X Sunday after Pentecost

The tenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke are of the parable of the Pharisee and Publican. This year it is the first Sunday of August.

To those new to the older Office the layout of the Breviary for the 'green' Sundays of Summer and Autumn can be a little confusing at first sight. The Proprium de Tempore of the Pars Aestivais is divided into three sections. The first contains the Office of Trinity Sunday, the first week after Pentecost and the feasts of Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart and the Sundays within their Octaves. From the fourth Sunday after Pentectost, the first 'green' Sunday, only the first and second nocturn lessons of the Sunday are given contiguously along with the lessons for the ferial days in the respective weeks that follow. This arrangement  continues from the fourth Sunday and its week until the eleventh Sunday through to the following Saturday (allowing for the variation in the date of Pascha).   The second section is printed after the Saturday following the eleventh Sunday where one finds 'Sabbato ante Dom I Augusti' with the Magnificat antiphon Sapientia and a similar arrangement to the first section, in only giving the first and second nocturn lessons of Sundays but now they are for the five Sundays of  August with their weeks. After the Saturday following the fifth Sunday of August there is the third section, immediately preceding the Sanctorale, containing 'Homiliae et Orationes in Dominicis per Ordinem Dispositae' for the fourth Sunday after Pentecost until the fifteenth. Here are found the third nocturn homilies and the respective Sunday orations. 

From the fourth Sunday until last Friday one read the first and second nocturn lessons of the Sundays after Pentecost, and the appointed ferial nocturn when used in the week, and on the Sunday then turned to the section of homilies as noted above for the third nocturn lessons. From Vespers yesterday this changes as today is the first Sunday of August. This, and the first Sunday of subsequent months to November, is always the Sunday closest to the Kalends of the month. This means that some years the first Sunday of August may be in July, as it was in 2023 when the first Sunday of August was observed on the 30th.  From this first Sunday of August the section of the Breviary following the fourth Sunday after Pentecost is now ignored, so one does not read the first and second nocturn lessons appointed for the tenth Sunday (Anno undecimo Joram), but those appointed for the first Sunday of August (as noted below). The third nocturn homily is that appointed for the tenth Sunday after Pentecost. Likewise in the week ahead the lessons in the first nocturn on Tuesday (Monday having proper first nocturn lessons) will be those for Tuesday of the first week of August (Fili mi, attende etc).

 
At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. 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 St. Peter ad Vincula, of St. Paul, of St Alphonsus Mary of Ligouri and of St. Stephen I. The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Wisdom (proper to the first Sunday of August). In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from St. Ambrose's Book of Offices. In the third nocturn the lessons of the homily are from St. Augustine's 36th sermon on the words of the LORD. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of St. Alphonsus and of St. Stephen I. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Alphonsus, the third collect is of St. Stephen. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Holy Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, and the Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of the Finding of the Body of St. Stepehn the Protomartyr and of St. Alphonsus. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect.

Art: Jerome Nadal

St. Anne Mother of the BVM

The feast of St. Anne, Mother of the Blessed Virgin, is a Double of the Second Class and its liturgical colour is white. The ninth Sunday after Pentecost is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass. The feast was originally celebrated by the Franciscans and appears as a feast of nine lessons in the 1550 Breviarium Romanum. The feast was suppressed in the 1568-70 reform but was returned to the Kalendar in 1584 as a feast of double rite. The feast became a greater double in 1738 and a Double of the Second Class in 1879. Most of the texts for the feast are from the Common of Non-Virgins. The Incipit of the Fourth Book of the Kings, which would have been read in the first nocturn of the Sunday, is transferred to Monday with its responsories.

Yesterday afternoon second Vespers of the feast of St. James the Apostle were sung. The antiphons Juravit Dominus etc were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn was Exsultet orbis gaudiis. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of St. Anne and of the ninth Sunday after Pentecost. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted. At Compline the Dominical psalms were sung and the Domincial preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Laudemus Deum nostrum, in confessione beatae Annae and the Office hymn is Hujus oratu. In the first nocturn the antiphons O quam pulchra etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 8, 18, & 23. The lessons are Mulierem fortem etc from the Proverbs of Solomon. In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung with Pss.44, 45 & 47. The lessons are proper to the feast from St. John Damascene. In the third nocturn the antiphons Nigra sum etc are sung with Pss. 95, 96 & 97. The homily is from the writings of St. Gregory on St. Matthew's Gospel. The ninth lesson is of the Sunday taken from a homily of St. Gregory. At Lauds the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148. and the Office hymn is Fortem virili pectore. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrage is omitted.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime, Pss.53, 118(i) & 118(ii) and the lectio brevis is Multae filiae.

