August 4th - St. Dominic

The feast of St. Dominic is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The tenth Sunday after Pentecost, and this year the first Sunday of August, is commemorated in the Office and Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Domine, quinque talenta etc were sung, doubled, with Pss.109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of the Finding of the Body of St. Stephen and of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Sapientia for the Saturday before the first Sunday of August.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum etc and the Office hymn is, again, Iste Confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphons Beatus vir etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are the Incipit of the Parable of Solomon with the responsories of the feast. The arrangement of the lessons is different from that found in the post-Clementine editions. The first lesson continues as far as ut addatur gratia capiti tuo et torques collo tuo (i.e. vv 7 & 8 now forming the opening of the second lesson. The second lesson begins Fili mi, si te lactaverint... and continues, through what is now the third lesson and concludes, animas possidentium rapiunt. The third lesson is not found in the modern books and consists of vv 20 - 27: Sapientia foris praedicat...vos tribulatio et angustia. In the second nocturn the antiphons Invocantem etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 4, 5 & 8. The lessons, for the feast, are the same as those found in the later editions of the Breviary. In the third nocturn the antiphons Domine iste etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 14, 20 & 23. The homily is from St. Gregory on St. Luke's Gospel. The lessons are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form the eighth lesson of the feast and the ninth lesson is formed from the three lessons of the Sunday's homily. This is from St. Augustine on St. Luke's Gospel. These lessons are considerably longer in the Tridentine Breviary than the form found in post-Clementine editions so the text of the ninth lesson (of the Sunday) is now entirely absent the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Domine, quinque talenta etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 99, 92, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jesu, corona celsior. 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, Pss. 53, 118(i), 118(ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted, the lectio brevis is Justum deduxit.

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

In the afternoon first Vespers are sung of the feast of the Dedication of the BVM of the Snows. The antiphons Dum esset rex etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Ave, maris stella. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of St. Dominic and of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted. At Compline Te lucis is sung with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc and the Dominical preces are omitted.

Fresco of St. Dominic: Wikipedia

May 19th - Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension

Sunday within the Octave of the Ascension is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The theme of Thursday's great feast of the Ascension continues with the majority of the texts used today coming from the feast itself.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons for the feast, Viri Galilaei etc were sung, not doubled, with the psalms as sung on the feast (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116). The chapter was of the Sunday, the Office hymn for the Ascension, Jesu nostra redemptio, and both the antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the Octave and of St. Potentiana. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Ascension Doxology, Gloria tibi Domine, Qui scandis super sidera, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. The Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Alleluia, Christum Dominum ascendentem in coelum, Venite adoremus. The Office hymn at Mattins is Aeterne Rex altissime. In the first nocturn the antiphons Elevata est etc are sung, not doubled, with Pss. 8, 10 & 18. The lessons are the Incipit of the First Epistle of St. John and the responsories are of the feast. The lessons are the same as those found in post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn the antiphons Exaltare Domine etc are sung, not doubled, with Pss. 20, 29 & 46. The lessons are taken from a sermon on the Ascension by St. Augustine, These are the same as those in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Nimis exaltatus etc are sung, not doubled, with Pss. 96, 98 & 102. The homily on the Gospel from John is also from St. Augustine, these are the same as those in the modern editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read as one to form the eighth lesson of the Sunday and the ninth lesson is of St. Potentia. This is virtually identical to that found in the modern books with a name change to St. Pudentiana. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Viri Galilaei etc are sung with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is of the Sunday, the Office hymn is of the Ascension Jesu nostra redemptio. The antiphon on the Benedictus, versicle & respond and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave and of St. Potentiana. The Suffrages are omitted.

At the Little Hours the hymns are sung with the Doxology of the Ascension. At Prime the festal psalms 53, 118(i), 118(ii) are sung rather than the Dominical ones and the short lesson is Si quis loquitur. The Dominical preces are omitted due to the Octave.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave, the third collect is of St. Potentiana. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Octave.

At Vespers the antiphons Viri Galilaei etc are again sung, not doubled, with the psalms of the feast109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Jesu nostra redemptio. The antiphon on the Magnificat and collect are of the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the Octave is sung. The Suffrages are omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted due to the Octave.

Art: Jerome Nadal.

January 27th - St. John Chrysostom

The feast of St. Chrysostom is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The third Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Suscepit Deus. The Suffrages were omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum Dominum * Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is, again, Iste confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphons Beatus vir etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from occurring Scripture: the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians. The first and second lessons are the same as those found in the modern editions, the third lesson is longer and continues Cum autem placuit ... diebus quindecim (vv. 15 - 18). The responsories are from the Common of Confessor-Bishops. In the second nocturn the antiphons Invocantem etc are sung with Pss. 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are proper to the feast. These are the same as those found in the later editons up until the addition of a sentence to the sixth lesson. In the third nocturn the antiphons Domine etc are sung with Pss. 14, 20 & 23. The lessons are a homily of St. Chrysostom on St. Matthew's Gospel (from the Common of Doctors). These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine edtions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read as one and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the homily of the third Sunday after the Epiphany from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are the same as in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jesu redemptor omnium. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime the festal psalms are sung (53, 118i & 118ii) and the lectio brevis is Fungi sacerdotio.

Mass is sung after Terce. The second collect is of the Sunday. Today there is no third collect. The Creed and the common preface are sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers all is sung as at first Vespers except the last psalm which is Ps. 131. The Office hymn is, again, Iste confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Agnes. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

January 20th - SS Fabian & Sebastian

The feast of SS Fabian and Sebastian is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. St. Fabian was Bishop of Rome in the mid-part of the third century and was martyred in the year 250. St. Sebastian, a Milanese, was an officer in the Roman army under Diocletian. On the discovery that he was a Christian he was tied to a tree and shot by archers and then scourged to death in 288. The Office is largely taken from the Common of Several Martyrs save the collect and lessons. The second Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Omnes sancti etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Sanctorum meritis inclyta gaudia. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, * Venite adoreumus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are of occurring Scripture, i.e. those appointed for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians. The first and second lessons are the same as those in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. The third lesson is longer and continues Cum autem placuit (...) eum diebus quindecim, i.e. the addition of vv. 15 - 18. The responsories are from the Common of Martyrs. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo sanctis meis etc are sung with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The proper lessons appointed for the feast are identical to those found in the later editions of the Breviary. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung with psalms 32, 33 & 45. The lessons are a homily from St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel, Descendens Jesus de monte. These are significantly longer than those found in the later editions and the eighth lesson incorporates the text of both the modern eighth and ninth lessons. The text of the ninth lesson is not in the later books. Today, the eighth and ninth lessons are read as one to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the homily for the Sunday. This is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The lessons are the same as those found in later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Omnes sancti etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150. The Office hymn is Rex gloriosae martyrumr. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime, Pss. 53, 118(i) & 118(ii), both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted and the lectio brevis is Fulgebunt justi.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formula is Intret in conspectu tuo Domine etc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. Totday there is no third collect. The Creed and the common preface are sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

Vespers are 'from the chapter' of St. Agnes. The antiphons Isti sunt sancti etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The chapter is Confitebor tibi Domine Rex etc and the Office hymn is Jesu, corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the preceding Office of SS Fabian and Sebastian and of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: "Saints Fabian and Sebastian", The Hours of Catherine of Cleves (15th century)

December 12th - Third Sunday of Advent

The Third Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite. The liturgical colour is violet but today at Mass the Deacon wears a dalmatic and the subdeacon a tunicle and the organ may be played.

