March 4th - Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a privileged greater ferial day. No feast can be celebrated on this day whatever its rank. The day marks the beginning of Lent although the Office hymns are those that have been sung during the season of Septuagesima. Lentent hymns are sung from the the first Sunday in Lent. The liturgical colour of the day is violet.

The Office of Ash Wednesday began yesterday evening with the chanting in Quire of the Gradual Psalms before Mattins of the day. The fifteen Gradual Psalms are divided into three sections. The choir chants Pss. 119, 120, 121 & 122 without any antiphon and without the Doxology at the end of any of them. Psalm 123 follows and after its last verse Requiem aeternam etc and the respond Et lux perpetua etc are sung. Then the choir kneels and the Hebdomadarius intones Pater noster and all then say the prayer secreto. A short series of versicles and their responses follow and the collect Absolve, quaesumus Domine etc. The choir stands and Pss. 124, 125, 126, 127 & 128 are chanted without antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each psalm. After the last Doxology the choir again kneels for a short series of versicles and their responses and the collect Deus, cui proprium etc. The choir rises and chant Pss. 129, 130, 131, 132 & 133, again without any antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each. For a third time the choir then kneels for a series of versicles and their responses and the collect Praetende Domine etc. The Office of Mattins then follows.

The invitatory is In manu tua Domine, Omnes fines terrae and the Office hymn is Rerum Creator optime both from the ferial Office per annum for Wednesday. In the nocturn the twelve psalms 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67 are sung in pairs under the six antiphons Avertit Dominus etc. The lessons in the nocturn are from a homily of St. Augustine reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount from St. Matthew's Gospel. The second and third lessons are slightly longer than those found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The responsories are taken from the third nocturn of Quinquagesima Sunday. The Te Deum is not sung but its place the third responsory, Movens Abram etc

At Lauds the psalmody is ferial, Pss. 50, 64, 62-66, Canticle of Anna, 148, 149 & 150. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the day. Before the collect the choir kneels and the ferial preces are sung with the psalm De profundis. After the collect of the day the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc (the Office being ferial), the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc are sung.

At the Hours the ferial antiphons are sung. At Prime the psalmody is Pss. 53, 25, 118i and 118ii. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are chanted kneeling, the chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. At the other Hours the short set of ferial preces are chanted with the choir kneeling.

The blessing of Ashes and Mass follows after the singing of None. (Where the Expulsion of Penitents takes place the Ashes are blessed and imposed on the Pentitents followed by the Seven Penitential Psalms and Litany and the Expulsion of the Penitents.) The celebrant vests in a violet cope with the deacon and subdeacon wearing violet folded chasubles. The organ is silent following the general rule when folded chasubles are worn. The Ashes, made from the preceding year's Palms, are blessed with four collects of blessing. The short conclusion of these prayers probably indicates the blessing was separated by the Expulsion of Penitents from the Mass which follows. The Ashes are imposed whilst two antiphons are chanted Immutemur habitu and Inter vestibulum. These are followed by the poignant responsory Emendemus in melius. The Mass that now immediately follows is proper. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is A cunctis, the third collect Omnipotens. The preface of Lent is sung. The ferial tones are used for the orations, preface and Pater noster. The choir kneels for the Orations and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. After the last collect the deacon sings Humiliate capita vestra Deo and the celebrant sings the Oratio super populum. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the celebrant and altar.

Vespers are of the feria. The antiphons Non confundetur etc are sung with psalms 126, 127, 128, 129 & 130. The Office hymn is Caeli Deus sanctissimae. The antiphon on the Magnificat and the collect are proper to Ash Wednesday. Before the collect those in Quire kneel and the ferial preces, with the Miserere, are sung. After the collect of the day the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc, of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc. If the choir has sung the Officium Parvum prior to Vespers of the day the Suffrage of the BVM is omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung, the choir kneeling.

Art: Jerome Nadal

February 28th - Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a privileged greater ferial day. No feast can be celebrated on this day whatever its rank. The liturgical colour of the day is violet.

The Office of Ash Wednesday began yesterday evening with the chanting in Quire of the Gradual Psalms before Mattins of the day. The fifteen Gradual Psalms are divided into three sections. The choir chants Pss. 119, 120, 121 & 122 without any antiphon and without the Doxology at the end of any of them. Psalm 123 follows and after its last verse Requiem aeternam etc and the respond Et lux perpetua etc are sung. Then the choir kneels and the Hebdomadarius intones Pater noster and all then say the prayer secreto. A short series of versicles and their responses follow and the collect Absolve, quaesumus Domine etc. The choir stands and Pss. 124, 125, 126, 127 & 128 are chanted without antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each psalm. After the last Doxology the choir again kneels for a short series of versicles and their responses and the collect Deus, cui proprium etc. The choir rises and chant Pss. 129, 130, 131, 132 & 133, again without any antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each. For a third time the choir then kneels for a series of versicles and their responses and the collect Praetende Domine etc. The Office of Mattins then follows.

