March 19th, 20th & 21st - The Sacred Triduum

My apologies for the brevity of the this post. I am afraid I have run out of time, my own fault, but the Triduum is upon us. I have scheduled posts to appear on The Saint Lawrence Press blog. Most of what is written broadly applies here too.

The most significant differences between the Tridentine Rite and the 'modern' books concern the Office on the days of the Trdiduum.

A significant disruption occurred to the Lauds of Tenebrae in the 1911-13 reform.

On Mandy Thursday in the Tridentine rite the psalms sung were Pss. 50, 89, 62-66, Cantemus Domino & 148-149-150. In the 1911 reform these were replaced by Pss. 50, 89, 35, Cantemus Domino & 146.

On Good Friday in the Tridentine rite the psalms of Lauds were Pss. 50, 142, 62-66, Domine audivi auditionem & 148-149-150. These were replaced in 1911 by Pss. 50, 142, 84, Domine audivi auditionem & 147.

On Holy Saturday the traditional arrangement was Pss. 50, 42, 62-66, Ego dixi & 148-149-150. These were replaced by 50, 91, 63, Ego dixi & 150.

Of course on all the day psalm 50, Miserere me Deus, is said in a low voice at the end of Lauds and all the other Hours.

At Compline the invariable psalms 4, 30: vv 1 - 6, 90 & 133 are chanted. The 1911 reform excises the fragement of Ps. 30.

At Tenebrae all the psalms, whatever tone they are sung in, end with a cadence of a drop of a fourth, presumably an indication for the acolyte to extinguish a candle on the hearse. This vanished from the books published after 1911.

The Passion on Good Friday, and that sung on Palm Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday, was sung to a lovely tone attributed to Palestrina and Guidetti. It is rather beautiful and more pleasing on the ear than the post 1911 tone where the Chronista part is merely the tone used for solemn Mattins lessons.



Again, my profound apologies for not posting more. I may be able to do something after Sunday retrospectively.

A very blessed Triduum and Pascha to all readers.

March 15th - Dominica in Palmis - Palm Sunday

(A 15th century Russian Icon of the Entry of the Lord into Jerusalem from Wikipedia

Palm Sunday is a privileged semi-double Sunday. It is the sixth Sunday in Lent and the beginning of Great or Holy Week.

At Vespers, yesterday morning, the antiphons and psalms of Saturday (Pss.143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were sung. The chapter was proper to the Sunday, the Office hymn Vexilla regis prodeunt. The antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper to the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins, as last week and daily until the Triduum, the invitatory is Hodie, si vocem Domini audieritis, Nolite obdurare corda vestra from Ps. 94 and a special rubric indicates the omission of that verse in the psalm. The hymn is Pange, lingua. The antiphons given in the Psalter for Sundays are used. As usual Mattins has three nocturns and nine lessons. In the first nocturn psalms 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 are sung. The lessons in the first nocturn are from the book of Jeremiah. These are the same, as are their responsories, as those found in 'modern' versions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 and 17 are sung and the lessons are from a sermon on the Passion by St. Leo. The fifth lesson begins with the words Qui ut humanum genus and incorportates what is now the sixth lesson from Fefellit ergo illum.. until famulatae sunt Redemptori. The sixth lesson, Quod ergo...justitiae esse propositum is not found in the 'modern' Breviary. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are a homily of St. Ambrose, their arrangement is slightly different to that found in the modern books. The Te Deum is omitted as on other Lenten Sundays and a ninth responsory, Circumderunt me viri mendaces..., sung in its place.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to Palm Sunday, Dominus Deusetc, and sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The hymn is Lustra sex. The versicle after the hymn Eripe me, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday.

At Prime the order of psalmody is Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque, the 'Athanasian' Creed. The Dominical preces are sung. At all the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper.

The Asperges, Blessing and Procession of Palms and Mass takes place after Terce. The rite is the same as existed until 1956 which may be read about here.

Vespers are of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung. The additional Offices of the Little Office of the BVM, the Office of the Dead, the Gradual Psalms and the Penitential Psalms and Litany are omitted in Great Week.

March 8th - Passion Sunday

Passion Sunday is the fifth and penultimate Sunday in Lent. It is a semi-double Sunday of the first class.

