February 11th - Septuagesima Sunday

Septuagesima Sunday is of semi-double rank and its liturgical colour is violet. At Mattins the book of Genesis is begun with the account of the Creation. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew at Mattins and Mass contain the parable of the labourers in the vineyard.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms (143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas and the antiphon on the Magnificat was proper to the Sunday, Dixit Dominus etc. 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 the conclusion of Vespers to Benedicamus Domino and its response a double Alleluia is added and after that Alleluia is not heard again until Holy Saturday. At Compline and at the beginning of all the Hours until the Triduum Laus tibi Domine Rex aeterne gloriae is sung in place of Alleluia. The Dominical preces were sung.

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

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

At the Hours the antiphons and chapters are proper to the Sunday. At Prime the order of psalmody is changed from the usual order. Under the antiphon Conventione autem Pss. 53, 92, 118i, 118ii and Quicumque are sung. The Dominical preces are sung.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear violet dalmatic and tunicle. The Gloria is omitted, the second collect is A cunctis, the third collect is chosen by the Dean or Rector. A Tract replaces the Alleluia after the Gradual, the Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung. The dismissal is Benedicamus Domino , sung by the Deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113) of Sunday are sung, the chapter is proper to Septuagesima Sunday as in the antiphon at the Magnificat, Simile est etc. 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

February 4th - Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Fifth Sunday after the Epiphany is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes at Mattins and Mass are from St. Matthew and contains the parable of the cockle sown amongst the wheat.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms (143, 144, 145, 146 & 147) of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was O lux beata Trinitas and the antiphon on the Magnificat is again Suscepit Deus. 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 hymn is Primo dierum omnium . In the first nocturn (Pss. 1 , 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) the lessons are the Incipit of the Epistle to Timothy. These are the same as those found in the post-Clementine editions of the Breviary except for the addition of ..illi, in vitam aeternam in the later editions. In the second nocturn, Pss. 15, 16 & 17, the lessons are taken from and exposition on the Apostle and are ascribed to St. Ambrose (wrongly?). These are substantially longer, and different, apart from the opening words of the fourth lesson to the sermon of St. Augustine found in modern editions. In the third nocturn, Pss. 18, 19 & 20, the homily is from St. Augustine on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are the same as 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 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. 117, 118i & 118ii) Quicumque is sung as are the Dominical preces.

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 the antiphons and psalms of Sunday (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113) are sung. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the following feast of St. Agatha 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

January 28th - Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany

The Fourth Sunday after the Epiphany is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins, is green. The Gospel at Mattins and Mass is from St. Matthew and is the account of the LORD stilling the storm at sea.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 131. The Office hymn was Iste Confessor. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Suscepit Deus followed by a commemoration of St. Agnes. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted due to the double feast.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the hymn is Primo dierum omnium . In the first nocturn (Pss. 1 , 2, 3, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13 & 14) the lessons are the Incipit of the Epistle to the Philippians. The first lesson is the same as in modern editions of the Breviary. The second lesson continues with what is now text of the third lesson: Quidam quidem et propter ... suscitare vinculis meis. The third lesson begins Quid enim? Dum omni modo... and continues with the addition of vv. 19 - 24, Scio enim, quia hoc mihi ... autem in carne necessarium propter vos. In the second nocturn, Pss. 15, 16 & 17, the lessons are taken from the Book of Morals of St. Gregory. These are virtually the same as in modern editions except that the sixth lesson is shorter by the omission of the final sentence found in modern editions Dissolvi enim ... vinctum videret. In the third nocturn, Pss. 18, 19 & 20, the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. These lessons are the same as in the post-Clementine editions. The eighth and ninth lessons are read together to form the eighth lesson of the service and the ninth lesson is of St. Agnes. 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. Agnes 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. 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 St. Agnes, the third collect is Deus, qui salutis. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms of Sunday (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113) are sung. 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

January 21st - St. Agnes of Rome

The feast of St. Agnes is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. St. Agnes was born in the third century and died at the age of twelve or thirteen, a martyr, under the Roman Emperor Diocletian, on 21 January 304. The third Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated in the Office and at Mass. The lessons of the Sunday, the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians are transferred to tomorrow.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Isti sunt sancti etc, from the Common of Several Martyrs, were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter the Office was of St. Agnes. The Office hymn was Jesu corona Virginum and the antiphon on the Magnificat Beata Agnes etc, proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of SS Fabian and Sebastian and then of third Sunday after the Epiphany (the antiphon being Suscepit Deus). The Suffrages were omitted due to the double feasts as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Virginum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Jesu corona Virginum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Discede a me etc are sung with psalms 1 , 2 & 3. The lessons are Confitebor tibi Domine Rex from the Common of Non Virgins. These are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The responsories are proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Induit me Dominus etc are sung with psalms 4, 5 & 8. The historical lessons of the second nocturn are entirely different to those found in the later editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Cujus pulchritudinem etc are sung with psalms 14, 44 & 45. The homily is from St. Gregory on St. Matthew's Gospel. The lessons are longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions. The eighth and ninth are read together to form the eighth lesson and the ninth lesson is formed of the three lessons of the homily for the third Sunday after the Epiphany. This is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel and are the same as in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Ingressa Agnes etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite 148-49-150. The Office hymn is Jesu corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. The Suffrages are omitted.

At the Hours the antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of Sunday, there in no third collect. The Credo is sung, the Common Preface is sung and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers the antiphons Ingressa Agnes etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 147. The Office hymn is Jesu corona Virginum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and the following Office of SS Vincent and Anastasia. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

Art: Jerome Nadal