The invitatory is In manu tua Domine, Omnes fines terrae and the Office hymn is Rerum Creator optime both from the ferial Office per annum for Wednesday. In the nocturn the twelve psalms 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67 are sung in pairs under the six antiphons Avertit Dominus etc. The lessons in the nocturn are from a homily of St. Augustine reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount from St. Matthew's Gospel. The second and third lessons are slightly longer than those found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The responsories are taken from the third nocturn of Quinquagesima Sunday. The Te Deum is not sung.

At Lauds the psalmody is ferial, Pss. 50, 64, 62-66, Canticle of Anna, 148, 149 & 150. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the day. Before the collect the choir kneels and the ferial preces are sung. After the collect of the day the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc (the Office being ferial), the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc are sung.

At the Hours the ferial antiphons are sung. At Prime the psalmody is Pss. 53, 25, 118i and 118ii. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are chanted kneeling, the chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. At the other Hours the short set of ferial preces are chanted with the choir kneeling.

The blessing of Ashes and Mass follows after the singing of None. (Where the Expulsion of Penitents takes place the Ashes are blessed and imposed on the Pentitents followed by the Seven Penitential Psalms and Litany and the Expulsion of the Penitents.) The celebrant vests in a violet cope with the deacon and subdeacon wearing violet folded chasubles. The organ is silent following the general rule when folded chasubles are worn. The Ashes, made from the preceding year's Palms, are blessed with four collects of blessing. The short conclusion of these prayers probably indicates the blessing was separated by the Expulsion of Penitents from the Mass which follows. The Ashes are imposed whilst two antiphons are chanted Immutemur habitu and Inter vestibulum. These are followed by the poignant responsory Emendemus in melius. The Mass that now immediately follows is proper. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is A cunctis, the third collect Omnipotens. The preface of Lent is sung. The ferial tones are used for the orations, preface and Pater noster. The choir kneels for the Orations and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. After the last collect the deacon sings Humiliate capita vestra Deo and the celebrant sings the Oratio super populum. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the celebrant and altar.

Vespers are of the feria. The antiphons Non confundetur etc are sung with psalms 126, 127, 128, 129 & 130. The Office hymn is Caeli Deus sanctissimae. The antiphon on the Magnificat and the collect are proper to Ash Wednesday. Before the collect those in Quire kneel and the ferial preces, with the Miserere, are sung. After the collect of the day the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc, of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc. If the choir has sung the Officium Parvum prior to Vespers of the day the Suffrage of the BVM is omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung, the choir kneeling.

Art: Jerome Nadal

December 24th - Vigil of the Nativity

The Vigil of the Nativity is unique in the Liturgical Year in that it is of simple rite at Mattins and then becomes of double rite from Lauds onwards. The liturgical colour throughout is violet.

Mattins has a single nocturn of three lessons, preceded, where it is of observed, by Mattins and Lauds of the BVM. The invitatory is Hodie scietis quia veniet Dominus, Ex mane videbitis gloriam ejus and the hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. The antiphons Ut non delinquam etc are sung with psalms 97, 98, 91, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 & 108 from the Psalter for Saturday. After the last antiphon a versicle proper to the day, Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus, and its respond, Et mane videbitis gloriam ejus are sung. The homily is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. The first lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine books. The second lesson is the same as the modern third lesson. The third lesson, Joseph fili David noli timere (...) salvum faciet populum suum, is entirely absent from the post-Clementine books. A third responsory is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc (sung under double rite), are proper to the day and are sung with the psalms of Sunday (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The V & R, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung. As the Office is now of double rite the Officium Parvum is not celebrated.

At Prime the first antiphon sung at Lauds is sung with Pss. 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Then, after announcing the moon, continues Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after None. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

December 24th - Vigil of the Nativity

The Vigil of the Nativity is unique in the Liturgical Year in that it is of simple rite at Mattins and then becomes of double rite from Lauds onwards. The liturgical colour throughout is violet.

Mattins has a single nocturn of three lessons, preceded, where it is of observed, by Mattins and Lauds of the BVM. The invitatory is Hodie scietis quia veniet Dominus, Ex mane videbitis gloriam ejus and the hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. The antiphons Ut non delinquam etc are sung with psalms 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 93, 95 & 96 from the Psalter for Friday. After the last antiphon a versicle proper to the day, Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus, and its respond, Et mane videbitis gloriam ejus are sung. The homily is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. The first lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine books. The second lesson is the same as the modern third lesson. The third lesson, Joseph fili David noli timere (...) salvum faciet populum suum, is entirely absent from the post-Clementine books. A third responsory is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc (sung under double rite), are proper to the day and are sung with the psalms of Sunday (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The V & R, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung. As the Office is now of double rite the Officium Parvum is not celebrated.

At Prime the first antiphon sung at Lauds is sung with Pss. 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants 'Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Then, after announcing the moon, continues Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after None. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany.

December 24th - Vigil of the Nativity

The Vigil of the Nativity is unique in the Liturgical Year in that it is of simple rite at Mattins and then becomes of double rite from Lauds onwards. The liturgical colour throughout is violet. In those places where choral obligation is observed Mattins and Lauds of the Officium Parvum are sung before Mattins and Lauds of the day but the Officium Parvum then ceases until after the Octave of the Epiphany.

Mattins has a single nocturn of three lessons. The invitatory is Hodie scietis quia veniet Dominus, Ex mane videbitis gloriam ejus and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. The antiphons Avertit Dominus etc are sung with psalms 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67 from the Psalter for Wednesday. The psalms are sung in pairs under six antiphons. After the last antiphon a versicle proper to the day, Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus, and its respond, Et mane videbitis gloriam ejus are sung. The homily is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. The first lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine books. The second lesson is the same as the modern third lesson. The third lesson, Joseph fili David noli timere (...) salvum faciet populum suum, is entirely absent from the post-Clementine books. A third responsory is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc (sung under double rite), are proper to the day and are sung with the psalms of Sunday (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The V & R, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung.

At Prime the first antiphon sung at Lauds is sung with Pss. 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants 'Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Then, after announcing the moon, continues Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after None. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany.

December 20th - Ember Saturday in Advent

Ember Saturday in Advent is a greater ferial day of simple rite and its liturgical colour is violet. The Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle is commemorated at Mass only. Today is one of the traditional days for ordinations. The feast of St. Thomas is transferred to Monday.

At Mattins the invitatory Prope est jam Dominus etc is sung and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. In the nocturn the antiphons and Psalms of Saturday, 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 & 108, are sung. The lessons in the nocturn are taken from a homily of St. Gregory on St. Luke's Gospel. Again, as noted on the other Ember Days, these are significantly longer than the text found in the later editions of the Breviary with most of the text of the third lesson absent from the later books.

At Lauds the antiphons Ecce veniet etc (appointed for the Monday before the Vigil of the Nativity but used today as they are displaced by the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle) are sung with the Psalms of Saturday, 50, 91, 62-66, Audite coeli & 148-149-150. The fourth antiphon from this set, Haurietis aquas etc, is replaced by the antiphon Exspectetur etc which is sung with the Canticle of Moses. The Office hymn is Vox clara . After the antiphon on the Benedictus, Quomodo fiet istud etc, has been sung in full after the NT canticle the choir kneels for the ferial preces which include the Psalm De profundis. The collect is proper to the Ember Saturday, Deus qui conspicis.

At the Hours the antiphons Ecce veniet etc are used in the usual order. At Prime (Pss 53, 118i & 118ii) the chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. The Dominical and ferial preces are sung with the choir kneeling. At the other Hours the short set of ferial preces are sung, again with the choir kneeling.

Mass is sung after None and has the usual, ancient, form, common to Ember Saturdays. The ministers wear folded chasubles. After the Kyrie there are a series of five structural units comprising of the invitation Oremus, followed by Flectamus genua (sung by the deacon), Levate (sung by the sub-deacon), a collect, O.T. reading and gradual. Four of these readings are from Isaiah and the last from Daniel. After the pericope from Daniel instead of a gradual the hymn of the Three Men in fiery furnace is sung, Benedictus es, Domine, Deus patrum nostrorum and its collect Deus, qui tribus pueris. After this collect the second collect is of the Vigil of St. Thomas and the third collect is of the BVM, Deus, qui de Beate. Mass then continues as usual (with of course kneeling for the orations and from the Canon through to the Fraction as usual on penitential days) with Benedicamus Domino, sung as the dismissal by the deacon facing the altar. Ember Saturday ends with the Mass after None.

In the afternoon at Vespers the antiphons and Psalms of Saturday (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) are sung. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. The Great 'O' Antiphon O clavis David is sung entire both before and after the Magnificat, even on days of simple rank, with the choir standing. After the antiphon has been repeated the collect for the fourth Sunday of Advent is sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung (the choir standing).

December 19th - Ember Friday in Advent

Ember Friday in Advent is a greater ferial day of simple rite and its liturgical colour is violet.

At Mattins the invitatory is Prope est and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum. Mattins has a single nocturn of twelve psalms (Pss. 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 93, 95 & 96). The lessons are taken from a homily of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. The lessons are all significantly longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary to the extent that the text of the third lesson is entirely absent from the later books.

