February 23rd - Second Sunday in Lent

The second Sunday in Lent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, this year from Mattins to None, is violet. No feast can take precedence over it, or any such a Sunday, in occurrence. The Gospel pericopes are St. Matthew's account of the LORD's Transfiguration. The Vigil of St. Matthias was anticipated on Saturday (with nothing of the Vigil in the Office).

Yesterday morning second Vespers of the feast of St. Peter's Chair at Antioch were sung. The antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 131. The Office hymn was Quodcumque vinclis. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Paul the Apostle and of the Sunday. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Non sit vobis and the Office hymn is Ex more. In the first nocturn psalms 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 are sung. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the twenty-seventh chapter of the Book of Genesis. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from St. Augustine's Book against Liars. The fourth lesson is several sentences longer than the lesson found in more modern editions. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are from a homily from St. Leo on the Gospel. The eighth lesson contains part of the text of the modern ninth lesson and the ninth lesson contains more material than that found in the modern editions. In place of the Te Deum a ninth responsory is sung, Cum audisset Jacob.

At Lauds the antiphons, Domine labia mea aperies etc., are proper to the Sunday and sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jam Christe sol justitiae. The versicle after the hymn Angelis suis, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday (the versicle and its response being used throughout Lent). 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 etc are sung.

At Prime and the Hours the antipons are proper to the Sunday, Domine bonum est etc. At Prime, Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii), both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

At Mass the ministers wear folded chasubles. There Gloria is omitted, the second collect is A cunctis nos, the third collect is Omnipotens. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Creed and the preface of Lent are sung. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar and celebrant.

After None there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of the feast of St. Matthias are sung. The antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Exsultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

Missale Romanum, Paris, 1572

February 16th - First Sunday in Lent

The first Sunday in Lent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is violet. No feast can take precedence over it. or any such Sunday, in occurrence. The Gospel pericopes at Mattins and Mass are St. Matthew's account of the LORD's temptation by Satan in the desert.

At Vespers, yesterday morning, the antiphons and psalms (143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday were sung. The chapter was proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn was Audi, benigne conditor. 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 etc were sung. At Compline the Dominical preceswere sung, with the choir standing.

At Mattins the invitatory is Non sit vobis and the Office hymn is Ex more. Both these are used throughout the first four weeks of Lent. In the first nocturn psalms 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 are sung. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. The second lesson is longer than that found in modern versions of the Breviary with the addition of Propter quod...Dominus omnipotens, vv. 17 & 18. The third lesson also is longer, beginning at the first verse of Ch. 7 with Has ergo habentes...pro vobis preceding the text found in modern editions which begin at the fourth verse. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from St. Leo and again give more of his sermon than found in modern editions. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are a homily from St. Gregory on the Gospel. Yet again the text found in the Tridentine Breviary is truncated in later editions. A ninth responsory, Angelis suis Deus mandavit de te, is sung in place of the Te Deum.

At Lauds the antiphons proper to the Sunday, Cor mundum crea in me Deus etc., are sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jam Christe sol justitiae. The versicle after the hymn Angelis suis, chapter, antiphon at the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday (the versicle and its response being used throughout Lent). 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 etc are sung.

At all the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper. At Prime, Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii), both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

At Mass the ministers wear violet folded chasuble. The Gloria is omitted, the second collect is A cunctis nos, the third collect is Omnipotens. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Creed and the preface of Lent are sung. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal by the deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, the Office hymn is Ad preces nostras deitatis aures. 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 etc are sung. After Benedicamus Domino and it response Vespers of the Dead are sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

February 9th - Quinquagesima Sunday

Quinquagesima Sunday is of semi-double rite and it liturgical colour is violet. The Epistle consists of perhaps one of the most famous pericopes in the NT, St. Paul's discourse to the Corinthians on faith, hope and charity. The Gospel from St. Luke has the story of the granting of sight to the man born blind. The Sunday corresponds, in the Byzantine rite, to the Sunday of Forgiveness or Cheesefare Sunday, the Sunday being the last day dairy products are eaten until Pascha. The Byzantines begin the Great Fast tomorrow (as Holy Week is not counted as part of Lent) with a day of strict abstinence from all food and fluids, even water. Although in practice this is mitigated by those working in the secular world.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The chapter, antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper to Quinquagesima Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Apollonia 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 etc. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins, as for the previous Sundays, the invitatory is Praeoccupemus and the hymn Primo dierum. In the first nocturn psalms 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 are sung. The lessons, from Genesis, are the beginning of the story of Abraham. These are the same as those in found in the post-Clement editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from St. Ambrose on the Patriarch Abraham. The fifth lesson is, unusually, slightly shorter than in later editions: Sed ideo addidit...Sequere Deum. The sixth lesson begins at the preceding verse to modern editions, Facto praevenit... In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are a homily from St. Gregory on the Gospel. These are the same as in the modern editions. The ninth responsory, Caecus sedebat, is sung in place of the Te Deum.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to Quinquagesima Sunday, Secundum multitudinem etc., and are sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The versicle after the hymn Aeterne, chapter, antiphon at the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Apollonia 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 all the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper to the Sunday. At Prime, Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(i) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

At Mass the ministers wear violet dalmatic and tunicle. The Gloria is omitted, the second collect is of St. Apollonia, the third collect is A cunctis. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual. The Creed and the common preface are sung. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar.

Vespers are of the Sunday with 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 etc are sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

February 2nd - Sexagesima Sunday

Sexagesima Sunday is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is violet. The Gospel pericopes are from St. Luke and the parable of the sower with his seed landing on rock, amongst weeds and the good ground. In the Kalendar of the Byzantine rite Sexagesima corresponds to the Sunday of the Last Judgement or Meatfare Sunday, the last day on which meat is eaten until Pascha. The feast of the Purification is transferred to Monday although the blessing of Candles and Procession take place today.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Qui me confessus fuerit etc were sung, not doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 1111, 112 & 115. The chapter was proper to Sexagesima, Fratres: Libenter suffertis and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of the preceding semi-double Office of St. Ignatius of Antioch, 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, as for Septuagesima Sunday, the invitatory is Praeoccupemus and the Office hymn is Primo dierum. In the first nocturn psalms 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 are sung. The lessons continue to be taken from Genesis are read concerning the story of Noah. The lessons are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. The first continues Videns autem Deus ...me fecisse eos, i.e with most of the text of the modern second lesson. The second lesson begins Noe vero invenit ... and continues with all of the modern third lesson and the addition of verse 16: Fenestram in arca facies ... tristega facies in ea. The third lesson, the text of which is entirely absent from the modern books, begins Ecce ego ... and continues until Fecit igitur omnia quae praeceperat illi Deus, Gen. 6:17 - 22. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from St. Ambrose on Noah and the Ark. These are identical to those found in the modern edtions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20 the lessons are taken from a homily of St. Gregory. The eighth and ninth lessons are slightly longer than in the modern editions. A ninth responsory, Cum turba plurima, is sung in place of the Te Deum.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to the Sunday, Secundum magnam misericordiam etc., and are sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The versicle after the hymn Aeterne, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are all proper to the Sunday. 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 etc are sung.

At the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper. At Prime, Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii), both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

After Terce the celebrant vests in a violet cope and the ministers put on violet folded chasubles. The organ is silent (as is always the case when folded chasubles are used). After the Asperges ceremony the blessing of Candles takes place. At the Epistle corner the celebrant sings five prayers of blessing in the ferial tone. Incense is then blessed, lustral water sprinkled over the candles whilst the celebrant says Asperges me and then the candles are incensed. At the centre of the altar the celebrant receives a candle from the senior canon present, kissing the candle before taking it. If no canon or senior cleric is present the celebrant kneels before the altar and takes his own candle. Candles are then distributed while the antiphon Lumen ad revelationem is sung interpolated into the canticle Nunc dimittis. Those receiving the candles kiss them, first, then the celebrant's hand. At the conclusion of the distribution the antiphon Exsurge, Domine is sung with a Doxology and the candles lighted. After the distribution the celebrant returns with the ministers to the Epistle corner and chants Oremus and the oration Exaudi etc. The procession then takes place. The subdeacon of the Mass takes the processional cross. The procession goes around the church with lighted candles during the singing of three antiphons Adorna thalamum, Responsum accepit Simeon and Obtulerunt. These text are clearly ancient and found, almost verbatim, in the Menaion of the Byzantine rite.

Caeremoniale Episcoporum, 1651, Google Books - note the assistant-deacons in planetis plicatis

After the Procession the celebrant removes the cope and vests in chasuble and the ministers exchange there folded chasubles for violet dalmatic and tunicle. As the Mass is not of the feast candles are not held at the Gospel or during the Canon. In the Mass there is no Gloria, the second collect is A cunctis, the third collect is chosen by the Dean or Rector. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Creed and the common preface are sung. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal by the deacon facing the altar.

National Library of Wales, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

After None there is a colour change to white and first Vespers of the Purification are sung. The antiphons used on the feast of the Circumcision, O admirabile commercium etc., are sung, doubled, with the psalms of feasts for the Blessed Virgin (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The chapter is proper to the feast and the Office hymn is Ave, maris stella. The antiphon on the Magnificat is proper to the feast Senex Puerum portabat etc. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline. At Compline the melody of Te lucis is that of the Incarnation with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domineetc.

Art: Jerome Nadal

January 26th - Septuagesima Sunday

Septuagesima Sunday is of semi-double rank. The liturgical colour, from Mattins to None this year, is violet. At Mattins the book of Genesis is begun with the account of the Creation. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew at Mattins and Mass contain the parable of the labourers in the vineyard. The third Sunday after the Epiphany was anticipated on Friday as simple rite with the psalmody of the feria and the lessons in the nocturn taken from the homily of the Sunday. The Mass of the Sunday was celebrated without Gloria and Creed.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul were sung. The antiphons, Juravit Dominus etc., were sung, doubled, with the psalms from second Vespers of the Common of Apostles (Pss. 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138). The chapter was Saulus adhuc, the Office hymn was Doctor egregie Paule mores instrue and the antiphon on the Magnificat Sancte Paule Apostoli. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Peter the Apostle, of Septuagesima Sunday and of St. Polycarp. At the conclusion of Vespers to Benedicamus Domino and its response a double Alleluia is added and then the Alleluia is not heard until Holy Saturday. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatorium is Praeoccupemus as on preceding Sundays and the hymn Primo dierum. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Genesis. These are the same as those found in modern editions. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from the Enchiridion of St. Augustine. These are substantially longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions and the sixth lesson is not found in the later books, the fifth lesson effectively having been divided into two. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are from a homily of St. Gregory on the Gospel of the labourers in the vineyard. Again, these are longer than those found in the modern editions. The Te Deum is omitted and in its place a ninth responsory, Ubi est Abel frater tuus, is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to the Sunday, Miserere mei Deus etc, and sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The versicle after the hymn Aeterne rerum conditor, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to Septuagesima Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Polycarp is sung followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Santa Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc.

At the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper to the Sunday. At Prime, Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii), both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear violet dalmatic and tunicle. The Gloria is omitted, the second collect is of St. Polycarp, the third collect is Deus, qui salutis. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual. The Creed and the common preface are sung. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino , sung by the Deacon facing the altar.

After None there is a colour change to white and first Vespers of the feast of St. John Chrysostom are sung. The antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116). After the collect of the feast a commemoration of Septuagesima Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal

January 19th - Second Sunday after the Epiphany

The Second Sunday after the Epiphany is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins to None this year, is green. The Gospel fragment at Mattins and the Gospel at Mass are St. John's account of the Marriage Feast at Cana.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of the Chair of St. Peter at Rome were sung. The antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Quodcumque vinclis. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Paul the Apostle, the Sunday and SS Maris, Martha, Abachum & Audifax. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Domincal preces at Compline.

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 lessons are 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. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from St. Augustine's Expositon on the Epistle to the Galatians. These are the same as those found in later editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. Again, the lessons are the same as those found in later editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read as one, extended, eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is of SS Maris, Martha, Abachum & Audifax. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-49-150 are sung. The Office hymn is Aeterne rerum conditor. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of SS Maris, Martha, Abachum & Audifax 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, 118(i) & 118(ii), Quicumque is sung as are the Dominical preces.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of SS Maris, Martha, Abachum & Audifax, the third collect is of the BVM Deus, qui salutis. The Creed and the common preface are sung.

In the afternoon there is a colour change to red and first Vespers are sung of the double feast of SS Fabian and Sebastian. The antiphons Omnes sancti etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Sanctorum meritis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal

January 12th - Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany

The Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany, and first Sunday after the Epiphany, is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke's Gospel describe the Finding in the Temple with the LORD debating with the learned doctors to the amazement of those who witnessed this manifestation of Him.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc were sung, not doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The chapter, Fratres: Obsecro vos, was proper to the Sunday. The Office hymn was Hostis Herodes impie. After the collect of the Sunday within the Octave a commemoration of the Octave of the Epiphany was sung (the antiphon on the Magnificat being proper to the sixth day within the Octave (11th January), Admoniti Magi. The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui apparuisti hodie etc as are the hymns of the Hours throughout the Octave.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christus apparuit nobis, Venite adoremus. The hymn is Hostis Herodes impie. The antiphons and psalms are as on the second day within the Octave. In the first nocturn the Incipit of St. Paul's Epistle to the Corinthians is read. The lessons are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions: The first lesson includes the modern second lesson Gratias ago Deo meo ... Christi, Domini nostri. The second lesson begins Obsecro autem, the same as the modern third lesson. The third lesson is absent from the modern editions, Gratias ago Deo...prudentiam reprobabo, i.e. vv. 14 - 19. The first responsory is Hodie, the other responsories as on the feast. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon of St. Leo (again these are longer than in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary). In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Augustine, the lessons are the same as in the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons from the feast, Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung, not doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The chapter is proper to the Sunday, as sung at Vespers yesterday, the Office hymn is O Sola magnarum urbium. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Octave, the antiphon on the Benedictus is Hodie caelesti etc.

At the Hours the psalms of Lauds are used in the usual sequence. At Prime, Pss. 53, 118(i), 118(ii), the versicle in the short response is Qui apparuisti hodie (as it is for the entire Octave) and the lectio brevis is Sicut enim in uno corpore etc. The Dominical preces are omitted being within the Octave.

The Mass In excelso throno is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave. Being a Sunday within an Octave there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the communicantes and Hanc igitur are of the Epiphany.

Vespers are first Vespers of the Octave-Day of the Epiphany. The antiphons Ante luciferum genitus etc are sung, now doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Hostis Herodes impie. The collect is proper to the Octave Day. After the collect a commemoration was sung of the Sunday within the Octave. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Domincal preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal