This year, during the season of Lent, we will pray the ferial office 18 times. In the Dominican Breviary, the ferial office in Epiphany season is similar to that of the Roman Breviary, with slight differences. The hymn at Matins is different, as are some of the Little Chapters.
The ferial days in Lent (Quadragesima) are III Class, and take precedence over III Class feasts of saints and blesseds. So when the III Class feast of a saint or blessed occurs on the calendar, a commemoration is made of that feast.
February and March are wonderful months in the Dominican sanctorale, even in the 1962 calendar. The month starts off with the Anniversary of our Mothers and Fathers on February 6. Then, we have a wonderful grouping of St. Catherine de Ricci, Bl. Jordan of Saxony, and Bl. Henry Suso. February finishes out with Bl. Reginald, one of St. Dominic's close companions.
And though March is a sparse month in the sanctorale, it does contain the feast of the Angelic Doctor on March 7. This feast, which temporarily lightens the heaviness of the penitential season of Lent is 1st Class in the Dominican Rite. It takes precedence over the ferial days of Lent, so we only make a commemoration of the ferial office (error alert on my calendar!!) at Lauds and Vespers.
The ferial office during Lent is prayed as follows:
The ferial office during Lent is prayed as follows:
Matins
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Inv. The
mighty God, the Lord: * come, let us adore.
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Hymn: O only hope of all below…(Smmi largítor prǽmii…)
Psalms and antiphons of the day, with ℣. of Lent, as
in the Psalter. Te Deum is not
said.
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Lauds
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Before Lauds ℣. They shall bear you
upon their hands. ℟. Lest you strike
your foot against a stone.
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Little Chapter (Joel. 2): “Return
to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and
rend your hearts and not your garments,” says the Lord almighty.
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Hymn: O Sun of Justice, Christ your ray… (Iam Christe, sol iustíæ…)
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℣. His faithfulness is buckler and shield. ℟. You will not far the terror of the night.
At Bened. proper antiphon.
Preces are said
Proper prayer
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At Pretiosa, the Rule is read.
At the Hours, antiphons of Lent as in the Psalter
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Prime
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Ant.
As I live says the Lord, I will not the death of a sinner, but rather
that he be converted and live.
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Terce
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Ant.
The
days of penance have come to us that sins may be atoned for and souls may be
healed.
Little Chapter as in Lauds
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During the first and second weeks.
℟. Make me, O God, a friend of all who revere you and * who obey your precepts. ℣. Turn and show me our mercy; show justice to
your friends. – Who obey. - Glory. – Make me, O God, a friend.
℣. He says to the Lord: “My refuge.” ℟. My stronghold, my God.
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During the third and fourth weeks.
℟. It was good, O Lord, for me to be afflicted; * the law from your mouth means more to me than
silver and gold. ℣. It was your hands that
made me and shaped me: help me to learn your commands. – The law from your
mouth. - Glory. – It was good, O Lord.
℣.
He says to the Lord: “My refuge.”
℟.
My stronghold, my God.
Preces are said
Prayer as in Lauds.
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Sext
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Ant. We commend ourselves
through great endurance, in much hunger, through the weapons of
righteousness.
Little Chapter (Is. 55): Let the wicked
forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the
Lord, that he may have mercy on him, and to our God, for he will abundantly
pardon.
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During the 1st and 2nd weeks:
℟. I turn
my feet from evil paths, * to obey your
commands, Lord. ℣. I have not turned
away from your decrees, you yourself have taught me. – To obey. – Glory. I turn my feet.
℣. It is he
who will free you from the snare of the fowler. ℟. Who seeks to destroy you.
During the 3rd and 4th weeks:
℟. I am
your servant, * make me understand, Lord. ℣. Then I shall know your will. – Make me. –
Glory. – I am. ℟. I am.
℣. It is he
who will free you from the snare of the fowler. ℟. Who seeks to destroy you.
Preces are said.
Prayer as in Lauds.
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None
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Ant. We commend ourselves
through great endurance, in much hunger, through the weapons of
righteousness.
Little Chapter (Is. 58): “Is it not
to share your bread with the hungry, and bring the homeless poor into your
house; when you see the naked, to cover him, and not to hide yourself from
your own flesh?” says the Lord Almighty.
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During the 1st and 2nd weeks:
℟. Seven times a day I praise you, Lord my God;
* do not utterly lose me.
℣. I am lost like a sheep; seek your servant,
for I remember your commands. – Do not utterly lose me. – Glory. – Seven times.
℣. He will conceal you with his pinions. ℟. And under his wings you will find refuge.
During the 3rd and 4th weeks:
℟. O God, make know to us * your mercy.
℣. The unfolding of your word give light,
Lord. – Your mercy. – Glory. – O God, make known to us your mercy.
℣. He will conceal you with his pinions. ℟. And under his wings you will find refuge.
Preces are said.
Prayer as in Lauds.
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Vespers
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Psalms and antiphons as in the Psalter
Little Chapter (Joel. 2): “Return
to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; and
rend your hearts and not your garments,” says the Lord almighty.
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Hymn: O maker of the world… (Audi, benígne Cónditor…)
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℣.
For you has God commended his angels.
℟.
To keep you in all your ways.
At Magn. Proper antiphon.
Preces are said.
Proper Prayer.
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Compline
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Psalms and antiphon as on the weekday. Remainder as noted in the Ordinary, with
changes for Lent as noted.
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