December 16th -Third Sunday of Advent

The third Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is violet. Today at Mass the ministers wear dalmatic and tunicle rather than planetis plicatis and the organ may be played.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were sung. The chapter, Fratres: Gaudete in Domino semper was of the Sunday. The Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. The Suffrages were omitted being in Advent. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Prope est jam Dominus and the hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. The lessons in the first nocturn are taken from the prophet Isaiah. The first lesson is longer than that found in modern editions and continues until the penultimate sentence of the modern second lesson: justitiam discent habitatores orbis. The second lesson begins Misereamur impio... and continues all through the text of the modern third lesson and beyond: Indulsisti genti Dominie ... murmuris doctrina tua eis. The third lesson is absent from the modern editions and begins Sicut quae concepit... and continues until ... non operiet ultra interfectos suos. (vv. 17 -21). In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung with Pss. 15, 16 and 17. The lessons are taken from a sermon of St. Leo. These are substantially longer than in the modern editions of the Breviary. The sixth lesson text is completely absent from the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung with Pss. 18, 19 and 20. The homily is from St. Gregory's writing on St. John's Gospel. These are the same as those found in the modern editions. A ninth responsory, Docebit nos Dominus, is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

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

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

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

Vespers are of the Sunday. The antiphons Ecce veniet etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages are omitted being Advent. After Benedicamus Domino and its response, Vespers of the Dead are sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal

December 9th - Second Sunday of Advent

The second Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins, is violet.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the feast of the Conception of the Blessed Virgin. The antiphons Conceptio gloriosae Virginis Mariae were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn was Ave maris stella. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the second Sunday of Advent. The Suffrages are omitted during Advent. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem venturum and the hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. The lessons in the first nocturn are taken from the prophet Isaiah. The first lesson, about the wondrous Jesse Tree, is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions and continues with the first lines of the modern second lesson: Et percutiet... until ...cinctorium renum ejus. The second lesson begins Habitabit lupus... and continues until two-thirds through the modern third lesson, ...sicut aquae maris operientes. The third lesson begins In die illa radix Jesse... and continues until ... et hostes Juda peribunt, i.e. the addition of vv. 11 -13 from the eleventh chapter. In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung with Pss. 15, 16 and 17. The lessons are taken from the Exposition on Isaiah by St. Jerome. These are substantially longer than in the modern editions of the Breviary. The fourth lesson comprises the entirety of the modern fourth and fifth lessons. The fifth lesson contains text absent from the modern sixth and the sixth lesson text is completely absent from the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung with Pss. 18, 19 and 20. The homily is from St. Gregory's writing on St. Matthew's Gospel. Again, these are significantly longer than those in the modern editions with the sevent lesson comprising of all of the modern seventh and eighth lessons. The eighth lesson contains all of the modern ninth and an equal amount of text from the St. Gregory's homily that is absent from the modern editions and the ninth lesson is completely absent from the modern Breviary. A ninth responsory, Ecce Dominus veniet, is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

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

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

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

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

Art: Jerome Nadal

December 2nd - First Sunday of Advent

The first Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is violet. During Advent bishops exchange their violet choir cassocks for black with a black mozzeta or mattelletum lined with violet. Cardinals of the Court of Rome wear their 'winter' violet merino apparel (in contrast to their summer mourning dress of violet watered-silk) in place of their scarlet watered-silk dress.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung (note the contrast to the post 1911-13 books where the antiphons from Sunday Lauds are sung at Vespers on Saturday). The chapter was Fratres, hora est jam nos etc and the Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Bibiana was sung. The usual Suffrages were omitted and are omitted in the entire Office of Advent. From this Vespers the Marian Antiphon is Alma Redemptoris Mater. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem venturum and this is sung in both the Dominical and ferial Offices of Advent until the third Sunday. The Office hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14. The lessons in the first nocturn are the Incipit of the prophet Isaiah. The first lesson is longer than that found in modern editions and continues with the first lines of the modern second lesson: Vae genti peccatrici... until ..abalienati sunt retrorsum. The second lesson begins Super quo percutiam... and continues until the end of the modern third lesson, ...Gomorrha similes essemus. The third lesson is absent from the modern books. It begins Audite verbum Domini... and continues until sanguine plenae sunt, i.e. vv. 10 - 15. In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung with Pss. 15, 16 and 17. The lessons are taken from the writing sof St. Leo on the fast of the tenth month. These are substantially longer than in the modern editions of the Breviary. The fourth lesson comprises the entirety of the modern fourth and fifth lessons. The fifth lesson contains text absent from the modern sixth and the sixth lesson text is completely absent from the modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung with Pss. 18, 19 and 20. The homily is from St. Gregory's writing on St. Luke's Gospel. Again, these are significantly longer than those in the modern editions with the seventh lesson comprising of all of the modern seventh and eighth lessons. The eighth lesson contains all of the modern ninth and an equal amount of text from the St. Gregory's homily that is absent from the modern editions and the ninth lesson is completely absent from the modern Breviary. A ninth responsory, Ecce dies veniunt, is sung as the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