At Vespers yesterday the antiphons and psalms were sung from the semi-double Office of St. Damasus. The antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 131. From the chapter, Fratres: Gaudete in Domino semper was of the Sunday. The Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Damasus. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Prope est jam Dominus and the hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn 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 lesson is longer than that found in modern editions and continues until the penultimate sentence of the modern second lesson: justitiam discent habitatores orbis. The second lesson begins Misereamur impio... and continues all through the text of the modern third lesson and beyond: Indulsisti genti Dominie ... murmuris doctrina tua eis. The third lesson is absent from the modern editions and begins Sicut quae concepit... and continues until ... non operiet ultra interfectos suos. (vv. 17 -21). 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. 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. The homily is from St. Gregory's writing on St. John's Gospel. These are the same as those found in the modern editions. A ninth responsory, Docebit nos Dominus, is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

At Lauds the antiphons Ecce veniet etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. As noted above for Vespers the Suffrages are omitted in Advent.

At Prime the first antiphon from Lauds, Ecce veniet, is sung with the usual Dominical psalms 53, 117, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque. In the short responsory the versicle Qui venturus es in mundum replaces Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. The Dominical preces are sung. At the other Hours the other antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear violet dalmatic and tunicle rather than folded chasubles. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is of the Blessed Virgin in Advent, Deus, qui de beate, the third collect Ecclesiae. The Creed is sung, the preface is the Common Preface. As the Gloria was not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar.

Vespers are first Vespers of St. Lucy of Syracuse with a colour change to red. The antiphons Orante Sancta Luciaetc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The antiphon on the Magnificat is In tua potentia etc. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal

December 5th - Second Sunday of Advent

The Second Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is violet.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The chapter was proper to the Sunday, Fratres: Quaecumque scripta sunt and the Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Sabbas was sung. The Suffrages were omitted being Advent but the Dominical preces were sung at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem venturum and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn 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 lesson, about the wondrous Jesse Tree, is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions and continues with the first lines of the modern second lesson: Et percutiet... until ...cinctorium renum ejus. The second lesson begins Habitabit lupus... and continues until two-thirds through the modern third lesson, ...sicut aquae maris operientes. The third lesson begins In die illa radix Jesse... and continues until ... et hostes Juda peribunt, i.e. the addition of vv. 11 -13 from the eleventh chapter. In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung with Pss. 15, 16 and 17. The lessons are taken from the Exposition on Isaiah by St. Jerome. These are substantially longer than in the modern editions of the Breviary. The fourth lesson comprises the entirety of the modern fourth and fifth lessons. The fifth lesson contains text absent from the modern sixth and 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. The homily is from St. Gregory's writing on St. Matthew's Gospel. Again, these are significantly longer than those in the modern editions with the sevent lesson comprising of all of the modern seventh and eighth lessons. The eighth lesson contains all of the modern ninth and an equal amount of text from the St. Gregory's homily that is absent from the modern editions and the ninth lesson is completely absent from the modern Breviary. A ninth responsory, Ecce Dominus veniet, is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

At Lauds the antiphons Ecce in nubibus caeli etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Sabbas is sung. The Suffrages are omitted in Advent.

At Prime the first antiphon from Lauds, Ecce in nubibus caeli, is sung with the usual Dominical psalms 53, 117, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque. In the short responsory the versicle Qui venturus es in mundum replaces Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. The Dominical preces are sung. At the other Hours the other antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear folded chasubles. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is of St. Sabbas, the third collect is of the Blessed Virgin in Advent, Deus, qui de beate. The Creed is sung, the preface is the Common Preface. As the Gloria is not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers the antiphons Ecce in nubibus caeli are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the vollowing feast of St. Nicholas. The Suffrages are omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

