December 30th - Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the LORD

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white. It is also the Sunday within the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John the Apostle & Evangelist and of the SS Innocents.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons, not doubled, and psalms from second Vespers of the Nativity were sung. The chapter was of the Sunday. The Office hymn was Christe, Redemptor omnium. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of St. Thomas of Canterbury, of the Octave of the Nativity, and of the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the SS Innocents.The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus est nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe, Redemptor omnium,> The antiphons, not doubled, and psalms are as on the feast of the Nativity of the LORD. In the first nocturn the Incipit of the Epistle to the Romans is read. The first lesson is identical to that found in the later editions (in the post-1914 Breviary Romans begins on the 29th December not the 30th). The second lesson is longer and continues with about half of the verses from the modern third lesson, Nolo autem vos ignorare fratres (...) qui Romae estis, evangelizare. The third lesson begins Non enim erubesco... and continues until ...se esse sapientes, stulti facti sunt, i.e. until v. 22. The responsories of the Octave are sung. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Leo on the Nativity. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions so the fourth and fifth lessons contain the text of the later fourth, fifth and sixth. The sixth lesson is absent from the later editions. In the third nocturn the homily is taken from St. Augustine's writings on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the Nativity, Quem vidistis etc., are sung, without doubling, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine. The versicle is Verbum caro etc and its respond Et habitavit etc. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity, and of the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the SS Innocents.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. The hymns of the Hours are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the Sunday, Itaque jam non est servus.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary is Dum medium etc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect of the Octave of St. Stephen, the fourth collect of the Octave of St. John and the fifth collect of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons, not doubled, and psalms of the Nativity are sung. From the chapter the Office is of the following feast of St. Sylvester of Rome. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday, the Octave of the Nativity, and of the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and of the SS Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Icon: Wikipedia

December 27th - St. John the Apostle and Evangelist

The feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is of double rite with an Octave. The liturgical colour of the feast, from Mattins, is white. The feast, along with those of St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents, takes complete precedence over the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity which is not commemorated but transferred to Wednesday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Second Vespers of the Nativity were sung, from the chapter the Office was of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (the liturgical colour being red). After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. John and the Octave of the Nativity. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc., the Dominical preces were omitted. This Doxology is sung with all hymns of Iambic metre until the Epiphany.

The Office for St. John is largely taken from the Common of Apostles. At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are the Incipit of the former Epistle of St. John. These lessons are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The responsories are proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 46, 60 & 63 and the lessons are from the writings of St. Jerome. The fourth lesson is substantially longer than that found in modern editions, the fifth lesson shorter by the final clause of the sentence and the sixth lesson the same. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from St. Augustine. The seventh lesson is slightly longer, the eighth and ninth lessons again slightly different from those found in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Valde honorandus est etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92,99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus sungwith the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity and the Octave of St. Stephen.

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

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

Vespers are of the Nativity but from the chapter of St. John. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the following feast of the Holy Innocents, the Octave of the Nativity and the Octave of St. Stephen.

August 16th - X Sunday after Pentecost - Sunday within the Octaves of the Assumption and of St. Lawrence

The tenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is the third Sunday of August and its liturgical colour, until Vespers, is white being the Sunday within the Octave of the Assumption. It is also the Sunday within the Octave of St. Lawrence.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the great feast of the Assumption of the Mother of God. The antiphons proper to the feast Assumpta est Maria in caelum etc were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn was Ave maris stella. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung, the antiphon on the Magnificat being Omnis sapientia etc for the Saturday before the third Sunday of August. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation Gloria tibi Domine etc as are all hymns of Iambic metre during the Octave. The Dominical preces were omitted.

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 Wisdom. The first lesson is longer than the form given in the modern editions. It continues Spiritus enim ... superveniente iniquitate. The second lesson begins Benignus est enim and continues until quod mentitur occidit animam - what is now the end of third lesson. The text of the third lesson is not found in the modern editions Nolite zelare ...qui sunt ex parte illius, vv. 12-16. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from St. Ambrose. Lessons IV and V are substantially longer than those in the modern books with additional text not appearing in the modern editions, lesson VI is longer by a sentence. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily 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 is now entirely absent the modern editions. 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 Ecce. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the Octave of the Assumption is sung followed by a commemoration of the Octave of St. Lawrence. The Suffrages are omitted due to the occurring Octaves.

At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumque is sung but the Dominical preces are omitted. In the short responsory Qui natus es in sung (and throughout the Octave).

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave, the third collect is of the Octave of St. Lawrence. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the BVM with Et te in Assumptione.

