Thursday 31 December 2015

St. Sylvester of Rome


The feast of St. Sylvester I Pope and Confessor is of double rite and its liturgical colour is white.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Confessorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Iste Confessor. The antiphons and psalms from the ferial Psalter for Thursday are sung. In the first nocturn the lessons continue to be read from the Epistle to the Romans. The second nocturn lessons are hagiographical and in the third nocturn the homily is Sint lumbi from the Common of Confessor non-Pontiffs with the responsories of Confessor-Pontiffs. At Lauds the antiphons and psalms are again taken from the Psalter for Thursday. The Office hymn is Jesu, Redemptor omnium and it is sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Nativity.

At the Hours the hymns have the Doxology of the Incarnation. The antiphons and psalms are from the ferial psalter for Thursday. At Prime the lectio brevis is Fungi sacerdotio.

Mass is sung after Terce. At Mass, Sacerdotes tui etc, the Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes in the Canon are of the Nativity.

Vespers are first Vespers of the following feast of the Circumcision. The antiphons O admirabile commercium etc are sung, doubled, with psalms from the Common of the BVM,, Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Jesu, Redemptor omnium. There are no commemorations.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the seventh day within the Octave of the Nativity. At Mattins the antiphons and psalmody are festal (of the Octave) but there is only one nocturn of three lessons, from occurring Scripture. The curtailed version of Ps.88 is used. At Lauds the Dominical psalms are sung. A commemoration of St. Sylvester is sung after the collect of the Octave. At the Hours ferial antiphons and psalms are sung, the hymns do not have the tone or Doxology in honour of the Incarnation. At Prime the lectio brevis is of the season. The Mass is Puer natus with a commemoration of St. Sylvester in Low Masses only. Vespers are the same as the traditional rite.

The icon is from the All Merciful Saviour Mission's selection of icons of Western Saints.

Wednesday 30 December 2015

Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity


Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is white.

At Mattins the invitatory and hymn, antiphons (not doubled) and psalms are those that were sung on the feast of the Nativity. In the first nocturn the lessons are from the Epistle to the Romans. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Leo on the Nativity. In the third nocturn the homily is taken from St. Ambrose on the second chapter of St. Luke's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons from the Nativity, Quem vidistis etc., are sung (not doubled) with psalms 92, 99, 62, Benedicite and 148. The chapter and antiphon on the Benedictus are proper to the Sunday as is the collect. The Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Nativity.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung with the festal psalms. The hymns of the Hours are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the Sunday, Itaque jam non est servus.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Mass formulary isDum mediumetc. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity. The Credo is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

Vespers of the Nativity are sung as on previous days, with the antiphons not doubled. From the chapter the Office is of the Sunday, the Office hymn is Jesu, Redemptor omnium. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Sylvester and of the Octave of the Nativity.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the sixth day within the Octave of the Nativity. Mattins has the psalmody of the Nativity (with the curtailed Ps. 88 ) and the usual cut-down single nocturn of three lessons. At the Hours the antiphons and psalmody are of from the ferial Psalter. There is no proper Doxology at the hymns of the Hours. Mass has but a single collect. Vespers are of the Nativity without any commemorations.

Tuesday 29 December 2015

St. Thomas of Canterbury

The feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury is of double rite and its liturgical colour is red. St. Thomas of Canterbury, or St. Thomas Becket, fell foul of the political machinations of King Henry II and was slain by the King's soldiers in Canterbury Cathedral on December 29th. The liturgical celebration of his feast entered Western calendars almost immediately after his canonisation. Apart from Vespers the Office is taken mostly from the Common of Martyrs.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. The antiphons and psalms are taken from the Psalter for Tuesday. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Epistle of St. Paul to the Romans. In the second nocturn the lessons are hagiographical and in the third nocturn the lessons are from a homily of St. Chrysostom on St. John's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons and psalms are from the ferial psalter. The Office hymn is Invicte Martyr unicum, again sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Nativity.

At the Hours the hymns are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation but the antiphons and psalmody are ferial. At Prime the lectio brevis is Justus cor suum.

At Mass the Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity, the Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms are of the Octave of the Nativity but from the chapter is of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity, which is kept tomorrow, with commemorations of St. Thomas Becket and of the Octave of the Nativity.

Following the 'liturgical books of 1962' St. Thomas is reduced to a commemoration in the fifth day within the Octave of the Nativity. The liturgical colour of the day is white. However, festal psalmody is used at Mattins and Lauds, as on the feast of the Nativity. Mattins is reduced to one nocturn of three lessons. The verses of Ps. 88 are curtailed as on the feast. At the Hours the hymns are not sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation, the antiphons and psalmody are ferial, at Prime the lectio brevis is of the season. Mass is of a day within the Octave, with Gloria, commemoration of St. Thomas (at said Masses only), Creed, preface and communicantes; of the Nativity. Vespers are of the Octave of the Nativity without any commemorations.

Monday 28 December 2015

The Holy Innocents


The feast of the Holy Innocents is a Double of the Second Class with, since the reform of 1911-13, a simple Octave. The feast of the Holy Innocents is unique in the Roman rite in that it changes its liturgical colour depending on whether it falls on a weekday or a Sunday. As this year it is celebrated on a weekday the liturgical colour is violet. When it falls on a Sunday the feast is celebrated in red: the origin of this practice being a synthesis of the differences in Gallican and Roman praxis.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms from second Vespers of the Nativity were sung. From the chapter, Qui timet Deum, the Office was of St. John with commemorations of the Holy Innocents and of the Octave of the Nativity.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Martyrum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn Audit tyrannus anxius (sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation). In the first nocturn the antiphons Secus decursus aquarum etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 and 3. The lessons are from the Prophet Jeremiah. In the second nocturn the antiphons Dabo Sanctis meis etc are sung with psalms 14, 15 & 23. The lessons are from a sermon of St. Augustine on the Saints. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justi autem etc are sung with psalms 32, 33 & 45. However, the eighth antiphon, Isti sunt, is proper to the feast. The homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from the writings of St. Jerome. The Te Deum is omitted and in its place a ninth responsory, Isti, qui amicti, is sung. At Lauds the antiphons Herodes iratus etc are sung with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is Salvete, flores Martyrum (again, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation). After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Nativity.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons of Lauds are sung with the festal psalms. The hymns have their Doxology changed in honour of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i, 118ii) the short lesson is of the feast, Hi empti sunt.

At Mass the Gloria is not sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity. The Alleluia and its verse given in the Missal before the Gospel are omitted and in their place a tract, Effuderunt sanguinem Sanctorum, is sung. The Credo is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity. The dismissal, sung by the deacon facing the altar, is Benedicamus Domino sung to the glorious melody heard four days ago on the Vigil of the Nativity.

Vespers have the antiphons and psalms of the Nativity, but from the chapter are of the Holy Innocents. The Office hymn is Salvete, flores Martyrum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Thomas of Canterbury and of the Octave of the Nativity.

Following the 'liturgical books of 1962' the feast of the Holy Innocents is always celebrated in red. At Mattins the Te Deum is sung and the ninth responsory is never heard. At the Hours the antiphons and psalms are of the weekday and the hymns lose the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime the short lesson is of the season. At Mass the Gloria is sung, the Alleluia is sung and replaces the tract which is never heard. The dismissal is Ite missa est. At Vespers there is no commemoration of St. Thomas of Canterbury.

Sunday 27 December 2015

St. John the Apostle and Evangelist


The feast of St. John the Apostle and Evangelist is a Double of the Second Class with, since the reform of 1911-13, a simple Octave. The liturgical colour of the feast is white. The feast completely displaces the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity.

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 with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are the Incipit of the former Epistle of St. John. The responsories are proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung with psalms 46, 60 & 63 and the lessons are from the writings of St. Jerome. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from St. Augustine. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons Valde honorandus est etc are sung with the Dominical psalms (92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148). The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Iste est Joannes etc., is proper to the feast. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Nativity.

At the Hours the hymns are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime the antiphon Valde honorandus est is sung with the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii) and the lectio brevis is In medio Ecclesiae. The antiphons from Lauds are sung in due order at the other Horae Minores.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of the Nativity. 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, Exsultet orbis gaudiis, is sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. Commemorations are sung of tomorrow's feast of the Holy Innocents and of the Octave of the Nativity.

Following the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity (although no commemoration of the Octave is made). Mattins (of the Sunday) is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. The Doxology in honour of the Incarnation is omitted in the singing of the Office hymns of the Little Hours. At the Little Hours the antiphons and psalms are taken from the psalter for Sunday, not from the feast. At Prime the lectio brevis is of the season. St. John gets commemorated at Lauds and in said Masses. At other Masses there is a single collect. At Vespers no commemoration is made of the Holy Innocents nor of St. John or the Octave.

Miniature of St. John from Wikipedia.

Saturday 26 December 2015

St. Stephen the Protomartyr


The feast of St. Stephen the Protomarty is a Double of the Second Class with a simple Octave. The liturgical colour of the day is red. Many saints, originally more than now, were celebrated around the Nativity of the LORD. These were described as the 'comites Christi' . e.g. St. James the Lesser and King David. In 'modern' calendars we are left with St. Stephen, St. John the Evangelist, and the Holy Innocents although St. David the King is in the Kalendar as a greater double on the 29th December in the Patriarchate of Jerusalem.

At second Vespers of the Nativity yesterday afternoon a commemoration was sung of St. Stephen. At Mattins the invitatory is proper, Christum natum, qui beatum hodie coronavit Stephanum. The Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum sung with the Doxology of the Nativity. In the first nocturn the antiphons In lege Domini etc are sung with psalms 1, 2 & 3 all from the Common of a Martyr. The lessons are from the Acts of the Apostles with responsories proper to the feast. In the second nocturn the antiphons Filii hominum etc are sung with psalms 4, 5 & 8 and the lessons are from a sermon of St. Fulgentius on St. Stephen's martyrdom. In the third nocturn the antiphons Justus Dominus etc are sung with psalms 10, 14 & 20. The homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the proper antiphons, Lapidaverunt Stephanum etc., are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148. The Office hymn is Invicte Martyr unicum sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Nativity.

At Prime the antiphon Lapidaverunt Stephanum is sung with the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii). The short responsory has the versicle of the Incarnation and the lectio brevis is Positis autem. At the other Little Hours the psalms of Lauds are used in the usual order. The hymns of the Little Hours have the tone and Doxology of the Incarnation.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung and the second collect is of the Nativity. The Credo are sung. The preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

At Vespers the antiphons and psalms are from Second Vespers of the Nativity but from the chapter of St. Stephen. The Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum, sung with the Doxology and melody of the Incarnation. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. John the Evangelist and of the Octave of the Nativity of the LORD. There is no commemoration of the Sunday as the feasts of St. Stephen, St.John and the Holy Innocents all displace the Sunday.

Following the 'liturgical books of 1962' there is no commemoration of St. Stephen in Second Vespers of the Nativity. The Office hymns are sung without the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime and the Hours the antiphons and psalms of Friday are sung, not the proper antiphons and festal psalms. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. At Vespers there is no commemoration of St. John but a commemoration is made of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity.

Friday 25 December 2015

The Nativity of the LORD

The feast of the Nativity of the LORD is a Double of the First Class with a privileged Octave of the third order. The liturgical colour of the feast is white.

Mattins is ordinarily sung later in the evening than usual, so that the Mass which immediately follows can begin at midnight. The Caeremoniale Episcoporum gives special instructions, Lib.II, Cap. XIV, for Pontifical Mattins, but may be reasonably applied to other celebrations, for the arrangement of adequate candles to supply light for the service and talks of candelabris ferreis magnis to help provide this. The invitatory is proper, Christus natus est nobis: * Venite adoremus. When intoning the Office hymn, Jesu, Redemptor omnium, the Hebdomadarius turns and bows to the altar. Mattins has three nocturns and the usual nine lessons. In the first nocturn the antiphons Dominus Dixit etc are sung with psalms 2, 18 & 44. The lessons are from Isaiah but, interestingly, are sung without a title. In the second nocturn the antiphons Suscepimus etc are sung with psalms 47, 71 & 84. The lessons in the second nocturn are taken from a homily on the Nativity by St. Leo. In the third nocturn the antiphons Ipse invocabit etc are sung with psalms 88, 95 & 97. The lessons are three Gospel pericopes, two from St. Luke and the third from St. John. After the Te Deum the collect is sung followed by Benedicamus Domino.

Then the first of the three Masses for the Nativity is sung. The Gloria is sung (one theory of its origin in the Mass rite is from the song of the Angels on Christmas night to the shepherds) as is the Creed. The preface and communicantes are of the Nativity. Lauds immediately follow Mass. The antiphons Quem vidistis pastores etc are sung the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is A solis ortus cardine.

