Therefore the Blessed Virgin Mary, as Mother of the Savior and the new Eve, is also most closely associated with Christ's perfect victory over death, so that "she could not be held down or detained by the bonds of death, " as the liturgy says[19]; otherwise she would have been vanquished by death and would not have been the vanquisher, and her parallelism with Christ's resurrection and ascension, before the general resurrection of the dead, would be destroyed. Moreover, the exceptional benediction, "blessed art thou among women," excludes the malediction "into dust thou shalt return." (emphasis mine)
Friday, August 15, 2025
August 15: Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, I Class
Monday, August 11, 2025
LOST FEAST: August 11: The Octave of our Holy Father St. Dominic
In the pre-1962 Breviarium S.O.P.'s, the feast had the rank of "solemne", which would be considered at least a 2nd Class Feast in the ranking system that was adopted with the 1962 breviary. For Lauds, Vespers, and the little hours, the office of the feast was prayed. At Lauds, a commemoration was made of St. Tiburtius. At Matins the office was that of three (3) lessons. For the first nocturn, the responsories are proper, and the lessons from the previous Sunday are used. At the second nocturn, the lessons and the responsories are proper; the lessons being taken from the life of St. Dominic by Theodoric. The third nocturn is like the first, with the responsories being proper, but the Gospel and homily on the Gospel are taken from the previous Sunday.
At Pretiosa, on August 10, the octave was announced thus "The Octave day of our holy Father Dominic. A solemn octave." Even though the feast day is no longer on the calendar, I pray the office of St. Dominic anyway, since I am only displacing a ferial day.
Friday, August 8, 2025
August 8: Blessed Jane of Aza, Mother of Our Holy Father St. Dominic, Commemoration
From the Martyrology of yesterday:
At Peñafiel in Spain, Blessed Joan de Aza, mother of the most Blessed Patriarch Dominic. Admirable for her virtue and beloved of God for her piety, she died at Calaruega in the love of the Lord. A duplex feast.
The holy martyrs Cyriacus, deacon, Largus, and Smaragdus, with twenty others, who suffered on March 16. Their bodies were buried on the Via Salaria by a priest named John, and on this day Pope St. Marcellus removed them to the garden of Lucina, on the Via Ostiensis. Afterward, they were brought into the city, and buried in the deaconry of St. Mary's in Via Latina. A memory.
Monday, August 4, 2025
August 4: Our Holy Father St. Dominic, C., O.P., I Class
O happy parent, Spain, rejoice in giving to the world the joy of new offspring! But, rejoice still more, Bologna, because you are favored with the glory of so great a father. O universal Mother Church, sing in praise as you celebrate the festival of this new source of fame! (Super psalmos antiphon to the Laudate psalms at First Vespers.)
Sunday, August 3, 2025
August 3: The Vigil of the Feast of St. Dominic
After weeks of preparation, including the 15 Tuesday's devotion to St. Dominic, and the Novena to our Holy Father, we have arrived at the eve before his feast day! (Yes...I know this is not an actual "vigil"). Traditionally, this was also a day of fasting and abstinence for Tertiaries of our Order. At Pretiosa today, we announce the feast to be celebrated tomorrow:
At Bologna, our most holy Father St. Dominic, confessor and founder of the Order of Friars Preachers. He was most illustrious, being distinguished by nobility of birth, sanctity and learning. Until death he preserved without stain his virginity and by the singular grace of his merits he raised three persons from the dead. By his preaching he curbed heresies and established many persons in a religious and godly manner of life. On August 6, his soul soared to heaven, there to receive a reward commensurate with his extraordinary works. His feast, however, is celebrated on this day, by an ordinance of Pope Paul IV. A totum duplex feast of the first class with a solemn octave.
The office begins at 1st Vespers with the super psalm antiphon....Gaude (O happy parent, Spain,...), followed by the special arrangement of Psalms that are used in the Dominican Office for 1st Class feasts (Psalms 112, 116, 145, 146, & 147, a.k.a, the "laudate Psalms). Since it is a Sunday, a commemoration is made of 2nd Vespers of the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost.
Wednesday, July 30, 2025
July 30: Bl. Mannes, C., O.P., Commemoration
At Calaruega in Spain, Blessed Mannes, brother of our Father St. Dominic. He possessed sincerity and simplicity to a high degree, and was devoted to contemplation. Rich in merit and renowned for his miracles, he died a holy death in the Cistercian monastery of St. Peter at Gamiel.
Tuesday, July 22, 2025
July 22: St. Mary Magdalen, Protectress of the Order, III Class
O lamp of the world and gleaming pearl, who by announcing Christ’s resurrection merited to become the Apostle of the Apostles, Mary Magdalen, be ever our loving advocate with God who has chosen you.
Wednesday, July 9, 2025
July 9: SS. John, O.P., and Companions , Mm., III Cl.
On this day, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the Feast of SS. John of Cologne, O.P., and companions, the Martyr's of Gorcum. The feast is III Class, so the Ordinary Office is prayed according to the rubrics. This feast is one of those III Class feasts where most of what is needed is provided in the Proper of the Saints. At Pretiosa, the obit of Fr. Thomas Hyacinth Cipolletti of Ascoli, 70th Master General of the Order, is made.
Monday, July 7, 2025
July 7: Blessed Benedict XI, Pope, Confessor, O.P., Commemoration
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the commemoration of Blessed Benedict XI, one of the four Dominican Popes. From “Short Lives of the Dominican Saints” (London, Kegan Paul, Trench, and Trübner & Co., Ltd., 1901).
Sunday, July 6, 2025
July 6: Anniversary Of Those Buried In Our Cemetaries
On this day, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, the anniversary of those buried in the cemeteries of the Order are remembered.
Saturday, June 28, 2025
June 28: Vigil of Sts. Peter & Paul - Domine Quo Vadis?
"In the old Carmelite breviary, which St. Teresa would have used, the Antiphon of the Magnificat at 1st Vespers on June 29 runs "The Blessed Apostle Peter saw Christ coming to meet him. Adoring Him, he said: 'Lord, whither goest Thou?' ' I am going to Rome to be crucified afresh.'" The story has it that St. Peter returned to Rome and was crucified.
Beátus Petrus Apóstolus vidit sibi Christum occúrrere, et adórans eum ait: Dómine, quo vadis? Vénio Romam íterum crucifígi. | The blessed apostle Peter saw Christ coming towards him, and adoring him, said, “Lord, where are you going?” “I go to Rome to be crucified again.” |
Saturday, May 24, 2025
May 24: Translation of Our Holy Father St. Dominic, III Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of the Translation of the Relics of Our Holy Father St. Dominic. This is one of the three (3) traditional feast days in the Dominican calendar that were dedicated to our holy Father St. Dominic. The other two being his feast day (August 4) and the miraculous appearance of a painting attributed to him at the Convent of San Domenico in Soriano Calabria in 1530 (feast day September 15 in the 1909 calendar, and September 25 in later calendars).
Thursday, May 22, 2025
LOST FEAST: May 22: St. Servatius, B.,C., Protector of the Order
Tuesday, May 13, 2025
May 13: Blessed Imelda, V., O.P., Comm.
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Imelda Lambertini, virgin, of the Order of Preachers. The ferial office of Eastertide is prayed, and a commemoration is made of Blessed Imelda at Lauds only.
Saturday, May 10, 2025
May 10: St. Antoninus, B., C., O.P., II Class
At Florence, St. Antoninus, archbishop of the same city and a member of the Order of Preachers. On account of the excellence of his doctrine and his holiness, he was compelled to become bishop, although he was unwilling. He was illustrious for his mercy and his piety. He likewise excelled to a remarkable degree in sacerdotal zeal. He was so celebrated for his prudence and good counsel, that he was justly called "Antoninus the Counsellor." Famous for his virtues and his miracles, he departed for Heaven in the seventieth year of his life, on May 2. He lies buried in the Church of San Marco where he is held in high veneration by the people.
Thursday, May 8, 2025
May 8: Blessed Virgin Mary - Mediatrix of All Graces, III Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Mediatrix of All Graces. The feast is III Class, so the Ordinary Office is prayed. Like many III Class feasts in the Dominican Breviary, this office contains the a significant amount of beautiful propers, as if the feast were II Class. At Lauds, the Psalms of Sunday are prayed.
Monday, May 5, 2025
May 5: St. Pius V, P., C., O.P., II Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of St. Pius V, Pope and Confessor, of the Order of Preachers. The feast is II Class, so the semi-festive office is prayed according to the rubrics
As surprising as it may seem, given the reputation this holy Pope and friary had, it took nearly a century and a half after his death before he was canonized! In his "History of the Dominican Liturgy", Fr. William Bonniwell, O.P., relates the story of his canonization:
Tuesday, April 22, 2025
The Devotion of the 15 Tuesdays to St. Dominic
The tradition of dedicating Tuesdays to Our Holy Father St. Dominic takes its origins right from the beginnings of the Order. The first translations of the relics of our holy Patriarch took place on Whit-Tuesday (May 24) in the year 1233 at Bologna. Successive Chapters from 1239 to 1282 introduced various liturgical practices into the rubrics of the Mass and Office of the Order, as a means of fostering devotion to him.
Sunday, April 6, 2025
Compline During Lent - Passion Sunday to Holy Thursday
One of the unique features of the Dominican Rite of Office is the variability of much of the Office of Compline during during the seasons of Lent, Passiontide, Paschaltide, Ascensiontide, and through out the octave of Pentecost, when the hymn, Little Chapter, and responses change.
Saturday, April 5, 2025
April 5: St. Vincent Ferrer, C.., O.P., II Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of St. Vincent Ferrer, Confessor, of the Order of Preachers. The feast is II Class and therefore the semi-festive office is prayed, and at Lauds a commemoration is made of the ferial office of Lent. At Lauds, the Psalms of Sunday are prayed.
Sunday, March 23, 2025
Compline During Lent - III Sunday of Lent to Passion Sunday
St. Thomas Aquinas...pray for us.
Sunday, March 9, 2025
Dominican Compline During Lent - 1st Sunday of Lent to the III Sunday of Lent
The most unique and distinguishing element of the Dominican Breviary, that sets it apart from the Roman, is the variability in the Office of Compline. And no where is this rich variability more evident than during the seasons of Lent, Passiontide, Paschaltide, Ascensiontide, and throughout the octave of Pentecost, when the hymn, Little Chapter, and responses change substantially.
The Ferial Office During Lent
It seems as though we were just celebrating Christmas. Already, the wheel of the liturgical year has moved through the seasons of the Epiphany and Septuagesima, and now we have entered the holy season of Lent.
Friday, March 7, 2025
March 7: St. Thomas Aquinas, C., D., O.P., I Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of the Angelic Doctor, St. Thomas Aquinas, Confessor, Doctor of the Church, of the Order of Preachers. Piercing a hole straight through the somber, penitential season of Lent, the feast of the Angel of the Schools is I Class, so the festive office is prayed according to the rubrics. A commemoration of the Friday after Ash Wednesday is made at Lauds. All is given in the Proper of the Saints.
In the monastery of Fossa Nuova, near Terracina, St. Thomas Aquinas of the Order of Preachers, confessor and Doctor of the Church. He was most illustrious for nobility of birth, holiness of life, and knowledge of theology. He preserved until death the grace of virginity. On account of the extraordinary superiority of his learning, he rightly earned the title of "Angelic Doctor." His writings, remarkable for the solidity of doctrine and approved by our Lord Himself, marvelously illuminate as dazzling lights the Catholic Church and every school of the orthodox world. Leo XIII declared him to be the celestial patron of all Catholic schools.
The Blessed Thomas, Doctor of the Church, light of the world, glory of Italy, virgin shining with the bloom of chastity, rejoices in a twofold crown of glory.
Monday, February 17, 2025
February 17: Blessed Reginald, C., O.P., Commemoration
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we commemorate the feast of Blessed Reginald, confessor of the Order of Preachers. The ferial office of Septuagesima Monday is prayed (Psalm scheme II, preces, proper antiphon at Bened. and Magnif., and proper collect of the Sunday), and the commemoration is made at Lauds and Vespers with the propers given in the Proper of the Saints.
At Paris, Blessed Reginald, confessor. He was dean of the Church of St. Aignan in Orleans. While at Rome, he received from the hands of our holy Father Dominic, the Dominican habit which the glorious Virgin Mary had shown him a short time before when he was dangerously ill.
Friday, February 14, 2025
February 14: Blessed Jordan of Saxony, C., O.P., III Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of Blessed Jordan of Saxony, confessor and 2nd Master General of the Order of Preachers. The feast is III Class, and the Ordinary Office is prayed, with propers taken from the Proper of the Saints. At Lauds, a commemoration of St. Valentine, Martyr is made.
Thursday, February 6, 2025
February 6: Anniversary Of Our Deceased Parents
"The anniversary of our Fathers and Mothers;"
O God, Lord of mercies, give to the souls of your servants, whose anniversary we keep, the home of refreshment, the blessedness of peace and the brightness of light. Through Christ our Lord.
Thursday, January 23, 2025
January 23: St. Raymond of Pennafort, C., O.P., III Class
Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of St. Raymond of Pennafort, Confessor, of the Order of Preachers. At the time the 1962 Breviary was published, his feast was III Class and contained a near complete set of propers for the entire office. So the semi-festive office is prayed, according to the rubrics. Between then, and the printing of the 1967 English translation of the Breviary, the Order made his feast II Class. At Lauds, the Psalms of Sunday are prayed and a commemoration of St. Emerentiana, virgin and martyr is made.
Saturday, January 18, 2025
Season after the Epiphany: The Wounds Of Sin
I don't know anything about it's origin, but it is a brief and beautiful summary of the absolute necessity of humility and repentance for any healthy interior life. I look forward to praying it each year.
Tuesday, January 7, 2025
The Ferial Office During Epiphanytide
In the Dominican Breviary, the ferial office in Epiphany season is similar to that of the Roman Breviary, with slight differences. The hymn at Lauds is different, as are some of the versicles.
Thursday, January 2, 2025
The Ferial Office During Christmastide
In the 1962 Breviarium S.O.P., the ferial days of Christmastide (January 2-5) contained no feast days of saints or blesseds, so the ferial day was prayed on each of those days, unless one of them fell on Sunday. The liturgical rank of these ferial days was IV Class. Of course, in previous editions of the Breiary, January 2 was the feast of Blessed Stephana Quinzani and January 3 was the feast of St. (then blessed) Zedislavae Berkianae. On my calendar, I follow Fr. Augustine Thompson rule of including the Dominican saints who were merely blessed in the older calendar.