We are now in the final two (2) weeks of Lent, which the Church has traditionally referred to as Passiontide. The rubrics of the Office change once again, and take on an even more solemn tone. With the exception of the Feast of the Annunciation this week, we will be praying the ferial office of Passiontide every day. III Class feasts of the saints are reduced to a commemoration at Lauds and Vespers.
April and May are right around the corner, and they are truly spectacular months for those of us who pray the Dominican Breviary. April contains the feasts of St. Vincent Ferrer (April 5), Our Lord's Most Holy Crown of Thorns (April 24), St. Agnes of Montepulciano (April 20), St. Louis de Montfort (April 28), St. Peter Martyr (April 29) and St. Catherine of Siena (April 30). May starts off with St. Pius V (May 5). Then we have the Feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary Mediatrix of All Graces (May 8), St. Antonius (May 10) , Blessed Imelda (May 13), the Transfer of Our Holy Father St. Dominic (May 24), and finally Bl. William and his Companions (May 29). Of course, not all of these feasts will be celebrated this year, since a few of them are impeded by the glorious feast days associated with Easter and Pentecost, however we can still avail ourselves of the beautiful collect prayers at some time during that day, to ask the Lord to hear the prayers of these wonderful Dominican saints on our behalf.