Later in the morning Prime is sung. All hymns of Iambic metre have the tone and Doxology in honour of the Incarnation, Jesu tibi sit gloria etc. The first antiphon from Lauds, Quem vidistis pastores, is sung with the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es de Maria Virgine is sung. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. Prime is followed by the second Mass, the Missa in aurora. In the second Mass the Gloria is sung, there is a second collect to commemorate St. Anastasia. The Creed is sung and the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.

After Terce the third Mass is sung. This Mass too has the Gloria and Creed along with the preface and communicantes of the Nativity. As the Gospel pericope for this Mass is In principio the Gospel of the Epiphany, Cum natus esset Jesus, is read as a proper last Gospel.

Second Vespers has yet a third set of proper antiphons for the feast, Tecum principium etc., that are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 129 and 131. These antiphons and psalms will be used through the Octave. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the following feast of St. Stephen. At Compline the Dominical psalms are sung. Te lucis has the Doxology of the Incarnation.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' at Mattins in the third nocturn, and for the Octave, psalm 88, Misericordias Domini is cut from 51 to 36 verses. The verses from Tu vero repulisti et despexisti to the end are omitted. The tone and Doxology in honour of the Nativity are not sung at the hymns of the Little Hours. In the third Mass the last Gospel is omitted and at Vespers no commemoration of St. Stephen is made.

Thursday 24 December 2015

Vigil of the Nativity

The Vigil of the Nativity is unique in the Liturgical Year in that it is of simple rite at Mattins and then becomes of double rite from Lauds onwards. The liturgical colour of the Vigil is violet. At Mass the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but dalmatic and tunicle.

Mattins has a single nocturn of three lessons. The invitatory is Hodie scietis and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum. The antiphons, In Deo salutare meum etc., and psalms are from the ferial psalter for Thursday but the versicles, lessons and responsories are proper to the day. The homily is taken from St. Jerome's commentary on the first chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel. At Lauds the antiphons, Judaea et Jerusalem nolite timere etc, are sung with psalms 92, 99, 62, Benedicite and 148. The Office hymn is En clara vox. The chapter, antiphon on the Benedictus, and collect are proper to the Vigil. The ferial preces are not sung the Office now being of double rite.

Prime is festal with the first antiphon from Lauds, as usual, and psalms 53, 118(i) and 118(ii). The Martyrology is sung with extra solemnity today. The Hebdomadarius dons a violet cope and preceded by acolytes bearing candles and a thurifer with incense enters the choir. After reverencing the choir and altar the Martyrology is censed, as a Gospel book, three times. The the choir rise and the Hebdomadarius chants 'Octavo Kalendas Januarii. Luna quarta. Anno a creatione mundi, quando in principio Deus creavit coelum et terram, quinquies millesimo centesimo nonagesimonono: A diluvio etc., listing the years since the birth of Abraham, the Exodus from Egypt, the anointing of David, the time since Daniel the Prophet, since the founding of Rome and the conception of the LORD by the Holy Ghost. He continues until '...novemque post conceptionem decursis mensibus', then raising the pitch of the chant, whilst the choir kneel, he continues, 'in Bethlehem Judae nascitur ex Maria Virgine factus Homo'. Then, in the tone of the Passion: 'Nativitas Domini nostri Jesu Christi secundem carnem.' The choir then rise and sit whilst in the normal tone the Hebdomadarius (or a lector, depending on the custom of the place) continues with the entries for the day: 'Eodem die natalis santae Anastasiae etc. The lectio brevis, Per quem accepimus, is proper to the Vigil. The antiphons from Lauds are used in sequence at the rest of the Hours.

Mass is sung after None. Today the ministers do not wear folded chasubles but violet dalmatic and tunicle. There is just one collect. The dismissal, Benedicamus Domino, is sung by the deacon to a most beautiful and ornate tone reserved for today, the feast of the Holy Innocents and pro re gravi Masses.

First Vespers of the Nativity are sung in the afternoon. The antiphons Rex pacificus etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Jesu, Redemptor omnium. All hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology Jesu, tibi sit gloria, qui natus es de Virgine for the Octave and up until the feast of the Epiphany. At Compline the Domincial psalms are sung, Te lucis has the Doxology of the Incarnation and the Domincal preces are omitted.

Monday 21 December 2015

St. Thomas the Apostle


The feast of St. Thomas the Apostle is a Double of the Second Class. As this year St. Thomas' feast fell on one of the greater Sundays its celebration is transferred to today. The liturgical colour of the feast is red. According to tradition St. Thomas preached the Gospel in Asia and the Indian sub-continent. He is believed to have founded, inter alia, the St. Thomas Christians on the West coast of India, one of several groups using the East-Syrian family of liturgies.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc were sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Exsultet orbis gaudiis. The antiphon on the Magnificat was proper to the feast, Quia vidisti me etc. After the collect of the feast the fourth Sunday of Advent was commemorated with the Great 'O' Antiphon appointed for the 20th December O clavis David and the collect of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical psalms were sung and the preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung with psalms 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are Sic nos existimet homo from St. Paul's First Epistle to the Corinthians. In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung with psalms 46, 60 & 63. The fourth lesson is proper to the feast, the fifth and sixth are taken from the Common. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung with psalms 74, 96 & 98. The homily on St. John's Gospel is from St. Gregory. At Lauds the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung with the Dominical psalms (92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148). The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis. The antiphon on the Benedictus, Quia vidisti me, Thoma, credidisti: beati, qui non viderunt, et crediderunt, alleluia, is proper to the feast and refers to the incident recorded in the Gospel of St. John about St. Thomas' doubt in the Risen LORD. A commemoration is then sung of the Advent feria, the antiphon on the Benedictus is Nolite timere etc that is proper to the 21st of December.

The antiphons sung at Lauds are sung in due order at the Horae Minores. At Prime the festal psalms (53, 118i & 118ii) are sung and the lectio brevis is Ibant Apostoli.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Advent feria. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Apostles.

At second Vespers the antiphons Juravit Dominus etc are sung with psalms 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The antiphon on the Magnificat is Quia vidisti me, Thoma etc and the Advent feria is commemorated with the Great 'O' Antiphon O Oriens and collect of the preceding Sunday. At Compline the Dominical psalms are sung and the preces are omitted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' St. Thomas' feast loses first Vespers and the feast begins with Mattins. At the Hours the antiphons and psalms are taken from the ferial Psalter. At Prime the lectio brevis is of the season.