At Lauds the antiphons In illa die etc, proper to Advent Sunday, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Vox clara ecce intonat. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Bibiana. As noted above the Suffrages are omitted in Advent.

At Prime the first antiphon from Lauds, In illa die, is sung with the usual Dominical psalms 53, 117, 118(i), 118(ii) and Quicumque. In the short responsory the versicle Qui venturus es in mundum replaces Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris for all of Advent except when an occurring feast has a proper versicle. The Dominical preces are sung. At the other Hours the other antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order.

Mass is sung after Terce. During Advent the deacon and sub-deacon do not wear the dalmatic and tunicle - except on the third Sunday - but violet folded chasubles, an ancient feature of the Roman liturgy. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is of St. Bibiana, the third collect of the Blessed Virgin in Advent, Deus, qui de beate. The Creed is sung, the preface is the Common Preface. As the Gloria was not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino sung by the deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers the antiphons In illa die etc are sung with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Conditor alme siderum. After Benedicamus Domino and its response Vespers of the Dead are sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung. After Mattins and Lauds of tomorrow, an Advent ferial day, Mattins and Lauds of the Dead are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

November 25th - St. Catharine of Alexandria

The feast of St. Catharine of Alexandria is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. The twenty-fifth and last Sunday after Pentecost, and this year the fifth Sunday of November, is commemorated in the Office and at Mass. According to tradition St. Catharine was the daughter of the Roman governor of Alexandria. She became a Christian and professed her faith under the Emperor Maxentius and as a consequence suffered scourging and imprisonment. Whilst imprisoned she was responsible for bringing many other souls to Christ. She was to be executed by being tied to a wheel which splintered as she touched it. She was beheaded and her body reposes at the monastery that bears her name at Mount Sinai. Her emblem of martyrdom is the Catharine Wheel.

An interesting and unusual depiction of a Catharine Wheel on a radiator - Church of St. Catharine, Chipping Campden, Gloucestershire (Author's collection)

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Haec est Virgo etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn was Jesu, corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Super muros tuos etc for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of November). The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Virginum Dominum * Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Virgines Proles. In the first nocturn the antiphons O quam pulchra etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 8,18, & 23. The lessons are those appointed for the first nocturn of the Sunday, the Incipit of Micheas the Prophet. The first lesson is longer than that found in the modern editions of the Breviary. After ... et super excelsa terra the lesson continues Et consumenter montes, from the second lesson in the modern Breviary, until ... in peccatis domus Israel. The second lesson begins Quod scelus Jacob?... and continues until usque ad Hierusalem, i.e the end of the modern third lesson. The third lesson begins In Geth nolite annciare and continues until ...in deceptionem regibus Israel (vv. 10 - 14). These verses are absent from the later editions. In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung with Pss. 44, 45 & 47. The lessons are proper to the feast and are almost identical to those found in the post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Nigra sum etc are sung with Pss. 95, 96 & 97. The homily for the feast is from St. Gregory the Great on St. Matthew’s Gospel. The lessons are considerably longer than those found in the later books, roughly double the length. Today the eighth and ninth lessons for the feast are joined together to make an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the last Sunday after Pentecost. These are from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The seventh lesson (of the Sunday) continues with the first sentence of the modern eighth lesson Potest autem... in praesentem diem stetit. The eighth lesson (of the Sunday) begins Abominatio quoque secundum... and continues until Apostoli habere prohibentur, the end of the modern ninth lesson. The text of the ninth lesson, absent from the modern books, begins Vae autem praegnantibus... and continues until ne temporum mora fides concutiatur credentium. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Haec est Virgo etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jesu corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime and the Hours the hymns the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii) are sung. The Dominical preces are omitted.

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

At Vespers the antiphons Haec est Virgo etc are again sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Jesu, corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the following feast of St. Peter of Alexandria. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Icon: Wikipedia from St. Catharine's Monastery showing the Saint's martyrdom.

November 18th - Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul

The feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The feast takes precedence over the twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost (this year the IV Sunday of November and with some texts taken from the sixth Sunday after Epiphany). November 18th is shared by these two patriarchal basilicas as their Dedication feasts. Sadly, in both cases, the structures that were extant when the Tridentine Missal and Breviary were published are more. St. Paul Outside the Walls suffered a disastrous fire in the nineteenth century and Old St. Peter's was destroyed by the whims of vulgar fashion.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Domum tuam Dominus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 and 147. The Office hymn was Urbs beata Jerusalem. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday (the antiphon being Qui caelorum etc for Saturday before the fourth Sunday of November and the collect of the sixth Sunday after Epiphany). The Suffrages were omitted, as were the Dominical preces at Compline because of the double feast.

At Mattins the invitatory is Domum Dei decet sanctitudo etc and the Office hymn is again Urbs beata Jerusalem. In the first nocturn the antiphons Tollite portas etc are sung with psalms 23, 45 & 57. The lessons are from the Apocalypse of St. John with the responsories taken from the Common of Dedications. The lessons are the same as those found in the modern editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn the antiphons Non est hic aliud etc are sung with psalms 83, 86 & 87. The lessons are proper to the feast. The fourth lesson is the same as those in the later editions, the fifth lesson is shorter terminating at ne deinceps altaria nisi ex lapide fierent. The sixth lesson is entirely different, Basilicam item Pauli ... ac diaconus quinque. In the third nocturn the antiphons Qui habitat etc are sung with psalms 90, 95 & 98. The lessons in the third nocturn are from a homily of St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel (taken the Common). These are the same as those found in the later editions. The eighth and ninth lessons of the feast are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson consists of the three lessons of the Sunday homily from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. These are the same as in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Domum tuam, Domine etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Angularis fundamentum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime the antiphon Domum tuam, Domine is sung with psalms 53, 118i & 118ii. Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted on this double feast. The lectio brevis is is Et absterget Deus etc. At the other Hours the antiphons from Lauds are used in the normal manner.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung as is the Common preface. The last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers all the antiphons, psalms, chapter and hymn are as were sung at first Vespers. The V&R and antiphon on the Magnificat are proper to second Vespers of the Common. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Pontianus. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Image: Wikipedia

November 11th - St. Martin of Tours

The feast of St. Martin of Tours is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost, and this year the third Sunday of November (the second Sunday and its week are omitted this year) is commemorated in the Office and at Mass. St. Martin was born in Hungary and later served in the Roman army eventually resigning from it as it conflicted with his faith. He is famous for cutting his cloak in two and giving half of it to a beggar. Renown for his works of charity he died, as Bishop of Tours, in 397.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the, proper, antiphons Dixerunt discipuli ad beatum Martinum etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Iste confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Muro tuo for the Saturday before the third Sunday of November and of St. Menna. The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper Laudate Deum nostrum, * In confessione beati Martini and the Office hymn is Iste confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphon Martinus etc, doubled, are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are taken from the Common. The first lesson is from the First Letter of St. Paul to Timothy. This is the same as in the later editions. The second and third lessons are from the Epistle to Titus. These, again, are the same as those found in the modern editions. The responsories are proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Confido in Domino etc are sung with psalms 4, 5 and 8. The historical lessons of the second nocturn are almost the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions except that the sixth lesson is a sentence or so longer. In the third nocturn the antiphons Dominus Jesus Christus etc are sung with psalms 10, 14 and 20. The homily on St. Luke's Gospel is from St. Ambrose. The lessons are slightly longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form the eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons of the homily for the twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost. These are taken from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The seventh lesson (of the Sunday) contains the text of both the modern seventh and eighth lessons. The eighth lesson consists of all of the text found in the modern ninth lesson and additional text absent from the modern books. The text of the ninth lesson is entirely absent from the later editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Dixerunt discipuli ad beatum Martinum etc are sung, doubled, with the Dominical psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150. The Office hymn is Jesu Redemptor omnium. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Menna. The Suffrages are omitted due to the double feast.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted due to the double feast. The lectio brevis is Fungi sacerdotio.

