Sunday, 26 December 2021
St Stephen the Protomartyr
The feast of St. Stephen the Protomarty is a Double of the Second Class with a simple Octave and its liturgical colour is red. The feast takes the place of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity which is observed on Thursday. Originally many saints, 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. St. Stephen's celebration on this date is ancient probably dating back to the 3rd century.
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 and the Office hymn is Deus, tuorum militum sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. In the first nocturn the antiphons In lege Domini etc are sung, doubled, 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, doubled, 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, doubled, 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, doubled, 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 Octave of the Nativity. The Creed is sung, the preface and communicantes are of the Nativity.
At Vespers the antiphons and psalms are from Second Vespers of the Nativity are sung. From the chapter the Office is 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.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the ancient practice of the feasts of St. Stephen, St. John and the SS Holy Innocents taking the place of the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity has been abolished and today is the Sunday within the Octave. At Vespers yesterday afternoon there were no commemorations of St. Stephen or of the Sunday. At Mattins in the third nocturn 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 hymns of the Little Hours are sung without the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Lauds after the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Stephen (but not of the Octave of the Nativity). At Prime and the Hours the antiphons and psalms of Sunday are sung, not the proper antiphons and festal psalms. The lectio brevis is Ipsi peribunt. At said Masses, only, there is a commemoration of St. Stephen (but not of the Octave of the Nativity). At Vespers there is no commemoration of St. John or of the Octave of the Nativity.
Monday, 20 December 2021
Ordo orders update - Christmas closure
All orders received by this morning, Monday 20th, have been dispatched. This year orders to Europe are taking longer to reach their destination than those to the US due to customs and administration checks, one of the acrid fruits of Brexit.
New orders will be processed, and any queries answered, from 29th December. However, that date is subject to change with the threat of yet another lockdown looming in blighted Britain.
New orders will be processed, and any queries answered, from 29th December. However, that date is subject to change with the threat of yet another lockdown looming in blighted Britain.
May all customers and readers have a very blessed and happy Christmas.
Sunday, 19 December 2021
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."
At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Canite tuba etc were sung, not doubled, with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat was the Great 'O' Antiphon O Adonai which, although the Sunday is of semi-double rite was sung entire, i.e. doubled, before and after the Canticle with the choir standing. The Suffrage is omitted in Advent. 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 omitted. The second collect is of the BVM in Advent, Deus qui de beate, the third collect Ecclesiae etc. 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, Canite tuba etc, are sung, not doubled, with Pss 109, 110, 111, 112 & 113. The Office hymn is Creator alme siderum. The antiphon on the Magnificat is O radix Jesse which is sung doubled with the choir standing. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the significance of the doubling of the 'Great O' antiphons is lost as all antiphons are doubled regardless of the rank of the liturgical day or season. 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.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 12 December 2021
Third Sunday of Advent
The third Sunday of Advent is a semi-double Sunday of the second class. Only a double of the first class feast may displace the Sunday Office. This year it is also the Sunday within the Octave of the Immaculate Conception. This Sunday is 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 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, of rose colour. The use of rose vestments is not obligatory. 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. The week ahead will see the celebration of the Advent Ember Days.
At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons from tomorrow's Lauds, Veniet Dominus etc, were sung, not doubled, with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum, sung with the ordinary Doxology (prior to 1911-13 the Doxology of the Incarnation would have been sung). After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Damasus and of the Octave of the Immaculate Conception. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted.
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 Pss. 92, 99, 62, Benedicite & 148. The Office hymn is En clara vox. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Octave of the Immaculate Conception. The Suffrage is omitted. At Prime the versicle in the short responsory is Qui venturus and the Dominical preces are omitted.
Mass is sung after Terce. The ministers wear dalmatic and tunicle. The Gloria not sung. The second collect is of the Octave of the Immaculate Conception. Today, being a Sunday within an Octave there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is 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, not doubled, 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. Lucy and of the Octave of the Immaculate Conception. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Octave has been abolished. There are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is stripped down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single 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, 5 December 2021
Second Sunday of Advent
The second Sunday of Advent is a semi-double Sunday of the second class and its liturgical colour is violet. The Gospel pericopes, from St. Matthew, tell of St. John the Baptist in prison sending two of his followers to meet the LORD.At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Ecce in nubibus caeli etc were sung, not-doubled, with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Peter Chrysologus and of St. Sabbas. At Compline the Dominical preces were omitted due to the commemorated 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 is sung of St. Sabbas. At Prime the versicle in the responsory is Qui venturus es in mundum. The Dominical preces are sung.
Mass is sung after Terce, the deacon and subdeacon wear violet folded chasubles. The Gloria is not sung. The second collect is of St. Sabbas, the third collect is Deus, qui de beate. 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 a commemoration is sung of the following feast St. Nicholas of Myra. At Compline the Dominical preces are omitted.
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. The Dominical preces have been abolished. At Mass the ministers wear dalmatic and tunicle, there is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 28 November 2021
First Sunday of Advent
The first Sunday of Advent is a semi-double Sunday of the first class and its liturgical colour is violet. As with the Sundays in Lent no feast may displace this Sunday. The liturgy of Advent is probably 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 throughout 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. 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 scarlet watered-silk. Vespers on Saturday before Advent Sunday mark the beginning of the Pars Hiemalis or Winter volume of the Breviary.
It should be noted - and it is question we have been asked several times - that Roman Ordines always follow the calendar year and never began with Advent Sunday.
The above is from a 1572 Roman ordo.
At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons In illa die etc were sung, not doubled, with the psalms of Saturday. The Office hymn was Creator alme siderum. The Suffrage was omitted being Advent. From this Vespers, until the end of None on the Vigil of the Nativity of the LORD, Alma Redemptoris etc is sung. 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, not doubled, 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, not doubled, with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is En clara vox. The Suffrage is omitted, as noted, during Advent.
At Prime the first antiphon from Lauds, In illa die, is sung, not doubled, 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 both ferial and Dominical Masses in the Roman rite, with the exception of the third Sunday Gaudete, 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 beatae, the third collect is Ecclesiae etc. 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.
At Vespers the antiphons In illa die etc are sung, not doubled, with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is Creator alme siderum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Saturnin. The Suffrage is omitted. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. The Dominical preces have been abolished at Compline and at Prime. 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 cast aside. There is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est. At Vespers there are no commemorations.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 21 November 2021
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's Gospel contain the prophetic words of the LORD concerning the last days and the coming of the Antichrist. The texts of the Mass and Office come from the twenty-fourth Sunday after Pentecost which are always used on the last Sunday before Advent.
At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons and psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation. 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. Felix of Valois and of the Presentation of the BVM. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted due to the double feasts. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation and the Dominical preces were omitted.
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 sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation.. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of the Presentation of the BVM. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.
At the Hours the hymns are sung with the Doxology and melody of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted because of the occurring double feast, the versice in the short response is Qui natus es.
Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Presentation. Today this is, ordinarily, no third collect. The Creed is sung. the preface is of the Blessed Trinity and the last Gospel is of the Presentation.
Vespers are of the Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St. Cecilia and of the Presentation. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. The Doxologies of the hymns at Vespers and the Hours are not changed. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect and the last Gospel is In principio.
Art: Jerome Nadal Nadal's image of the Antichrist enthroned whilst the clergy and people give him false worship.
Friday, 19 November 2021
Ordo Recitandi MMXXII now available!
Please visit the Online Shop to place your order.
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Sunday, 14 November 2021
XXV Sunday after Pentecost (VI after Epiphany)
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 in the same manner as last week. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew are of the parable of the mustard seed and the leaven. Today is also Remembrance Sunday in the United Kingdom.
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 (that for the sixth Sunday after Epiphany) commemorations were sung of the preceding feast of St. Didacus and of St. Josaphat. The Suffrage of the Saints 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 Book of the Prophet Osee. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Augustine's Book the City of God. In the third nocturn (that appointed 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 commemorations is sung of St. Josaphat. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.
At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both 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. Josaphat. Today there in no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.
In England and Wales a Mass of Requiem may be celebrated for the War Dead. The anniversary Mass for the Dead is sung with one collect and the Dies Irae.
