January 17th - St. Anthony of Egypt

The feast of St. Anthony is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white. St. Anthony of Egypt, sometimes named St. Anthony the Great, lived in the third and fourth centuries and spent a considerable part of his life in the Eygptian desert. He is considered as a father of monasticism and the founder of monastic life in common. An article on his history may be found here. The second Sunday after the Epiphany is commemorated in the Office and at Mass.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Domine quique talenta etc from the Common of Non-Pontiffs were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The chapter was Beatus vir and the Office hymn was Iste confessor. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Marcellus and of the second Sunday after the Epiphany. 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 Iste confessor. In the first nocturn the antiphons Beatus vir etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 1, 2 & 3. The lessons in the first nocturn are the Incipit of the Second Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. These are the same as in the modern editions but are followed by the responsories of the feast, Euge serve bone etc. In the second nocturn the antiphons Invocantem exaudivit etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 4, 5 & 8. The historical lessons in the second nocturn. These are the same as in the modern editions of the Breviary, they are followed by the responsories Honestum fecit illum Dominus etc. In the third nocturn the antiphons Domine iste sanctus habitabit etc are sung, doubled. with psalms 14, 20 & 23. The homily is from the writings of St. Gregory on St. Luke's Gospel. These are longer than those found in the modern editions and are followed by the responsories Iste est and Sint lumbi vestri. The ninth lesson is made of the homily for the Sunday, the three lessons are substantially longer than those found in the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Domine quinque talenta etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The chapter is Beatus vir and the Office hymn Jesu corona virginum. A commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

At Prime the festal psalms are sung (Pss.53, 118i & 118ii) with the antiphon Domine quinque talenta. Quicumque is omitted, the lectio brevis is Justum deduxit.

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

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of St. Peter's Chair at Rome. The antiphons Ecce sacerdos magnus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The chapter is Ecce sacerdos magnus, the Office hymn Quodcumque vinclis super terram strinxeris. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of St. Paul the Apostle, followed by commemorations of St. Anthony, the Sunday and of St. Prisca. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

January 10th - Sunday within the Octave of the Epiphany

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

At Vespers yesterday the antiphons and psalms of the feast of the Epiphany were sung, Ante luciferum genitus etc, not doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The chapter, Fratres, Obsecro vos, is proper to the Sunday, the Office hymn, Hostis Herodes impie, with the versicle Reges Tharsis etc of the Octave and the antiphon on the Magnificat, Remansit puer Jesus, proper to the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of the Octave of the Epiphany the antiphon being proper for the 9th January, Interrogabat Magos Herodes etc. At Compline Te lucis was sung with a Doxology of the Epiphany Gloria tibi Domine, Qui apparuisti hodie, Cum Patre et Sancto Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula. The Dominical preces are omitted.

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

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

At the Hours the psalms of Lauds are used with the feastal psalms (at Prime Pss. 53, 118(i), 118(ii)). At Prime the versicle Qui apparuisti hodie is sung (as it is for the entire Octave). The Dominical preces are omitted. The hymns have the Doxology and melody of the Epiphany.

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

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms are as on the feast. The chapter is proper to the Sunday and the Office hymn is Hostis Herodes impie. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave the antiphon on the Magnificat being Tribus miraculis, as on the feast, and St. Hyginus. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal

January 3rd - Octave Day of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist

The Octave Day of St. John the Evangelist is of double rite and the liturgical colour of the day is white. The Octave Days of the Comites Christi feasts entirely replace the Office of the second Sunday after the Nativity.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Lapidavernunt Stephanum etc were sung,doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. From the chapter Qui timet Deum etc., the Office was of St. John and the Office hymn Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of St. John commemorations were sung of the Octave Day of St. Stephen and the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera, as on the feast itself, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are from the fourth chapter of the Book of the Apocalypse. These lessons are the same as in modern (i.e. until the 1911-13 reform) editions of the Breviary. The responsories are those proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 46, 60 & 63 and the lessons are from a tract of St. Augustine on St. John. The sixth lesson is substantially longer than that found in modern editions. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from St. Chrysostom. These are, again, significantly longer than those found in the post-Clementine editions and the ninth lesson is entirely absent from the modern editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Valde honorandus est etc are sung, doubled, with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus sung, of course, with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Holy Innocents.

At the Hours the same antiphons from Lauds, Valde honorandus est etc., are sung in the normal sequence. At Prime the festal psalms are sung (53, 118i & 118ii), the lectio brevis is In medio Ecclesiae.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung. The second collect if of the Octave of the Holy Innocents. The Credo is sung and the preface is of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons Valde honorandus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the following Octave Day of the Holy Innocents.

Portrait of St. John from the Book of Kells

December 27th - St. John the Apostle and Evangelist

The feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is of double rite with an Octave. The liturgical colour of the feast, from Mattins, is white. The feast, along with those of St. Stephen and the Holy Innocents, takes complete precedence over the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity which is not commemorated but transferred to Wednesday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Second Vespers of the Nativity were sung, from the chapter the Office was of St. Stephen the Protomartyr (the liturgical colour being red). After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. John and the Octave of the Nativity. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology Gloria tibi Domine etc., the Dominical preces were omitted. This Doxology is sung with all hymns of Iambic metre until the Epiphany.

The Office for St. John is largely taken from the Common of Apostles. At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are the Incipit of the former Epistle of St. John. These lessons are the same as in later editions of the Breviary. The responsories are proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 46, 60 & 63 and the lessons are from the writings of St. Jerome. The fourth lesson is substantially longer than that found in modern editions, the fifth lesson shorter by the final clause of the sentence and the sixth lesson the same. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from St. Augustine. The seventh lesson is slightly longer, the eighth and ninth lessons again slightly different from those found in the post-Clementine editions. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Valde honorandus est etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92,99, 62-66, Benedicite and 148-149-150. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus sungwith the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Octave of the Nativity and the Octave of St. Stephen.

At the Hours the same antiphons from Lauds, Valde honorandus est etc., are sung in the normal sequence. At Prime the festal psalms are sung (53, 118i & 118ii) and the lectio brevis is In medio Ecclesiae.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung. The second collect if of the Octave of the Nativity, the third collect of is of the Octave of St. Stephen. The Creed is sung. The preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

Vespers are of the Nativity but from the chapter of St. John. The Office hymn is Exultet caelum laudibus. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the following feast of the Holy Innocents, the Octave of the Nativity and the Octave of St. Stephen.

December 20th - Fourth Sunday of Advent

The Fourth Sunday of Advent is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, until Vespers, is violet. The Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle was anticipated yesterday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The chapter, Sic nos existimet homo was from the first Epistle to the Corinthians, the Office hymn was Conditor alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat was O clavis David. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrages are omitted during 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 and second lessons are the same as those found in modern editions of the Breviary. The third lesson is slighly longer continuing Viderunt insulae ... eum clavis, ut non moveretur, (i.e. the addition of Cap. 41 vv. 5 -7). 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 on fasting in the tenth month. 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. Luke's Gospel. These are the same as those found in the modern editions. A ninth responsory, Intuemini, is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent.

At Lauds the antiphons Canite tuba in Sion 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, Canite tuba in Sion, 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 folded chasubles. The introit is the delightful Rorate, caeli. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is of the Blessed Virgin in Advent, Deus, qui de beate, the third collect Ecclesiae etc. 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.

After None there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of the feast of St. Thomas the Apostle are sung. The antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meumetc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The antiphon on the Magnificat is Quia vidisti me Thoma etc. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung, the antiphon on the Magnificat being O Oriens. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal