The Benedictine Office during Pentecost and its octave - Ordo notes

The following notes provide a guide to the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 rubrics for the Feast of Pentecost and its Octave.

During this period, the Benedictine Office imitates the Roman in using the Sunday psalms at the day hours (Lauds to Vespers) throughout the week.  It has to be said, however, that that system makes a lot more sense for the Roman Office than for the Benedictine!

List of Abbreviations

MD                              Monastic Diurnal, Farnborough, 2005 and later editions.

AM                              Antiphonale Monasticum, Solesmes, 1934.

LR                               Liber Responsorialis, Solesmes, 1895.

LH                               Liber Hymnarius, Solesmes, 1983.

SupAnt                      Supplement to the Antiphonale Monasticum, Fontgombault 

                                 (Clear Creek)

ff                                  And following pages.

Sunday 31 May – Pentecost Sunday, Class I with Class I Octave

Matins: Invitatory antiphon, hymn, antiphons, psalms, readings and responsories and Gospel of the feast, LR 107 ff.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon and collect of the feast, MD 396*/AM 520 ff.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds, MD 396*/AM 520.

Terce to None: Hymn Veni Creator at Terce; antiphons, chapter and versicles of the feast, MD 400*/AM 523 ff.

2 Vespers: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory and hymn of 1 Vespers, MD 393*/AM 517 ff; versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 402-3*/AM 524-5.

Monday 1 June – Pentecost Monday, Class I

Matins: Two nocturns, with invitatory antiphon and hymn of the feast; antiphons with either psalms of Sunday or of the day of the week; versicle, three readings and responsories, of the day; chapter, Acts 2:2 with versicle Loquebantur; collect of the day.

Lauds to Vespers: As for Pentecost Sunday, including Sunday psalms, except the canticle antiphons and collect, MD 403*/AM 525-6; at Terce, hymn Veni Creator.

Tuesday 2 June – Pentecost Tuesday, Class I

[The feasts of SS Marcellinus and Peter are not marked in the Office this year.]

Matins: Two nocturns, with invitatory antiphon and hymn of the feast; antiphons with either psalms of Sunday or of the day of the week, versicle, three readings and responsories, of the day; chapter, Acts 2:2 with versicle Loquebantur; collect of the day.

Lauds to Vespers: As for Pentecost Sunday except the canticle antiphons and collect, MD 403-4*/AM 527.

Wednesday 3 June – Ember Wednesday of Pentecost, Class I

Matins: Two nocturns, with invitatory antiphon and hymn of the feast; antiphons for the day (Factus est repente/Apparuerunt Apostolis) with psalms of the day of the week; versicle, three readings and responsories, of the day; chapter, Acts 2:2 with versicle Loquebantur; collect of the day.

Lauds to Vespers: As for Pentecost Sunday except the canticle antiphons and collect, MD 404-5*/AM 528.

Thursday 4 June – Pentecost Thursday, Class I

Matins: Two nocturns, with invitatory antiphon and hymn of Sunday; antiphons for the day (Factus est repente/Apparuerunt Apostolis) with psalms of the day of the week; versicle, three readings and responsories, of the day; chapter, Acts 2:2 with versicle Loquebantur; collect of the day.

Lauds to Vespers: As for Pentecost Sunday except the canticle antiphons and collect, MD 405*/AM 529-30.

Friday 5 June – Ember Friday of Pentecost, Class I

[The feast of St Boniface is not marked in the Office this year.]

Matins: Two nocturns, with invitatory antiphon and hymn of Sunday; antiphons for the day (Factus est repente/Apparuerunt Apostolis) with psalms of the day of the week; versicle, three readings and responsories, of the day; chapter, Acts 2:2 with versicle Loquebantur; collect of the day.

Lauds to Vespers: As for Pentecost Sunday except the canticle antiphons and collect, MD 405-6*/AM 530-1.

Saturday 6 June – Ember Saturday of Pentecost, Class I

[The feast of St Norbert is not marked in the Office this year.]

Matins: Two nocturns, with invitatory antiphon and hymn of Sunday; antiphons for the day (Factus est repente/Apparuerunt Apostolis) with psalms of the day of the week; versicle, three readings and responsories, of the day; chapter, Acts 2:2 with versicle Loquebantur; collect of the day.

Lauds to None: As for Pentecost Sunday except the Benedictus antiphon and collect, MD 406-7*/AM 531.

START OF TIME AFTER PENTECOST (THROUGHOUT THE YEAR)

1 Vespers of the Most Holy Trinity: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect of the feast, MD 407*/AM 532 ff (no commemoration of the Sunday).

Compline: Marian Antiphon Salve Regina, MD 268-9/AM 176 or 180, henceforward.

Notes on the Benedictine Office for Ascensiontide (May 24-30, 2020)

This week is Ascensiontide, which has its own Ordinary texts, which can be found at MD 383*/AM 509 ff.

Page references in the Ordo  are to the Farnborough editions of the Monastic Diurnal (MD), the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM), Liber Hymnarius (LH) and Liber Responsorialis (LR) but the notes can readily be adapted to other older Benedictine breviaries and Office books.

Sunday 24 May – Sunday after the Ascension, Class II [Our Lady Help of Christians, Class I (Australia & NZ)]

Matins: Invitatory antiphon, hymn, versicles and responsories of the feast of the Ascension; antiphons and canticles of Eastertide; readings and collect of the Sunday after the Ascension.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons of Eastertide, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect, MD 389*/AM 513 ff.

Prime: Antiphon of Eastertide as noted in the psalter.

Terce to None: Antiphon of Eastertide with chapter, versicle and collect of the Sunday, MD 391*/AM 514 ff.

Vespers: One antiphon of Eastertide; chapter and hymn of Lauds; responsory of the Ascension; versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 393*/AM 515.

***Our Lady Help of Christians, MD 28** (for Matins, Common of the BVM).

Monday 25 May – St Gregory VII, Class III

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory antiphon, hymn, chapter and versicle of a confessor bishop; reading, responsory and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (64)/AM 659 ff; collect of the feast, MD [149]/AM 912.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds of the Common, MD (64)/AM 657.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter and versicle of the Common, MD (67-8)/AM 662-3; collect of the feast, MD [149]/AM 912.

Vespers: Antiphons and psalms of the day; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (68)/AM 654 ff; Magnificat antiphon of a doctor, MD (74)/AM 665-6; collect of the feast, MD [149]/AM 912.

Tuesday 26 May – St Augustine OSB, Class III; [EF: St Philip Neri, Class III]

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory antiphon, hymn, chapter and versicle of a confessor bishop; reading, responsory and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Antiphons and psalms of the day; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (64)/AM 659 ff; collect of the feast, MD [150]/AM 913.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds of the Common, MD (64)/AM 657.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter and versicle of the Common, MD (67-8)/AM 662-3; collect of the feast, MD [150]/AM 913.

Vespers: Antiphons and psalms of the day; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (68)/AM 654 ff; Magnificat antiphon, MD (73)/AM 662-3; collect of the feast, MD [150]/AM 913.

Wednesday 27 May – St Bede OSB, Class III

If Class I, see MD 31**.

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory antiphon, hymn, chapter and versicle of a confessor; reading, responsory and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon of the Common of a Confessor, MD (78)/AM 672 ff; collect of the feast, MD [150]/AM 913.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds of the Common, MD (78)/AM 672.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter & versicle of the Common, MD (82-3)/AM 674-5; collect MD [150]/AM 913.

Vespers: Chapter, responsory and hymn of 1 Vespers of the Common of a Confessor, MD (75)/AM 667 ff; versicle of 2 Vespers, MD (83)/AM 675; Magnificat antiphon of a Doctor, MD (74)/AM 665-6; collect, MD [150]/AM 913.

Thursday 28 May – Class IV [EF: St Augustine OSB, Class III]

Matins: Ordinary of Ascensiontide, viz Invitatory Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; hymn Aeterne Rex altissime (LH 82); versicles, short reading (Heb 6:18-20), short responsory (Dominus in caelo) and chapter (Eph 2:6-7) of the season.

Lauds to Vespers: Ordinary of the Ascension, MD 383*/AM 509 ff (antiphons of Eastertide; chapters and versicles of the feast of the Ascension; responsory, hymn and canticle antiphons of the Ascension at Lauds and Vespers; collect (of the Sunday), MD 386*/AM 514.

Friday 29 May – Class IV [EF: St Mary Magdalen of Pazzi]

Ordinary of the Ascension, MD 383*/AM 509 ff.

Saturday 30 May – Vigil of the Pentecost, Class I

Matins: Ordinary of Ascensiontide; readings and responsories of the Vigil.

Lauds to None: Ordinary of the Ascension, MD 383*/AM 509 ff.

1 Vespers of Pentecost: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect of the feast, MD 393*/AM 517 ff.

Ordo for the fifth week of Eastertide/Ascension

The notes below are intended as a guide to saying the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 calendar and rubrics.

Page references in the Ordo  are to the Farnborough editions of the Monastic Diurnal (MD), the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM), Liber Hymnarius (LH) and Liber Responsorialis (LR) but the notes can readily be adapted to other older Benedictine breviaries and Office books.

The Ordinary of Easter can be found at MD 346*/AM 466 ff; Ascensiontide has its own Ordinary, which can be found at MD 383*/AM 509 ff.

For those who say Matins, or want to follow the readings of the Office, the proper texts can be found on the Lectio Divina Notes Blog.

Sunday 17 May – Fifth Sunday after Easter, Class II

Matins: Invitatory (Surrexit Dominus) and hymn (Rex sempiterne) of Eastertide; Gospel, readings and responsories of the Sunday.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons of Eastertide, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect, MD 373*/AM 499 ff.

Prime: Antiphon of Eastertide.

Terce to None: Antiphon of Eastertide, chapter verse, versicle and collect, MD 373-4*/AM 500.

Vespers: One antiphon of Eastertide with chapter of Lauds; responsory and hymn, MD 354*/AM 466; versicle and Magnificat antiphon, MD 375*/AM 500-1.

Monday 18 May – Rogation Day; Class IV [EF: St Venantius]

Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers (Monday in the fifth week after Easter), MD 375*/AM 501-2; collect, MD 373-4*/AM 500.

Tuesday 19 May – Rogation day; Class IV; St Peter Celestine, Memorial [EF: Class III; Benedictine Confederation, St. Celestine, Optional Memorial] **In Some Places St Dunstan, Class III

Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 375-6*/AM 503; collect, MD 373-4*/AM 500; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [148-9]/AM 911.

Wednesday 20 May – Vigil of the Ascension, Class II

Matins: All as for the Ordinary of Eastertide except for the three readings and responsories of the Vigil.

Lauds to None: Ordinary of Eastertide; collect, MD 373-4*/AM 504; at Lauds, versicle and Benedictus antiphon MD 376*/AM 503-4.

ASCENSIONTIDE

1 Vespers of the Ascension: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect of the feast, MD 376*/AM 505 ff.

Thursday 21 May – The Ascension of Our Lord, Class I

Matins: Three nocturns with invitatory, hymn, antiphons, psalms, Gospel, readings and responsories of the feast, LR 94 ff.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect of the feast, MD 379*/AM 508 ff.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds, MD 379*/AM 508.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter, versicle and collect of the feast, MD 382-3*/AM 511.

2 Vespers: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory and hymn of 1 Vespers, MD 376*/AM 505 ff; versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 383*/AM 512.

Friday 22 May – Class IV

Matins: Ordinary of Ascensiontide, viz Invitatory Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia; hymn Aeterne Rex altissime (LH 82); versicles, short reading (Heb 6:18-20), short responsory (Dominus in caelo) and chapter (Eph 2:6-7) of the season.

Lauds to Vespers: Ordinary of the Ascension, MD 383*/AM 509 ff (antiphons of Eastertide; chapters and versicles of the feast; responsory, hymn and canticles antiphons of the feast at Lauds and Vespers; collect, MD 386*/AM 512.

Saturday 23 May – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady

Matins: Office of Our Lady on Saturday: Invitatory antiphon, hymn, versicles, absolution, blessings, responsory; chapter and collect for the Office of Our Lady in Eastertide; reading for Saturday 4&5 of May.

Lauds: Office of Our Lady on Saturday: Chapter, hymn and collect of the Office of Our Lady, MD (130-1)/AM 714; responsory, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Office of Our Lady in Eastertide, MD (135)/AM 718-9.

Prime: Antiphon of the Office of Our Lady (with alleluia added to end), MD (131)/AM 715.

Terce to None: Antiphon (with alleluia added to end), chapter, versicle and collect of the Office of Our Lady, MD (132-3) /AM 715-6.

1 Vespers of the Sunday after the Ascension: One antiphon (of Eastertide) with chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 388-9*/AM 513-4.

Ordo for the fourth week of Eastertide

The notes below are intended as a guide to saying the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 rubrics and general calendar.

Page references in the Ordo  are to the Farnborough editions of the Monastic Diurnal (MD), the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM), Liber Hymnarius (LH) and Liber Responsorialis (LR) but the notes can readily be adapted to other older Benedictine breviaries and Office books.

Eastertide has its own Ordinary texts, which can be found at MD 346*/AM 466 ff.

And for those who say Matins, or want to follow the daily readings of the Office, the proper texts can be found on the Lectio Divina Notes Blog.

Sunday 10 May – Fourth Sunday after Easter, Class II

[The feast of SS Gordian and Epimachis is not marked in the Office this year.]

Matins: Invitatory (Surrexit Dominus) and hymn (Rex sempiterne) of Eastertide; Gospel, readings, responsories and collect of the Fourth Sunday after Easter.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons of Eastertide with chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect, MD 368*/AM 493 ff.

Prime: Antiphon of Eastertide.

Terce to None: Antiphons of Eastertide; chapter verse, versicle and collect, MD 369*/AM 494.

Vespers: Psalms of Sunday under one antiphon; chapter of Lauds; responsory and hymn of the ordinary of Easter; versicle and Magnificat antiphon, MD 370*/AM 495.

Monday 11 May – SS Philip and James, Class II; [Ben Confed: St. Odo, St. Maiolus, St. Odilo, St. Hugh and Blessed Peter the Venerable, abbots of Cluny – Memorial]

Matins: Three nocturns: Common of Apostles during Eastertide (LR 162 ff) except for the readings, responsories and collect, which are of the feast.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn and versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect for the feast, MD [142]/AM 893.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds, MD [142]/AM 893.

Terce to None: Antiphons of Lauds, MD [142]/AM 893; chapter and versicle of the Common of Apostles in Eastertide, MD (25) ff; collect of the feast, MD [143]/AM 894.

Vespers: Psalms of 2 Vespers of the Common of Apostles (Ps 109, 112, 115, 138) with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect for the feast, MD [143]/AM 895 ff.

Tuesday 12 May – Class IV; SS Nereus, Archilleus and Pancras, memorial [EF: Class III, and Domitilla]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 370*/AM 496; collect, MD 368*/AM 494; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [146]/AM 905.

Wednesday 13 May – Class IV; St Robert Bellarmine, memorial [EF: Class III]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 371*/AM 497; collect, MD 368*/AM 494; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [147]/AM 909.

Thursday 14 May – Class IV; St Pachomius, Memorial [EF: Commemoration of St Boniface]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 371*/AM 497-8; collect, MD 368*/AM 494; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [147-8]/ SupAnt 74.

Friday 15 May – Class IV [EF: St John Baptist de la Salle; Ben Confed: St. Pacomius, abbot - Optional Memorial

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 371-2*/AM 498/495 (Vado ad eum); collect, MD 368*/AM 494.

Saturday 16 May – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady

Matins: Office of Our Lady on Saturday: Invitatory antiphon, hymn, versicles, absolution, blessings, responsory; chapter and collect for the Office of Our Lady in Eastertide; reading for Saturday 3 of May.

Lauds: Office of Our Lady on Saturday: Chapter, hymn and collect of the Office of Our Lady, MD (130-1)/AM 714; responsory, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Office of Our Lady in Eastertide, MD (135)/AM 718-9.

Prime: Antiphon of the Office of Our Lady (with alleluia added to end), MD (131)/AM 715.

Terce to None: Antiphon (with alleluia added to end), chapter, versicle and collect of the Office of Our Lady, MD (132-3) /AM 715-6.

1 Vespers of Fifth Sunday after Easter: One antiphon of Eastertide with chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 372*/AM 499 ff.

Ordo for the third week of Eastertide

The notes below are intended as a guide to saying the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 rubrics.

Page references in the Ordo  are to the Farnborough editions of the Monastic Diurnal (MD), the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM), Liber Hymnarius (LH) and Liber Responsorialis (LR) but the notes can readily be adapted to other older Benedictine breviaries and Office books.

