How to...Prime

Today is the feast of St. Andrew the Apostle. The feast is a double of the second class.

Continuing the 'revision' of how to say Canonical Hours originally 'dissected' last year today concludes with Prime before moving on later this week to look at Compline and Mattins. The Office of Prime was discussed previously here and here. Today's example will look at Prime for today's feast.

Prime basically has three forms: festal, Dominical and ferial. These differ mainly in their component psalms, chapters, short lessons and whether the preces, Dominical or ferial, are said. The festal form, as celebrated today, is perhaps the easiest form to start with.

Aperi, Domine etc followed by Pater noster, Ave Maria & Credo. Then Deus in adjutorium, Domine, ad adjuvandum, Lesser Doxology and Alleluia followed by the hymn Jam lucis orto sidere.

The fragment of the antiphon Salve, crux pretiosa (the first antiphon at Lauds is then used for Prime. The antiphons are proper for St. Andrew and found in the texts for November 30th) followed by Psalm 53. At the end of the psalm the Lesser Doxology then the first stanza of Psalm 118, Beati immaculati followed by Lesser Doxology and then the second stanza, Retribue servo tuo. After the Lesser Doxology after the last stanza the antiphon Salve, crux pretiosa is repeated in its entirety.

The chapter Regi saeculorum is then said followed by the short responsory Christe, Fili Dei vivi. In the responsory the versicle Qui venturus es in mundum is said as it is Advent. After a versicle and response the collect Domine, Deus omnipotens and the reading of the Martyrology although this is often omitted outside of Choir.

Then the versicle Pretiosa and its response, Mors Sanctorum ejus, followed (without the usual Oremus) by the collect Sancta Maria, Deus in adjutorium and its response is then sung three times. The Lesser Doxology is then sung followed by Kyrie, Christe, Kyrie.. a secret Pater noster and further short series of versicles and responses, again the Lesser Doxlogy and the collect Dirigere et sanctificare. Then Jube, Domine benedicere, the blessing Dies et actus and short lesson Isaias enim dicit (for St. Andrew) ending with Tu autem, Domine, miserere nobis and Deo gratias. Concluding the Hour of Prime Adjutorium nostrum, its response then Benedicite followed by its response Deus and the blessing Dominus nos benedicat... Amen. Then, if Terce does not follow, a final secret Pater noster.

Advent Sunday

The Season of Advent begins with Vespers on the Saturday before Advent Sunday. The liturgy of Advent is perhaps the most beautiful of the entire liturgical year with 'layers' of meaning for both the First and Second Comings of the LORD. Advent Sunday is a semi-double Sunday of the first class. The eschatalogical theme of last Sunday's Gospel continue with St. Luke today and the Coming of the Divine Judge.

At Vespers the antiphons are proper. The Office hymn is Creator alme siderum. A commemoration of St. Saturninus is sung. However, the Suffrage is omitted for all of Advent. At Compline the Dominical preces are sung.

At Mattins the invitatory is Regem venturum and this is sung in the Dominical and ferial Offices until the third Sunday. The hymn is Verbum supernum and the antiphons are proper for Advent. In the first nocturn the lessons are the Incipit of the prophet Isaiah. In the second nocturn 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 and, in the third nocturn the homily is from St. Gregory continuing the theme with his commentary on St. Luke's Gospel about the end times. A ninth responsory is sung and the Te Deum omitted in the Office of Advent. At Lauds the antiphons sung at Vespers are again used, the hymn is En clara vox. A commemoration of St. Saturninus is sung but, as noted above, the Suffrage is omitted.

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

Mass is sung after Terce. For Advent the deacon and sub-deacaon do not wear dalmatic and tunicle but violet folded chasubles, an ancient feature of the Roman liturgy. The Gloria in not sung, the second collect is of St. Saturninus and the third collect of the BVM in Advent, Deus, qui de beate. The Creed is sung, the preface that of the Trinity and, as the Gloria was not sung, the dismissal is Benedicamus Domino.

At Vespers the liturgical colour and mood change as First Vespers of St. Andrew the Apostle are sung with a commemoration of the Sunday.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' no commemoration is made at Vespers on Saturday (and, of course, the antiphons are doubled etc). There are no preces at Compline. Mattins is cut down to just one nocturn of three lessons. At Lauds there is no commemoration of St. Saturninus who is omitted this year. At Prime there are no preces. At Mass the deacon wears the 'garment of joy' the dalamtic, and the sub-deacon the tunicle. There is only one collect and the dismissal is Ite, missa est. Vespers are of the Sunday, St. Andrew 'the first called' doesn't even get a mention.

Art: Jerome Nadal

How to...Terce, Sext and None

The hours of Terce, Sext and None are know, along with Prime and Compline, as the 'Little Hours' or Horae Minorae. They contrast with the 'greater hours' of Mattins, Lauds and Vespers. A previous post here looked at the structure of Terce, Sext and None.

Terce, Sext and None all have the same structure comprising of introductory rites, the hymn, an antiphon fragment, three psalms (or sub-divisions of a psalm), antiphon, chapter, responsory, versicle and collect.

As today is the anticipated Vigil of St. Andrew the Apostle a set of prayers called the ferial preces are said at Lauds and the Horae Minorae. In Choir these prayers are said whilst kneeleing and, because also at Mass there are extended periods of kneeling such days are often referred to as 'kneeling days'. In Cathedral and Collegiate practice the Horae Minorae would normally be sung together as one service preceding the singing of Mass, which today is sung after None. For this post Prime will be omitted from the description and we will begin with Terce.

At Terce: The texts are found in the Breviary at 'Sabbato ad Tertiam'. Pater & Ave, Deus in adjutorium, Domine ad adjuvandum, Lesser Doxology, Alleluia. The hymn Nunc Sancte nobis Spiritus, the antiphon fragment (only) Clamor meus, followed by psalm divisions 101(i), 101(ii) and 101(iii). The Lesser Doxology is said after each of the three psalm divisions but the antiphon is only repeated after the last and then said in its entirety, Clamor meus...faciem tuam a me.

The chapter Sana me is then said followed by the responsory Sana animam meam etc. Following that the versicle and response, Adjutor meus esto & Neque despicias me. Then, because today is a Vigil the ferial preces are said. These are (now) a short series of Kyrie eleison etc, Pater noster and four versicles and their responses. Then follows the collect of the Vigil, Quaesumus, then Benedicamus Domino etc and Fidelium animae.

At Sext: Pater & Ave, Deus in adjutorium, Domine ad adjuvandum, Lesser Doxology, Alleluia. The hymn Rector potens verax Deus, the antiphon fragment (only) Domine, Deus meus, followed by psalm divisions 103(i), 103(ii) and 103(iii). The Lesser Doxology is said after each of the three psalm divisions but the antiphon is only repeated after the last and then said in its entirety, Domine, Deus meus, magnificatus es vehementer.

The chapter Nemini quidquam is then said followed by the responsory Benedicam Dominum etc. Following that the versicle and response, Dominus regit & In loco pascuae. Then, again, the ferial preces are said Kyrie eleison etc, Pater noster and four versicles and their responses. Then follows the collect of the Vigil, Quaesumus, then Benedicamus Domino etc and Fidelium animae.

At None: Pater & Ave, Deus in adjutorium, Domine ad adjuvandum, Lesser Doxology, Alleluia. The hymn Rerum Deus tenax vigor, the antiphon fragment (only) Ne tacueris Deus, followed by psalm divisions 108(i), 108(ii) and 108(iii). The Lesser Doxology is said after each of the three psalm divisions but the antiphon is only repeated after the last and then said in its entirety, Ne tacueris Deus, quia sermonibus odii circumdederunt me.

The chapter In timore is then said followed by the responsory Redime me, Domine etc. Following that the versicle and response, Ab occultis & Et ab alienis. Then, again, the ferial preces are said Kyrie eleison etc, Pater noster and four versicles and their responses. Then follows the collect of the Vigil, Quaesumus, then Benedicamus Domino etc and Fidelium animae.

Mass of the Vigil is then sung with the second collect Concede nos and third Ecclesiae. However after Mass in the afternoon Vespers remain in the liturgical colour violet for Advent Sunday, the subject of the next post.

How to...Lauds

The structure of Lauds in the post-1911 Office is the same as that of Vespers: introductory rites, five antiphons and psalms (or to be precise, four psalms and an OT canticle), chapter, hymn, versicle and response, antiphon on the Benedictus, collect, commemorations and Suffrage.

Last year examples of Lauds were given here and here. Today's ferial Office will be examined as another example. It should be noted that in Choir Mattins and Lauds are always celebrated as one service with the exception of Christmas when Mattins precedes the first Mass and Lauds follow it. However, the previous examples and today's ferial Office will treat Lauds as a separate service for the purpose of explanation.

The Office is found in the section of the Breviary 'Feria Sexta ad Laudes I'. Lauds begins with (Pater & Ave) the introductory Deus in adjutorium, the response Domine, ad adjuvandum, the Lesser Doxology and Alleluia. The antiphon fragment (only) Exalate is said and then Psalm 98, Dominus regnavit, the Lesser Doxology and then the entire antiphon Exaltate Dominum...in monte sancto ejus is recited. The same pattern, antiphon fragment, psalm, Lesser Doxology and repitition of the entire antiphon is repeated for the remaining three psalms and OT Canticle.

After the repitition of the last antiphon the chapter Nox praecessit, hymn Aeterna caeli gloria and then the versicle Repleti sumus mane and the response Exsultavimus. The fragment (only) of the antiphon on the Benedictus, Per viscera misericordiae is said followed by the Benedictus, Lesser Doxology and the entire antiphon.

The collect from last Sunday is then said Excita, quaesumus. After that the Suffrage of the Saints is said. This is printed in the section of the Breviary 'Ordinarium divini Officii ad Laudes'. It consists of the antiphon Beata Die Genitrix, versicle Mirificavit, response Et exaudivit and the collect A cunctis nos.

Benedicamus Domino and Deo gratias follow. Then Fidelium animae.., Dominus det nobis suam pacem and its response and then Salve Regina, its versicle and collect etc.

Tomorrow we will revisit the Little Hours of Terce, Sext and None which due to the anticipated Vigil of St. Andrew have the ferial preces.

How to...Vespers

It is now well over a year since a series of posts about 'how to' say the Roman Office were written for this blog. It seems appropriate to revist the Hours that were discussed, namely Vespers, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext and None and then look at Compline and Mattins.

Anyone new to the Office is best advised to start with Vespers. The Office of Vespers is relatively straightforward and once familiar it is easy to move on to Lauds, the structure of which is essentially the same. Likewise the 'Little Hours' of Terce, Sext and None follow from Vespers and have the advantage of all sharing the same structure which is rather more simple than Vespers.

So to re-visit, Vespers was discussed here , here and here. Applying this to today the Ordo entry reads: V a cap seq, com praec et S Petri Alexandrini EM. This translates as 'Vespers is from the chapter of the following Office of St. Sylvester, with a commemoration of the preceding Office of St. Catharine and a commemoration of St Peter of Alexandria.'

(Note: Unless you have a Breviary or Antiphonale in front of you this post will be pretty much incomprehensible for what follows.)

Aperi Domine etc is said (if None doesn't immediately precede Vespers), then Pater & Ave followed by the usual introduction to the Hours of Vespers, Lauds, Prime, Terce, Sext and None: Deus in adjutorium, the response Domine, ad adjuvandum, Lesser Doxology and Alleluia.

The antiphons (doubled; i.e. the antiphon is said in its entirety both before and after the psalm) and psalms of 'Wednesday at Vespers' are then said. The chapter, Beatus vir, is from the Common of Confessor not Bishops (for St. Sylvester), the hymn Iste Confessor, the versicle Amavit eum and response Stolam gloriae. The antiphon on the Magnificat is Similabo eum (doubled) and the collect Clementissime Deus.

The commemorations are then made. (In most 'modern' editions of the Breviary this is made much easier as the relevant antiphons, versicles and collects are printed in the Sanctoral - it was not always thus and is indeed still more difficult to when trying to find the items in the Antiphonale or Vesperale.) So for St. Catharine we have Veni, Sponsa Christi, the versicle Diffusa est gratia, response Propterea benedixit and collect Deus, qui dedisti. For St. Peter the antiphon Iste Sanctus, the versicle Gloria et honore, response Constituisti and collect Infirmitatem nostram.

Then follows Benedicamus Domino etc and the closing of Vespers.

I will revisit Lauds and the Hours before Advent Sunday and look at Compline and Mattins next week.

XXV and Last Sunday after Pentecost

Today is the twenty-fifth and last Sunday after Pentecost. It is also the fifth Sunday of November, the last week of the liturgical year. It is of semi-double rite. The image above from Jerome Nadal depicts the coming of the Antichrist. The Gospel pericopes in the liturgy are from St. Matthew and concern the end times, the coming of Antichrist, concluding with the words of the LORD Caelum et terra transibunt, verba autem mea non praeteribunt. In the Breviary and Missal texts for today are actually taken today from the twenty-fourth Sunday. As was explained last week the number of sets of complete Mass formularies for Sundays after Pentecost is twenty-four but if there are more Sundays than that 'unused Sundays' after Epiphany are used in part.

At Mattins in the first nocturn the lesson are the Incipit of the Prophet Micheas and concern the coming of the LORD. In the second nocturn the lessons are from St. Basil's sermon on the thirty-third psalm on the Last Judgement. In the third nocturn (in the Breviary for the twenty-fourth and last Sunday after Pentecost) the homily is from the writings of St. Jerome on the abomination of desolation and the last times.

At Lauds a commemoration of St. Cecilia is sung. The Suffrage is omitted as St. Cecilia's feast is of double rite. At Prime Quicumque and the Dominical preces are omitted for the same reason.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria is sung, a commemoration of St. Cecilia is made. The Creed is sung and the preface is that of the Trinity.

At Vespers commemorations are sung of the following day's Office of St. Clement, of St. Cecilia and St. Felicity.

In 'the liturgical books of 1962' Mattins is cut down to one nocturn. No commemorations are made at Lauds or Vespers. St. Cecilia is omitted this year.

The Presentation of the BVM

Today is the feast of the Presentation of the Mother of God in the Temple. In contrast to the Byzantine East where the feast is counted as one of the Twelve Great Feasts, in the West the feast has generally held a lower rank and in the Roman rite is a greater-double. The feast was actually supressed by the Commission responsible for the Tridentine Missal of 1570 and was re-introduced by Sixtus V in 1585. The feast, as the 'Obalation of the BVM in the Temple' appears inter alia in several English Calendars before 1100 e.g. London British Library: Cotton Titus D.XXVII., 3r-8v and London British Library: Cotton Vitellius E.XVIII, 2r - 7v (this information comes from the interesting 'Saints in English Calendars before 1100', HBS, Vol CXVII).

First Vespers was celebrated on Friday, the antiphons and psalms being taken from the Common of the Office of the BVM. The antiphon at the Magnificat and collect are proper to the feast. The Doxology Jesu tibi sit gloria is sung at the conclusion of all hymns of Iambic metre in the Office.

At Mattins in the first nocturn the lessons are taken from the Common. (The Incipit of the Prophet Jonas was anticipated yesterday). In the second nocturn the lessons are from the writings of St. John of Damascus and St. Ambrose. In the third nocturn the homily is again taken from the Common with an adaptation made to the seventh responsory with the addition of tuam sanctam Praesentatione. At Lauds the antiphons are from the Common and the Sunday psalms are used. The antiphon on the Benedictus and collect are proper.

At Prime festal psalmody is used (53, 1181, 118ii) and the versicle Qui natus es sung in the short responsory. The short lesson is from the Common In plateis. Again at the Hours festal psalmody is sung.

Mass is sung after Terce. The Gloria and Credo are sung and the preface is that of the BVM with the clause Et te in Praesentatione.

The feast yields in concurrence to the Sunday (as it is only greater-double). However the Office hymn, Jam sol recedit igneus, is sung to the Marian tone and has the Doxology noted above. The feast of the Presentation is commemorated and a commemoration of St. Cecilia VM is also sung.

In the 'liturgical books of 1962' the feast has been reduced to third class. There is but one nocturn the scriptural lessons being those of Saturday. Ferial psalmody is used throughout. There is no special tone for the hymns and no proper Doxology. The Creed is not sung at Mass. At Vespers there is neither commemoration of the Presentation or of St. Cecilia who is omitted this year.

The icon comes from an interesting website explaining the art and theology of icons.