The Ferial Office During Advent

From “Missale Sacri Ordinis Praedicatorum"; 1933

This year, during the season of Advent, we will pray the ferial office 8 times. In the Dominican Breviary, the ferial office in Advent draws heavily from the Book of Jeremiah for the Little Chapter (Lauds, Terce, Sext, and Vespers). The versicle before Lauds is from Isaiah 6. Each one builds upon the Old Testament Prophets' anticipation of the coming of the Messiah, just as the Church now does during Advent.

The ferial days in Advent have the rank of III Class, until December 17.  During these days, when a III Class feast occurs in the Proper of the Saints, a commemoration is made of the ferial day at Lauds and Vespers.  From December 17 through December 23, the ferial days have the rank of II Class.  During this period, when a III Class feast occurs, the ferial office is prayed and a commemoration of the III Class feast is made at Lauds and Vespers.  The preces are prayed on all of these ferial days.

December is a light month for Dominican saints.  The month starts off with a commemoration of Bl. John of Vercelli, O.P. on December 1.  And of course on December 22, there is a commemoration of the Patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, which marks the anniversary of the founding of the Order on December 22, 1216.  This year, it will mark the official 802nd Anniversary of the founding of the Order!

The Advent ferial office is prayed as follows:

Matins

Inv.  The Lord, the king who is to come, come let us adore him.

Hymn:  Proceeding forth, O Word sublime…(Verbum supérnum pródiens…) Psalms and antiphons from the weekday.  The versicle is from the Advent season as in the Psalter.  Te Deum is not said.

Lauds

Before Lauds ℣.  Send forth, Lord, the Lamb, the ruler of the earth.  ℟.  From Petra of the desert to the mountain of the daughter of Sion.

Psalms are ferial from the II scheme, until December 16 inclusive, with the antiphons as in the Psalter.  There are, however, special antiphons to be said from December 17 to 23. Little Chapter (Jer. 23):  Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Hymn:  Behold, the voice, so clear, proclaims… (Vox clara ecce íntonat…)

℣.  The voice of one crying in the wilderness.  ℟.  Prepare the way of the Lord. The Benedictus antiphon is proper.  Preces are said.  Except in Qurter Tense, the prayer is from the preceding Sunday.  At Pretiosa, the Rule is read.  At the Hours, the psalms are ferial with antiphons from Advent Season as in the Psalter.

Prime

Ant.  Come and deliver us, our God. ℟. Jesus Christ.  ℣.  Thou who art about to come into the world.

This verse is said daily, even on feasts of Saints, unless otherwise noted.

Terce

Ant.  Come, Lord, and do not delay; free your people Israel from their wrong-doing. Little Chapter as in Lauds

℟.  Come and set us free,* Lord God of hosts. – Come.  ℣.  Let your face shine on us, and we shall be saved. – Lord God. – Glory. – Come and set us free.

℣.  The nations shall fear the name of the Lord.  ℟.  And all the earth’s kings your glory. Preces are said.  They prayer is from the preceding Sunday.

Sext

Ant.  Rouse up your might, Lord, and come to save us.

Little Chapter (Jer. 23):  In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely.  And this is the name by which he will be called:  The Lord is or righteousness.”

℟.  Let us see, O Lord, * your mercy. – Let us.  ℣.  And give us your saving help. – Your mercy. – Glory.  Let us. ℣.  O Lord, remember me, out of the love you have for your people.  ℟.  Come to me, Lord, with your help. Preces are said.  Prayer from the preceding Sunday.

None

Ant.  At your coming, Lord, deliver us.

Little Chapter (Is. 2):  It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the   highest of the mountains, and shall be raised above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it.

℟.  Upon you, Jerusalem, * the Lord will arise. – Upon.  ℣.  And his glory will be seen upon you. – The Lord. – Glory.  Upon. ℣.  God of hosts, bring us back.  ℟.  Let your face shine on us and we shall be saved. Preces are said.  Prayer from the preceding Sunday.

Vespers

Psalms and antiphons as in the psalter. Little Chapter (Jer. 23):  Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land.

Hymn:  Creator of the starry height…(Cónditor alme síderum…)

℣.  Shower, O heavens, from above and let the skies rain down righteousness.  ℟.  Let the earth open, that salvation may sprout forth. The Magnificat antiphon is proper.  Preces are said except on those days in which the O antiphons occur.  The prayer is from the preceding Sunday, except in Quarter Tense.