Art: Wikipedia: a Russian Icon of St. Thomas, 18th century.

Sunday 20 December 2015

Fourth Sunday of Advent


The fourth Sunday of Advent is a semi-double Sunday of the second class and its liturgical colour is violet. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke concern the preaching of St. John the Baptist preaching the baptism of repentance by the Jordan and the reference to Isaias "Prepare ye the way of the LORD: make straight His paths: every valley shall be filled: and every mountain and hill shall be brought low, and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways plain: and all flesh shall see the salvation of God." The Vigil of St. Thomas the Apostle is was anticipated yesterday.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Canite tuba etc were sung with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat was the 'Great O' series, O radix Jesse etc., appointed for the nineteenth of December. This was sung doubled before and after the Canticle. Being Advent the Suffrage was omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Prope est jam Dominus * Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum prodiens. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken, as usual in Advent, from Isaias. In the second nocturn the lessons are again taken from St. Leo's sermon on the fast of the tenth month. The homily in the third nocturn is from the twentieth homily of St. Gregory on St. Luke's Gospel. A ninth responsory, Intuemini, quantus sit iste, is sung in place of the Te Deum. At Lauds the antiphons proper to the Sunday, Canite tuba etc., are sung with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is En clara vox. The Suffrage is omitted in Advent.

At the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are used in the usual sequence. At Prime the versicle in the short responsory is Qui venturus es in mundum and the Dominical preces are sung.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear violet folded chasubles. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is of the BVM in Advent, Deus qui de beate, the third collect Ecclesiae. The Creed is sung and the preface that of the Trinity. As the Gloria is not sung the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of St. Thomas the Apostle are sung. The antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc., are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis. The antiphon on the Magnificat is proper to the feast, Quia vidisti me, Thoma etc. After the collect of the feast the Sunday is commemorated with the Great 'O' Antiphon appointed for the twenty-first day of December O Oriens, V&R and collect of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted due to the double feast.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Vigil of St. Thomas has been abolished. At Compline the Dominical preces are always omitted. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons as usual. At Prime the Dominical preces are omitted. At Mass the ministers wear dalmatic and tunicle, there is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est. Vespers are of the Sunday with not even a mention of St. Thomas.

Art: Jerome Nadal

Sunday 13 December 2015

Third Sunday of Advent


The third Sunday of Advent, often referred to as Gaudete Sunday from the words of its introit, Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico gaudete, sees a lightening of the Advent mood. 'Rejoice in the LORD always; again I say rejoice.' The same words begin the Epistle from Philippians (4:4). The Sunday's rank is that of a semi-double of the second class. The Gospel pericopes from St. John contain the Baptist's famous words "I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, make straight the way of the LORD." On this Sunday, mirroring Laetare Sunday in Lent, the penitential mood lifts a little with the deacon and sub-deacon wearing violet dalmatic and tunicle rather than their folded chasubles or, following the more modern praxis, with the use of rose-coloured vestments. The absence of folded chasubles means that the organ may be played. On this Sunday Cardinals of the Court of Rome, in better days, removed their violet merino dress and wore rose watered-silk cassocks, with rose watered-silk mozzeta and mantelleta.

At Vespers yesterday the antiphons from tomorrow's Lauds, Veniet Dominus etc, were sung with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum (sung with the ordinary Doxology). After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the day within the Octave of the BVM and of St. Lucy. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted due to the occurring double feast and Octave.

At Mattins the invitatory is Prope est jam Dominus: Venite adoremus. This invitatory is now used until the 23rd of December inclusive. The Office hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with the usual psalms for Sunday. The lessons are a continuation of Isaiah. In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung and the lessons are taken from St. Leo's sermon on the fast of the tenth month. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung and the homily is from St. Gregory on St. John's Gospel and the record of the Baptist. The Te Deum is omitted and in its place a ninth responsory, Docebit nos Dominus vias suas, is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Veniet Dominus etc are sung with the Sunday psalms. The Office hymn is En clara vox. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Lucy and of the Octave. At Prime the versicle in the responsory the verse is Qui venturus es in mundum and the Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear dalmatic and tunicle. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is of St. Lucy, the third collect is of the Octave. The Creed is sung and the preface that of the Trinity. As the Gloria is not sung the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers the antiphons, Veniet Dominus etc, are sung with the Sunday psalms. The Office hymn is Creator alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the following seventh day within the Octave and of St. Lucy. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. The Octave of the Virgin has been abolished. Mattins is stripped down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est.

Art: Jerome Nadal depicts today's Gospel where the Jews sent priests and Levites to interrogate St. John the Baptist.

Sunday 6 December 2015

Second Sunday of Advent

The second Sunday of Advent (and the third and fourth) are semi-double Sundays of the second class in rank. Today the Gospel pericopes, from St. Matthew, tell of St. John the Baptist in prison sending two of his followers to meet the LORD. The liturgical colour is violet.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ecce in nubibus caeli etc were sung with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Nicholas of Myra was sung. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted due to the occurring double feast.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem venturum and the Office hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with the usual psalms for Sunday. The lessons are a continuation of Isaiah and today contain the beautiful symbolism of the Rod of Jesse. In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung and the them of the Rod of Jesse is continued as the lessons are taken from St. Jerome's Expositon on Isaias the Prophet. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung and the homily is from St. Gregory. The Te Deum is omitted and in its place a ninth responsory, Ecce Dominus veniet, is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons, Ecce in nubibus caeli etc are sung with the Sunday psalms. The hymn is En clara vox. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Nicholas is sung. At Prime the versicle is Qui venturus es in mundum. The Dominical preces are omitted due to the occurring double feast.

Mass is sung after Terce, the deacon and subdeacon wear violet folded chasubles. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is of St. Nicholas. There is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Trinity. Benedicamus Domino is sung as the dismissal by the deacon facing the altar.

At Vespers the antiphons Ecce in nubibus caeli are again sung this time with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Creator alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Ambrose and of St. Nicholas. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' at Vespers there are no commemorations. The Dominical preces are always omitted at Prime and Compline. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass the ministers wear dalmatic and tunicle, there is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est. At Vespers there are no commemorations.

Art: Jerome Nadal

Wednesday 2 December 2015

Ordo 2016 now available!


Ordo MMXVI is now available. By far the easiest way to order is to use the Shopping Cart.