At Lauds the antiphons Constantes estote etc are sung with Pss 50, 142, 62-66, Domine audivi and 148-149-150. After the antiphon on the Benedictus, Ex quo facta est etc., is repeated the ferial preces are sung with the choir kneeling. The preces include the psalm De profundis.

At Prime the antiphon Constantes estote is sung with psalms are Pss. 53, 21, 118(i) and 118(ii). The ferial and Dominical preces are sung, kneeling, at Prime and the shorter set of ferial preces at the other Little Hours.

Mass is sung after None. The texts are proper, the introit being Prope es tu etc. The second collect isDeus, qui de beatae, the third collect is Ecclesiae. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar. The ministers wear violet folded chasubles. With the celebration of the Eucharist the Office of the Ember Day ends.

At Vespers Pss. 137, 138, 139, 140 & 141 are sung with the antiphons from the ferial Psalter. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. The Great 'O' antiphon on the Magnificat is O radix Jesse which is sung doubled. After the antiphon has been repeated the ferial preces are sung kneeling and include the psalm Miserere mei Deus. The collect of the preceding Sunday is sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung, with the choir kneeling.

December 17th - Ember Wednesday in Advent

Ember Wednesday in Advent is a greater ferial day of simple rite and its liturgical colour is violet.

At Mattins the invitatory is Prope est and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum. Mattins has a single nocturn of twelve psalms (Pss. 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67). The lessons are taken from a homily of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. The lessons are all significantly longer than those found in the later editions of the Breviary.

At Lauds the first of several sets of proper antiphons that are used until the Vigil of the Nativity are sung Prophetae praedicaverunt etc. The psalmody is ferial consisting of Pss 50, 64, 62-66, the Canticle of Anna, and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara. After the antiphon on the Benedictus, Missus est Angelus etc., is repeated the ferial preces are sung with the choir kneeling. The preces include the psalm De profundis.

At Prime the first antiphon Prophetae praedicaverunt is sung with psalms are Pss. 53, 25, 118(i) and 118(ii). The longer set of ferial preces are sung, kneeling at Prime and the shorter set at the other Little Hours.

Mass is sung after None. The texts are proper, the introit being Rorate, caeli etc. After the Kyrie there immediately follows the dialogue Oremus sung by the celebrant, Flectamus genua sung by the deacon and Levate sung by the sub-deacon. This is followed by the collect Praesta, quaesumus and an additional OT lesson and gradual. After this the celebrant sings Dominus vobiscum and the collect Festina, quaesumus. The second collect is Deus, qui de beatae and the third collect Ecclesiae. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar. The ministers wear violet folded chasubles. With the celebration of the Eucharist the Office of the Ember Day ends.

At Vespers psalms 126, 127, 128, 129 & 130 are sung. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. At the Magnificat the Great 'O' antiphon O Sapientia is sung. Uniquely for ferial days, the Great 'O' antiphons are sung in their entirety both before and after the canticle and the choir stands. The ferial preces are sung with the choir kneeling and include the psalm Miserere mei Deus. The collect of the preceding Sunday is sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung, with the choir kneeling.

Dcember 24th - Vigil of the Nativity

The Vigil of the Nativity is unique in the Liturgical Year in that it is of simple rite at Mattins and then becomes of double rite from Lauds onwards. The liturgical colour throughout is violet.

Mattins has a single nocturn of three lessons. The invitatory is Hodie scietis quia veniet Dominus, Ex mane videbitis gloriam ejus and the hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. The antiphons Ut non delinquam etc are sung with psalms 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 & 51 from the Psalter for Tuesday. The psalms are sung in pairs under six antiphons. After the last antiphon a versicle proper to the day, Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus, and its respond, Et mane videbitis gloriam ejus are sung. The homily is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. The first lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine books. The second lesson is the same as the modern third lesson. The third lesson, Joseph fili David noli timere (...) salvum faciet populum suum, is entirely absent from the post-Clementine books. A third responsory is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc (sung under double rite), are proper to the day and are sung with the psalms of Sunday (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The V & R, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung.

At Prime the first antiphon sung at Lauds is sung with Pss. 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants 'Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Then, after announcing the moon, continues Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after None. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany.

February 20th - Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a privileged greater feria. No feast can be celebrated on this day whatever its rank. The liturgical colour of the day is violet.

The Office of Ash Wednesday begins with the chanting in Quire of the Gradual Psalms before Mattins of the day and after Mattins and Lauds of the Officium Parvum. The fifteen Gradual Psalms are divided into three sections. The choir chants Pss. 119, 120, 121 & 122 without any antiphon and without the Doxology at the end of any of them. Psalm 123 follows and after its last verse Requiem aeternam etc and the respond Et lux perpetua etc are sung. Then the choir kneels and the Hebdomadarius intones Pater noster and all then say the prayer secreto. A short series of versicles and their responses follow and the collect Absolve, quaesumus Domine etc. The choir stands and Pss. 124, 125, 126, 127 & 128 are chanted without antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each psalm. After the last Doxology the choir again kneels for a short series of versicles and their responses and the collect Deus, cui proprium etc. The choir rises and chant Pss. 129, 130, 131, 132 & 133, again without any antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each. For a third time the choir then kneels for a series of versicles and their responses and the collect Praetende Domine etc. The Office of Mattins then follows.

The invitatory is In manu tua Domine, Omnes fines terrae and the Office hymn is Rerum Creator optime both from the ferial Office per annum for Wednesday. In the nocturn the twelve psalms 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67 are sung in pairs under the six antiphons Avertit Dominus etc. The lessons in the nocturn are from a homily of St. Augustine reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount from St. Matthew's Gospel. The second and third lessons are slightly longer than those found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The responsories are taken from the third nocturn of Quinquagesima Sunday. The Te Deum is not sung.

At Lauds the psalmody is ferial, Pss. 50, 64, 62-66, Canticle of Anna, 148, 149 & 150. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the day. Before the collect the choir kneels and the ferial preces are sung. After the collect of the day a commemoration of SS Perpetua and Felicity is sung followed by the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc (the Office being ferial), the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc are sung.

At the Hours the ferial antiphons are sung. At Prime the psalmody is Pss. 53, 25, 118i and 118ii. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are chanted kneeling, the chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. At the other Hours the short set of ferial preces are chanted with the choir kneeling.

The blessing of Ashes and Mass follows after the singing of None. (Where the Expulsion of Penitents takes place the Ashes are blessed and imposed on the Pentitents followed by the Seven Penitential Psalms and Litany and the Expulsion of the Penitents.) The celebrant vests in a violet cope with the deacon and subdeacon wearing violet folded chasubles. The organ is silent following the general rule when folded chasubles are worn. The Ashes, made from the preceding year's Palms, are blessed with four collects of blessing. The short conclusion of these prayers probably indicates the blessing was separated by the Expusion of Penitents from the Mass which follows. The Ashes are imposed whilst two antiphons are chanted Immutemur habitu and Inter vestibulum. These are followed by the poignant responsory Emendemus in melius. The Mass that now immediately follows is proper. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is of SS Perpetua and Felicity, the third collect is A cunctis. The preface of Lent is sung. The ferial tones are used for the orations, preface and Pater noster. The choir kneels for the Orations and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. After the last collect the deacon sings Humiliate capita vestra Deo and the celebrant sings the Oratio super populum. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the celebrant and altar.

Vespers are of the feria. The antiphons Non confundetur etc are sung with psalms 126, 127, 128, 129 & 130. The Office hymn is Caeli Deus sanctissimae. The antiphon on the Magnificat and the collect are proper to Ash Wednesday. Before the collect those in Quire kneel and the ferial preces, with the Miserere, are sung. After the collect of the day the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc, of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc. If the choir sing the Officium Parvum the Suffrage of the BVM is omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

March 7th - Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a privileged greater feria. No feast can be celebrated on this day whatever its rank. The liturgical colour of the day is violet. The feast of St. Thomas Aquinas is transferred to tomorrow.

The Office of Ash Wednesday begins with the chanting in Quire of the Gradual Psalms before Mattins of the day and after Mattins and Lauds of the Officium Parvum. The fifteen Gradual Psalms are divided into three sections. The choir chants Pss. 119, 120, 121 & 122 without any antiphon and without the Doxology at the end of any of them. Psalm 123 follows and after its last verse Requiem aeternam etc and the respond Et lux perpetua etc are sung. Then the choir kneels and the Hebdomadarius intones Pater noster and all then say the prayer secreto. A short series of versicles and their responses follow and the collect Absolve, quaesumus Domine etc. The choir stands and Pss. 124, 125, 126, 127 & 128 are chanted without antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each psalm. After the last Doxology the choir again kneels for a short series of versicles and their responses and the collect Deus, cui proprium etc. The choir rises and chant Pss. 129, 130, 131, 132 & 133, again without any antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each. For a third time the choir then kneels for a series of versicles and their responses and the collect Praetende Domine etc. The Office of Mattins then follows.

The invitatory is In manu tua Domine, Omnes fines terrae and the Office hymn is Rerum Creator optime both from the ferial Office per annum for Wednesday. In the nocturn the twelve psalms 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67 are sung in pairs under the six antiphons Avertit Dominus etc. The lessons in the nocturn are from a homily of St. Augustine reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount from St. Matthew's Gospel. The second and third lessons are slightly longer than those found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The responsories are taken from the third nocturn of Quinquagesima Sunday. The Te Deum is not sung.

At Lauds the psalmody is ferial, Pss. 50, 64, 62-66, Canticle of Anna, 148, 149 & 150. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the day. Before the collect the choir kneels and the ferial preces are sung. After the collect of the day a commemoration of SS Perpetua and Felicity is sung followed by the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc (the Office being ferial), the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc are sung.

At the Hours the ferial antiphons are sung. At Prime the psalmody is Pss. 53, 25, 118i and 118ii. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are chanted kneeling, the chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. At the other Hours the short set of ferial preces are chanted with the choir kneeling.

The blessing of Ashes and Mass follows None. (Where the Expulsion of Penitents takes place the Ashes are blessed and imposed on the Pentitents followed by the Seven Penitential Psalms and Litany and the Expulsion of the Penitents.) The celebrant vests in a violet cope with the deacon and subdeacon wearing violet folded chasubles. The organ is silent following the general rule when folded chasubles are worn. The Ashes, made from the preceding year's Palms, are blessed with four collects of blessing. The short conclusion of these prayers probably indicates the blessing was separated by the Expusion of Penitents from the Mass which follows. The Ashes are imposed whilst two antiphons are chanted Immutemur habitu and Inter vestibulum. These are followed by the poignant responsory Emendemus in melius. The Mass that now immediately follows is proper. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is of SS Perpetua and Felicity, the third collect is A cunctis. The preface of Lent is sung. The ferial tones are used for the orations, preface and Pater noster. The choir kneels for the Orations and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. After the last collect the deacon sings Humiliate capita vestra Deo and the celebrant sings the Oratio super populum. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the celebrant and altar.

Vespers are first Vespers of the transferred feast of St. Thomas Aquinas with a corresponding colour change to white. ferial. The antiphons Domine quinque talenta etc are sung with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Lenten feria. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted because of the double feast.
Art: Jerome Nadal

December 24th - Vigil of the Nativity and Fourth Sunday of Advent

The fourth Sunday of Advent this year is the Vigil of the Nativity of the LORD. The Vigil of the Nativity changes its rank from simple to double after Mattins.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The chapter, Fratres: Sic nos existimet homo was from the first Epistle to the Corinthians, the Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat was O Emmanuel which was sung entire both before and after the Canticle with the choir standing. After the collect of the Sunday the usual Suffrages are omitted during Advent. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Hodie scietis quia veniet Dominus, Ex mane videbitis gloriam ejus, from the Vigil, and the hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. In the first nocturn (of the Sunday) the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. The lessons in the first nocturn are taken from the prophet Isaiah. The first and second lessons are the same as those found in modern editions of the Breviary. The third lesson is slightly longer continuing Viderunt insulae ... eum clavis, ut non moveretur, (i.e. the addition of Cap. 41 vv. 5 -7). In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung with Pss. 15, 16 and 17. The lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Leo on fasting in the tenth month. These are substantially longer than in the modern editions of the Breviary. The sixth lesson text is completely absent from the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung with Pss. 18, 19 and 20. After the last antiphon a versicle proper to the day, Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus, and its respond, Et mane videbitis gloriam ejus. The homily (of the Vigil) is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. The seventh lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons (of the Vigil) in the post-Clementine books. The eighth lesson is the same as the modern third lesson (of the Vigil). The ninth lesson, Joseph fili David noli timere (...) salvum faciet populum suum, is entirely absent from the post-Clementine books. A ninth responsory, Sanctificamini, is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc (sung under double rite), are proper to the day and are sung with the psalms of Sunday (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The V & R, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung.

Prime is festal with the first antiphon from Lauds, as usual, and psalms 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants 'Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Then, after announcing the moon, continues Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after Terce. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany.

October 31st - Vigil of All Saints' Day

The Office of the Vigil runs from Mattins to None inclusive and is of simple rite. The liturgical colour is violet.

At Mattins the invitatory and Office hymn are as given for Tuesday in the Psalter: Jubilemus Deo, Salutari nostro and Consors paterni luminis. In the nocturn psalms 38, 39, 40, 41, 43, 44, 45, 46, 47, 48, 49 & 51 are sung, in pairs, under six antiphons. The Gospel fragment is from St. Luke and the lessons are a homily of St. Ambrose from the Common of Several Martyrs. The first lesson is about twice as long as that found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The second lesson contains the text of both the modern second and third lessons. The text of the third lesson is entirely absent from the modern books. The three responsories are from the Tuesday of the first week of November, A facie furoris etc, Civitatem istam etc and Genti peccatarici etc. The Te Deum is not sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Dele Domine etc are sung with psalms 50, 42, 62-66, Ego dixi & 148-149-150, from the Psalter for Tuesday. The Office hymn Alles dies nuncius and the antiphon on the Benedictus, Erexit nobis etc are also from the Psalter. After the antiphon Erexit nobis etc has been sung in full the choir kneels and the ferial preces are chanted. The Tridentine ferial preces include the psalm De profundis. When the preces have been sung the Hebdomadarius intones the collect of the Vigil. Then follow the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc, the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine.