Vespers, yesterday morning, were second Vespers of St. Thomas Aquinas. The antiphons were taken from the Common of Confessor non-Pontiffs, Domine quinque talenta etc., along with the psalms (109, 110, 111, 112 & 116). The chapter was Beatus vir and the hymn Iste Confessor. After the collect of the day a commemoration was sung of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Hodie, si vocem Domini audieritis, Nolite obdurare corda vestra from Ps. 94 and a special rubric indicates the omission of that verse in the psalm. The hymn is Pange, lingua. The same invitatory and hymn are sung until the Sacred Triduum. The antiphons given in the Psalter for Sundays are used. As usual Mattins has three nocturns and nine lessons. In the first nocturn psalms 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14 are sung. The lessons in the first nocturn are the the Incipit of the book of Jeremiah. The first lesson runs from Verba Hieremiae until verse 10, ... et aedifices, et plantes. The second lesson runs from verse 11, Et factum est verbum Domini to verse 16, ...et adoraverunt opus manuum suarum. The third lesson begins with verse 17, Tu ergo accinge lumbos tuos.., and continues until verse 3 of the second chapter, ... mala venient super eos, dicit Dominus. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 and 17 are sung and the lessons are from a sermon by St. Leo. These are longer than the text given in the modern books. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are a homily of St. Gregory, again slightly longer than in the modern books. The Te Deum is omitted as on other Lenten Sundays and a ninth responsory, Quis dabit capiti meo aquam etc, sung in its place.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to Passion Sunday, Vide Domine etc, and sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The hymn is Lustra sex. The versicle after the hymn Eripe me, chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper to the Sunday. The Suffrages of the BVM, the Apostles, the Patron and for Peace are not sung from Vespers of Passion Sunday until after Trinity Sunday.

At Prime the order of psalmody is Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque, the 'Athanasian' Creed. The Dominical preces are sung. At all the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear folded chasubles. In Mass there is no Gloria, the second collect is Ecclesiae for the Church or Deus omnium for the pope. There is no third collect in Passiontide. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Credo is sung and the preface of the Cross is sung. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal.

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms of Sunday are sung. The hymn Vexilla regis prodeunt is sung. After the collect of the day a commemoration is sung of Monday's feast of the Forty Martyrs. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Vespers of the Dead are omitted due to the feast of nine lessons on Monday.

My apologies for the delay in posting this.

Art: Jerome Nadal

March 1st - Fourth Sunday in Lent

The fourth Sunday in Lent is of semi-double rite. No feast my be celebrated if it falls on such a Sunday. The Gospel pericopes from St. John describe the multiplication miracle of the five barley loave and two fishes to feed the Five Thousand.

At Vespers, yesterday morning, the antiphons and psalms (143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were of Saturday, the chapter proper. The Lenten hymn Audi benigne conditor was sung. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages were sung of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc,(if the Officium Parvum had not been celebrated), 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 Non sit vobis and the hymn is Ex more. These are both 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 third chapter of the Book of Exdodus and the story of Moses and the Burning Bush. The second lesson includes part of what is now the third lesson in modern editions: Dixitque Moyses ad Deum...immolabis Deo super montem istum. The third lesson begins Ait Moyses ad Deum and continues with the addition of verses 16 through to 19. In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from St. Basil and are longer than in modern editions. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are a homily of St. Augustine, again slightly longer than in the modern books.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to the Fourth Sunday and sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The 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). 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 the order of psalmody is Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque, the 'Athanasian' Creed. The Dominical preces are sung. At all the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper.

In Mass there is no Gloria, the second collect is A cunctis nos, the third collect is Omnipotens. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Credo is sung and the preface of Lent is sung. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal and the ministers wear violet dalmatic and tunicle rather than folded chasubles.

Vespers are of the Sunday. The antiphons and psalms of Sunday are sung. The hymn Ad preces nostras Deitatis aures is sung. After the collect of the day the Suffrages are sung of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc.

After Vespers of the Sunday Vespers of the Dead are sung. In practice this Vespers is often joined with Mattins and Lauds of the Dead which are also prescribed in Lent after Mattins and Lauds of Monday.

Art: Jerome Nadal

February 22nd - Third Sunday in Lent

The third Sunday in Lent is semi-double. No feast my be celebrated if it falls on such a Sunday, the feast of St. Peter's Chair at Antioch is transferred to tomorrow. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke recount the LORD casting out evil from a demoniac.

At Vespers, yesterday morning, the antiphons and psalms (143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were of Saturday, the chapter proper. The Lenten hymn Audi benigne conditor was sung. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages were sung of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc(if the Officium Parvum had not been celebrated), 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 Non sit vobis and the hymn is Ex more. These are both 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 Book of Genesis and the story of Joseph. The first lesson includes the first sentence of the second lesson in modern editions: Invidebant...considerabat. The second lesson is longer than in modern editions and includes the text from the modern third lesson Audiens autem...et reddere patri suo. The third lesson begins Confestim igitur and continues until the end of verse 34 rather than verse 28.
In the second nocturn psalms 15, 16 & 17 are sung, the lessons are from St. Ambrose on Joseph. In the third nocturn psalms 18, 19 & 20 are sung and the lessons are a homily from the Venerable Bede.

At Lauds the antiphons are proper to the Third Sunday and sung with Pss. 50, 117, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The 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). 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 the order of psalmody is Pss. 53, 92, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque, the 'Athanasian' Creed. The Dominical preces are sung. At all the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper.

In Mass there is no Gloria, the second collect is A cunctis nos, the third collect is Omnipotens. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Credo is sung and the preface of Lent is sung. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal and the ministers wear violet folded chasubles in place of dalmatic and tunicle.

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of St. Peter's Chair at Antioch. The antiphons and psalms are those of a Confessor Bishop. Commemorations are sung of St. Paul and of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted due to the occurring double feast.

Art: Jerome Nadal

February 20th - The Office of a Lenten Ferial Day (3)

This third post on the Lenten ferial Office will outline the Office of the Friday in the Second week of Lent.

Before Mattins and Lauds of the day, as there is no feast of nine lessons, Mattins and Lauds of the Officium Parvum is sung. At the nocturn of Mattins the antiphons and psalms of the second nocturn of the Common of the BVM (Ps. 44, 45 & 86) are sung. The rest of Mattins is as described in the previous posts with the same lessons for the nocturn etc. At Lauds the antiphons are those used on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God with the festal psalms: Ps. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150.

Mattins and Lauds of the Friday in the Second Week of Lent are then sung. In the nocturn psalms 80, 81, 82, 83, 84, 85, 86, 87, 88, 93, 95 & 96 are sung. (Note that Ps. 90 is sung daily at Compline, Ps. 91 in ferial Lauds of Saturday, Ps. 92 at Sunday Lauds - outside of Septuagima & Lent - and Ps.94 sung daily with the invitatory at Mattins.) The lessons are from a homily of St. Ambrose on St. Matthew's Gospel. Ferial Lauds follow with psalms 50, 142, 62-66, the Canticle of Habacuc, 148-149-150. The ferial preces, including the psalm De profundis, are chanted, kneeling. The Suffrage of the BVM is omitted when the Officium Parvum is sung. However the Suffrages of the Cross, SS Peter and Paul, of the Patron and for Peace are sung.

After the Benedicamus Domino at the end of Lauds the Seven Penitential Psalms and Litany are sung. The Choir kneels. The antiphon fragment Ne reminiscaris is intoned. Psalms 6, 31, 37, 50, 101, 129 & 142 are then sung each with the Lesser Doxology after the last verse. After the last Lesser Doxology the antiphon is sung in full: Ne reminiscaris Domine delicta nostra, vel parentum nostrorum: neque vindictam sumas de peccatis nostris. The Litany of the Saints then follows in its long form - not the short form sung on Holy Saturday morning. As the Choir is kneeling the petitions are not duplicated. After the Litany Ps. 69 is sung followed by a series of versicles and responses. Finally, after ten collects sung under one conclusion the service ends with a some final versicles concluding with Et fidelium animae misericordiam Dei requiescant in pace and its response Amen.

Then follows Prime of the day with psalms 53, 21, 118(i) & 118(ii). The Dominical and ferial preces are sung, kneeling. Before the reading of the Martyrology Prime of the BVM is interpolated (Pss. 53, 84 & 116). Then Prime of the day is resumed with Pretiosa etc. Terce from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 119, 120 & 121) follows Terce of the day. Sext from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 122, 123 & 124) follows Sext of the day. Then None from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 125, 126 & 127) follows None of the day. At Terce, Sext and None of the day the ferial preces are sung, kneeling.

After None of the BVM Mass is sung. The ministers wear folded chasubles. There is no Gloria, the second collect is A cunctis nos, the third collect Omnipotens. The preface is of Lent and the dismissal Benedicamus Domino.

Vespers follow Mass. As Saturday is not a feast of nine lessons Vespers of the Officium Parvum are celebrated before Vespers of the day. Vespers of the BVM are from the Common of the BVM and have psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. After the repitition of the antiphon on the Magnificat Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison are sung followed by the collect and the Suffrage 'pro Sanctis' as at Lauds.

Vespers of the day then follow. Psalms 137, 138, 139, 140 & 141 are sung. The ferial preces, including the psalm Miserere, follow the repitition of the antiphon on the Magnificat, sung kneeling. The Suffrage of the BMV is omitted but the Suffrage of the Cross, of SS Peter and Paul, the Patron and for Peace are sung.

At the normal time Compline of the day with its invariable psalms (4, 30, 90, 133) is sung followed by Compline of the Officium Parvum (Pss. 128, 129 130). Then again the cycle continues with Mattins of the Officium Parvum followed by Mattins of the day.

February 18th - The Office of a Lenten Ferial Day (2)

This second post on the Lenten ferial Office will outline the Office of the Wednesday in the Second week of Lent.

Before Mattins and Lauds of the day, as there is no feast of nine lessons, Mattins and Lauds of the Officium Parvum is sung. At the nocturn of Mattins the antiphons and psalms of the third nocturn of the Common of the BVM (Ps. 95, 96 & 97) are sung. The rest of Mattins is as described earlier with the same lessons for the nocturn etc. At Lauds the antiphons are those used on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God with the festal psalms: Ps. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150 as described previously.

On Wednesdays in Lent, not impeded by a feast of nine lessons, the fifteen Gradual Psalms are then sung in Choir. The first psalm, Ps.119 Ad Dominum, cum tribularer, is intoned without antiphon and without the Lesser Doxology at its conclusion. This is followed by Pss. 120, 121, 122 and 123, all without the Lesser Doxology but Requiem aeternum dona eis Domine and Et lux perpetua luceat eis is added after the last verse of Ps. 123. Then the Choir kneels, says the Pater noster sub secreto and then follows a short series of versicles and responses followed by a collect for the Dead, Absolve, quaesumus...

Then the Choir rises and the next series of five psalms are sung, each with the usual Lesser Doxology, Gloria Patri etc, after their last verse. These psalms are Pss. 124, 125, 126, 127 & 128. Then the Choir kneels again and there follows Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison a further Pater noster, again sub secreto, a second short series of versicles and responses followed by the collect Deus, cui proprium...

The Choir rises and then the final set of five psalms is sung, each with the Lesser Doxology, Pss. 129, 130, 131, 132 & 133, each with the Lesser Doxology after their last verse. Then, for the third time, the Choir kneels for Kyrie etc, Pater noster, a third short series of versicles and responses followed by the collect Praetende, Domine, famulis...

Mattins and Lauds of the Wednesday in the Second Week of Lent now follow. In the nocturn psalms 52, 54, 55, 56, 57, 58, 59, 60, 61, 63, 65 & 67 are sung. The lessons are from a homily of St. Ambrose on St. Matthew's Gospel. Ferial Lauds follow with psalms 50, 64, 62-66,the Canticle of Anna, 148-149-150. The ferial preces, including the psalm De profundis, are chanted, kneeling. A commemoration is sung of St. Simeon. The Suffrage of the BVM is omitted when the Officium Parvum is sung. However the Suffrages of the Cross, SS Peter and Paul, of the Patron and for Peace are sung.

Then follows Prime of the day with psalms 53, 25, 118(i) & 118(ii). The Dominical and ferial preces are sung, kneeling. Before the reading of the Martyrology Prime of the BVM is interpolated (Pss. 53, 84 & 116). Then Prime of the day is resumed with Pretiosa etc. Terce from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 119, 120 & 121) follows Terce of the day. Sext from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 122, 123 & 124) follows Sext of the day. Then None from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 125, 126 & 127) follows None of the day. (Note the sequence of psalms at the Hours of the Officium Parvum and compare with the Gradual Psalms and also the psalms sung at the Hours in the Monastic Breviary from Tuesday to Saturday inclusive.) At Terce, Sext and None of the day the ferial preces are sung, kneeling.

After None of the BVM Mass is sung. The ministers wear folded chasubles. There is no Gloria, the second collect is a commemoration of St. Simeon, the third collect is A cunctis nos. The preface is of Lent and the dismissal Benedicamus Domino.

Vespers follow Mass. As tomorrow is not a feast of nine lessons Vespers of the Officium Parvum are celebrated before Vespers of the day. Vespers of the BVM are from the Common of the BVM and have psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. After the repitition of the antiphon on the Magnificat Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison are sung followed by the collect and the Suffrage 'pro Sanctis' as at Lauds.

Vespers of the day then follow. Psalms 126, 127, 128, 129 & 130 are sung. The ferial preces, including the psalm Miserere, follow the repitition of the antiphon on the Magnificat, sung kneeling. The Suffrage of the BMV is omitted but the Suffrage of the Cross, of SS Peter and Paul, the Patron and for Peace are sung.

During Vespers one of the 'bennies' is sent by the Canons to check the basting of another goose caught from the fish pond.

At the normal time Compline of the day with its invariable psalms (4, 30, 90, 133) is sung followed by Compline of the Officium Parvum (Pss. 128, 129 130). Then again the cycle continues with Mattins of the Officium Parvum followed by Mattins of the day.

On Fridays in Lent the Litany and Penitential Psalms make their appearance in the Choral Office.

February 16th - The Office of a Lenten Ferial Day

The ferial Office in Lent could never be described as prolix. The Office of Monday in the Second Week of Lent will be outlined below.

Before Mattins and Lauds of the day Mattins and Lauds of the Little Office of the BVM, the Officium Parvum is sung. Mattins of the Little Office follows a similar structure to the Office of the day. The invitatory, Ave Maria gratia plena Dominus tecum, is sung with Ps. 94. The hymn is Quem terra. Then follows one nocturn consisting of the antiphons and psalms of the first nocturn of the Common of the BVM, Ps. 8, 18 & 23. A versicle and response, Diffusa est gratia and Propterea benedixit, are followed by a Pater noster, absolution and the reader asking a blessing. Three, fixed, readings and responsories follow. Mattins is followed by Lauds. The antiphons are those used on the feast of the Dormition of the Mother of God with the festal psalms: Ps. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite, 148-149-150. The chapter, Viderunt, is followed by the hymn, versicle & response and antiphon on the Benedictus. After the repitition of the antiphon after the canticle Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison is sung before the collect. A Suffrage 'for the Saints' follows with an antiphon, versicle & response and, interestingly, two collects under one conclusion.

Mattins and Lauds of the Monday of the Second Week of Lent now follow. In the nocturn psalms 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 & 37. The lessons are from a homily of St. Augustine on St. John's Gospel. Ferial Lauds follow with psalms 50, 5, 62-66,the Canticle of Isaiah, 148-149-150. The ferial preces, including the psalm De profundis, are chanted, kneeling. The Suffrage of the BVM is omitted when the Officium Parvum is sung. However the Suffrages of the Cross, SS Peter and Paul, of the Patron and for Peace are sung.

After Mattins and Lauds of the day, on Mondays of Lent not impeded by feast of nine lessons, Mattins and Lauds of the Dead then follow. Unlike the Officium Parvum and Office of the day, Mattins of the Dead does not have an invitatory on such days and consists of one nocturn of three psalms (5, 6 & 7) followed by three lessons and responsories. After the third responsory Lauds follow. Psalms 50, 64, 62-66, the Canticle of Ezechias, 148-149-150. Instead of Gloria Patri at the end of the psalms and canticles Requiem aeternam & Et lux perpetua is sung. After the Benedictus a Pater noster is said, kneeling, followed by the psalm De profundis, a short series of preces and then three collects under one conclusion.

Then follows Prime of the day with psalms 53, 23, 118(i) & 118(ii). The Dominical and ferial preces are sung, kneeling. Before the reading of the Martyrology Prime of the BVM is interpolated (Pss. 53, 84 & 116). Prime of the Officium Parvum follows a very simple structure on the model of Terce, Sext and None in the major Office. Then Prime of the day is resumed with Pretiosa etc. Terce from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 119, 120 & 121) follows Terce of the day. Sext from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 122, 123 & 124) follows Sext of the day. Then None from the Officium Parvum (Pss. 125, 126 & 127) follows None of the day. (Note the sequence of psalms at the Hours of the Officium Parvum which we will return to in a later post.) At Terce, Sext and None of the day the ferial preces are sung, kneeling.

After None of the BVM. Mass is sung. The ministers wear folded chasubles. There is no Gloria, the second collect is A cunctis nos, the third Omnipotens. The preface is of Lent and the dismissal Benedicamus Domino.

Vespers follow Mass. As tomorrow is not a feast of nine lessons Vespers of the Officium Parvum are celebrated before Vespers of the day. Vespers of the BVM are from the Common of the BVM and have psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. After the repitition of the antiphon on the Magnificat Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison, Kyrie eleison are sung followed by the collect and the Suffrage 'pro Sanctis' as at Lauds. Vespers of the day then follow. Psalms 114, 115, 116, 119 & 120 are sung. The ferial preces, including the psalm Miserere, follow the repitition of the antiphon on the Magnificat, sung kneeling. The Suffrage of the BMV is omitted but the Suffrage of the Cross, of SS Peter and Paul, the Patron and for Peace are sung.

After Vespers a good lunch of Barnacle Goose or other fish the afternoon is free for other pursuits. At the normal time Compline of the day with its invariable psalms (4, 30, 90, 133) is followed by Compline of the Officium Parvum (Pss. 128, 129 & 130) followed by Mattins of the Officium Parvum and Mattins of the day. Only on Mondays is the Office of the Dead sung. So Tuesday only has the Officium Parvum and Office of the Day. Wednesday, as will be seen, will have in addition the Gradual Psalms.