August 29th - The Beheading of St John the Baptist

The feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. Texts for the feast are either proper or from the Common of a Martyr. Today is also the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost and the first Sunday of September. The Sunday is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Herodes enim tenuit etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms as of first Vespers of Apostles (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116). The Office hymn was Deus tuorum militum. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Augustine of Hippo, of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat was Cum audisset Job for the Saturday before the first Sunday of September) and of St. Sabina. The Suffrages were omitted because of the occurring double feasts as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum. In the first nocturn the antiphons In lege Domini etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are proper to the feast taken from the Incipit of the Book of Jeremiah (as on the feast of St. John's Nativity) with responsories proper to the feast Misit Herodes rex etc, Joannes Baptista arguebat Herodem etc and Puellae saltanti imperavit mater etc. The lessons are the same as those found in modern editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn the antiphons Filii hominum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are from St. Ambrose, these are the same as those found in the modern editions and are followed by responsories from the Common. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justus Dominus etc, doubled, are sung with psalms 10, 14 & 20. The homily on St. Mark's Gospel is from St. Augustine. The seventh and eighth lessons are as found in the modern books except the last word of the eighth lesson is saltatricem not saltantem. These are followed by responsories from the Common. Today the eighth and ninth lessons of the feast are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the homily of the thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost. These are from St. Augustine on St. Luke's Gospel and are longer than those found in modern editions with lessons seven and eight (of the Sunday) comprising of the complete text of the three third nocturn lessons found in the later editions. The text of the ninth lesson is absent from the post-Clementine editions. Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Herodes enim tenuit etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Martyr Dei, qui unicum. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the feast. Commemorations are then sung of the Sunday and of St. Sabina. The Suffrages are omitted.

At the Hours the antiphons Herodes enim tenuit etc are sung with the festal psalms. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the lectio brevis is Justus cor suum.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect of St. Sabina. The Creed is sung as the feast falls on a Sunday, the common preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers the antiphons Herodes enim tenuit etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum. The antiphon on the Magnificat is proper. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and the following feast of SS Felix and Adauctus.

October 4th - St. Francis of Assisi

The feast of St. Francis of Assisi is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, and the first Sunday of October, is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Domine, quinque talenta etc from the Common of Confessor non-pontiffs were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung, the antiphon on the Magnificat being Adaperiat Dominus for the Saturday before the first Sunday of October. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum etc and the Office hymn is Iste Confessor. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3) the lessons are the Incipit of the first Book of Machabees. The first lesson is the same as in mondern editions. The second lesson is longer and continues with what are the first sentences of the modern third lesson ending ... in oculis eorum. The third lesson begins Et destinaverunt... and continues beyond the end of the modern third lesson (ut facerent malum.) until ... et accepit spolia terrae Aegypti, i.e. vv. 17 - 20 are included. In the second nocturn (Pss. 4, 5 & 8) the lessons for St. Francis are the same as those found in the modern books. In the third nocturn (Pss. 14, 20 & 23) the seventh and eighth lesson are as on the feast of St. Matthias with the Gospel Confiteor tibi Pater... These lessons are now found (in a slightly shorter version) in the Common of Abbots. The ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons of the homily of the seventeenth Sunday, a homily from St. Chrysostom on St. Matthews's Gospel. The eighth and ninth lessons (of the Sunday) are longer than those found in modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Domine, quinque talenta are again sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150. The Office hymn is Jesu, corona celsior. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. 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 Justum deduxit etc.
The Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Credo is sung, the Common Preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers the anitphons Domine, quinque talenta etc are sung, doubled with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Icon of St. Francis, shewing his life, from here.

July 6th - Octave Day of SS Peter & Paul

The Octave Day of SS Peter and Paul is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. Today is also the sixth 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 a continuation of the Second Book of the Kings. The lessons are the same as in modern editions of the Breviary. The responsories in all 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 sixth Sunday after Pentecost. These are taken from a homily from St. Ambrose on St. Mark's Gospel. The seventh lesson (of the Sunday) includes the first sentence (Consequens igitur... a jejunio liberaret) from the modern eighth lesson (of the Sunday). In the Tridentine Breviary the eighth lesson thus begins Itaque nemo and continues with most of the modern ninth lesson until ...sed nec adhuc quidem potestis. The ninth lesson (of the Sunday) begins In modum lactis but most of its text is not found in the modern 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.

Icon: Wikipedia

January 27th - St. John Chrysostom

The feast of St. Chrysostom is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The third Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Suscepit Deus. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum Dominum * Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is again Iste confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphons Beatus vir etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from occurring Scripture: the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians. The first and second lessons are the same as those found in the modern editions, the third lesson is longer and continues Cum autem placuit ... diebus quindecim (vv. 15 - 18). The responsories are from the Common of Confessor-Bishops. In the second nocturn the antiphons Invocantem etc are sung with Pss. 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are proper to the feast. These are the same as those found in the later editons up until the addition of a sentence to the sixth lesson by Pius X. In the third nocturn the antiphons Domine etc are sung with Pss. 14, 20 & 23. The lessons are a homily of St. Chrysostom on St. Matthew's Gospel (from the Common of Doctors). These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine edtions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read as one and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the homily of the third Sunday after the Epiphany from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are the same as in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jesu redemptor omnium. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime the festal psalms are sung (53, 118i & 118ii) and the lectio brevis is Fungi sacerdotio.

Mass is sung after Terce. The second collect is of the Sunday. Today there is no third collect. The Credo is sung, the common preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers all is sung as at first Vespers except the last psalm which is Ps. 131. The Office hymn is, again, Iste confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Agnes. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

January 20th - SS Fabian & Sebastian

The feast of SS Fabian and Sebastian is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. St. Fabian was Bishop of Rome in the mid-part of the third century and was martyred in the year 250. St. Sebastian, a Milanese, was an officer in the Roman army under Diocletian. On the discovery that he was a Christian he was tied to a tree and shot by archers and then scourged to death in 288. The Office is largely taken from the Common of Several Martyrs save the collect and lessons. The Second Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Omnes sancti etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Sanctorum meritis inclyta gaudia. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, * Venite adoreumus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are of occurring Scripture, i.e. those appointed for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians. The first and second lessons are the same as those in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. The third lesson is longer and continues Cum autem placuit (...) eum diebus quindecim, i.e. the addition of vv. 15 - 18. The responsories are from the Common of Martyrs. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo sanctis meis etc are sung with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The proper lessons appointed for the feast are identical to those found in the later editions of the Breviary. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung with psalms 32, 33 & 45. The lessons are a homily from St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel, Descendens Jesus de monte. These are significantly longer than those found in the later editions and the eighth lesson incorporates the text of both the modern eighth and ninth lessons. The text of the ninth lesson is not in the later books. Today, the eighth and ninth lessons are read as one to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the homily for the Sunday. This is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The lessons are the same as those found in later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Omnes sancti etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150. The Office hymn is Rex gloriosae martyrumr. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted, it being a double feast, and the lectio brevis is Fulgebunt justi.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formula is Intret in conspectu tuo Domine etc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. There is no third. The Credo is sung, the Common Preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

Vespers are 'from the chapter' of St. Agnes. The antiphons Isti sunt sancti etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The chapter is Confitebor tibi Domine Rex etc and the Office hymn is Jesu, corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the preceding Office of SS Fabian and Sebastian and of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted due to the double feasts as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: "Saints Fabian and Sebastian", The Hours of Catherine of Cleves (15th century)

