XXVI and Last Sunday after Pentecost

The twenty-sixth and last Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. It is also the fifth Sunday of November. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew contain the prophetic words of the LORD concerning the last days and the coming of the Antichrist.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the psalms of Saturday were sung. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Super muros tuos for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of November. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. John of the Cross and of St. Catharine. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted because of the occurring double feasts as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins in the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Michah the Prophet. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Basil the Great on the thirty-third psalm. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds, after the collect of the Sunday, a commemoration of St. Catharine is sung.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St Catharine. There is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface of the Blessed Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Silvester, St. Catharine and of St. Peter of Alexandria. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted because of the occurring double feasts.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at Vespers. Mattins is cut down to one nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is a single collect. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations.

Art: Jerome Nadal Nadal's image of the Antichrist enthroned whilst the clergy and people give him false worship.

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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 greater-double rite and its liturgical colour is white. As it is a feast of the LORD it takes precedence over the twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost (and fourth Sunday of November). November 18th is shared by these two patriarchal basilicas as their Dedication feasts. Sadly, in both cases, the original structures no longer survive. St. Paul outside the Walls suffered a disastrous fire in the nineteeth 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 with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 and 147. The Office hymn was Caelestis urbs Jerusalem beata. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Gregory Thaumaturgus and of the Sunday (the antiphon being Qui caelorum etc. The Suffrage was 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 Caelestis urbs Jerusalem beata. In the first nocturn the antiphons Tollite portas etc are sung with psalms 23, 45 & 57. The lessons and their responsories are from the Apocalypse of St. John. In the seccond nocturn the antiphons Non est hic aliud etc are sung with psalms 83, 86 & 87. The lessons are proper to the feast. 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 from the Octave Day of the Common). The ninth lesson is the homily of the Sunday by St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel (from the sixth Sunday after Epiphany). The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons Domum tuam, Domine etc are sung with Pss. 92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148. The Office hymn is Alto ex Olympi vertice. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrage is 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 orations are from the VI Sunday after Epiphany). The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Blessed Trinity and 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. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Elisabeth, the Sunday and St. Pontianus. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'usus antiquior' aka the 'liturgical books of 1962' the feast of the Dedication of the Basilicas of St. Peter and St. Paul has been reduced to a III class feast and as such is simple ignored this year. The liturgy of the green Sunday has no commemorations at Vespers. Mattins is stripped down to a single nocturn of three lessons (the Incipit of the Prophet Osee which in the old rite are transferred to Monday). At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is a single collect. At Vespers there are no commemorations.

Images: Wikipedia

XXIV Sunday after Pentecost

The XXIV Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the third Sunday of November and some of its texts are from the fifth Sunday after Epiphany. When November 5th is a Sunday then that Sunday is the second Sunday in November and the scriptural readings at Mattins continue to be read from Ezechiel on the Sunday and the week following. However, in most years, including this one, the Second Sunday and its week are omitted and after the first week the Third Sunday is celebrated. The Missal provides complete texts for only twenty-four Sundays after Pentecost. Where there are more Sundays after Pentecost, depending of course on the date Holy Pascha falls, then after the twenty-third Sunday has been celebrated the Epistles and Gospels that had not be read on Sundays after the Epiphany are transferred to this time. These pericopes are combined with fixed texts for the introit, gradual etc from the twenty-third Sunday. Today the pericopes from the V Sunday after the Epiphany are sung at Mass with corresponding third nocturn readings at Mattins. The Gospel pericopes are the parable from St. Matthew's Gospel of the enemy sowing cockle in the planted field.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the psalms of Saturday were sung. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Muro tuo for the Saturday before the third Sunday of November. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Andrew Avellino, St. Martin of Tours and St. Mennas. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted because of the concurring and occurring double feasts as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins in the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Daniel the Prophet. In the second nocturn the lessons are from the book of St. Athanasius to Virgins. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Augustine on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds, after the collect of the Sunday, commemorations are sung of St. Martin and St. Mennas. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted due to the occurring double feast.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Martin, the third collect of St. Mennas. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday, the Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Martin the Martyr and of St. Martin of.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at Vespers. The Second Sunday of November and its week have been perpetually abolished. Mattins is cut down to one nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but one collect. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations.

Art: Jerome Nadal

XXIII Sunday after Pentecost

The twenty-third Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite. This year it is the first Sunday of November and Sunday within the Octave of All Saints. The liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew contain the account of the LORD healing the woman with an issue of blood.

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 Vidi Dominum for the Saturday before the first Sunday in November. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of the third day within the Octave of All Saints, St. Charles Borromeo and of SS Vitalis and Agricola. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted due to the Octave and double feast as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins in the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of the Prophet Ezechiel. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Gregory's Exposition on the Prophet Ezechiel. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds, after the collect of the Sunday, commemorations are sung of St. Charles, the Octave of All Saints and of SS Vitalis and Agricola.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Charles, the third collect is of the Octave and the fourth collect of SS Vitalis and Agricola. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following fith day within the Octave of All Saints (with the antiphon Angeli etc and V&R Laetamini etc) and of St. Charles.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at Vespers. Mattins is cut down to one nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is only one collect. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations. The Octave of All Saints has been thrown into the bin.

All Souls' Day

All Souls' Day is of Double rank. Since 1917 it has a standing almost like that of a primary Double of the First Class of the Universal Church. Only if it falls on a Sunday is it transferred to the following Monday. The day gained an independent Office after the 1911-13 reform. Prior to then Vespers, Mattins and Lauds of the Dead was sung in addition to the Office of the second day within the Octave of All Saints (as indeed was the Office of the Dead sung on the Mondays of Lent and Advent and certain other days). The reforms of Pius X gave the day its own Office with the creation of Little Hours of the Dead and some adjustments to the lessons of Mattins. The day excludes the occurrence of any other Office.

At Mattins the invitatory and psalms are those used for Mattins of the Dead. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dirige etc (hence the English term Dirge) are sung with psalms 5, 6 & 7. As at Vespers yesterday Requiem aeternam is sung in place of Gloria Patri at the end of each psalm. The lessons are taken from the Book of Job. The first lesson, Parce mihi, is the first lesson from the Office of the Dead but the second and third lessons are now proper to the day in their current arrangement. Homo natus de muliere etc, the second lesson (the fifth lesson before 1911), is highly poignant being familiar as a Funeral Sentence in the Book of Common Prayer, its source being the Sarum Office. In the second nocturn the antiphons In loco pascuae etc are sung with psalms 22, 24 & 26. The lessons in the second nocturn are new and taken form the book of St. Augustine on the care for the Dead. In the third nocturn the antiphons Complaceat etc are sung with psalms 39, 40 and 41. The lessons are from the First Epistle of St. Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians (pre-1911 these too were taken from the Book of Job). At Lauds the antiphons Exsultabunt etc are sung with psalms 50, 64, 62, Ego dixi and 150. After the antiphon on the Benedictus has been sung at the end of the canticle the choir kneels, as at Vespers yesterday, and a Pater noster is said followed by a series of versicles and their responses and the collect Fidelium.

The Hours have a special form. At Prime the Office begins after the silent recitation of the Pater, Ave and Credo with psalms 87, 27 & 31 without antiphons. Although the Miserere is sung at Lauds the displaced psalm is not transferred to Prime as on other days. At the reading of the Martyrology a special preamble is read, Hac die Commemoratio Omnium Fidelium Defunctorum..., before the announcement of the next day Tertio Nonas Novembris.etc. The psalms are sung either to the tone in directum or to a tone introduced with the Office of All Souls Day. Terce follows a similar, simplified, form and has psalms 37i, 37ii & 55. Sext has psalms 69, 84 & 85 and None psalm 101 divided into three sections. The Office of the day ends with None.

In the Universal Church three Masses may be celebrated by every priest on this day. This practice was first observed in Spain with an indult from Benedict XIV and extended to the Universal Church by Benedict XV in 1915 after the carnage of the First World War. The accepted practice of Collegiate churches is for the first Mass to be celebrated after Lauds, the second after Prime and the third after None. In all three Masses the sequence Dies irae is sung and the preface of the Dead is sung. Common practice is to have the Absolution of the Dead at a catafalque after the principal Mass.

Vespers are for the third day within the Octave of All Saints.

In 'the liturgical books of 1962' the sequence Dies irae may be omitted in the second and third Masses when they are not sung. The last Gospel is omitted when the Absolution takes place. Vespers of the Dead are sung today, rather than yesterday and Compline of the Dead too is transferred from yesterday to today.

All Saints' Day

The feast of All Saints is a Double of the First Class with an Octave. The universal celebration of this feast developed from the dedication of the Pantheon to St. Mary and the Martyrs. This dedication took place on May 13th, 610. In some places, and the in Byzantine East to this day, a celebration of All Saints took place after Trinity Sunday. The celebration of the feast spread and Gregory IV transferred the feast and dedication to November 1st in 835. Louis the Pious spread the celebration throughout his empire and the feast entered the Universal Calendar. Sixtus IV gave the feast an Octave in the fifteenth century. The liturgical colour for the feast, and octave, is white.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper to the feast and octave, Regem regum Dominum venite adoremus, Quia ipse est corona Sanctorum omnium, and the hymn, Placare, Christe, servulis. In the first nocturn the antiphons Novit Dominus etc are sung with psalms 1, 4 & 8. The lessons are taken from the book of the Apocalypse. In the second nocturn the antiphons Domine, qui operati etc are sung with psalms 14, 23 & 31 and the lessons are taken from a sermon of the Venerable Bede. In the third nocturn the antiphons Timete Dominum etc are sung with psalms 33, 60 & 96. The homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Augustine. At Lauds the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung with the Sunday psalms (Pss. 99, 92, 62, Benedicite & 148) and the Office hymn is Salutis aeterne dator.

At Prime the antiphon Vidi turbam magnum is sung with the festal psalms (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii), the lectio brevis is proper to the feast, Benedictio et claritas,. At the other Hours the same antiphons from Lauds are sung with the Dominical psalms.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria and Creed are sung.

At second Vespers the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. After Benedicamus Domino the verse Fidelium is omitted and the choir sits as the festive white is removed and is exchanged for the black of mourning. Vespers of the Dead are then sung. These begin with the antiphon Placebo Domino in regione vivorum. Psalms 114, 119, 120, 129 and 127 are sung. Requiem aeternam etc is sung at the end of each psalm in place of Gloria Patri etc. After the psalms there is a versicle and response but no hymn. After the antiphon on the Magnificat the choir kneels for a Pater noster, some versicles and the collect. Following the 1911-13 reform Compline takes a special form, created in the 1911-13 reform, 'Compline of the Dead' with psalms 122, 141 and 142.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' most of the texts, for once, remains as they were. However, at Prime the lectio brevis is of the season and at the Little Hours the antiphons are doubled. Mass of course has the usual changes such as the omission of bows to the Cross etc. Vespers of All Saints are sung but not Vespers of the Dead as they, rather strangely, get treated as Vespers of All Soul's Day. Sunday Compline is sung.