At Mass the Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Trinity and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers the antiphons Dum esset Rex etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Fortem virili pectore. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrage is omitted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Sunday takes precedence over the feast. At Vespers of St. James yesterday there was no commemoration of St. Anne. Mattins, of the Sunday, is cut down to a single nocturn. At Lauds there is a commemoration of St. Anne. At said Masses, only, there is a second collect of St. Anne. At Vespers there are no commemorations.

Art:Masolino da Panicale, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

VIII Sunday after Pentecost

The eighth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke contain the parable about the unjust steward.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding feast of St. Camillus de Lellis and of St. Vincent de Paul. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons continue to be read from the Third Book of the Kings. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Augustine on the City of God. In the third nocturn the homily on St. Luke's Gospel is from St. Jerome. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Vincent de Paul. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Vincent de Paul. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, and the Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Jerome Emiliani, of St. Vincent de Paul and of St. Margaret. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. There are no commemorations at Lauds. Mass has but a single collect.

Art: Jerome Nadal

VII Sunday after Pentecost

The seventh Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew contain the words of warning from the LORD concerning false prophets appearing as sheep but who, in reality, are wolves.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of St. John Gualbert and SS Nabor & Felix. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Third Book of the Kings. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from am epistle of St. Jerome to Nepotianus. In the third nocturn the homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Hiliary. The Te Deum is sung. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of St. John Gualbert and of SS Nabor & Felix. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. John Gualbert, the third collect is of SS Nabor & Felix. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

At Vespers, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, the Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Anacletus (aka Cletus, c.f. 26th April) and of St. John Gualbert. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect.

Art: Jerome Nadal

VI Sunday after Pentecost - Sunday within the Octave of SS Peter & Paul

The sixth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the Sunday within the Octave of SS Peter & Paul. The Gospel pericopes from St. Mark's Gospel describe the Feeding of the Four Thousand with seven loaves and fishes.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung.The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of the Octave of SS Peter & Paul and of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the twelfth chapter of the Second Book of the Kings. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from St. Ambrose's Defence of David. Again, St. Ambrose provides the homily in the third nocturn on St. Mark's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria and of the Octave. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria, the third collect is of the Octave. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

Prior to the reform of 1911-13 the first Sunday of July was the feast of the Most Precious Blood. All Masses, apart from the Conventual Mass, may be of the feast. The Mass Redemisti nos is sung in red vestments with Gloria, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Cross and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, the Office hymn is Lucis Creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of the Octave Day of SS Peter & Paul and of St. Anthony Mary Zaccaria. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. The Octave of SS Peter & Paul has been abolished. Mattins is reduced to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect.

Image: Missale Romanum, 1572, Paris.

V Sunday after Pentecost - Sunday within the Octave of St. John the Baptist

The fifth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, this year until None, is green. The Gospel pericopes at Mattins and Mass are from St. Matthew. The Vigil of SS Peter & Paul was anticated yesterday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the Octave of St. John the Baptist and of St. Irenaeus. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Second Book of the Kings. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from St. Gregory the Great's Book on Morals. In the third nocturn the homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Augustine. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of St. Irenaeus and of the Octave of St. John the Baptist. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Irenaeus, the third collect is of the Octave of St. John the Baptist. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

Prior to the reform of 1911-13 the fourth Sunday of June was the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist. All Masses, apart from the Conventual may be of the feast. The Mass De ventre is sung with Gloria, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung (as it is a Sunday), the preface is of the Sunday and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

After None there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of the feast of SS Peter & Paul are sung. The antiphons Petrus et Joannes etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Decora lux. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Vigil of SS Peter & Paul is omitted this year. The Octave of St. John the Baptist has been ablolished. At Vespers there are no commemorations. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect.

Art: Jerome Nadal

IV Sunday after Pentecost

The fourth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke tell of the hitherto empty nets of the fishermen being filled with fish at the lake of Genesareth after meeting the LORD.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The chapter was O altitudo and the Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. This chapter and hymn are used now on all of the 'green' Sundays after Pentecost. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the 'summer' Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the First Book of Kings. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon of St. Augustine and in the third nocturn the homily is from St. Ambrose on the Gospel account from St. Luke on the huge catch of fish at the lake of Genesareth. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

At Prime both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. Today there is, ordinarily, no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

At Vespers, Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113, the Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Paulinus and of St. Aloysius Gonzaga. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect.

Art: Jerome Nadal