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 feast of St. Albert the Great and of St. Josaphat. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is only one collect.
Image: Missale Romanum 1572 Paris Google Books. As explained in the post above the introit Adorate is not actually sung today but Dicit Dominus from the XXIII 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 (that for the sixth Sunday after Epiphany) commemorations were sung of the preceding feast of St. Didacus and of St. Josaphat. The Suffrage of the Saints 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 Book of the Prophet Osee. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Augustine's Book the City of God. In the third nocturn (that appointed 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 commemorations is sung of St. Josaphat. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.
At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both 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. Josaphat. Today there in no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.
In England and Wales a Mass of Requiem may be celebrated for the War Dead. The anniversary Mass for the Dead is sung with one collect and the Dies Irae.
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 feast of St. Albert the Great and of St. Josaphat. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is only one collect.
Image: Missale Romanum 1572 Paris Google Books. As explained in the post above the introit Adorate is not actually sung today but Dicit Dominus from the XXIII Sunday.
Thursday, 11 November 2021
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Sunday, 7 November 2021
XXIV Sunday after Pentecost (V after Epiphany)
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 Muro tuo for the Saturday before the third Sunday in November. After the collect of the Sunday (taken from the texts for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany) a commemoration of the Octave of All Saints was sung. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted due to the Octave 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 Daniel. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Athanasius’ book to Virgins. In the third nocturn (from the text for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany) the homily is from St. Augustine 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 are sung of the Octave of All Saints.
At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted due to the Octave.
Mass is sung after Terce. The introit, gradual, Alleluia verse, offertory and communion texts are those of the twenty-third Sunday. The rest of the texts are those appointed for the fifth Sunday after the Epiphany. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave of All Saints. Today there is no third collect being a Sunday within an Octave. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.
In places where the External Solemnity of All Saints is observed today the Mass Gaudeamus 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 Blessed Trinity and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.
Vespers are of the Sunday. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Octave Day of All Saints and of The Holy Crowned Martyrs. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. The second Sunday of November and its week are always omitted. The Octave of All Saints has been abolished. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is only one collect.
Sunday, 31 October 2021
Christ the King - XXIII Sunday after Pentecost
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 of the Sunday was sung (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Vidi, Dominum for the Saturday before the first Sunday of November. 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. In the first nocturn the antiphons Ego autem etc are sung, doubled, with Pss.2, 8 & 23. The lessons are taken from St. Paul's Epistle to the Colossians. In the second nocturn the antiphons Sedebit etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 28, 44 & 46. The lessons are taken from Pius XI's encyclical Quas primas. In the third nocturn the antiphons Benedicentur in ipso are sung, doubled, with 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-third Sunday after Pentecost, a sermon of St. Jerome on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons Suscitabit etc are sung, doubled, with the Dominical psalms. The Office hymn is Vexilla Christus inclyta. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung.
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 of the Sunday.
In the afternoon first Vespers of the feast of All Saints is sung. 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 commemorations are sung of Christ the King and of the Sunday. At Compline the Dominical psalms are sung and the Dominical preces are omitted.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Vigil of All Saints has been abolished. At first Vespers there was no commemoration of the Sunday (if there were it would be of the fifth Sunday of October, not the first Sunday of November). There is no proper Doxology for Te lucis. At Mattins in the third nocturn, the third psalm (Ps. 88ii) gets stripped of over half of 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. Vespers are of Christ the King with a commemoration of All Saints but not of the Sunday.
Image: Christ as Pantocrator from the apse of the magnificent Cathedral of Monreale.
Sunday, 24 October 2021
XXII Sunday after Pentecost - Mission Sunday
The twenty-second Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the fourth Sunday of October. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew's Gospel contain the account of the Pharisees trying to trap the LORD over tribute to Caesar and the LORD's rebuttal of "Render therefore to Caesar the things that are Caesar's and to God those things that are God's. As this is the penultimate Sunday of October it is also Mission Sunday. At the request of the Superior Council of the Pontifical Work for the Propagation of the Faith the Sacred Congregation of Rites directed in 1926 that the prayer, from the Votive Mass Pro Propagatione Fidei, should be added to all Masses today as an oratio imperata pro re gravi.
At Vespers yesterday afternoon the psalms of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Exaudiat Dominus for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of October. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Raphael the Archangel. The Suffrage of the Saints 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 Second Book of the Machabees. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a tract of St. Chrysostom on the forty-third psalm. In third nocturn the lessons are taken from a commentary of St. Hiliary on St. Matthew's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Aetere. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Raphael the Archangel 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 St. Raphael the Archangel, the third collect is the oration Deus, qui nos homines..., for the propogation of the faith. This is taken from the Votive Mass Pro Propagatione Fidei. The Creed is sung,the preface of the Blessed Trinity and the last Gospel is of St. Raphael the Archangel.
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 Chrysanthus & Daria and of St. Raphael the Archangel. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to one nocturn. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass the prayer Deus, qui omnes homines is added to the collect of the Sunday under one conclusion. There are no other collects and the last Gospel is In principio. At Vespers there are no commemorations.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 17 October 2021
XXI Sunday after Pentecost
The twenty-first Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, until Vespers this year, is green. This year it is the third Sunday of October. The Gospel pericopes from St. Matthew contain the parable of the unjust and ungrateful servant who, forgiven his debts by the King, demands what is owed to him from others and shews complete ingratitude.
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 Lugebat autem Judam for the Saturday before the third Sunday of October. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Hedwig and of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Suffrage was omitted, as were the Dominical preces at Compline.
At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum and the Office hymn isPrimo die. In the first nocturn the lessons continue to be read from the first book of Machabees. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from the book of St. Ambrose's Book of Offices. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Jerome on the eighteenth chapter of 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. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Suffrage of the Saints 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 St> Margaret Mary Alacoque. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung as is the preface of the Blessed Trinity.
At Vespers there is a colour change to red and first Vespers of the feast of St. Luke the Evangelist are sung. The antiphons Hoc est praeceptum meum etc are sung, doubled, with Pss. 109, 110, 111, 112 & 116. The Office hymn is Exsultet orbis gaudiis. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the Sunday and of St. Margaret Mary Alacoque. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect. Vespers are of the Sunday.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 10 October 2021
XX Sunday after Pentecost
The twentieth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour, until Vespers this year, is green. This year it is the second Sunday of October. The Gospel pericopes from St. John give the account of the healing of the ruler's son at Capharnaum.
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 Refulsit sol for the Saturday before the second Sunday of October. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding feast of SS Denis & Others and of St. Francis Borgia followed by the Suffrage of the Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces were sung.
At Mattins the invitatory is Adoremus Dominum etc and the Office hymn is Primo die. In the first nocturn the lessons continue to be read from the First Book of the Machabees. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from St. Augustine writings on the City of God. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Gregory on St. John's Gospel. At Lauds the Office hymn is Aeterne rerum Conditor. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Francis Borgia 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 St. Francis Borgia, the third collect is A cunctis. The Creed is sung as is the preface of the Blessed Trinity.
At Vespers there is a colour change to white and the antiphons Beata es, etc, proper to the feast, are sung doubled with Pss. 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The Office hymn is Ave, maris stella. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday is sung. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline. At Compline Te lucis is sung with the melody and Doxology of the Incarnation, Jesu, tibi sit gloria etc.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at Vespers and the Suffrage has been abolished. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations nor Suffrage. At Prime there is neither Quicumque nor the Dominical preces. At Mass there is but a single collect. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Monday, 4 October 2021
Sunday, 3 October 2021
XIX Sunday after Pentecost
The nineteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the first Sunday of October. 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 Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of the Holy Guardian Angels and of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.
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 First Book of the Machabees. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from the book of St. Ambrose'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 rerum. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus is sung. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.
At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted due to the double feast.
Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the the preface of the Blessed Trinity.
Prior to the reform of 1911-13 the first Sunday in October was the feast of the Most Holy Rosary of the BVM. All Masses, except the Conventual Mass (although a Double of the Second Class the feast had special privileges), may be of the feast. The Mass Gaudeamus is sung in white vestments. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Sunday and the third collect is of St. Teresa of the Child |Jesua. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Blessed Virgin and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.
