We are now in the brief liturgical season of Ascensiontide. This year, we will pray the ferial office 3 times. In the Dominican Breviary, the ferial office in Ascension season is similar to that of the Roman Breviary, with slight differences. The invitatory at Matins is different, as is the Benedictus antiphon at Lauds is different, and the hymn at Vespers, to name a few.
Though this season is short, and is overshadowed by the looming arrival of Pentecost, it is a beautiful liturgical season nonetheless. The ferial days in Ascensiontide are IV Class, so when a III Class feast occurs on the calendar, no commemoration is made of the ferial office.
There are no genuflections or preces, at any Hour.
Matins
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Inv. Alleluia, alleluia, * alleluia.
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Hymn: Eternal Monarch, King most high…(Aetérna Rex altíssime…)
Three psalms and antiphon from the weekday with the versicle are taken from the weekday as in the Psalter for Ascension time; the weekly sequence indicated above is followed. The Te Deum is not said.
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Lauds
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Before Lauds ℣. I am ascending to my Father and your Father, alleluia. ℟. To my God and your God, alleluia.
Psalms from the weekday with the antiphon from Paschaltide as in the Psalter.
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Little Chapter (Acts 1): In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with tall that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
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Hymn: You, Christ, are now our joy… (Tu, Christe, nostrum gáudium…)
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℣. At the end of the sky is his rising, alleluia. ℟. To the furthest end of the sky is his course, alleluia.
Bened. ant. I will ask my Father and he will give you another Counsellor, alleluia.
Prayer: Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who believe that on this day your only Son, our Redeemer, ascended to the glory of heaven, may also dwell mentally amid heavenly things. Through the same…
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Let us bless the Lord, alleluia.
At Pretiosa the Rule is read.
At the Hours psalms are from the weekday, with the antiphon from Paschaltide as in the Psalter.
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Prime
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Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Little Chapter: (Zach 8): Love ye truth and peace, thus says the Lord almighty.
℟. Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, * Alleluia, alleluia. Jesus Christ. ℣. Who ascended over the stars. Glory. Jesus Christ.
℟. Arise, O Christ, and help us, alleluia. ℟. And deliver us for Thy name’s sake, alleluia.
Prayer O Lord God almighty, as in the Psalter.
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Terce
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Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Little Chapter as in Lauds
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℟. Your majesty, O God, is praised, * alleluia, alleluia. – Your majesty. ℣. Above the heavens. – Alleluia, alleluia. – Glory. – Your majesty.
℣. God goes up with shouts of joy, alleluia. ℟. The Lord goes up with trumpet blast, alleluia.
Prayer of Lauds.
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Sext
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Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Little Chapter (Acts 1): While staying with them he charged them not to depart from Jerusalem, but to wait for the promise of the Father, which, he said, “you heard from me”.
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℟. The Lord has risen, indeed, * alleluia, alleluia. – The Lord. ℣. And has appeared to Simon. – Alleluia. – Glory. – The Lord.
℣. The Lord has risen from the tomb, alleluia. ℟. Who hung upon the cross for us, alleluia.
Prayer of Lauds.
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None
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Ant. Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia.
Little Chapter (Acts 1): Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus who was taken up from you into heaven will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.
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℟. When Christ ascended on high, * alleluia, alleluia. – When Christ ascended. ℣. He led a host of captives. – Alleluia. – Glory. – When Christ ascended.
℣. At the end of the sky is his rising, alleluia. ℟. To the furthest end of the sky is his course, alleluia.
Prayer of Lauds.
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Vespers
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Psalms and antiphons as in the Psalter, at Paschaltide.
Little Chapter (Acts 1): In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with tall that Jesus began to do and to teach, until the day when he was taken up, after he had given commandment through the Holy Spirit to the apostles whom he had chosen.
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Hymn: Eternal Monarch, King most high…(Aetérna Rex altíssime…)
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℣. Your majesty, O God, is praised, alleluia. ℟. Above the heavens, alleluia.
Mangif. ant. Go into all the world and preach the gospel to the whole creation, alleluia. He who beleves and is baptized will be saved, alleluia; but he who does not believe will be condemned, alleluia
Prayer: Grant, we beseech you, almighty God, that we who believe that on this day your only Son, our Redeemer, ascended to the glory of heaven, may also dwell mentally amid heavenly things. Through the same…
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Compline
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Psalms from the weekday with antiphon of Paschaltide. Remainder as in the Ordinary, with the modifications there noted for Ascensiontide.
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