October 28th - SS Simon & Jude Apostles

The feast of SS Simon & Jude is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. The feast of these two apostles is kept on the anniversary of the transfer of their relics to Old St. Peter's in Rome in the seventh century. St. Simon is traditionally believed to have been martyred by a curved sword and St. Jude, also known as Thaddaeus, was martryed by a club. The twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost (and this year the fifth Sunday of October) is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass. Yesterday the feast was preceded by a Vigil.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday, the antiphon on the Magnificat being Tua est potentia etc for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of October. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are taken from the Incipit of St. Jude's Epistle. The second lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions and continues with text from the modern third lesson: Cum Michael Archangelus... until in his corrumpuntur, i.e. vv. 9-10. The third lesson begins Vae illis, v. 11 and continues beyond the text contained in the modern third lesson to include vv. 14-16, Prophetavit autem... to mirantes personas quaestus causa. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung with psalms 46, 60 & 63. The fourth lesson is an historical one and is the same as that found in post-Clementine editions. The fifth and sixth are from a sermon of St. Gregory and are marginally longer than those found in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from the writings of St. Augustine. Again, these are marginally longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. The eighth and ninth lesson are read together to form the eighth lesson and the three lessons of the homily for the Sunday are read as the ninth lesson. These texts, from a homily of St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel, are significantly longer than in the modern editions. The seventh lesson, of the Sunday, is longer than that found in the later editions and contains the text Quod ut manifestius...to si et ipsi dimittant minora peccantibus, about half of the modern eighth lesson. The eighth lesson begins Si autem ob factam and continues with all the remaining text of the modern eighth lesson but then continues Oblatus est ei unus... to ...et peccatoris appellari stultitiam, text not found in the modern books. The ninth lesson begins Sed quo modos.. and continues to..nec a prudentibus viris recipiendae text which, again, is absent from the later books and then continues with Sic et Pater meus and the rest of the text of the modern ninth lesson. The Te Deum is sung.

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

At Prime the the Hours the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, 118ii) the lectio brevis is Ibant Apostoli. Both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted.

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

At second Vespers of the feast the antiphons Juravit Dominus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 139. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

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

The fourth Sunday of Advent is, this year, also the Vigil of the Nativity of the LORD. The Office of the day combines texts from the Vigil and of the Sunday. The liturgical colour is violet.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The chapter of the Sunday, Fratres: Sic nos existimet homo was from the first Epistle to the Corinthians, and the Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat was O Emmanuel etc which was sung entire both before and after the Canticle with the choir standing. After the collect of the Sunday the usual Suffrages were 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 Office 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 are sung. 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. After the collect of the Vigil a commemoration of the Sunday is 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 as the Vigil falls on a Sunday. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle. After the collect of the Vigil a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. An Alleluia verse is sung before the Gospel. 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. The last Gospel is In principio. The reason why the ninth lesson of Mattins and the last Gospel at Mass is not of the Sunday is that the same Gospel was read on Ember Saturday in Advent yesterday.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. 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. From this Vespers until the feast of the Purification the Marian antiphon is Alma Redemptoris with the versicle Post partum etc and the collect Deus, qui salutis.

October 5th - XX Sunday after Pentecost

The twentieth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is the second Sunday of October and its liturgical colour, from Mattins onwards, is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. John's Gospel give the account of the healing of the ruler's son at Capharnaum.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the feast of St. Francis of Assisi. The antiphons Domine, quinque talenta etc were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Refulsit sol for the Saturday before the second Sunday of October). The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is Primo dierum omnium. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) are sung. The lessons continue from the First Book of the Machabees. The first lesson includes part of the text from what is the second lesson in the modern books, Tunc ordinavit... until ...in locum immundum. The second lesson begins Et cogitavit... (from the middle of the modern second lesson) and continues with what is now part of the modern third lesson with Et acceperunt... until ...et mensam in templum. The third lesson begins Et incensum posuerunt... until ...qui prosperavit eis, i.e. continuing with vv. 52-55. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Book on the City of God of St. Augustine. The fourth and fifth lessons are slightly longer than those in the modern books. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Gregory on St. John's Gospel. These lessons are significantly longer than in the modern editions. By the eighth lesson all three modern lessons have been read and there is additional material from the homily to complete the Tridentine eighth lesson. The ninth lesson is entirely absent from the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. The Office hymn is Aeterne. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine are sung.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumque is sung as are the Dominical preces.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is A cunctis, the third collect chosen by the Dean or Rector. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113). The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine are sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