Vespers are of the following Octave Day of St. Lawrence, with the corresponding colour change to red vestments. The antiphons Laurentius ingressus est martyr etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 11, 112 & 115. The antiphon on the Magnificat is Beatus Laurentius etc, the collect is proper to the Octave Day, Excita Domine. After the collect of the Octave Day commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the Octave of the Assumption. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted

Art: Jerome Nadal

August 17th - Octave Day of St. Lawrence

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 30th -Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the LORD

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons, not doubled, and psalms from second Vespers of the Nativity were sung. The chapter was of the Sunday. The Office hymn was Jesu, Redemptor omnium. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of St. Thomas of Canterbury, of the Octave of the Nativity and of the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the Holy Innocents. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus est nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe, Redemptor omnium,> The antiphons, not doubled, and psalms are as on the feast of the Nativity of the LORD. In the first nocturn the Incipit of the Epistle to the Romans is read. The first lesson is identical to that found in the later editions (in the post-1914 Breviary Romans begins on the 29th December not the 30th). The second lesson is longer and continues with about half of the verses from the modern third lesson, Nolo autem vos ignorare fratres (...) qui Romae estis, evangelizare. The third lesson begins Non enim erubesco... and continues until ...se esse sapientes, stulti facti sunt, i.e. until v. 22. The responsories of the Octave are sung. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Leo on the Nativity. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions so the fourth and fifth lessons contain the text of the later fourth, fifth and sixth. The sixth lesson is absent from the later editions. In the third nocturn the homily is taken from St. Augustine's writings on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the Nativity, Quem vidistis etc., are sung, without doubling, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine. The versicle is Verbum caro etc and its respond Et habitavit etc. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity, and of the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the Holy Innocents.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. The hymns of the Hours are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the Sunday, Itaque jam non est servus.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary is Dum medium etc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect of the Octave of St. Stephen, the fourth collect of the Octave of St. John and the fifth collect of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons, not doubled, and psalms of the Nativity are sung. From the chapter the Office is of the following feast of St. Sylvester of Rome. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday, the Octave of the Nativity, and of the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

December 31st - St. Sylvester of Rome - Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the LORD

The feast of St. Sylvester I Pope and Confessor is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The texts for the Office are taken largely from the Common of Confessor-bishops. Today is also the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity and within the Octaves of St. Stephen, St. John and the Holy Innocents.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons of the Nativity of the LORD, Tecum principium etc, were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 129 & 131. From the chapter, Ecce sacerdos magnus, the Office was of the feast of St. Sylvester. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday within the Octave, of the Octave of the Nativity, of the Octave of St. Stephen, of the Octave of St. John and of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology and melody of the Incarnation, Gloria tibi...Qui natus etc. The Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Iste Confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphons Beatus vir etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from the second chapter of the Epistle to the Romans. The first lesson consists of the text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. The second lesson begins Tribulatio et angustia.. (as the modern third lesson) but continues beyond v.13 to the end of v. 16, ...secundum evangelium meum, per Jesum Christum. The third lesson, entirely absent from the post-Clement editions, consists of vv. 17 - 25. In the second nocturn the antiphons Invocantem etc are sung with Pss. 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are hagiographical. These show textual variations to those found in later editions (e.g. Arius is declared damned in the Tridentine Breviary, condemned in later revisions of these lessons). In the third nocturn the antiphons Domine etc are sung with Pss. 14, 20 & 23. The homily is Sint lumbi from the Common of Confessor non-Pontiffs with the responsories of Confessor-Pontiffs. These are the same as those found in the modern editions except before the ninth lesson the additional words Unde et protinus subditur are found in the 1568 edition. However today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson of the feast. The ninth lesson is them formed from the three lessons appointed for the Sunday, a homily from St. Augustine's writings on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jesu, Redemptor omnium and it is sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity, of the Octave of the Nativity, of the Octave of St. Stephen, of the Octave of St. John and of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Suffrages were omitted.

At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology of the Incarnation. The antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i. 118ii) the lectio brevis is Fungi sacerdotio.

Mass is sung after Terce. The formulary is Sacerdotes tui etc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the fourth collect is of the Octave of St. Stephen, the fifth collect is of the Octave of St. John and the sixth collect is of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes in the Canon are of the Nativity.

Vespers are first Vespers of the Circumcision. The antiphons O admirabile commercium etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Christe Redemptor omnium. There are no commemorations nor Sufrages. At Compline the Domincial preces are omitted.

The icon is from the All Merciful Saviour Mission's selection of icons of Western Saints.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

December 30th - Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus est nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe, Redemptor omnium,> The antiphons, not doubled, and psalms are as on the feast of the Nativity of the LORD. In the first nocturn the Incipit of the Epistle to the Romans is read. The first lesson is identical to that found in the later editions (in the post-1914 Breviary Romans begins on the 29th December not the 30th). The second lesson is longer and continues with about half of the verses from the modern third lesson, Nolo autem vos ignorare fratres (...) qui Romae estis, evangelizare. The third lesson begins Non enim erubesco... and continues until ...se esse sapientes, stulti facti sunt, i.e. until v. 22. The responsories of the Octave are sung. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Leo on the Nativity. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions so the fourth and fifth lessons contain the text of the later fourth, fifth and sixth. The sixth lesson is absent from the later editions. In the third nocturn the homily is taken from St. Augustine's writings on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the Nativity, Quem vidistis etc., are sung, without doubling, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine. The versicle is Verbum caro etc and its respond Et habitavit etc. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen, the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. The hymns of the Hours are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the Sunday, Itaque jam non est servus.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary isDum mediumetc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect of the Octave of St. Stephen, the fourth collect of the Octave of St. John and the fifth collect of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons, not doubled, and psalms of the Nativity are sung. From the chapter the Office is of the following feast of St. Sylvester of Rome. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday, thee Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen, the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