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. Francis of Assisi and of St. Teresa of the Child Jesus. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline due to the occurring double feast.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to one nocturn. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but one collect.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 26 September 2021
XVIII Sunday after Pentecost
The eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year 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 of Saturday were sung. The Office hymn was Jam sol recedit igneus. The antiphon on the Magnifcat was Domine, Rex omnipotens for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of SS Cyprian & Justina 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 Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Esther. In the second nocturn the lessons are taken from the book of 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. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of SS Cyprian & Justina 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 Cyprian & Justina, 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 a commemoration is sung of the following Office of SS Cosmas & Damian followed by the Suffrage of the Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the fourth Sunday of September and the fifth Sunday and its week are omitted this year. At Vespers yesterday the antiphon on the Magnificat was Adonai, Domine for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of September. There were no commemorations and the Suffrage has been abolished as have the Dominical preces at both Compline and Prime. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons the first two are the Incipit of the Book of Judith. At Lauds there are no commemorations, nor Suffrage. At Prime Quicumque is omitted. At Mass there is a single collect. At Vespers there are no commemorations nor Suffrage.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 19 September 2021
XVII Sunday after Pentecost
The seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour 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.
As 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 Adonai, Domine for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of the preceding Office of St. Joseph of Cupertino and of SS Januarius & Others. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.
At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Judith. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon 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 the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of SS Januarius & Others is sung. The Suffrage of the Saints 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 Januarius & Others. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Blessed Trinity.
Prior to the reform of 1911-13 the third Sunday in September was observed as the feast of the Seven Dolours of the BMV. One Mass, but not the Conventual Mass, may be celebrated of the Seven Dolours in white vestments. The Mass Stabant juxta Crucem is sung with Gloria, the second collect of the Sunday, the third collect of SS Januarius & Others, the sequence Stabat mater, Creed, preface of the BVM and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.
Entry from a 1952 Ordo for Tarbes & Lourdes showing the option of having the Mass of the Seven Dolours on the third Sunday in September (and the fourth Sunday of September in the sense of the Mattins lessons).
At Vespers the antiphons and psalms of Sunday (109, 110, 111, 112 & 113) are sung. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following feast of SS Eustace & Others and of SS Januarius & Others. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the third Sunday of September. At Vespers on Saturday the antiphon on the Magnificat was Ne reminiscaris for the Saturday before the third Sunday of September. There are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn. The first and second lessons are from the Book of Tobias. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect. The week ahead will see the celebration of the September Ember Days.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the third Sunday of September. At Vespers on Saturday the antiphon on the Magnificat was Ne reminiscaris for the Saturday before the third Sunday of September. There are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn. The first and second lessons are from the Book of Tobias. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Mass there is but a single collect. The week ahead will see the celebration of the September Ember Days.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 12 September 2021
XVI Sunday after Pentecost
The sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the third Sunday of September (and also the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the BVM - although one might be forgiven for not noticing it). The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke tell of the LORD healing the man with dropsy on the Sabbath. The week ahead will see the observance of the September Ember Days.
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 (Jesu, tibi...Qui natus es etc) and the antiphon on the Magnificat was Ne reminiscaris for the Saturday before the third Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of the Office of the Holy Name of Mary. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted. At Compline Te lucis was sung with the melody and 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 a commemoration of the Holy Name of Mary is sung. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.
At the Hours the hymns are sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted. The versicle in the short responsory is Qui natus es.
Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Holy Name of Mary. Today there is no third collect. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Holy Trinity and the last Gospel is that of the feast of the Holy Name of Mary.
Prior to the reform of 1911-13 the Sunday within the Octave of the Nativity of the BVM was observed as the feast of the Holy Name of Mary. One Mass, but not the Conventual Mass, may be celebrated of the Holy Name of Mary in white vestments. The Mass Vutum tuum is sung with Gloria, the second collect of the Sunday, Creed, preface of the BVM and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.
At Vespers the antiphons and psalms of Sunday are sung. The Office hymn is Lucis creator, sung with the Doxology of the Incarnation. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration of the Holy Name of Mary is sung. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the second Sunday in September and the antiphon on the Magnificat was In omnibus his for the Saturday before the second Sunday of September. At Vespers there are no commemorations and the hymns have the ordinary Doxology. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn, the first and second lesson are from the Book of Job. At Lauds there are no commemorations. At Prime the ordinary versicle is sung in the short responsory. At Mass there is but a single collect and the last Gospel is In principio. Vespers are of the Sunday without any commemorations. The Ember Days are not observed this week but the following one.
Art: Jerome Nadal.
Sunday, 5 September 2021
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 from St. Luke record the LORD raising the son of the widow of Naim.
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 In omnibus his for the Saturday before the second Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration was sung of St. Lawrence Justinian 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 is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons continue to be read from Job. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Gregory's Book on 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 a commemoration of St. Lawrence Justinian 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 St. Lawrence Justinian, the third collect is A cunctis. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Holy Trinity.
Vespers are of the Sunday (Pss 109,110, 111, 112 & 113). The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of St. Lawrence Justinian followed by the Suffrage of the Saints. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is the first Sunday of September. At Vespers yesteray after the antiphon on the Magnificat was Cum audisset Job for the Saturday before the first Sunday of September. There were no commemorations nor Suffrage. The Dominical preces have been abolished at Compline and Prime. At Mattins there is a single nocturn, the first and second lesson are the Incipit of the Book of Job. At Lauds there are no commemorations nor Suffrage. Quicumque is only sung once a year. At Mass there is a single collect. At Vespers there are no commemorations nor Suffrage.
Friday, 3 September 2021
Ordo MMXXI - SOLD OUT
Until Ordo MMXXII is available later in the year - currently it is going through the proofing process - we have decided to publish each week on Sunday evening a JPG of the Ordo for the week ahead. This is primarily for the benefit of would be new customers whose orders we cannot fulfill until next year's edition is available.
Sunday, 29 August 2021
XIV Sunday after Pentecost
The fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the first Sunday of September. The pericopes from St. Matthew's Gospel contain the passages about the 'lilies of the field' and seeking first the Kingdom of God. The Office of this Sunday marks the beginning of the Pars Autumnalis of the Breviary. The fifth Sunday of August and its week are omitted this year. This Sunday marks the beginning of the Pars Autumnalis of the Breviary.
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 Cum audisset Job for the Saturday before the first Sunday of September. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Augustine, of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist and of St. Sabina. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.
At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Job. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Gregory's Book of Morals. In the third nocturn the homily on St. Matthew's Gospel is from St. Augustine. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist and of St. Sabina. The Suffrage of the Saints 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 the Beheading of St. John the Baptist, the third collect is of St. Sabina. The Creed is sung, the preface is of the Holy Trinity and the last Gospel is of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist.
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. Rose of Lima, of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist and of SS Felix & Adauctus. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' today is fifth Sunday of August. At Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphon on the Magnificat was Observa fili for the Saturday before the fifth Sunday of August. There were no commemorations. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn. The first two lessons are from the Book of Ecclesiasticus. At Mass there is a single collect and the last Gospel is In principio. At Vespers there are no commemorations.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 22 August 2021
XIII Sunday after Pentecost
The thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is the fourth Sunday of August. The Gospel pericopes from St. Luke's Gospel tell of the LORD and the ten lepers, only one of which thanked Him for being healed. 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. The antiphon on the Magnificat was Sapientia for the Saturday before the fourth Sunday of August. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding Office of St. Jane Frances Fremiot de Chantal, of the Octave Day of the Assumption (with the antiphon from first Vespers of the feast,Virgo prudentissima, and of SS Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Suffrage of the Saints was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline due to the occurring double feast and Octave Day. Hymns of Iambic metre have the Doxology of the Incarnation as they have been sung throughout the Octave.
At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the Book of Ecclesiasticus. In the second nocturn the lessons are from the Book of Morals by St. Gregory. In the third nocturn the lessons are a homily from St. Augustine on St. Luke's Gospel. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the Octave Day and of SS. Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Suffrage of the Saints is omitted.
At Prime (Pss. 117, 118i & 118ii) both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted due to the Octave Day. In the short responsory the versicle Qui natus es is sung, as it has been each day of the Octave.
Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, the second collect is of the Octave Day, the third collect, although a Sunday within the Octave, is of SS. Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Holy Trinity.
Prior to the reform of 1911-13 the Sunday within the Octave of the Assumption was the feast of St. Joachim, Father of the BVM. One Mass, other than the Conventual, may be sung of the feast. The Mass Dispersit is sung in white vestments with Gloria, the second collect is of the Sunday, the third of the Octave Day (in said Masses a fourth collect of SS. Timothy, Hippolytus and Symphorian is added). The Creed is sung, the Preface is of the Holy Trinity and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.
Vespers are of the Sunday. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Philip Benizi and of the Octave Day. The Suffrages are omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the Sunday is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. The Octave has been abolished. The Office hymns are sung with the ordinary Doxology. At Vespers there are no commemorations . At Lauds there is a commemoration of the Immaculate Heart of Mary. At Prime the ordinary versicle is sung in the short responsory. In sung Mass there is one collect, Low Mass has a commemoration of the Immaculate Heart. At Vespers there are no commemorations.
Art: Jerome Nadal
Sunday, 15 August 2021
The Assumption of the BVM
At first Vespers yesterday afternoon the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc were sung, doubled, with psalms 109, 112, 121, 126 & 147. The chapter was from the feast In omnibus requiem and the Office hymn the hauntingly beautiful Ave, maris stella the first verse of which is always sung kneeling. After the collect of the feast a commemoration of the Sunday was sung (the antiphon on the Magnificat being Omnis sapientia for the Saturday before the third Sunday of August). At Compline Te lucis was sung to the tone of feasts of the BVM and with the Doxology Jesu, tibi sit gloria etc.
At Mattins the invitatory, Venite, adoremus Regem regum, Cujus hodie ad aethereum Virgo Mater assumpta est in caelum, is proper to the feast. The hymn is Quem terra, pontus, sidera. In the first nocturn the antiphons Exaltata est etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 8, 18 & 23. The lessons in the first nocturn, since the time of Pius V, are taken from the Incipit of the Canticle of Canticles, are particularly rich with vibrant, sensual, imagery:
Let him kiss me with the kiss of his mouth: for thy breasts are better than wine, smelling sweet of the best ointments. Thy name is as oil poured out: therefore young maidens have loved thee. Draw me: we will run after thee to the odour of thy ointments. The king hath brought me into his storerooms: we will be glad and rejoice in thee, remembering thy breasts more than wine: the righteous love thee. I am black but beautiful, O ye daughters of Jerusalem, as the tents of Cedar, as the curtains of Solomon.(1st lesson)
In the second nocturn the antiphons Specie tua etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 44, 45 & 86. The lessons are from St. John Damascene's second discourse on the Dormition of the Virgin and again both exquisite and highly appropriate to the day:
"This day the holy and animated ark of the living God, she who conceived in her womb her Creator rests in the temple of the Lord, which was not made with hands. And her ancestor David leaps, and with him the Angels lead the dance, the Archangels make celebration, the Virtues ascribe glory, the Principalities exult, the Powers rejoice together, the Dominations are joyful, the Thrones keep holiday, the Cherubim utter praise, the Seraphim proclaim her glory. This day the Eden of the new Adam receives the living Paradise, wherein the condemnation was made void, wherein the tree of life was planted, wherein our nakedness was covered." (4th lesson)
In the third nocturn the antiphons Gaude, Maria virgo etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 95, 96 & 97. The homily on the Gospel fragment is from St. Augustine's 27th Sermon on the Words of the Lord. The ninth lesson is the Gospel and homily from St. Bede for the twelfth Sunday after Pentecost. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the antiphons Assumpta est Maria etc are sung, doubled, with psalms 92, 99, 62, Benedicite and 148. The hymn O gloriosa virginum. The collect of the feast is one of the most sublime ever written:
Famulorum tuorum, quaesumus, Domine, delictis ignosce: ut, qui tibi placere de actibus nostris non valemus; Genitricis Filii tui, Domini nostri, intercessione salvemur.
Forgive, O Lord, we beseech thee, the sins of thy servants: that we who by our own deeds are unable to please thee, may be saved by the intercession of the Mother of thy Son our Lord.
At Prime and the Hours the hymns are sung with the proper Doxology and tone. In the short responsory Qui natus es de Virgine is sung, both today and throughout the Octave, and the lectio brevis is In plateis.
Mass is celebrated after Terce. The Rituale gives a Blessing of Herbs for this day which takes place immediately before Mass with Psalm 64, a series of versicles and responses, three collects, whose florid style, reminiscent of those for the Blessing of Palms, suggests a Gallican origin. The Mass formulary, Gaudeamus, is a particularly beautiful set of texts. The Gloria is sung. The Epistle is a sublime cento from the Book of Wisdom that also forms the chapters at the Office. The gradual Propter veritatem is very ancient. The Credo is sung, the preface is of the BVM, Et te in Assumptione and the last Gospel is of the Sunday.
In the afternoon at second Vespers all is as at first Vespers except the antiphon on the Magnificat which today is Hodie Maria Virgo caelos ascendit: gaudete, quia cum Christo regnat in aeternum. After the collect of the feast commemorations are sung of the following feast of St. Joachim, father of the BVM, and of the Sunday. At Compline the Sunday psalms are sung and Te lucis is sung with the proper Doxology and tone.
The 'liturgical books of 1962' have seen considerable, detrimental, revision with changes both in 1960 and, previously, with the introduction of novel texts in the 1950s. Vespers gets a new chapter, hymn and collect. At Compline the ordinary Doxology is sung. At Mattins in the first nocturn the first lesson is taken from Genesis and then, curiously, the second and third from the former Epistle of St. Paul to the Corinthians. In the second nocturn the magnificent writings of St. Damascene are shortened by the inclusion of a sixth lesson of verbiage. The third nocturn has a homily of St. Peter Canisius on the new gospel pericope introduced in 1950. There is no ninth lesson of the Sunday. At Lauds there is a new chapter, a pedestrian and ugly hymn replacing O gloriosa virginum, and the new collect. At Prime the lectio brevis is Dominus autem dirigat, of the season. At Prime and the Hours the tone of the hymns is that for greater feasts, not the Incarnation and the special Doxology is omitted. At Mass the last Gospel is In principo, not of the Sunday. At Vespers there is no commemoration of St. Joachim, just of the Sunday.
Icon: Theophanes the Greek, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons.
The figures either side of Christ are the Hieromartyrs Dionysius the Areopagite and Ignatius the God-Bearer who, according to tradition, are responsible for transmitting the account of the Virgin's Dormition a version of which survived in the Roman Office in the second nocturn lessons for the 18th August until 1950.
Sunday, 8 August 2021
XI Sunday after Pentecost
The eleventh Sunday after Pentecost is of semi-double rite and its liturgical colour is green. This year it is also the second Sunday of August. The Gospel pericopes from St. Mark contain the account of the LORD healing a deaf and dumb man with His spittle.
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 Ego in altissimis for the Saturday before the second Sunday of August. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations were sung of the preceding feast of St. Cajetan and of SS Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus. The Suffrage was omitted as were the Dominical preces at Compline.
At Mattins the invitatory is Dominum qui fecit nos and the Office hymn is Nocte surgentes. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the book of Ecclesiastes. In the second nocturn the lessons are from a sermon by St. Chrysostom. In the third nocturn the homily is from St. Gregory the Great on St. Mark's Gospel. The Te Deum is sung. At Lauds the Office hymn is Ecce jam noctis. After the collect of the Sunday a commemoration is sung of SS Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus 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 Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus, the third collect is A cunctis. The Creed is sung and the preface is of the Holy Trinity.
At Vespers the antiphons and psalms of Sunday are sung. The Office hymn is Lucis creator. After the collect of the Sunday commemorations are sung of the following Office of St.John Mary Vianney, of SS Cyriacus, Largus & Smaragdus and of St.Romanus. The Suffrage is omitted as are the Dominical preces at Compline.
In the 'liturgical books of 1962'there are no commemorations at either Vespers. Mattins is cut down to a single nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there are no commemorations nor Suffrage. At Prime both Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted. At Mass there is but a single collect.
Art: Jerome Nadal