September 28th - XIX Sunday after Pentecost

The nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost is, this year, the first Sunday of October. The Sunday is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes contain the parable of the wedding feast from St. Matthew's Gospel with the sobering concluding words of the LORD Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Isti sunt sancti etc, from the Common of Several Martyrs, were sung with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter, O Altitudo , the Office was of the Sunday. The Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Adaperiat Dominus for the Saturday before the first Sunday of October. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the preceding Office of SS Cosmos and Damian was sung followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine . At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn Primo dierum omnium. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) the Incipit of the first Book of Machabees is read. The first lesson is the same as in the post-Clementine editions. The second lesson is longer and continues with what are the first sentences of the modern third lesson ending ... in oculis eorum. The third lesson begins Et destinaverunt... and continues beyond the end of the modern third lesson (ut facerent malum.) until ... et accepit spolia terrae Aegypti, i.e. vv. 17 - 20 are included. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from St. Ambrose's Book of Offices. These are the same as those in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Gregory on St. Matthews's Gospel. The seventh lesson does not appear in the modern editions. The eighth lesson consists of the modern seventh and half of the modern eighth lessons. The text of the ninth lesson consists of the rest of the modern eighth and ninth lessons and the inclusion of further texts from St. Gregory. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150) are sung. The Office hymn is Aeterne. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine are sung.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumque is sung as are the Dominical preces.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is A cunctis, the third collect is chosen by the Dean or Rector. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

At Vespers there is a colour change to white and first Vespers of the feast of the Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel are sung. The antiphons Stetit Angelus etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Tibi, Christe, splendor Patris. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal

January 20th - SS Fabian and Sebastian

The feast of SS Fabian and Sebastian is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. St. Fabian was Bishop of Rome in the mid-part of the third century and was martyred in the year 250. St. Sebastian, a Milanese, was an officer in the Roman army under Diocletian. On the discovery that he was a Christian he was tied to a tree and shot by archers and then scourged to death in 288. The Office is llargely taken from the Common of Several Martyrs save the collect and lessons. The Second Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Omnes sancti etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Sanctorum meritis inclyta gaudia. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, * Venite adoreumus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are of occurring Scripture, i.e. those appointed for the Second Sunday after the Epiphany, the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians. The first and second lessons are the same as those in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. The third lesson is longer and continues Cum autem placuit (...) eum diebus quindecim, i.e. the addition of vv. 15 - 18. The responsories are from the Common of Martyrs. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo sanctis meis etc are sung with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The proper lessons appointed for the feast are identical to those found in the later editions of the Breviary. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung with psalms 32, 33 & 45. The lessons are a homily from St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel, Descendens Jesus de monte. These are significantly longer than those found in the later editions and the eighth lesson incorporates the text of both the modern eighth and ninth lessons. The text of the ninth lesson is not in the later books. Today, the eighth and ninth lessons are read as one to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the homily for the Sunday. This is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The lessons are the same as those found in later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Omnes sancti etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150. The Office hymn is Rex gloriosae martyrumr. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted, it being a double feast, and the lectio brevis is Fulgebunt justi.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formula is Intret in conspectu tuo Domine etc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. There is no third. The Credo is sung, the Common Preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

Vespers are 'from the chapter' of St. Agnes. The antiphons Isti sunt sancti etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The chapter is Confitebor tibi Domine Rex etc and the Office hymn is Jesu, corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the preceding Office of SS Fabian and Sebastian and of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted due to the double feasts as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: "Saints Fabian and Sebastian", The Hours of Catherine of Cleves (15th century)

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.

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 is proper to the Octave Day. After the collect 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

December 23rd - Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite. The liturgical colour is violet.

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 and the Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat was O Rex Gentium 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 Prope est jam Dominus and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn 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 the post-Clementine 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 lesson 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. The homily is from St. Gregory's writing on St. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as those found in the modern editions. A ninth responsory, Intuemini, is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

At Lauds the antiphons Canite tuba in Sion etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. The antiphon on the Benedictus is proper to the 23rd December, Ecce completa sunt etc. As noted above for Vespers the Suffrages are omitted in Advent.

At Prime the first antiphon from Lauds, Canite tuba in Sion, is sung with the usual Dominical psalms 53, 117, 118i, 118ii and Quicumque. In the short responsory the versicle Qui venturus es in mundum replaces Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris. The Dominical preces are sung. At the other Hours the other antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear violet folded chasubles. The introit is the delightful Rorate, caeli. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is of the Blessed Virgin in Advent, Deus, qui de beate, the third collect Ecclesiae. The Creed is sung and the common preface is sung. As the Gloria was not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar.

Vespers are of the Sunday. The antiphons from Lauds, Canite tuba in Sion etc, are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat is O Emmanuel etc which is sung entire both before and after the Canticle with the choir standing. The Suffrages are omitted. Following Vespers of the Sunday Vespers of the Dead are sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

October 28th - SS Simon and Jude

The feast of SS Simon and Jude is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. The feast of these two apostles is kept on the anniversary of the transfer of their relics to Old St. Peter's in Rome in the seventh century. St. Simon is traditionally believed to have been martyred by a curved sword and St. Jude, also known as Thaddaeus, was martryed by a club. The twentieth Sunday after Pentecost (and this year the fifth Sunday of October) is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass. Yesterday was the Vigil of the feast.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc were sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday, the antiphon on the Magnificat being Tua est potentia etc for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of October. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are taken from the Incipit of St. Jude's Epistle. The second lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions and continues with text from the modern third lesson: Cum Michael Archangelus... until in his corrumpuntur, i.e. vv. 9-10. The third lesson begins Vae illis, v. 11 and continues beyond the text contained in the modern third lesson to include vv. 14-16, Prophetavit autem... to mirantes personas quaestus causa. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung with psalms 46, 60 & 63. The fourth lesson is an historical one and is the same as that found in post-Clementine editions. The fifth and sixth are from a sermon of St. Gregory and are marginally longer than those found in the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from the writings of St. Augustine. Again, these are marginally longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. The eighth and ninth lesson are read together to form the eighth lesson and the three lessons of the homily for the Sunday are read as the ninth lesson. These texts, from a homily of St. Gregory on St. John's Gospel, are significantly longer than in the modern editions. By the eighth lesson (of the Sunday) all three modern lessons have been read and there is additional material from the homily to complete the Tridentine eighth lesson. The ninth lesson is entirely absent from the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

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

At Prime the the Hours the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, 118ii) the lectio brevis is Ibant Apostoli. Both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted.

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

At second Vespers of the feast the antiphons Juravit Dominus etc are sung with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 139. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

September 16th - XIV Sunday after Pentecost

The fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is also the third Sunday of September and its liturgical colour, from Mattins, is green. The semi-double feast of SS Cornelius and Cyprian is transferred to Monday.

Vespers yesterday were second Vespers of the Octave Day of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin. The antiphons Nativitas gloriosae etc., doubled, were sung with the psalms from the Common of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Ave, maris stella. The antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Ne reminiscaris for the Saturday before the third Sunday of September and of SS Euphemia and Others. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxlogy of the Incarnation with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) are sung. The lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Tobias. The first lesson continues with what is now the beginning of the second lesson Deinique, cum irent... to ...ministraret omnem decimationem. The second lesson begins Haec et his similia.. to ... salutis dabat eis, what is the end of the third lesson in the modern editions. The third lesson, absent from modern editions, begins Cum autem venisset... and continues until ...solicitus exhibebat. (vv. 16 - 20). In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from a sermon of St. Leo. The sixth lesson is slightly longer than that found in the modern editions, the seventh and eighth lessons are the same. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Augustine on St. Matthew's Gospel. The lessons are longer than those found in the modern Breviary. The seventh lesson includes most of the text of the modern eighth lesson, the eighth lesson contains text not found in the later editions and the ninth lesson contains the text of the modern ninth lesson and, in addition, several more sentences. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read as one and the ninth lesson is of SS Euphemia and Others. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of SS Euphemia and Others is sung followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of SS Euphemia and Others, the third collect is A cunctis. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113). The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the following, transferred, feast of SS Cornelius and Cyprian followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine . At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal