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. The seventh Sunday after Pentecost 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 Pss 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, doubled, with Pss. 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, doubled, with Pss. 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, doubled, with Pss. 74, 96 & 98. The homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. Again these are the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed from the three lessons given for the homily of the seventh Sunday after Pentecost. These are from St. Hiliary on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are the same as in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 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, Pss. 53, 188(i) & 118(ii), 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, doubled, 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, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

June 29th - SS Peter & Paul Apostles

The feast of the Apostles SS Peter and Paul is a double feast with an Octave. The liturgical colour of the feast, and Octave, is red. The sixth Sunday after Pentecost is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Petrus et Joannes etc were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn was Aurea luce. 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 Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christe munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 18, 33 and 44. The lessons are taken from the Acts of the Apostles. These are identical to those found in the post-Clementine editions. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 46, 60 & 63 and the lessons are from a sermon of St. Leo. These lessons are considerably longer than those found in the later editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung, again doubled, with Pss. 74, 96 & 98. The homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. Again the text of these lessons is considerably longer than that found in the later books and the text of the ninth lesson is entirely absent from them. Today the eighth and ninth lessons of the feast are read together to form the eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the third nocturn of the Sunday. The lessons for the Sunday are 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. 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 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 Petrus et Joannes etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jam bone pastor Petre. 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), and the Hours the antiphons of the feast are sung in the usual order. At Prime the lectio brevis is proper to the feast, Et Petrus 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 Pss. 109, 112, 115, 125 and 138. The Office hymn is Aurea luce. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

June 22nd - V Sunday after Pentecost

The fifth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday, Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147, were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St Paulinus 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 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) the lessons are the Incipit of the Second Book of the Kings. These are identical to the lessons found in the post-Clementine editions. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are taken from St. Gregory's Book on Morals. The fifth lesson is slightly longer and the sixth lesson considerably longer than those found in the later editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is 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. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read as to to form the eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed of the two lessons given in the Sanctorale for St. Paulinus. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Dominical psalms, Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150, are sung. The Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Paulinus 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 Prime, Pss. 53, 117, 118(i) & 118(ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloriais sung, the second collect is of St. Paulinus, the third collect is A cunctis nos. The Creed and the common preface are sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, and the Office hymn is Lucis creator optime. 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

June 15th - IV Sunday after Pentecost

The fourth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins onwards this year, is green.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of St. Basil were sung. The antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus 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 Sunday and of SS Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia. The Suffrages were omitted due to the occurring double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) are sung and the lessons continue to be taken from the First Book of the Kings. The first lesson is the same as found in modern recensions, the second lesson continues David autem...grandaevus inter viros (from the modern third lesson) and the third lesson begins Abierunt autem ... quadraginta diebus. However, it then continues Dixit autem... sicut Isai - from v. 17 through to half of v. 20. The responsories are Praeparate corda vestra etc. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are taken from a Sermon of St. Augustine. These are the same as found in the post Clementine editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel, but the lessons are longer than in modern editions. Today 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 two lessons given in the Sanctorale for the feast of SS Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds, Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150, the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of SS Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Santa Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, and of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc .

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of SS Vitus, Modestus and Cresentia, the third collect is A cunctis. The Creed and the common preface are sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday, Pss.109, 110, 111, 113 & 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

June 8th - III Sunday after Pentecost

The third Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday, Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147, were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. 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 preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) the lessons are taken from the First Book of the Kings. These are the same as in modern recensions, the responsories are Praeparate corda vestra etc. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are taken from the Exposition on the book of Kings of St. Gregory. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily (found near the end of the Breviary) is from St. Augustine but the lessons are longer than in the post-Clementine books. The seventh lesson is 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 Dominical psalms, Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150, are sung. The Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. 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, Pss. 53, 117, 118(i) & 118(ii), both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are sung.

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 Creed and the commopn preface are 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 of the following feast of SS Primus and Felician is sung followed by the Suffrages of the BVM, SS Peter and Paul, the Patron and for peace. At Compline the Domincal preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

June 1st - Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi

Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi, the second Sunday after Pentecost, is of semi-double rite. As with all Sundays within Octaves the liturgical colour is of the Octave which, in this case, is white.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Sacerdos in aeternum etc were sung, not doubled, with Pss.109, 110, 115, 127 & 147 as on the feast of Corpus Christi. The chapter was of the Sunday, the Office hymn Pange lingua and versicle and response as on the feast. The antiphon on the Magnificat was proper to the Sunday along with the collect. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the Octvave was sung. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxlogy Gloria tibi Domine etc.

At Mattins the invitatory is Christum Regem adoremus dominantem Gentibus: Qui se manducantibus dat spiritus pinguedinem, as on the feast. The Office hymn is Sacris solemnis. The antiphons and psalms are as on the feast of Corpus Christi. In the first nocturn the antiphons Fructum salutiferum etc are sung with Pss. 1, 4 & 15. The lessons in the first nocturn they are taken from the First Book of Kings. The first lesson continues with the beginning of the second lesson found in modern editions Misit ergo populus...Ophni et Phinees. The responsories are as on the feast. The second lesson begins Cumque venisset arca...and includes what is now the third lesson, ending ...Ophni et Phinees. The third lesson, not present in the modern editions, begins at verse 12 of the fourth chapter Currens autem vir... and continues until the middle of the eighteenth verse ...cirvicibus mortuus est. In the second nocturn the antiphons Memor sit Dominus etc with Pss. 19, 22 & 41. The lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Chrysostom to the people of Antioch. The fourth lesson is longer than in modern editions beginning, at the same point, with Quoniam Verbum dicit... but continuing until ...proponitur indigne sumentibus (appoximately half-way through the fifth lesson in modern edtions). The fifth lesson begins Considera quantum adverus (Considera being replaced by Cogita in modern editions) and continues until ..sumus unum Christi corpus, et una caro. The sixth lesson begins Quis loquetur potentias (halfway through L6 in the modern books) and continues for several more sentences of the sermon ending with ..qui vero sanctificat ea et immutat, ipse est. In the third nocturn the homily in is from St. Gregory on St. Luke's Gospel. Again the lessons are longer than in the modern editions so that the ninth lesson Sed superna...quod praesto est, perat is not found in the later books. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons of the feast Sapientia etc are sung, not doubled, with Pss.92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The chapter is of the Sunday, the hymn as on the feast, Verbum supernum. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are of the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the Octave is sung.

At the Little Hours the hymns are sung to the same tone as on the feast of the Nativity of the LORD with the with the Doxology Gloria tibi Dominieetc. At Prime, Pss. 53, 118(i) & 118(ii), the versicle in the short responsory is Qui natus es for the feast and Octave, the short lesson is Filioli mei, of the Sunday. Quicumque is not sung as the Office is festal.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave. There is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is that of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons Sacerdos in aeternum etc are sung, not doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 115, 127 & 147. The Office hymn is Pange lingua. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave and of SS Peter & Marcellinus.

Image: Missale Romanum, 1572,  Antwerp

May 25th - The Most Holy Trinity

The Feast of the Most Holy Trinity is a double feast and its liturgical colour is white. Today is also the first Sunday after Pentecost.

At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Gloria tibi Trinitas etc were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The chapter, O altitudo, and hymn, O lux beata Trinitas, will be used at Vespers on Saturdays for all the Sundays after Pentecost when the following Office if of the Sunday. The antiphon on the Magnificat, Gratias tibi, Deus etc, and the collect, Omnipotens, were proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the first Sunday after Pentecost. After Vespers the antiphon Salve Regina was sung for the first time this year.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper, Deum verum, unum in Trinitate, et Trinitatm in Unitate, Venite adoremus. The Office hymn is Summae Deus clementiae. In the first nocturn the antiphons Adesto unus Deus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 8, 18 & 23. The lessons are taken from the sixth chapter of the Prophet Isaiah. These are identical to those found in the 'modern' books. In the second nocturn the antiphons Te invocamus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 46, 47 & 51. The lessons are taken from the Book of Bishop Fulgentius on faith. The fourth lesson continues with Si enim, sicut et Patris...veraciter Trinitas diceretur. The fifth lesson begins Rursus quidem Trinitas...and continues Per hanc unitatem...totus quoque Spiritus Sanctus in Patre et Filio. The sixth lesson begins Nullus horum and continues past the ending found in the 'modern' editions with three more sentences Sicut ergo...est trium personarum divinitas. In the third nocturn the antiphons Caritas Pater est etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 95, 96 & 97. The lessons are from a homily of St. Gregory Nazianzen. These are again slightly longer than those found in the 'modern' editions. The seventh lesson continues Nec extensionem...atque potentiae credimus. The eighth lesson begins Et ideo unum... and continues Sic est Apostolus...per quem omnia et nos per ipsum. The ninth lesson is of the first Sunday after Pentecost, it ends slightly before the version in 'modern' editions with Ego sum panis vivus, qui de caelo descendi? The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Gloria tibi Trinitas are sung with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Tu, Trinitatis Unitas. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the first Sunday after Pentecost and of St. Urban.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. Before Mass at the sprinkling of lustral water the antiphon Asperges me returns. The Mass is proper, Benedicta sit. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect is of St. Urban. The Creed and the common preface are sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At second Vespers the antiphons Gloria tibi Trinitas etc are sung with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The chapter is O altitudo and the Office hymn O lux beata Trinitas. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the first Sunday after Pentecost and of St. Eleutherius. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.