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

At Vespers the antiphons Dixerunt discipuli ad beatum Martinum are again sung, doubled, now with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 131. The Office hymn is Iste confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Martin Pope and Martyr. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Icon: (& interesting biography) Wikipedia.

November 4th - XXII Sunday after Pentecost - Sunday within the Octave of All Saints

The twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white. This year it is the first Sunday of November and the Sunday within the Octave of All Saints. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew contain the account of the Pharisees trying to trap the LORD over tribute to Caesar and the LORD's rebuttal of "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's."

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Vidi turba magnum etc were sung, not doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. From the chapter, O Altitudo, the Office was of the Sunday and the hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Vidi, Dominum for the Saturday before the first Sunday of November. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the Octave of All Saints and of SS Vitalis and Agricola. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline due to the Octave.

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 Book of Ezechiel. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. The first lesson continues with half of the text of the modern second lesson Et in medio ejus... until ..quasi aspectus aeris candentis. The second lesson begins Et manus hominis.. and continues until ..nec revertebantur cum ambularent - the end of the modern third lesson. The third lesson begins Et similitudo animalium... until ..spiritus enim vitae erat in rotis, vv. 13-19. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Exposition of St. Gregory on Ezechiel the Prophet. These are the same as those found in the modern editions except the sixth lesson is a sentence longer. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Hiliary on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are the same as in the modern editions of the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of All Saints and of SS Vitalis & Agricola. The Suffrages are omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of All Saints, the third collect is of SS Vitalis & Agricola. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Octave of All Saints. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal

October 28th - SS Simon & Jude Apostles

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

October 21st - XX Sunday after Pentecost

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

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. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Exaudiat Dominus for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of October. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of St. Hilarion and of SS Ursula & Companions followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn Primo dierum omnium. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) are sung. The lessons are the Incipit of the Second book of Machabees. The first lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. After ...sumus orantes pro vobis the lesson continues Regnante Demetrio anno ... until ... mensis Casleu (vv. 7 - 9). The second lesson is absent from the modern editions. It begins Anno centesimo octogesimo ... and continues until Per omnia benedictus Deus, qui tradidit impios (1:vv. 10 - 17). The third lesson contains the text of both the modern second and third lessons. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the writing of St. Chrysostom on the Psalms. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Gregory on St. John's Gospel. These lessons are significantly longer than in the modern editions. By the eighth lesson all three modern lessons have been read and there is additional material from the homily to complete the Tridentine eighth lesson. The ninth lesson (of the Sunday), is entirely absent from the modern editions. However today the eighth and ninth lessons of the Sunday are read together and the ninth lesson is of St. Hilarion formed of the two lessons given for him in the Breviary. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. The Office hymn is Aeterne. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of St. Hilarion and of SS Ursula & Companions 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.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Hilarion, the third collect is of SS Ursula & Companions. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

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

Art: Jerome Nadal

October 14th - XIX Sunday after Pentecost

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

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Vespers for Saturday (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Lugebat autem Judam for the Saturday before the third Sunday of October. 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.

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 continue to be read from the First Book of the Machabees and are taken from its ninth chapter. These are identical to those found in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Book of Offices of St. Ambrose. These are, again, the same as those found in the later editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Gregory on St. Matthews's Gospel. The seventh lesson does not appear in the modern editions. The eighth lesson consists of the modern seventh and half of the modern eighth lessons. The text of the ninth lesson consists of the rest of the modern eighth and ninth lessons and the inclusion of further texts from St. Gregory. The Te Deum is sung.

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

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) 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 Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

At Vespers (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113) the Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the following, transferred, feast of St. Callistus 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.

Art: Jerome Nadal

October 7th - XVIII Sunday after Pentecost

The eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the second Sunday of October. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew relate the healing of a paralytic, both by being forgiven his sins and in being physically healed by the LORD.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Vespers for Saturday (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Refulsit sol for the Saturday before the second Sunday of October. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of St Mark and of SS Sergius and Companions followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine . At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is Primo dierum omnium. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) are sung. The lessons continue from the First Book of the Machabees. The first lesson includes part of the text from what is the second lesson in the modern books, Tunc ordinavit... until ...in locum immundum. The second lesson begins Et cogitavit... (from the middle of the modern second lesson) and continues with what is now part of the modern third lesson with Et acceperunt... until ...et mensam in templum. The third lesson begins Et incensum posuerunt... until ...qui prosperavit eis, i.e. continuing with vv. 52-55. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Book on the City of God of St. Augustine. The fourth and fifth lessons are slightly longer than those in the modern books. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Peter Chrysologus on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are longer than those found in modern editions with the seventh lesson consisting of both the modern seventh and eighth lessons. The eighth lesson consists of all of the modern ninth lesson and additional texts. The text of the ninth lesson is not found in the modern books. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is of St. Mark etc. The Te Deum is sung.

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

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of is of St. Mark, the third collect is of SS Sergius and Companions. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

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

Art: Jerome Nadal

September 30th - St. Jerome

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

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of the Dedication of St. Michael the Archangel were sung. The antiphons Stetit angelus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 137. The Office hymn was Tibi Christe splendor Patris. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Jerome and of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Adaperiat Dominus etc for the Saturday before the first Sunday of October). The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum Dominum * Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Iste confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphons Beatus vir etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons are from 39th chapter of Ecclesiasticus, Sapientiam etc. The lessons are longer than those found in the later editions. The first lesson includes v.6 Cor suum... that begins the second lesson in the later books. The second lesson begins at v.7 Aperiet os suum... and continues with most of the text of the modern third lesson ending with v.13. The third lesson begins with v.14 Sapientiam ejus... and continues to v.19. The responsories are from the common. In the second nocturn the antiphons Invocantem exaudivit etc are sung with Pss. 4, 5 & 8. The lessons are proper to the feast and are the same as in the post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Domine etc are sung with Pss. 14, 20 & 23. The lessons are a homily of St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. These are longer than those found in the post-Clementine books. Today the eighth and ninth lessons of the feast are read as one to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons appointed for the Sunday. These are from a homily of St. Chrysostom on St. Matthews's Gospel and are longer than those found in the later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Domine, quinque talenta etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Jesu corona celsior. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime and the Hours the hymns the antiphons from Lauds are sung at the Hours in the usual order. At Prime the festal psalms are sung (53, 118i & 118ii). The Dominical preces are omitted.

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

At Vespers the antiphons Domine quinque talenta etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the following feast of St. Remegius. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Image: St. Jerome removing a thorn from a lion's paw, Niccolo Antonio Colantonio, Wikipedia.

September 23rd - XVI Sunday after Pentecost

The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the fourth Sunday of September. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke are of the LORD healing the man with dropsy on the Sabbath. The semi-double feast of St. Linus is transferred to Monday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Vespers for Saturday (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Adonai, Domine for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Thecla followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine . At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn 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 Judith. These lessons are the same as in the modern editions. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from St. Ambrose on Elias and fasting. These are significantly longer than those in the modern books. The text of the fifth and sixth lessons is not found in the modern books. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Ambrose on St. Luke's Gospel. The eighth and nine lessons are slightly longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. Today these are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is of St. Thecla. The Te Deum is sung.

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

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

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

Vespers are of the Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the following, transferred Office of St. Linus followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal.

September 16th - XV Sunday after Pentecost

The fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins, is green. This year it is the third Sunday of September. The semi-double feast of SS Cornelius & Cyprian is transferred to Monday. The week ahead will see the celebration of the September Ember Days.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the Octave Day of the Nativity of the BVM were sung. The antiphons Nativitas gloriosae etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms from the Common of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Ave, maris stella. After the collect of the feast commemorations of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Ne reminiscarisfor the Saturday before the third Sunday of September) and of SS Euphemia, Lucy & Geminianus. The Suffrages were omitted 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. The lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Tobias. The first lesson continues with what is now the beginning of the second lesson Deinique, cum irent... to ...ministraret omnem decimationem. The second lesson begins Haec et his similia.. to ... salutis dabat eis, what is the end of the third lesson in the modern editions. The third lesson, absent from modern editions, begins Cum autem venisset... and continues until ...solicitus exhibebat. (vv. 16 - 20). In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from a sermon of St. Leo. The sixth lesson is slightly longer than that found in the modern editions, the seventh and eighth lessons are the same. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Augustine on St. Luke's Gospel. The entire seventh lesson is absent from modern editions: Miracula Domini nostri ... quam suscitare iterum moriturum. The eighth lesson is significantly longer than that found in modern editions. The ninth lesson is the same as that found in the modern books. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson of the Sunday and the ninth lesson is of SS Euphemia, Lucy & Geminianus. 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 is sung of SS Euphemia, Lucy & Geminanus followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of SS Euphemia, Lucy & Geminianus, the third collect is A cunctis. The Credo is sung as is the common preface.

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

September 9th - XIV Sunday after Pentecost - Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the BVM

The fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and is, this year, the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the BVM and the second Sunday of September. Its liturgical colour is white.

Vespers yesterday afternoon were second Vespers of the feast of the Nativity of the Mother of God. The antiphons Nativitas gloriosae etc were sung with the psalms from the Common of the BVM (Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147). The Office hymn was Ave, maris stella. The antiphon on the Magnificat and collect were proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being In omnibus his for the Saturday before the second Sunday of September and of St. Gorgonius. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxlogy of the Incarnation with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn 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 read from the Book of Job. The first lesson consists of text of both the first and second lessons in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. The second lesson begins Si venerit ad me and is a sentence longer than the third lesson found in the modern editions continuing until the end of verse 18 of the ninth chapter. The third lesson is entirely absent from the modern books and begins Si fortitudo quaeritur (v.19) and continues until the end of verse 28. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Book of Morals of St. Gregory. These are the same as those found in the modern books. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Augustine on St. Matthew's Gospel. The lessons are longer than those found in the modern Breviary. The seventh lesson includes most of the text of the modern eighth lesson, the eighth lesson contains text not found in the later editions and the ninth lesson contains the text of the modern ninth lesson and, in addition, several more sentences. Today the eighth and ninth lessons of the Sunday’s homily are read together as an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is that appointed for St. Gorgonius. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday commemoration are sung of the Octave and of St. Gorgonius. The Suffrages are omitted being a Sunday within an Octave.

At Prime and the Hours the hymns have the Doxlogy and tone of the Incarnation, Gloria tibi Domine etc. At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumque is sung but the Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of Octave, the third collect is of St. Gorgonius. The Credo is sung, the Preface of the Blessed Virgin is sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Octave (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Nativitas tua etc). The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal

September 2nd - XIII Sunday after Pentecost

The thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is the first Sunday of September. The liturgical colour is green.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Cum audisset Job for the Saturday before the first Sunday of September. 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 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) are sung. The lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Job. The first lesson is longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions and continues until ...et biberunt cum eis in what is now the modern second lesson. The second lesson begins Cumque in orbem... and continues until Circuivi terram et perambulavi eam. The third lesson begins Dixitque Dominus ad eum... and continues until ...Satan a facie Domini(v.12). In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Book of Morals of St. Gregory the Great. These are the same as those in the later editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is taken from St. Augustine on St. Luke's Gospel. These lessons are longer than those found in modern editions with lessons seven and eight comprising of the complete text of the three third nocturn lessons found in the later editions. The text of the ninth lesson is absent from the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday 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, 118i & 118ii) 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 of the place. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

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

Art: Jerome Nadal

August 26th - XII Sunday after Pentecost

The twelfth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is the fifth Sunday of August

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms (143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday were sung. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Observa, fili for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of August. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Zephyrinus 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.

In the City of Rome vespers yesterday afternoon were of the feast of St. Bartholomew the Apostle with a commemoration of the Sunday.

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 continue to be read from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. These are the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from a sermon of St. Chrysostom. These are essentially the same as those found in the modern books except for minor word differences. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Bede on St. Luke's Gospel. These lessons are longer than those found in modern editions with lessons seven and eight comprising of the text of all of the later third nocturn lessons. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson of the Sunday and the ninth lesson is that appointed in the Breviary for St. Zephyrinus. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite148-49-150) are sung. The Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Zephyrinus 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.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the St. Zephyrinus, the third collect is A cunctis. The Credo is sung and the Common preface is sung.

Vespers are of Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following, transferred, feast of St. Martha, of SS Abdon & Sennen followed 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. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

August 19th - XI Sunday after Pentecost

The eleventh Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is the fourth Sunday of August and the Sunday within the Octave of the Assumption and its liturgical colour is white.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc. were sung, not doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The chapter was O Altitudo and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The hymn was sung with the melody and Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Sapientia for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of August. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the Octave was sung. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline being within an Octave. Te lucis was sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation.