Sunday 29 November 2015

First Sunday of Advent


The first Sunday of Advent is a semi-double Sunday of the first class and its liturgical colour is violet. The liturgy of Advent is perhaps the most exquisite of the entire liturgical year with 'layers' of meaning for both the First and Second Comings of the LORD. There is a weave of expectant joy and penance to be found in the liturgical texts. The eschatalogical theme of last Sunday's Gospel continues with St. Luke's Gospel today and the Coming of the Divine Judge. From first Vespers of Advent Sunday the Pars Hiemalis of the Breviary begins. The Vigil of St. Andrew the Apostle was anticipated yesterday on Saturday.

During Advent bishops of the Roman rite exchange their violet choir cassocks for black ones (with train) which are worn with either a black mozzeta or black mattelletum with violet linings. Cardinals of the Court of Rome wear their 'winter' violet merino apparel (in contrast to their summer mourning dress of violet watered-silk) in place of their watered-silk scarlet dress.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons In illa die etc were sung with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum. The Suffrage was omitted being Advent. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem venturum and this is sung in both the Dominical and ferial Offices of Advent until the third Sunday. The Office hymn is Verbum supernum. In the first nocturn the antiphons Veniet ecce Rex etc are sung with the usual psalms for Sunday. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the prophet Isaiah. In the second nocturn the antiphons Gaude et laetare etc are sung and the lessons are taken from the writing of St. Leo on the fast of the tenth month, the theme of which is preparing for the Coming. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gabriel Angelus etc are sung and the homily is from St. Gregory continuing the theme of Coming with his commentary on St. Luke's Gospel about the end times. A ninth responsory is sung and the Te Deum is omitted in the Office of Advent. At Lauds the antiphons proper to the first Sunday In illa die etc, are sung with the Dominical psalms. The hymn is En clara vox. The Suffage is omitted during Advent.

At Prime the first antiphon from Lauds, In illa die, is sung with the usual Dominical psalms (117, 118i, 118ii). In the short responsory the versicle Qui venturus es in mundum replaces Qui sedes ad dexteram Patris for all of Advent except when an occurring feast has a proper versicle. The Dominical preces are sung. At the other Hours the remaining antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order.

Mass is sung after Terce. During Advent for ferial and Dominical Masses in the Roman rite the deacon and sub-deacon do not wear the dalmatic and tunicle but violet folded chasubles, an ancient feature of the Roman liturgy. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is Deus, qui de beate, the third collect is Ecclesiae. The Creed is sung, the preface that of the Blessed Trinity and, as the Gloria was not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino, sung by the deacon facing the altar, not turned towards the people.

At Vespers the liturgical colour changes to red and first Vespers of St. Andrew the Apostle are sung. The antiphons Salve, crux pretiosa etc, proper to the feast are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are omtted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' so much has been excised from the Breviary that there are only two volumes not four and Advent Sunday marks the beginning of the Pars Prior, which runs until first Vespers of Trinity Sunday. The Vigil of St. Andrew is not anticipated as it has been abolished. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Prime there are no Dominical preces. At Mass the there is the novelty for the the Roman rite of the deacon wearing the dalmatic and the sub-deacon the tunicle in a penitential Mass of the season. Folded chasubles, so ancient and so quintessentially Roman, have been tossed aside. There is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est. Vespers are of the Sunday with no commemorations.

Art: Jerome Nadal

Sunday 22 November 2015

XXVI and last Sunday after Pentecost


Today is the twenty-sixth, and last, Sunday after Pentecost. It is also the fifth Sunday of November. The liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew's Gospel contain the prophetic words of the LORD concerning the last days and the coming of the Antichrist. The texts of the twenty-fourth Sunday given in the Breviary and Missal are used.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus sung with the Doxology and melody of the Incarnation, Jesu tibi sit gloria etc. 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 the Presentation of the BVM and of St. Cecilia. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted due to the double feasts as were the Dominical preces at Compline. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology and melody of the Incarnation.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum etc and the Office hymn is Primo die. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Prophet Micheas. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Basil 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 the Office hymn is Aeterne rerum Conditor. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Cecilia. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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. Cecelia. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface 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. Clement, of St. Cecilia and of St. Felicitas. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline due to the occurring and concurring double feasts.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' on Saturday the hymns at Vespers and Compline are sung with the ordinary Doxlogy. 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 a single collect.

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

Sunday 15 November 2015

XXV Sunday after Pentecost

The twenty-fifth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the fourth Sunday of November. Texts for the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany are used along with those from the twenty-third Sunday.

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 Qui caelorum for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of November. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Josaphat and of St. Albert the Great. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted due to the double feasts as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum etc and the Office hymn is Primo die. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of the Prophet Osee. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Augustine's City of God. In the third nocturn (from the propers for the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany) the homily is from St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Aeterne rerum Conditor. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Albert the Great. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The introit, gradual, Alleluia verse, offertory and communion texts are, again, those of the twenty-third Sunday. The rest of the texts are those of the sixth Sunday after the Epiphany. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Albert the Great. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday (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. Gertrude and of St. Albert the Great. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted due to the double feast 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. Quicumque is only sung on Trinity Sunday and the preces are always omitted. At Mass there is only one collect.

Monday 9 November 2015

Available soon!


Ordo 2016 will be available for despatch very soon. Please watch this space. A new cart for Ordo 2016 will be set up when it is available. It would be much appreciated if people did not order the 2015 edition hoping to get 2016.

It is gratifying and pleasing to see so many enquiries already about the 2016 edition. Ordo 2015 sold very well with many new customers from around the world as a new generation starts to understand the richness of the Roman liturgy and to follow the praxis of previous generations now gone to the LORD. November is, of course, a most suitable time to remember them.

On a different note if there is a bilingual Portuguese-English speaker willing to do a small amount of translation work for the website in exchange for a gratis copy of Ordo 2016 please do make contact.

Sunday 8 November 2015

XXIV Sunday after Pentecost

The twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the third Sunday of November. As this year the number of Sundays after Pentecost is twenty-six the texts for the twenty-fourth Sunday found in the Breviary and Missal are used on the last Sunday after Pentecost and for this Sunday and the following one some texts are taken from those Sundays after the Epiphany that were not celebrated this year. So today these are taken form the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. 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 antiphons and 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 Octave Day of All Saints and of the Four Crowned Martyrs. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted due to the Octave 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 the Office hymn is Aeterne. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave Day of All Saints and of the Four Crowned Martyrs. 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.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave Day, the third collect is of the Four Crowned Martyrs. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.

At Vespers there is a colour change to white and first Vespers of the Dedication of the Basilica of Our Saviour are sung. The antiphons Domum tuam etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 147. The Office hymn is Caelestis urbs Jerusalem. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of the Octave Day of All Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single 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 abolished.

Wednesday 4 November 2015

New CD of piano music by Nicholas Wilton


A friend of long-standing, of both The Saint Lawrence Press and of this writer, is the acclaimed composer of liturgical music Nicholas Wilton. Many readers will be familiar with Nicholas' first CD - which I wrote about last year. Nicholas won much acclaim for his liturgical music from, amongst others, Sir James Galway saying "This is one of my favourite CD's. Masterfully written, beautifully sung. It brings me closer to God. I have given it as a gift to many of my friends."

Now Nicholas has produced another CD this time featuring some of the compositions for piano that he has composed. I was delighted a couple of weeks ago on returning to London to find a autographed copy of the CD amongst my mail as a kind gift. The CD consists of eight short tracks of piano music composed between 1987 and 1989. As with his sacred music, these pieces show the influences of composers whom he most admired at the time; principally Chopin but also Scarlatti, Strauss, Mozart, Beethoven, Shostakovich and Liszt.

Individual tracks are available for download from the Tutti website. The CD is available direct from the composer and generous discounts are being offered for multiple purchases along with trade discounts. Nicholas has price lists available for UK, European and other International customers. Please contact him at sales@catholicmusic.co.uk .  Copies of his first CD are also available and attractive deals offered for buying both!

As an added incentive the first 250 copies of the CD are numbered and signed by the composer. With Christmas on the horizon this is an excellent opportunity for a lovely Christmas present - do please go and buy a copy - and download the tracks!

Sunday 1 November 2015

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 its Octave, is white. The XXIII Sunday after Pentecost, and this year the first Sunday of November, is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass.

At Vespers, yesterday afternoon, the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc were sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn was Placare, Christe, servulis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung with the antiphon on the Magnificat being Vidi, Dominum for the Saturday before the first Sunday of November. The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is proper to the feast and octave, Regem regum Dominum venite adoremus, Quia ipse est corona Sanctorum omnium, and the Office hymn is 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. The ninth lesson is of the Sunday. The Te Deum is sung. 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. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons Vidi turbam magnum etc are sung in the usual order. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the lectio brevis is proper to the feast, Benedictio et claritas,.

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

At second Vespers the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 115. The Office hymn is Placare, Christe, servulis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday. 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 in choir. 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 that reform, 'Compline of the Dead', with psalms 122, 141 and 142.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' both the Vigil and Octave of All Saints have been abolished. At Prime the lectio brevis is of the season and at the Little Hours the antiphons are doubled. At Mass the last Gospel is of the Sunday. The 'double Vespers' has been abolished and Vespers for the Dead will be sung in the afternoon of All Souls' Day.

Saturday 31 October 2015

Vigil of All Saints

The Vigil of All Saints is of simple rite and its liturgical colour is violet. As with all simple rite Vigils the Office runs from Mattins to None.

At Mattins the invitatory is Populus Domini etc, the Office hymn Summae Parens clementiae etc from the ferial Office of Saturday along with the antiphons, psalms and V&R too from the Saturday. The lessons, proper to the Vigil, in the nocturn are taken form a homily of St. Ambrose from the Common of Several Martyrs. The responsories are from the Saturday. The Te Deum is not sung. The second scheme of Lauds for Saturday is sung with psalms 50, 91, 63, Audite, caeli, and 150. The Office hymn is Aurora jam spargit. After the antiphon on the Benedictus , Illumina, Domine, has been repeated the ferial preces are sung, with the choir kneeling. After the collect of the Vigil the Suffrage of the Saints is omitted (c.f. pre-1911-13 praxis when the Suffrages were sung).

At Prime the psalm displaced from Lauds by the Miserere is added to the psalmody of the day: Pss. 93i, 93ii, 107 & 149. The chapter is the ferial Pacem et veritatem. Both the Dominical and ferial preces are sung, with the choir kneeling. At the other Hours the short series of ferial preces are sung, again with the choir kneeling, before the collect of the Vigil.

Mass is sung after None. Following the normal rules for Vigils four candles are placed on the altar, in contrast with two on ordinary ferial days. The deacon and sub-deacon wear violet dalmatic and tunicle, not folded chasubles. The ferial tone is used for the orations and for the preface and Pater noster. There is no Gloria. The second collect is of the Holy Ghost, Deus,qui corda, the third collect Ecclesiae. As it is a 'kneeling day' the choir kneels for the prayers and from the Sanctus until Pax Domini. As the Gloria is not sung the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino.

Vespers are first Vespers of the feast of All Saints with a corresponding colour change to festive white. The Office is proper and the antiphons Vidi turbam magnam etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Placare, Christe, servulis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung with the antiphon on the Magnificat being Vidi, Dominum for the Saturday before the first Sunday of November. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Vigil of All Saints has been abolished. Today is kept as a IV class BVM on Saturday.

Sunday 25 October 2015

Christ the King

ISR-2013-Jerusalem-Holy Sepulchre-dome
The feast of Christ the King is a Double of the First Class and its liturgical colour is white. This year it is also the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost and the fourth Sunday of October.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Pacificus etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Te saeculorum Principem. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Exaudiat Dominus for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of October. At Compline the Dominical psalms were sung and Te lucis was sung with the Doxology Jesu, tibi sit gloria, Qui sceptra mundi temperas, Cum Patre et almo Spiritu, In sempiterna saecula.

At Mattins the invitatory is Jesum Christum, Regem regum Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Imago Altissimi. In the first nocturn (Pss.2, 8 & 23) the lessons are taken from St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. In the second nocturn (Pss. 28, 44 & 46) the lessons are taken from Pius XI's encyclical Quas primas. In the third nocturn (Pss. 71, 88i, 88ii) the homily on St. John's Gospel is taken from the writings of St. Augustine. The ninth lesson is the homily appointed for the twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost, from St. Hiliary on St. Matthew. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons Suscitabit etc are sung with the Sunday psalms. The Office hymn is Vexilla Christus inclyta. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons Suscitabit etc are sung with the festal psalms (at Prime Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii). The Doxology Jesu, tibi sit gloria etc is sung with the hymns of the Hours. At Prime the versicle in the short responsory is Qui primatum in omnibus tenes and the lectio brevis In ipso.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the Creed is sung. The preface is proper to the feast and the last Gospel is that of the Sunday.

