Incarnation is sung at the hymns. At Prime the antiphon O admirabile commercium is sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung, as it has been from the feast of the Nativity and will be sung until the Vigil of the Epiphany inclusive. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. The chapters at the Hours of Sext and None are the same as those sung on the feast of the Nativity.

At Mass, sung after Terce, the introit Puer natus is sung. There is a single collect. The Gloria and Credo are sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Second Vespers the antiphons O admirabile commercium are again sung with the same psalms as at first Vespers (Pss. Pss.109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The versicle and its respond and the antiphon on the Magnificat are proper to Second Vespers of the feast. A commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of St. Stephen.

The Byzantine icon depicts the Circumcision of Christ with St. Basil. St. Basil's feast day in the Byzantine rite is also January 1st (c.f. Roman Martyrology) and on this day his liturgy is served rather than the more often celebrated liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

July 6th - Octave Day of SS Peter and Paul

The Octave Day of SS Peter and Paul is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. Today is also the seventh Sunday after Pentecost and the Sunday is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc, from the Common of Apostles, were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Exsultet caelum laudibus. The versicle and its response, the antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper to the Octave Day. After the collect of the Octave Day a commemoration was sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are from the Sunday and are the the lessons are the Incipit of the Third Book of the Kings. The first lesson includes what is now most of the second lesson in the post-Clementine editions ending ...qui adjuvabant partes Adoniae. The second lesson begins Sadoc vero sacerdotes and continues (including verses 9 & 10 omitted in the modern editions) until ...et complebo sermones tuos, the penultimate sentence in modern third lesson. The third lesson begins Ingressa est itaque and continues until ...Nathan propheta venit, (v.22). The responsories in the three nocturns are from the Common of Apostles. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung with psalms 46, 60 and 63 and the lessons are from a sermon of St. Chrysostom. These are the same as those found in the later editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. Again these are the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed from the three lessons given for the homily of the seventh Sunday after Pentecost. These lessons are from St. Hiliary on St. Matthew's Gospel. They are the same as those found in the later books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung, doubled, with the Dominical psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Exsultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime the lectio brevis is Ibant Apostoli etc.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the Creed is sung, the preface is of the Apostles and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At second Vespers the antiphons Juravit Dominus etc, from the Common are sung with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 and 138. The Office hymn is Aeterna Christ munera. After the collect of the Octave Day a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

January 1st 2014 - The Circumcision of the LORD and Octave Day of the Nativity

Today is the feast of the Circumcision of the LORD. It is of double rite and the liturgical colour of the feast is white.

At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons O admirabile commercium etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms for feasts of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Christe Redemptor omnium (as on the feast of the Nativity). The Doxology which has been sung since first Vespers of the Nativity Gloria tibi Domineetc continues to be sung until the Epiphany. After the collect of the feast there were no commemorations. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus es nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dominus dixit ad me etc, are sung with psalms 2, 18 & 23. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Epistle to the Romans, Chapters 3 and 4 , 'What advantage then hath the Jew, or what is the profit of circumcision? and all of St. Paul's discourse on circumcison and the Gentiles. They are, therefore, longer than those found in the post-1911 books. In the second nocturn the antiphons Speciosus forma etc are sung6 & 95. The lessons are from St. Leo's seventh sermon on the Nativity of the LORD. These are significantly longer than those found in post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons In principio etc are sung with psalms 96, 97 & 98 and the homily is from the writings of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the same antiphons that were sung at Vespers, O admirabile commercium etc, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is as on the feast of the Nativity, A solis ortus cardine. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Mirabile mysterium etc, is proper to the feast.

At the Hours, the antiphons from Lauds are used in the usual order. The Doxology in honour of the Incarnation is sung at the hymns. At Prime the antiphon O admirabile commercium is sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung, as it has been from the feast of the Nativity and will be sung until the Vigil of the Epiphany inclusive. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. The chapters at the Hours of Sext and None are the same as those sung on the feast of the Nativity.

At Mass, sung after Terce, the introit Puer natus is sung. There is a single collect. The Gloria and Credo are sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Second Vespers the antiphons O admirabile commercium are again sung with the same psalms as at first Vespers (Pss. Pss.109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The versicle and its respond and the antiphon on the Magnificat are proper to Second Vespers of the feast. A commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of St. Stephen.

The Byzantine icon depicts the Circumcision of Christ with St. Basil. St. Basil's feast day in the Byzantine rite is also January 1st (c.f. Roman Martyrology) and on this day his liturgy is served rather than the usual liturgy of St. John Chrysostom in the Byzantine Rite.