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. The lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Ecclesiasticus. The first lesson is longer than the form given in the post-Clementine editions. It continues Radix sapientiae ... illius quis intellexit?, what is now the first sentence of the second lesson. The second lesson begins Unus est altissimus.. and continues until defunctionis suae benedicitiur - what is now the middle of the third lesson. The text of the third lesson begins Dilectio Dei... and continues until ...et receptacula a thesauris illius (v.21). In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the Book of Morals of St. Gregory the Great. These are the same as those found in the modern books. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the lessons are from a homily of St. Gregory on St. Mark's Gospel. These are the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Octave. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumqueis sung but the Dominical preces are omitted. The versicle in short responsory is Qui natus es de Virgine. At Prime and the Hours the hymns are sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave. There is no third collect for a Sunday within an Octave. The Credo is sung, the Preface is of the BVM.

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of St. Bernard. The antiphons Domine quinque talenta etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116). The Office hymn is Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the Octave. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal

August 12th - X Sunday after Pentecost

The tenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is also the third Sunday of August and the Sunday within the Octave of St. Lawrence. The liturgical colour is red being within the Octave.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Laurentius ingressus est etc. were sung, not doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter, O Altitudo, the Office was of the Sunday and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Omnis sapientia for the Saturday before the third Sunday of August. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of the Octave of St. Lawrence and of St. Clare. The Suffrages were omitted due to the Octave as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

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. Today the eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form an extended eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is of St. Clare. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave of St. Lawrence and of St. Clare. The Suffrages are omitted.

At Prime (Pss. 53, 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumque is sung but the Dominical preces are omitted being within an Octave.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of St. Lawrence, the third collect is of St. Clare. The Credo is sung, the Common Preface is sung.

Vespers are of the Sunday (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113). The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following day within the Octave of St. Lawrence and of SS Hippolytus and Cassian. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline being within an Octave.

Art: Jerome Nadal

August 5th - Dedication of St. Mary of the Snows

This feast of the Dedication of St. Mary of the Snows is of double rite and commemorates the dedication of the Basilica of St. Mary Major or Santa Maria Maggiore in Rome. Popular tradition records that a miraculous fall of snow delineated the original ground plan of the church that was dedicated during the pontificate of Liberius. The feast appears in the Martyrologium Hieronymianum. In the late Middle Ages it appears in Radolfo di Rivo's Liber de officis Ecclesiasticis as a feast particular to the Diocese of Rome. Pius V made it a double feast in the 1568 Breviary and Clement VIII raised it to a greater double thirty or so years later. The liturgical colour of the feast is white. Today is also the ninth Sunday after Pentecost and the second Sunday of August. The Sunday is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc were sung, doubled, with the psalms of first Vespers from the Common of feasts of the BVM, Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn was Ave, maris stella. Following the collect of the feast commemorations were sung sung of the preceding Office of St. Dominic and of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Ego in altissimis for the Saturday before the second Sunday of August). The Suffrages were omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung to the melody of hymns in honour of the Incarnation with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc. The Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Sancta Maria Dei Genitrix Virgo * Intercede pro nobis and the Office hymn is Quem terra. In the first nocturn the antiphons Benedicta tu etc are sung with Pss. 8, 18 & 23. The lessons are Ego sapientia from the Proverbs of Solomon. These are the same as in the post-Clementine editions. In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung with Pss. 44, 45 & 86. The lessons, proper to the feast, have a minor re-arrangement in comparison to those found in the post-Clementine editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gaude Maria Virgo etc are sung with Pss. 95, 96 & 97. The homily is from the Venerable Bede on St. Luke's Gospel. These are longer than those found in the later editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read as one and the ninth lesson is formed from the three lessons of the Sunday. The homily is from St. Gregory on St. Luke's Gospel. Again the version in the Tridentine Breviary is considerably longer than that found in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is O Gloriosa Domina. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages are not sung.

At the Hours the hymns have the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the versicle in the short responsory is Qui natus es and the short lesson In plateis. Both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formularly is Salve, sancta Parens. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the Creed is sung and in the preface of the BVM Et te in Festivitate is inserted. The last Gospel is of the Sunday.