At Vespers all is sung as yesterday at first Vespers except the versicle & response and the antiphon on the Magnificat which are proper to second Vespers. After the collect of the feast a commemoration is sung of the Sunday.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' at Vespers there was no commemoration of the Sunday. There is no proper Doxology for Te lucis. At Mattins in the third nocturn, the third psalm (Ps. 88ii) gets stripped of over half its verses. Verses Tu vero repulisti... to Benedictus Dominus in aeternam, fiat, fiat, (39 - 53) are omitted. The former eighth lesson is split into two to provide an eighth and ninth lesson as the homily of the Sunday is omitted. At Lauds there is no commemoration of the Sunday. At Prime and the Hours the Doxology for the feast is omitted. At Prime the lectio brevis is of the season. At Mass there is no commemoration of the Sunday and the last Gospel is In principio. At Vespers there are no commemorations.

Image: Dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jerusalem. Andrew Shiva [CC BY-SA 3.0 or Attribution], via Wikimedia Commons

Sunday 18 October 2015

St. Luke the Evangelist

The feast of St. Luke the Evangelist is a Double of the Second Class and the liturgical colour of the feast is red. St. Luke was probably born in Antioch in Syria and was a physician. He is the author of the Gospel that bears his name and the Acts of the Apostles. He is one of the Four Evangelists and is traditionally represented by an ox. St. Luke is believed to have died at the age of 84 in Boeotia, and his tomb was located at Thebes. The twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost, and the third Sunday of October is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass. The third Sunday of October is also Mission Sunday and an oratio imperata pro re gravi is ordered to be added to all Masses following a rescript of the SCR of April 14th, 1926.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn was Exsultet orbis gaudiis. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Margaret Mary and of the Sunday (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Lugebat autem Judam for the Saturday before the third Sunday of October. The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem Apostolorum Dominum, * Venite adoremus and the Office hymn is Aeterna Christi munera. In the first nocturn the antiphons In omnem terram etc are sung with Pss. 18, 33 & 44. The lessons are from the common of Evangelists and are the Incipit of the Book of the Prophet Ezechiel, In the second nocturn the antiphons Principes populorum etc are sung with Pss. 46, 60 & 63. The lessons are proper to the feast and are taken from St. Jerome's Book on Ecclesiastical Writers. In the third nocturn the antiphons Exaltabuntur etc are sung with Pss. 74, 96 & 98. The lessons are again from the Common of Evangelists and a homily from St. Gregory on the Gospels. The ninth lesson is of the Sunday. The Te Deum is sung.

At Lauds the antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc., are sung with the Dominical psalms (Pss. 92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148). After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrage is omitted.

At the Hours the antiphons of Lauds are sung in the usual order. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) and the lectio brevis is Ibant Apostoli etc. The Dominical preces are omitted.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third collect is Deus, qui nos homines (from the Votive Mass for the Propagation of the Faith). The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Apostles and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At second Vespers the antiphons Juravit Dominus etc are sung with Pss. 109, 112, 115, 125 & 138. The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis. After the collect of the feast commemoration are sung of the following feast of St. Peter of Alcantara and of the Sunday. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the 'green' Sunday takes precedence over the feast of St. Luke. At Vespers there are no commemorations or Suffrage. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds a commemoration of St. Luke is sung. At Mass the collect Deus, qui nos homines is added to the collect of the Sunday under a single conclusion. At Low Masses a commemoration of St. Luke is said. The last Gospel is In principio. At Vespers there are no commemorations.

St. Luke from an early seventeenth century Armenian Gospel Bodleian Library MS. Arm. d.13. Armenian Gospels-0043-0" by Unknown - The Bodleian Library, University of Oxford. Licensed under CC BY 4.0 via Commons.

Sunday 11 October 2015

Maternity of the BVM

The feast of the Maternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary is a Double of the Second Class and its liturgical colour is white. The feast was instituted in the Universal Calendar in 1932 by Pius XI in honour of the fifteenth centenary of the Council of Ephesus where Mary was defined as Mother of God. The feast had been granted to Portuguese dioceses in the eighteenth century. By the time of the 1911-13 reform the feast was being kept in almost all local calendars for celebration on the second Sunday of October (with the introit Salve sancta parens otherwise textually the same). The Gospel is St. Luke's account of finding the young Christ in the Temple debating with the doctors of the law. The twentieth Sunday after Pentecost, and second Sunday of October, is commemorated at Vespers, Mattins, Lauds and Mass.

At Vespers yesterday the antiphons Beata es, etc, proper to the feast, were sung doubled with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn was Ave, maris stella. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung (the antiphon on the Magnificat was Refulsti sol for the Saturday before the second Sunday of October). The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation, Jesu, tibi sit gloria etc.

At Mattins the invitatory is Maternitatem beate Marie Virginis celebremus * Christum Filium adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is Caelo Redemptor praetulit. In the first nocturn the antiphons Benedicta tu etc are sung with Pss. 8, 18 & 23 from the Common. The lessons in the first nocturn are from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung with Pss. 44, 45 & 86. The fourth and fifth lessons are from a sermon by St. Leo on the Nativity of the LORD and the sixth lesson is from the writings of Pius XI. In the third nocturn the antiphons Gaude, Maria Virgo etc are sung with Pss. 95,96 & 97. The lessons are from a homily by St. Bernard, the ninth lesson is of the commemorated Sunday.

At Lauds the antiphons Beata es etc are sung with Pss. 92, 99, 62, Benedicite and 148. The Office hymn is Te, Mater alma Numinis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

At Prime and the Hours the antiphons from Lauds are sung in the usual order. The hymns are sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 53, 118i & 118ii) the verse in the short responsory is Qui natus es and the lectio brevis is In plateis.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the BVM (Et te in Festivitate) and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers all is sung as at first Vespers except that the antiphon on the Magnificat is Maternitas tua etc. After the collect of the feast of commemoration of the Sunday is sung.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' Vespers on Saturday were of the Sunday without any commemoration of the feast. The 'green' Sunday takes precedence over the feast. Sunday Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. The feast is commemorated at Lauds and Low Masses only. The Marian Doxology is not sung, Prime's psalms are as on Sundays, there is no Qui natus es. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations.

