Conference on Medieval Dominican Liturgy, March 6-7, 2023, Toronto

For those of you who may not be aware, Fr. Augustine Thompson, OP, is now the President of The Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies at the University of Toronto (founded by Etienne Gilson). The Institute is holding an International Conference on Medieval Dominican Liturgy, scheduled to coincide with the traditional feast of St. Thomas Aquinas, March 5 to 7, 2023. This conference will include papers by scholars from all around the world who have made major contributions to the study of medieval Dominican liturgy. That program may also be downloaded here.

This conference is open to the general public, and there is no registration fee, although those who wish to attend the sessions must register by sending an email to the PIMS Executive Assistant, Ms. Cynthia Watson. Reduced-rate rooms (limited number) are still available at the conference hotel. Should you want one, please mention this in your registration-request email. Note also that the two public liturgies in the Dominican Rite, the First Vespers and the Solemn Mass of Thomas Aquinas, are both open to the general public without need for registration. They will be held at St. Basil’s Collegiate Church, St. Michael’s College, Toronto ON---for more information, see the program:

Codex of Humbert de Romans Online!

I you haven't already seen this at New Liturgical Movement or on Dominican Liturgy Blogspot, Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P. has posted a link to a full color, downloadable copy of the prototype Dominican liturgical books that were produced under the direction of Master General Humbert de Romans.  As Fr. Thompson explains it:

"This manuscript was compiled by the Master of the Order Humbert of Romans in accord with the commission of the Dominican General Chapter of  Buda in 1254 and approved by the General Chapter of Paris in 1256.  Except for additional feasts and the Psalter Reform of St. Pius X, the texts of this document were authoritative as the prototype for our liturgical books.  This copy was carried by masters of the Order during visitations to correct the books of our houses.

Those who would like copies of the images for each of the parts may download them as zip files on the left sidebar under the heading "Dominican Chant Books--Downloadable."  I have divided the files so that they are not excessively large (they total 2.8 gigabytes).   Even, so some of these files, especially those with lots of music, like the Graduale and the Antiphonarium are very large.  So do be patient as they download.

Before the listing of the files, there is also a link to download the typescript index prepared by Fr. William Bonniwell in the 1950s.  It will make it much easier to find particular texts or music."

Thank you Fr. Thompson!

Video of Solemn Dominican Rite Mass in Rome

The Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer has uploaded a wonderful video of the beautiful Solemn Mass in the Dominican Rite that was offered on March 7 for the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. The Mass was offered at the Fraternity of St Peter’s Roman parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini.

The Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer uses the traditional Dominican liturgical books for the celebration of Mass and the Office.

You can see the video on their website here.

Solemn Dominican Rite Mass In Rome

Thanks to Gregory DiPipo at New Liturgical Movement for providing pictures of the Solemn Mass in the Dominican Rite that was offered on March 7 for the Feast of St. Thomas Aquinas. The Mass was offered by the Society of St. Vincent Ferrer at the Fraternity of St Peter’s Roman parish, Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini.

The Fraternity of St. Vincent Ferrer uses the traditional Dominican liturgical books for the celebration of Mass and the Office.

1959 St. Dominic Hand Missal Online!

 Fr. Augustine Thompson posted about this on his Dominican Liturgy blog and New Liturgical Movement as well.

Thanks for the generous effort of Fr Sebastian White, O.P, a pdf of the 1959 St. Dominic Hand Missal is now available on line.  This is the Missal that I have, and it is a treasure trove of liturgical Dominicana!  What is really cool about this edition is that its calendar, and hence the sanctorale and temporale, include all of the Dominican saints and blesseds, as they were celebrated on the eve of the calendar update in 1960 which saw so many of their feasts removed.

It also contains the proper Mass prefaces for the feasts of St. Dominic, St. Thomas Aquinas, and St. Francis of Assisi.  There are also votive Masses, including a privileged one for Our Lady of the Rosary.

Unlike your typical Roman Missal, this one has the English on top of the page and the Latin on the bottom.  I use mine whenever I attend a Dominican Rite Mass.

I am going to add it to the "Dominican Downloads" tab of my blog.  You can download it here.

NYC Events

A friend sent word of two upcoming Dominican events taking place in New York City, for anyone who may be in the area.

The first will take place at Holy Innocents Church (128 W. 37th Street, New York, NY) on Saturday, October 31.  To close out the month of October, the Regina Angelorum Court of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas and the Regina Mundi Praesidium of the Legion of Mary are sponsoring a series of Marian events to be given by Rev. Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P.. 

• 1:00 PM Votive Mass (OF) of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
• 2: 15 PM Lecture on the Rosary
• 5:15 PM First Vespers of All Saints Day (Latin)

You can download the flyer here.

The second is a Dominican Rite Requiem Mass for the holy souls in Purgatory on Monday, November 16, at the Dominican Church of St. Catherine of Siena (411 East 68th Street, New York, NY).  The Mass will be accompanied by Maurice Duruflé's magnificent setting for the Catholic Mass for the Dead (Requiem Op. 9), which will be sung by the Schola Dominicana of St. Catherine of Siena.  The Mass will be celebrated by Rev. Fr. Innocent Smith, O.P..  A reception will follow the Mass at the Church of St. Catherine of Siena. The Mass and reception will be sponsored by the Catholic Artists Society, the New York Purgatorial Society, and the Society of St. Hugh of Cluny.

You can download the flyer here.

"O Lumen Ecclesiae" at the Dominican House of Studies, Washington, D.C.

The New Liturgical Movement has a post on a video produced by Fr. Lawrence Lew, O.P., showing the closing prayers and antiphons after Compline at the Dominican House of Studies.  The friars came from around the US, and represented all four Provinces.  The occasion for their being together in Washington was the arrival of Pope Francis on his recent visit to the United States.  In the video, they chant the "Sub tuum" in English and then "O lumen ecclesiae" in Latin.  

It is wonderful to see these young friars continuing the tradition of chanting this beautiful antiphon!

Dominican Breviaries for Sale!!!

Father Augustine Thompson, O.P., who runs the Dominican Liturgy blog, is offering a number of copies of the 1967 English Translation of the Dominican Breviary, as well as the 1962 Breviarium iuxta Ritum Ordinis Praedicatorum!  This is an incredible opportunity, and the prices are incredible, considering what you would have to pay for these volumes on the open market.

If you have always wanted a copy of these rare books, now is your chance to pick one up.  At the prices that he is asking, these will not be around very long.

You can purchase them here.

Thank you Fr. Thompson!

July 7: Anniversary of the Bull "Consurgit in nobis"

On this day, in the year 1267, Pope Clement IV issued the Bull "Consurgit in nobis", granting the request of Blessed John of Vercelli to give official approval of the Dominican Office.  From "A History of the Dominican Liturgy, 1944, pp. 197-198:

"We are filled with the greatest spiritual joy, when we behold those who are dedicated to the divine service bonded together in virtuous harmony.  Especially when we perceive them desiring, for the honor of the Divine Name, that the cause of holy unity should prosper among them to such an extent that their state in life may enjoy not only lasting peace and tranquil devotion, but also appear always well-ordered - as propriety demands.  For both reasons there is a great cause for congratulations, since unity of faith and pious deeds so shine forth in these religious that this renowned Order may assume this praise:  it possesses every adornment of surpassing beauty, and it is entirely free of every blemish.

July 4: Anniversary of the 1962 Breviarium juxta ritum ordinis prædicatorum

Today is the anniversary of the approval of the last official Breviary of the Order of Preachers.  On July 4, 1961, Master General of the Order Michael Browne, O.P., approved the new revised Breviary.  His letter of approval and introduction is in the front of the Breviary.  It is reprinted below.  The copyright date on the title sheet, however, is 1962 which explains why it is always referred to as the 1962 Breviarium sacri ordinis praedicatorum.  This particular breviary is the one that is authorized, under Pope Benedict XVI moto proprio "Summorum Pontificum", for use by the Order should a friar, or group of friars, or even a whole priory should decide to use it either occasionally, or even adopt it permanently.  

August 28: St. Augustine, B., C., D., II Class

Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the feast of St. Augustine, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor, and Father of the Church.  A III feast in the Roman Rite, the feast is II Class in the Dominican calendar with its own propers, so the semi-festive office is prayed, according to the rubrics.  This is due to the Order’s association with the Doctor of Grace via the Rule of St. Augustine, which our Holy Father adopted as the Rule for his Order in 1216.  Also, at Pretiosa, the obit is read of Albert de Chiavari of Genoa, 10th Master General of the Order.  

Dominican Rite Missa Cantata, Columbus, OH - August 3

For anyone who is living in the Columbus, OH area, please note that the Dominican friars of St. Patrick Church will be offering a missa cantata in the Dominican Rite in observance of the Solemnity of Our Holy Father Dominic.

The missa cantata will be celebrated on Sunday, August 3, 2014, at 3:00 P.M. in St. Patrick Church, 280 N. Grant Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43215. The mass does satisfy the Sunday obligation.

Photo's of Dominican Rite Mass for Bl. Ceslaus, 2013

A reader from Poland was kind enough to send us a link to a Traditional Dominican website, and a post reporting on a Solemn Mass in the Dominican Rite that was offered on the Feast of Blessed Ceslaus at his tomb in the Dominican Church of St. Adalbert, in Wroclaw, Poland in 2013.  The Mass was in honor of the 300th anniversary of his beatification by Pope Clement XI in 1713.  Some pictures from the Mass are below.  A host of beautiful photo's can be found at the bottom of the post.

The website, Ryt dominikanski, looks very nice, and has links to numerous resources.  The link on the upper right, "Schola Gregoriana Silesiensis", contains mp3 files of some beautiful liturgical chant.  I have added a permanent link to this blog on my blog roll list below.  With the help of Google Chrome's translation function, I can understand the posts and resources available on with wonderful site.

July 4: Anniversary of the 1962 Breviarium juxta ritum ordinis prædicatorum

Today is the anniversary of the approval of the last official Breviary of the Order of Preachers.  On July 4, 1961, Master General of the Order Michael Browne, O.P., approved the new revised Breviary.  His letter of approval and introduction is in the front of the Breviary.  It is reprinted below.  The copyright date on the title sheet, however, is 1962 which explains why it is always referred to as the 1962 Breviarium sacri ordinis praedicatorum.  This particular breviary is the one that is authorized, under Pope Benedict XVI moto proprio "Summorum Pontificum", for use by the Order should a friar, or group of friars, or even a whole priory should decide to use it either occasionally, or even adopt it permanently.  

Michael Cardinal Browne, O.P.
Master General of the Order of Preachers
(1955-1962)

Regular Dominican Rite Low Mass in Rome!

Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P. is reporting, over at his Dominican Liturgy blog, that there will be a regular Saturday morning Dominican Rite Low Mass celebrated at the priory of San Clemente Via di San Giovanni in Laterano, in Rome.  The priory of San Clemente is under the care of the friars of the Irish Province, but apparently friars of other Provinces will be assisting with the Masses as well.

This is truly blessed news. Perhaps some day, in the not so distant future, a choral recitation of Solemn First Vespers could be added to the schedule.

2014 Dominican Rite Calendar Available

Fr. Augustine Thompson, O.P., has published his annual Dominican Rite Calendar for 2014.  

"His calendar "includes the feasts on the Dominican General Calendar as it was in 1962, those Dominican saints canonized since 1962 and placed on the calendar by the General Chapters from 1962 to 2013, as well as saints and blesseds placed on the calendar of dioceses of the United States.

Included in appendices are particular feasts of the dioceses where houses of the Western Dominican Province are located, and a list of the "minor" Dominican blesseds, who are usually only celebrated in certain provinces.  For those not using the 1965 Missal, page references are given for the 1933 Missal and the 1939 Traveling Missal, for feasts moved in 1960 or lacking".

We thank Father Thompson for taking the time to create this calendar every year!  You can download his calendar here.

Dominican Rite Mass in Columbus, OH

A Missa Canta, according to the Dominican Rite, will be celebrated on Sunday, August 4, 2013 at 2:00 PM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 280 N. Grant Avenue, Columbus, OH.  The celebrant will be Fr. Austin Litke, O.P.



This Mass is open to the publish and is the second public celebration of the Dominican Rite in the Dominican Parish of St. Patrick's since Pope Benedict XVI's issuance of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum.  In the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, August 4 is the Feast of Our Holy Father, St. Dominic, which takes liturgical precedence of the Mass of Sunday (so your Sunday obligation is fulfilled).