Vespers are first Vespers of the following feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord. The antiphons Assumpsit Jesus Petrum et Jacobum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Quicumque Christum quaeritis. The antiphon on the Magnificat is Christus Jesus, splendor Patris etc and the collect is proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the preceding Office of the Dedication of Sancta Maria ad Nives, of the Sunday, and of SS Xystus, Felicissimus and Agapitus. The Suffrages are omitted. At Compline, Te lucis has the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine, Qui apparusti hodie, Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula and its melody. The Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Masolino di Panicale: Fondazione della basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore

July 29th - VIII Sunday after Pentecost

The eighth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is also the first Sunday of August. The semi-double feast of St. Martha is transferred to Monday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Isti sunt sancti etc were sung, not doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter, O Altitudo, the Office was of the Sunday and the Office hymn O lux beata Trinitas. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Sapientia for the Saturday before the first Sunday of August. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of SS Nazarius, Celsus, Victor and Innocent and of SS Felix, Simplicius Faustinus and Beatrice. These commemorations were 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 were sung. 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) are sung. The lessons are the Incipit of the Parable of Solomon. Their arrangement is different from that found in the modern editions. The first lesson continues as far as ut addatur gratia capiti tuo et torques collo tuo (i.e. vv 7 & 8 now forming the opening of the second lesson. The second lesson begins Fili mi, si te lactaverint... and continues, through what is now the third lesson and concludes, animas possidentium rapiunt. The third lesson is not found in the modern books and consists of vv 20 - 27: Sapientia foris praedicat...vos tribulatio et angustia. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from the writings of St. Ambrose on Psalm 118. These are the same as those found in modern recensions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Luke's Gospel. The texts in the Tridentine Breviary is longer than that found in later editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the Dominical psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of SS Felix, Simplicius Faustinus and Beatrice 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.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of SS Felix, Simplicius Faustinus and Beatrice, the third collect is A cunctis. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

Vespers are of Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following, transferred, feast of St. Martha, of SS Abdon & Sennen followed 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. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

Art: Jerome Nadal

July 22nd - St. Mary Magdalene

The feast of St. Mary Magdalene is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. The seventh Sunday after Pentecost is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn was Lauda mater Ecclesia. This hymn was replaced with Pater superni luminis in the 1602BR. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages were omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline due to the double feast.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper, Laudemus Deum nostrum * In conversione Mariae Magdalenae. The Office hymn is Nardi Maria pystici, replaced in 1602BR by Maria castis osculis. In the first nocturn the antiphons (from the Common of non-Virgins, non Martyrs) are O quam pulchra etc sung with Pss. 8, 18, 23. The lessons are from the Canticle of Canticles. The lessons are considerably longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung with Pss. 44, 45, & 47. The lessons are from a sermon of St. Gregory the Great. These are the same as those found in the later editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Nigra sum etc are sung with Pss. 95, 96 & 97. The homily on St. Luke' Gospel is from St. Augustine. These are the same as those found in the modern editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form the eighth lesson of the day and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons from the homily of the Sunday. This is from St. Hiliary on St. Matthew's Gospel and the lessons are the same as in the later editions.r editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Aeterni Patris unice. This was replaced by Summi Parentis Unice in 1602BR. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc are sung in the usual order. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, 118ii) Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted.

At Mass, Me expectaverunt, the Gloria is sung. The second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung (as it would be even on a weekday for this most holy Lady) and the Common Preface is sung. The last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At second Vespers the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc are again sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Lauda mater Ecclesia. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Apollinaris.

Icon: Wikipedia.

July 15th - VI Sunday after Pentecost

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

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung, not doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 131. From the chapter, O Altitudo, the Office was of the Sunday and the Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of the preceding Office of St. Bonaventure followed by the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine . At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn (Pss. 1, 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) are sung and the lessons are a continuation of the Second Book of the Kings. The lessons are the same as in modern editions of the Breviary. In the second nocturn (Pss. 15, 16 & 17) the lessons are from St. Ambrose's Defence of David. These, again, are the same as found in the modern editions. In the third nocturn (Pss. 18, 19 & 20) the homily is from St. Ambrose on St. Mark's Gospel. The seventh lesson 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 Sunday psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite & 148-49-150) are sung. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages of the BVM Santa Maria succurre etc, of the Apostles Gloriosi principes etc, of the Patron and lastly for peace Da pacem Domine etc are sung.

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

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

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

July 8th - 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 (Pss. 143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday 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, of the Apostles Petrus Apostolus etc, of the Patron and, lastly, for peace Da pacem Domine were sung. 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. The Te Deum is sung.

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

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

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

Vespers are of the Sunday, with psalms (109, 110, 111, 112 & 113). The Office hymn is Lucis creator optime. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages of the BVM Sancta Maria succurre etc, of 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