Sunday 4 October 2015

XIX Sunday after Pentecost


The nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost is, this year, the first Sunday of October. It is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. The Gospel pericopes contain the parable of the wedding feast from St. Matthew's Gospel with the sobering concluding words of the LORD Multi enim sunt vocati, pauci vero electi.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. The antiphon on the Magnifcat was Adaperiat Dominus for the Saturday before the first Sunday of October. After the collect of the feast commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Therese of Lisieux and of St. Francis of Assisi. The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum etc and the Office hymn is Primo die. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the First Book of the Machabees. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Augustine's Book of Offices. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Gregory on St. Matthew's Gospel. At Lauds the Office hymn is Aeterne. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Francis. The Suffrage is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Francis. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the the preface 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 feast of SS Placid & Others and of St. Francis. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline due to the occurring and concurring double feasts.

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

Art: Jerome Nadal

Sunday 27 September 2015

XVIII Sunday after Pentecost


The eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, from Mattins, is green. This year it is the fifth Sunday of September. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew relate the healing of a paralytic, both by being forgiven his sins and physically healed by the LORD.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms appointed for Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Domine Rex omnipotens for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of SS Cosmas and Damian was sung followed by the Suffrage of the Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn is Primo die. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Esther. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Ambrose's Book of Offices. In the third nocturn the lessons are a homily from St. Peter Chrysologus on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of SS Cosmas and Damian is sung followed by the Suffrage of the Saints.

At Prime (Pss. 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 SS Cosmas and Damian, the third collect is A cunctis. The Creed is sung as is the preface 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. Wenceslaus and of SS Cosmas and Damian followed by the Suffrage of the Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' at Vespers the fourth Sunday of September is commemorated with the antiphon Adonai Domine. There are neither commemorations nor Suffrage. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn the first and second lesson being what was read in last Sunday's first nocturn in the traditional rite. At Lauds there in neither commemoration nor Suffrage. At Prime both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted. At Mass there is a single collect. At Vespers there are no commemorations and no Suffrage. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

Art: Jerome Nadal

Sunday 20 September 2015

XVII Sunday after Pentecost


The seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, until None inclusive, is green. This year it is the fourth Sunday of September. The Gospel pericopes at Mattins and Mass come from the twenty-second chapter of St. Matthew's Gospel and have the Pharisees asking the LORD what is the greatest commandment. The Vigil of St. Matthew was anticipated, by commemoration, in the Office of SS Januarius & Companions and the September Ember Saturday.

As Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Adonai, Domine for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of SS Januarius & Companions and of SS Eustace & Others. The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline due to the concurring and occurring double feasts.

At Mattins in the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Judith. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from the book of St. Ambrose on Elias and fasting. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Chrysostom on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds, after the collect of the Sunday, a commemoration of SS Eustace & Others is sung. The Suffrage is omitted.

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 SS Eustace and Others. Today there is no the third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface of the Blessed Trinity.

At Vespers there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of the feast of St. Matthew the Apostle and Evangelist are sung. The antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc., from the Common of Apostles, are sung with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 and 116. The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of SS Eustace & Others. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at Vespers. Today is the third Sunday of September. The Vigil of St. Matthew has been abolished. Mattins is cut down to one nocturn. There are no commemorations at Lauds. At Mass there is but a single collect. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations. The Ember Days are celebrated in the coming week.

Art: Jerome Nadal

Sunday 13 September 2015

XVI Sunday after Pentecost


The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, until Vespers, is green. This year it the third Sunday of September. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke tell of the LORD healing the man with dropsy on the Sabbath. The week ahead sees the celebration of the September Ember Days, traditionally days of fasting and penance.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Ne reminiscaris for the Saturday before the third Sunday of September. After the collect of the feast a commemoration was sung of the preceding feast of the Holy Name of Mary. The Suffrage was omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation and the Dominical preces were omitted.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn isNocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Tobias. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon of St. Leo on fasting in the seventh month. In the third nocturn the lessons are from St. Ambrose, a homily on St. Lukes's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrage of the Saints is sung.

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

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 of the place. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Holy Trinity.

One Mass, but not the Conventual Mass, may be celebrated of the Holy Name of Mary as this feast was, prior to the reform of 1911-13, celebrated on the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the BVM . Today is this Sunday is but one would be forgiven for not noticing as the Octave of the Nativity of the BVM was a significant casualty of 1911-13. The Mass Vultum tuum is sung in white vestments. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the BVM and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.

At Vespers there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross are sung. The antiphons O magnum pietatis opus etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Vexilla regis. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' at Vespers on Saturday the antiphon on the Magnificat was In omnibus his for the Saturday before the second Sunday of September. There were no commemorations and no special Doxologies. At Compline the Dominical preces are always omitted. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn, the first and second lessons being what was read last Sunday in the traditional rite. At Lauds there are no commemorations nor Suffrage. At Prime both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted. At Mass there is but a single collect. Vespers are of the Sunday with no commemorations. The Ember Day get postponed until the following week. The erudite Fr. Hunwicke has written an apposite post on this nonsense and calls for 'Circa-1939ish should be the starting point for a measured, sensible reconstruction of the Vetus Ordo'. Well we have been saying something similar for years...

Art: Jerome Nadal.

Sunday 6 September 2015

XV Sunday after Pentecost

The fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the second Sunday of September. The Gospel pericopes sung at Mattins and Mass are from the seventh chapter of St. Luke's Gospel recount the raising by the LORD from the dead of the son of the widow of Nain.

At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus and the antiphon on the Magnificat was In omnibus his for the Saturday before the second Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of the preceding Office of St. Laurence Justiniani followed by the Suffrage of the Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn isNocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the book of Job. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Gregory's Book of Morals. In the third nocturn the lessons are a homily from St. Augustine on St. Lukes's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrage of the Saints is 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 Creed is sung and the preface is of the Holy Trinity.

Vespers are of the Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday the Suffrage of the Saints is sung. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today becomes the first Sunday of September. At Vespers the antiphon on the Magnificat is Cum audisset Job for the Saturday before the first Sunday in September. The Suffrage has been abolished. The Dominical preces have been abolished at Compline and at Prime. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn, the first and second lessons are those that were read last Sunday in the traditional Roman rite. At Lauds there is no Suffrage. At Prime both Quicumque and the Domincal preces are omitted. At Mass there is only one collect. At Vespers there are no commemorations and no Suffrage. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.