At Prime (Pss. 24, 118i & 118ii and 118iii) both the Dominical and ferial preces are sung, kneeling. The chapter is Pacem et veritatem. At Terce, Sext and None the short series of the ferial preces are sung, again the choir kneeling.

Mass is sung after None. Following the normal rules for Vigils four candles are placed on the altar, in contrast with two on ordinary ferial days. The deacon and sub-deacon wear violet dalmatic and tunicle, not folded chasubles. The ferial tone is used for the orations and for the preface and Pater noster. There is no Gloria. The second collect is of the Holy Ghost, Deus,qui corda, the third collect Ecclesiae. As it is a 'kneeling day' the choir kneels for the prayers and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. As the Gloria is not sung the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino.

With the end of Mass the liturgy of the Vigil comes to an end. The liturgical colour changes to white and Vespers are first Vespers of the great feast of All Saints. The antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted and are omitted throughout the Octave.

December 24th - Vigil of the Nativity

The Vigil of the Nativity is unique in the Liturgical Year in that it is of simple rite at Mattins and then becomes of double rite from Lauds onwards.

Mattins has one nocturn of three lessons. The invitatoy is Hodie scietis quia veniet Dominus, Ex mane videbitis gloriam ejus and the hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. The antiphons Exsultate etc are sung with psalms 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 93, 95 & 96 from the Psalter for Friday. The psalms are sung in pairs under six antiphons. After the last antiphon a versicle proper to the day, Hodie scietis, quia veniet Dominus, and its respond, Et mane videbitis gloriam ejus. The homily is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. The first lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine books. The second lesson is the same as the modern third lesson. The third lesson, Joseph fili David noli timere (...) salvum faciet populum suum, is entirely absent from the post-Clementine books. A third responsory is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc (sung under double rite), are proper to the day and are sung with the psalms of Sunday (92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The V & R, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung.

Prime is festal with the first antiphon from Lauds, as usual, and psalms 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants 'Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Then, after announcing the moon, continues Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after None. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany.

October 30th - Anticipated Vigil of All Saints

As October 31st this year is a Sunday the Vigil of All Saints is anticipated today. The liturgical colour is violet. The Office of the Vigil runs from Mattins to None inclusive and it is of simple rite.

At Mattins the invitatory and Office hymn are as given for Saturday in the Psalter: Dominum Deum nostrum, Venite adoremus and Summae Deus clementiae. In the nocturn psalms 97, 98, 99, 100, 101, 102, 103, 104, 105, 106, 107 & 108 are sung, in pairs, under six antiphons. It may be interesting to compare this with the post-1911 rite where three psalms (104, 105 & 106) are split into three sections each to make nine psalm fragments each sung under an antiphon. None of these nine antiphons are the same as any of the six in the Tridentine Breviary. The Gospel fragment is from St. Luke and the lessons are a homily of St. Ambrose from the Common of Several Martyrs. The first lesson is about twice as long as that found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The second lesson contains the text of both the modern second and third lessons. The text of the third lesson is entirely absent from the modern books. The three responsories are from the Saturday of the fourth week of October, Refulsit sol etc, Ornaverunt etc and In hymnis etc. The Te Deum is not sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Benigne fac etc are sung with psalms 50, 91, 62-66, Audite caeli & 148-149-150, from the Psalter for Saturday. The Office hymn Aurora jam spargit pollum and the antiphon on the Benedictus, Illuminare etc are also from the Psalter. After the antiphon Illuminare etc has been sung in full the choir kneels and the ferial preces are chanted. The Tridentine ferial preces include the psalm De profundis. When the preces have been sung the Hebdomadarius intones the collect of the Vigil. Then follow the Suffrages of the Cross Per signum Crucis etc, the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii both the Dominical and ferial preces are sung, kneeling. The chapter is Pacem et veritatem. At Terce, Sext and None the short series of the ferial preces are sung, again the choir kneeling.

Mass is sung after None. Following the normal rules for Vigils four candles are placed on the altar, in contrast with two on ordinary ferial days. The deacon and sub-deacon wear violet dalmatic and tunicle, not folded chasubles. The ferial tone is used for the orations and for the preface and Pater noster. There is no Gloria. The second collect is of the Holy Ghost, Deus,qui corda, the third collect Ecclesiae. As it is a 'kneeling day' the choir kneels for the prayers and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. As the Gloria is not sung the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino.

With the end of Mass the liturgy of the anticipated Vigil comes to an end. The liturgical colour changes to green and Vespers are of the XXII Sunday after Pentecost and first Sunday of November.

June 23rd - Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist

The Vigil of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist is of simple rite and the liturgical colour of the day is violet.

The Office begins with Mattins. The invitatory, hymn, the six antiphons and psalms of the nocturn are of the feria (Pss. 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67). The lessons in the nocturn are a homily on St. Luke's Gospel of St. Ambrose. The lessons are the same as those found in the modern editions except the first lesson ends ...inter superiores semine rather than ...inter superiores familias. The three responsories are taken from the occurring feria. Lauds follow the third responsory. The ferial psalter is sung (Pss. 50, 64, 62-66, Exsultavit cor meum & 148-149-150). The chapter, hymn, V&R and antiphon on the Benedictus are from the feria. After the antiphon on the Benedictus has been sung in full at the end of the canticle the ferial preces are sung, kneeling, including the psalm De profundis. The collect is proper to the Vigil. After the collect of the Vigil the Suffrages are sung.

At Prime the antiphons of the feria are sung with psalms 53, 25, 118i & 118ii. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are sung. The ferial preces are sung at the other Horae Minores.

Mass is sung after None. The ministers wear violet dalmatic and tunicle. The Mass formulary is proper Ne timeas etc. There is no Gloria, the second collect is of the BVM, the third for the Church. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal.

February 24th Feria IV Cinerum - Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a privileged greater feria. No feast can be celebrated on this day whatever its rank. The liturgical colour of the day is violet.

The Office of Ash Wednesday begins with the chanting in Quire of the Gradual Psalms before Mattins. The fifteen Gradual Psalms are divided into three sections. The choir chants Pss. 119, 120, 121 & 122 without any antiphon and without the Doxology at the end of any of them. Psalm 123 follows and after its last verse Requiem aeternam etc and Et lux perpetua etc are sung. Then the choir kneels and the Hebdomadarius intones Pater noster and all then say the prayer secreto. A short series of versicles and their responses follow and the collect Absolve, quaesumus Domine etc. The choir stands and Pss. 124, 125, 126, 127 & 128 are chanted without antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each. After the last Doxology the choir again kneels for a short series of versicles and their responses and the collect Deus, cui proprium etc. The choir rises and chant Pss. 19, 130, 131, 132 & 133, again without any antiphon but with the Doxology at the end of each. For a third time the choir then kneels for a series of versicles and their responses and the collect Praetende Domine etc. Mattins then follow. The invitatory, hymn, antiphon and psalms are from the ferial Office and are those used on other ferial Wednesdays, with nothing particular to Lent. The twelve psalms of the nocturn are Pss. 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67. The psalms are sung in pairs under six antiphons. The lessons in the nocturn are from a homily of St. Augustine reflecting on the Sermon on the Mount from St. Matthew's Gospel. The second and third lessons are slightly longer than those found in the modern editions of the Breviary. The responsories are taken from the third nocturn of Quinquagesima Sunday.

At Lauds the psalmody is ferial, Pss. 50, 64, 62-66, Canticle of Anna, 148, 149 & 150. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the day. Before the collect the choir kneels and the ferial preces are sung. After the collect of the Suffrages of Cross Per signum Crucis etc (the Office being ferial), the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc are sung.

At the Hours the ferial antiphons are sung. At Prime the psalmody is Pss. 53, 25, 118i and 118ii. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are chanted kneeling, the chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. At the other Hours the short set of ferial preces are chanted with the choir kneeling.

The blessing of Ashes and Mass follows None. (Where the Expulsion of Penitents takes place the Ashes are blessed and imposed on the Pentitents followed by the Seven Penitential Psalms and Litany and the Expulsion of the Penitents.) The celebrant vests in a violet cope with the deacon and subdeacon wearing violet folded chasubles. The organ is silent following the general rule when folded chasubles are worn. The Ashes, made from the preceding year's Palms, are blessed with four collects of blessing. The short conclusion of these prayers probably indicates the blessing was separated by the Expusion of Penitents from the Mass which follows. The Ashes are imposed whilst two antiphons are chanted Immutemur habitu and Inter vestibulum. These are followed by the poignant responsory Emendemus in melius. The Mass that now immediately follows is proper. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is A cunctis, the third collect Omnipotens. The preface of Lent is sung. The ferial tones are used for the orations, preface and Pater noster. The choir kneels for the Orations and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. After the last collect the deacon sings Humiliate capita vestra Deo and the celebrant sings the Oratio super populum. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the celebrant and altar.

Vespers are first Vespers of the following transferred feast of St. Matthias the Apostle with a corresponding colour change to red. A commemoration of the feria is made (the antiphon at the Magnificat and collect are both proper).