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.

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.

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.

Compline from Low Sunday to the Ascension

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between Low Sunday and the Ascension. The changes began during the first week of Lent, and we have followed along as the hymns, and responsories, and antiphons have changed during Lent, Passion Tide, and now Paschaltide. These changes continue through the octave of the Trinity, after which Compline returns to its normal form.

Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.

Jesu, nostra redémptio, Amor et desidérium, Deus Creátor ómnium, Homo in fine témporum: Quæ te vicit cleméntia, Ut ferres nostra crímina, Crudélem mortem pátiens, Ut nos a morte tólleres? Inférni claustra pénetrans, Tuos captívos rédimens, Victor triúmpho nóbili Ad dextram Patris résidens: Ipsa te cogat píetas Ut mala nostra súperes Parcéndo, et voti cómpotes Nos tuo vultu sáties.	Redemption, Jesus, all divine, Whom here we love, for whom we pine, God, working our creation’s plan, And, in the latter time, made man: What love of yours was that which led To take our woes upon your head, And pangs and cruel death to bear, To ransom us from death’s despair! You pierced the halls of Limbo bare, Gave freedom to your captives there; And now you sit in victor’s pride Triumphant at the Father’s side. Let very mercy force you still To spare us, conquering each ill; We pray you grant us our request, That seeing you we may be blest
From Low Sunday to the Ascension the last two versus are:
Quǽsiumus, Auctor óminum, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum. Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui surrexísti a mórtuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula.  Amen Ant. At Nunc Dimittis :  Allelúia.     Resurréxit Dóminus, allelúia,  sicut    dixit vobis, allelúia, allelúia.	Creator great, be you our guide In this the joy of Easter-tide; Whenever assaults of death impend, Your people strengthen and defend. All glory, Lord, to you we pay, Arisen from the dead, today; With Father and the Spirit be All glory yours eternally.  Amen. Ant. at Nunc Dimittis: Alleluia.  The Lord has risen, alleluia, as he told you, alleluia, alleluia.

The last two versus of the hymn change, during Ascension-tide and the octave of Pentecost.

December 24: Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ, I Class

 ℣. Tomorrow the transgression of the earth will be blotted out. ℟. And the Savior of the world will reign over us.  (Versicle before Lauds for the Vigil of the Nativity).

Today, in the 1962 Dominican Rite Calendar, we celebrate the Vigil of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  The feast is 1st Class so the Festive Office is prayed.  At Pretiosa, we read the Martyrology for December 25:

Compline from Low Sunday to the Ascension

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between Low Sunday and the Ascension. The changes began during the first week of Lent, and we have followed along as the hymns, and responsories, and antiphons have changed during Lent, Passion Tide, and now Paschaltide. These changes continue through the octave of the Trinity, after which Compline returns to its normal form.

Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.

Jesu, nostra redémptio, Amor et desidérium, Deus Creátor ómnium, Homo in fine témporum: Quæ te vicit cleméntia, Ut ferres nostra crímina, Crudélem mortem pátiens, Ut nos a morte tólleres? Inférni claustra pénetrans, Tuos captívos rédimens, Victor triúmpho nóbili Ad dextram Patris résidens: Ipsa te cogat píetas Ut mala nostra súperes Parcéndo, et voti cómpotes Nos tuo vultu sáties.	Redemption, Jesus, all divine, Whom here we love, for whom we pine, God, working our creation’s plan, And, in the latter time, made man: What love of yours was that which led To take our woes upon your head, And pangs and cruel death to bear, To ransom us from death’s despair! You pierced the halls of Limbo bare, Gave freedom to your captives there; And now you sit in victor’s pride Triumphant at the Father’s side. Let very mercy force you still To spare us, conquering each ill; We pray you grant us our request, That seeing you we may be blest
From Low Sunday to the Ascension the last two versus are:
Quǽsiumus, Auctor óminum, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum. Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui surrexísti a mórtuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula.  Amen Ant. At Nunc Dimittis :  Allelúia.     Resurréxit Dóminus, allelúia,  sicut    dixit vobis, allelúia, allelúia.	Creator great, be you our guide In this the joy of Easter-tide; Whenever assaults of death impend, Your people strengthen and defend. All glory, Lord, to you we pay, Arisen from the dead, today; With Father and the Spirit be All glory yours eternally.  Amen. Ant. at Nunc Dimittis: Alleluia.  The Lord has risen, alleluia, as he told you, alleluia, alleluia.

The last two versus of the hymn change, during Ascension-tide and the octave of Pentecost.

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.

Compline During Lent - III Sunday of Lent to Passion Sunday

As we work out way gradually through the holy season of Lent, the Dominican Breviary refreshes us with a new Nunc dimittis antiphon beginning tonight at Compline.  We will use this antiphon up till the Saturday before Passion Sunday exclusive.

This time, the antiphon is the famous "Media vita", which is a humble acknowledgement of our utter helplessness against the power of sin and a somber plea for help from our "Holy God, holy Mighty One, holy and merciful Savior ."  This antiphon is actually an old responsory, and it is said that when chanting it, St. Thomas Aquinas was brought to tears.

This antiphon could easily be our mantra throughout the year and we can draw much spiritual fruit from meditating on it. May St. Thomas pray for us, that we be granted the grace to feel true sorrow for our sins, to repent for them, and for the grace to turn to God in our weakness and frailty.

St. Thomas Aquinas...pray for us.

Compline from Low Sunday to the Ascension

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between Low Sunday and the Ascension. The changes began during the first week of Lent, and we have followed along as the hymns, and responsories, and antiphons have changed during Lent, Passion Tide, and now Paschaltide. These changes continue through the octave of the Trinity, after which Compline returns to its normal form.

Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.

Jesu, nostra redémptio, Amor et desidérium, Deus Creátor ómnium, Homo in fine témporum: Quæ te vicit cleméntia, Ut ferres nostra crímina, Crudélem mortem pátiens, Ut nos a morte tólleres? Inférni claustra pénetrans, Tuos captívos rédimens, Victor triúmpho nóbili Ad dextram Patris résidens: Ipsa te cogat píetas Ut mala nostra súperes Parcéndo, et voti cómpotes Nos tuo vultu sáties.	Redemption, Jesus, all divine, Whom here we love, for whom we pine, God, working our creation’s plan, And, in the latter time, made man: What love of yours was that which led To take our woes upon your head, And pangs and cruel death to bear, To ransom us from death’s despair! You pierced the halls of Limbo bare, Gave freedom to your captives there; And now you sit in victor’s pride Triumphant at the Father’s side. Let very mercy force you still To spare us, conquering each ill; We pray you grant us our request, That seeing you we may be blest
From Low Sunday to the Ascension the last two versus are:
Quǽsiumus, Auctor óminum, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum. Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui surrexísti a mórtuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula.  Amen Ant. At Nunc Dimittis :  Allelúia.     Resurréxit Dóminus, allelúia,  sicut    dixit vobis, allelúia, allelúia.	Creator great, be you our guide In this the joy of Easter-tide; Whenever assaults of death impend, Your people strengthen and defend. All glory, Lord, to you we pay, Arisen from the dead, today; With Father and the Spirit be All glory yours eternally.  Amen. Ant. at Nunc Dimittis: Alleluia.  The Lord has risen, alleluia, as he told you, alleluia, alleluia.

The last two versus of the hymn change, during Ascension-tide and the octave of Pentecost.

Compline from Low Sunday to the Ascension

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between Low Sunday and the Ascension. The changes began during the first week of Lent, and we have followed along as the hymns, and responsories, and antiphons have changed during Lent, Passion Tide, and now Paschaltide. These changes continue through the octave of the Trinity, after which Compline returns to its normal form.

Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.

Jesu, nostra redémptio, Amor et desidérium, Deus Creátor ómnium, Homo in fine témporum: Quæ te vicit cleméntia, Ut ferres nostra crímina, Crudélem mortem pátiens, Ut nos a morte tólleres? Inférni claustra pénetrans, Tuos captívos rédimens, Victor triúmpho nóbili Ad dextram Patris résidens: Ipsa te cogat píetas Ut mala nostra súperes Parcéndo, et voti cómpotes Nos tuo vultu sáties.	Redemption, Jesus, all divine, Whom here we love, for whom we pine, God, working our creation’s plan, And, in the latter time, made man: What love of yours was that which led To take our woes upon your head, And pangs and cruel death to bear, To ransom us from death’s despair! You pierced the halls of Limbo bare, Gave freedom to your captives there; And now you sit in victor’s pride Triumphant at the Father’s side. Let very mercy force you still To spare us, conquering each ill; We pray you grant us our request, That seeing you we may be blest
From Low Sunday to the Ascension the last two versus are:
Quǽsiumus, Auctor óminum, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum. Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui surrexísti a mórtuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula.  Amen Ant. At Nunc Dimittis :  Allelúia.     Resurréxit Dóminus, allelúia,  sicut    dixit vobis, allelúia, allelúia.	Creator great, be you our guide In this the joy of Easter-tide; Whenever assaults of death impend, Your people strengthen and defend. All glory, Lord, to you we pay, Arisen from the dead, today; With Father and the Spirit be All glory yours eternally.  Amen. Ant. at Nunc Dimittis: Alleluia.  The Lord has risen, alleluia, as he told you, alleluia, alleluia.

The last two versus of the hymn change, during Ascension-tide and the octave of Pentecost.

Compline During Lent - III Sunday of Lent to Passion Sunday

As we work out way gradually through the holy season of Lent, the Dominican Breviary refreshes us with a new Nunc dimittis antiphon beginning tonight at Compline.  We will use this antiphon up till the Saturday before Passion Sunday exclusive.

This time, the antiphon is the famous "Media vita", which is a humble acknowledgement of our utter helplessness against the power of sin and a somber plea for help from our "Holy God, holy Mighty One, holy and merciful Savior ."  This antiphon is actually an old responsory, and it is said that when chanting it, St. Thomas Aquinas was brought to tears.

This antiphon could easily be our mantra throughout the year and we can draw much spiritual fruit from meditating on it. May St. Thomas pray for us, that we be granted the grace to feel true sorrow for our sins, to repent for them, and for the grace to turn to God in our weakness and frailty.

St. Thomas Aquinas...pray for us.

Compline from Pentecost to Trinity Sunday

We have finally arrived at the end of the period, in the liturgical year, where the office of Compline takes on a specific character that is proper to the seasons we have just passed through.  Beginning with the 1st Sunday of Lent, all the way through Passion-tide, Eastertide, Ascension-tide, it finally comes to an end after the week of Pentecost.

Compline begins as usual.  After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.  This is the same hymn that was prayed during Paschaltide, with the exception of the last two (2) stanza's, which change during Ascensiontide.

Compline from Low Sunday to the Ascension

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between Low Sunday and the Ascension. The changes began during the first week of Lent, and we have followed along as the hymns, and responsories, and antiphons have changed during Lent, Passion Tide, and now Paschaltide. These changes continue through the octave of the Trinity, after which Compline returns to its normal form.

Compline begins as usual. After the responsory, which is said with the Alleluia's as noted in the rubrics, the following hymn is said.

Jesu, nostra redémptio, Amor et desidérium, Deus Creátor ómnium, Homo in fine témporum: Quæ te vicit cleméntia, Ut ferres nostra crímina, Crudélem mortem pátiens, Ut nos a morte tólleres? Inférni claustra pénetrans, Tuos captívos rédimens, Victor triúmpho nóbili Ad dextram Patris résidens: Ipsa te cogat píetas Ut mala nostra súperes Parcéndo, et voti cómpotes Nos tuo vultu sáties.	Redemption, Jesus, all divine, Whom here we love, for whom we pine, God, working our creation’s plan, And, in the latter time, made man: What love of yours was that which led To take our woes upon your head, And pangs and cruel death to bear, To ransom us from death’s despair! You pierced the halls of Limbo bare, Gave freedom to your captives there; And now you sit in victor’s pride Triumphant at the Father’s side. Let very mercy force you still To spare us, conquering each ill; We pray you grant us our request, That seeing you we may be blest
From Low Sunday to the Ascension the last two versus are:
Quǽsiumus, Auctor óminum, In hoc pascháli gáudio, Ab omni mortis ímpetu Tuum defénde pópulum. Glória tibi, Dómine, Qui surrexísti a mórtuis, Cum Patre et Sancto Spíritu In sempitérna sǽcula.  Amen Ant. At Nunc Dimittis :  Allelúia.     Resurréxit Dóminus, allelúia,  sicut    dixit vobis, allelúia, allelúia.	Creator great, be you our guide In this the joy of Easter-tide; Whenever assaults of death impend, Your people strengthen and defend. All glory, Lord, to you we pay, Arisen from the dead, today; With Father and the Spirit be All glory yours eternally.  Amen. Ant. at Nunc Dimittis: Alleluia.  The Lord has risen, alleluia, as he told you, alleluia, alleluia.

The last two versus of the hymn change, during Ascension-tide and the octave of Pentecost.