January 24th - Third Sunday after the Epiphany

The third Sunday after the Epiphany is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, until Vespers, is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew record the LORD healing the leper and the centurion's servant.

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 Suscepit Deus. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Timothy 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) the lessons are the Incipit of the Epistle to the Galatians. The first and second lessons are the same as those found in the modern editions, the third lesson is longer and continues Cum autem placuit ... diebus quindecim (vv. 15 - 18). In the second nocturn, Pss. 15, 16 & 17, the lessons are an Exposition on Galatians by St. Augustine. These are the same as in the modern editions. In the third nocturn, Pss. 18, 19 & 20, the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. These are the same as in the modern editions. 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 a commemoration of St. Timothy is sung 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. Timothy, the third collect is Deus, qui salutis. The Credo is sung and the Common Preface is sung.

In the afternoon there is a colour change to white and first Vespers of the feast of the Conversion of St. Paul the Apostle are sung. Antiphons proper to the feast, Ego plantavi etc., are sung, doubled, with the psalms from first Vespers of the Common of Apostles (Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116). The chapter is Saulus adhuc, the Office is hymn Doctor egregie Paule mores instrue and the antiphon on the Magnificat Vade Anania. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of St. Peter the Apostle and of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal