Time To Switch To Volume II

With the arrival of the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, we officially close Volume I of the Dominican Breviary and open Volume II.  We opened Volume I in late November, to start the holy and penitential season of Advent.  From there, we went through the seasons Christmas, Epiphany, Septuagesima, Lent, Easter, Ascension and Pentecost.  Now, we open Volume II and settle in for the season of Time after Pentecost.  This season is marked by some wonderful feasts, such as Corpus Christi and the Sacred Heart, the Nativity of John the Baptist and Ss. Peter and Paul, and of course the Assumption.

The Dominican Breviary has always been divided into two (2) volumes.  The oldest known editions, from the middle of the 13th Century, are in two (2) volumes.  Recently, Loome Theological Booksellers was offering a four (4) volume edition of the 1962 Breviarium S.O.P., but this was probably a custom edition that was made for someone.

So we bid farewell to Volume I, and begin the second half of the liturgical year.  When we pick up Volume I again, it will be to prepare for the season of Advent, when the year begins anew.

Pentecost Sunday, I Class

Best wishes for a happy and holy octave of Pentecost to the readers of this blog and your loved ones!

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.

Ferial Office in Ascensiontide

We are now in the brief liturgical season of Ascensiontide. This year, we will pray the ferial office 3 times. In the Dominican Breviary, the ferial office in Ascension season is similar to that of the Roman Breviary, with slight differences. The invitatory at Matins is different, as is the Benedictus antiphon at Lauds is different, and the hymn at Vespers, to name a few.

Though this season is short, and is overshadowed by the looming arrival of Pentecost, it is a beautiful liturgical season nonetheless.  The ferial days in Ascensiontide are IV Class, so when a III Class feast occurs on the calendar, no commemoration is made of the ferial office.

Compline from the Ascension to Pentecost

Continuing our series on the unique features of the Dominican Breviary at Compline, we now come to the period between the Ascension and Pentecost.

  

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.  Since today is the Vigil of the Ascension (which is a II Class feast), the ferial office of Paschaltide is prayed, with minor changes as noted in the Proper of the Seasons.  The Gospel (John 17) and lessons (Homily of St. Augustine) at Matins are proper, as is the Benedictus antiphon at Lauds and the Collect.  Also at Lauds, the II Psalm scheme is prayed.  A commemoration is made of Blessed Imelda at Lauds only.

LOST FEAST: May 12: Octave of St. Pius V

Prior to the revision of the Breviary instituted by Pope St. Pius X, the Octave of St. Pius V would be celebrated today.  This is one of the many octaves of the Dominican saints that were casualties of the revision of St. Pius X.  Not all of the Dominican saints had octaves after their feast day, but the major ones like St. Peter Martyr did.  As I always say, I think this is something that could have been retained, particularly as it was merely a commemoration at Lauds and Vespers.

In the 1909 Breviarium S.O.P., the feast had the rank of "simplex", which would be considered a commemoration according to the rubrics of the 1962 Office.  At Vespers and Lauds, an antiphon, versicle/response and collect pray are given in the Proper of the Saints.  They are the same as those from the saints feast day on May 5.

The collect prayer, which is taken from his feast day, recalls the role he played in the historic defense of Christendom from Muslim invaders in the 16th Century.  Given the plight of so many Christians today, this time in the Middle East, but elsewhere as well, who are suffering such gruesome persecution, I will be making these commemorations and asking St. Pius' intercession on their behalf.