December 29th - Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins, is white. The feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury is transferred to tomorrow.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons, doubled, and psalms of the Nativity were sung. From the chapter the Office was of the Holy Innocents. The Office hymn was Salvete, flores Martyrum sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen and the Octave of St. John. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation and the Dominical preces were omitted being within Octaves.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus natus est nobis, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Christe, Redemptor omnium,> The antiphons, not doubled, and psalms are as on the feast of the Nativity of the LORD. In the first nocturn the Incipit of the Epistle to the Romans is read. The first lesson is identical to that found in the later editions (in the post-1914 Breviary Romans begins on the 29th December not the 30th). The second lesson is longer and continues with about half of the verses from the modern third lesson, Nolo autem vos ignorare fratres (...) qui Romae estis, evangelizare. The third lesson begins Non enim erubesco... and continues until ...se esse sapientes, stulti facti sunt, i.e. until v. 22. The responsories of the Octave are sung. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Leo on the Nativity. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions so the fourth and fifth lessons contain the text of the later fourth, fifth and sixth. The sixth lesson is absent from the later editions. In the third nocturn the homily is taken from St. Augustine's writings on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the Nativity, Quem vidistis etc., are sung, without doubling, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine. The versicle is Verbum caro etc and its respond Et habitavit etc. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen, the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. The hymns of the Hours are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the Sunday, Itaque jam non est servus.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary isDum mediumetc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect of the Octave of St. Stephen, the fourth collect of the Octave of St. John and the fifth collect of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons, not doubled, and psalms of the Nativity are sung. From the chapter of the Sunday within the Octave. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of St. Thomas of Canterbury, the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen, the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

June 30th - The Commemoration of St. Paul the Apostle

The feast of the Commemoration of St. Paul the Apostle is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. The fifth Sunday after Pentectost, this year the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and the Sunday within the Octave of SS Peter and Paul, is commemorated at Mattins, Lauds, Mass and Vespers.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Doctor egregie Paule. In the first nocturn the antiphons Qui operatus est etc are sung with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are taken from the thirteenth chapter of the Acts of the Apostles. These are identical to those found in the post-Clementine editions. In the second nocturn the antiphons Tu es vas electionis etc are sung with psalms 46, 60, & 63. The lessons are from St. Augustine's book on grace and free will. These are longer than those found in the later editions with most of the text of the sixth lesson absent from the later bookes. In the third nocturn the antiphons Saulus, qui et Paulus etc are sung with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily is from St. Chrysostom on St. Matthew's Gospel. These are the same as in the later editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read as one to form the eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the homily of the Sunday. These are from St. Augustine on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Gospel fragment has the additional words Amen dico vobis. The lessons, from the ninth chapter of the first book on the LORD's Sermon on the Mount, are all longer than those found in the later books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ego plantavi etc are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Exsultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast commemoration are sung of St. Peter the Apostle, the Sunday and of the Octave of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons sung at Lauds are used in the usual order. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the feast, Ego enim etc. The Domincal preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Peter the Apostle, the third collect is of the Sunday and the fourth collect is of the Octave of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. 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 are sung with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 and 138. The Office hymn is Doctor egregie Paule. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of St. Peter the Apostle, the Octave Day of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist and of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

December 30th - Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the LORD

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white.

At Mattins all is sung as on the feast of the Nativity of the LORD itself except for the lessons. In the first nocturn the Incipit of the Epistle to the Romans is read. The first lesson is identical to that found in later editions (in the post-1914 Breviary Corinthians begins on the 29th December not the 30th). The second lesson is longer and continues with about half of the verses from the modern third lesson, Nolo autem vos ignorare fratres (...) qui Romae estis, evangelizare. The third lesson begins Non enim erubesco... and continues until ...se esse sapientes, stulti facti sunt, i.e. until v. 22. The responsories of the Octave are sung. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Leo on the Nativity. These are longer than those found in the post-Clement editions so the fourth and fifth lessons contain the text of the later fourth, fifth and sixth. The sixth lesson is absent from the later editions. In the third nocturn the homily is taken from St. Augustine's writings on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. These are marginally longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the Nativity, Quem vidistis etc., are sung, without doubling, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine. The versicle is Verbum caro etc and its respond Et habitavit etc. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen, the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. The hymns of the Hours are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the Sunday, Itaque jam non est servus.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary isDum mediumetc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect of the Octave of St. Stephen, the fourth collect of the Octave of St. John and the fifth collect of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

Vespers of the Nativity are sung (with antiphons doubled), from the chapter of St. Silvester. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday, the Octave of the Nativity, the Octave of St. Stephen, the Octave of St. John and the Octave of the Holy Innocents. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.