New Book of Traditional Prayers to St. Thomas Aquinas

For those of you who, like myself, have a devotion to the Angelic Doctor, I heartily recommend this little gem that was sent to me by its author.  The purpose of this small tome is simple…to introduce readers to the beautiful patrimony of prayers (both liturgical and devotional), which the Church has given us, in order to increase devotion to St. Thomas Aquinas.

Included within its pages, you will find:

1. The Little Office of St. Thomas Aquinas
2. Antiphons and Responsories from the Office of St. Thomas Aquinas
3. Prayer of the Angelic Warfare Confraternity
4. Prayers to St. Thomas, Patron of Catholic Schools
5. Prayer Before Studying St. Thomas
6. Litany in Honor of St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and Patron of Chastity
7. The Six Sundays in Honor of St. Thomas Aquinas

Much of the traditional Dominican office of St. Thomas, much of which has been lost with the shift to the Liturgy of the Hours, is presented here in both Latin and English.

I quite heartily recommend this volume for anyone who has a devotion to St. Thomas…or who wishes to begin one.

You can purchase it at Os Justi Press here. Or, you can purchase it from Amazon here.

The Ferial Office During Advent

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.