This week is the third of Eastertide, which has its own Ordinary texts, which can be found at MD 346*/AM 466 ff.

And for those who say Matins, or want to follow the daily readings of the Office, the proper texts for each day can be found on the Lectio Divina Notes Blog.

Sunday 3 May – Third Sunday after Easter, Class II

[The feast of SS Alexander, Eventius and Theodolus is not marked in the Office this year.]

Matins: Invitatory (Surrexit Dominus), hymn (Rex sempiterne), Gospel, readings and responsories of the Sunday (for all texts and chants see Gregofacsimil website).

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons of Eastertide; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect, MD 363*/AM 487 ff.

Prime: Antiphon of Eastertide.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter verse, versicle of Eastertide; collect, MD 363-4*/AM 488.

Vespers: One antiphon of Eastertide with chapter of Lauds; responsory and hymn, MD 354*/AM 470 ff; versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 365*/AM 489.

Monday 4 May – Class IV; St Monica, memorial [EF: Class III]

Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 365*/AM 489-90; collect (of Sunday), MD 362*/AM 488; for the commemoration, MD [139-40]/AM 903.

Tuesday 5 May – Class IV; St Pius V, memorial [EF: Class III]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 365*/AM 490-1; collect, MD 362*/AM 488; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [140]/AM 903.

Wednesday 6 May – Class IV

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 366*/AM 491; collect, MD 362*/AM 488.

Thursday 7 May – Class IV [EF: St Stanislaus, Class III]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 366*/AM 492; collect, MD 362*/AM 488.

Friday 8 May – Class IV

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 366-7*/AM 492-3&489 (Amen dico); collect, MD 362*/AM 488.

Saturday 9 May – St Gregory Nazianzen, Class III

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory, hymn, chapter and versicle of a confessor bishop; psalms; reading, responsory and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (64)/AM 659 ff; collect of the feast, MD [141]/AM 905.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds of the Common, MD (64)/AM 657.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter and versicle of the Common, MD (67-8)/AM 662-3; collect of the feast, MD [141]/AM 905.

1 Vespers of the Fourth Sunday in Eastertide: One antiphon of Eastertide, with chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 367*/AM 493 ff.

Ordo for the second week of Eastertide

This week is the second of Eastertide, which has its own Ordinary texts, which can be found at MD 346*/AM 466 ff.

Page references in the Ordo  are to the Farnborough editions of the Monastic Diurnal (MD), the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM), Liber Hymnarius (LH) and Liber Responsorialis (LR) but the notes can readily be adapted to other older Benedictine breviaries and Office books.

Sunday 26 April – Second Sunday after (the Octave of) Easter, Class II

[The feast of St Cletus is not marked in the office this year.]

Matins: Invitatory (Surrexit Dominus), hymn (Rex sempiterne), Gospel, readings and responsories of the Second Sunday.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons of Eastertide; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect, MD 356*/AM 481 ff.

Prime: Antiphon of Eastertide (as noted in the psalter).

Terce to None: Antiphons of Eastertide with chapter, versicle and collect of the Sunday, MD 359*/AM 482.

Vespers: One antiphon (of Eastertide) with chapter, responsory and hymn of 1 Vespers, MD 354*/AM 481 ff; canticle and Magnificat antiphon MD 459-60*/AM 483.

Monday 27 April – Class IV; St Peter Canisius, memorial [EF: Class III]

Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 360*/AM 483-4; collect (of Sunday), MD 358*/AM 483; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [114-5]/AM 873.

Tuesday 28 April – Class IV [EF: St Paul of the Cross]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 360*/AM 484; collect, MD 358*/AM 482.

Wednesday 29 April – SS Odo, Majolus, Odilo and Hugh, Class III [EF: St Peter of Verona]

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory antiphon, hymn, reading, responsory, chapter, versicle and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect of the feast with festal psalms, MD [115]/AM 877 ff.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds.

Terce to None: Antiphons and texts of the feast, MD [117]/AM 877 ff.

Vespers: Psalms from the Common of Apostles (Ps 109 -112); antiphon, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect of the feast, MD [119]/AM 881 ff.

Thursday April 30 – Class IV; St Catherine of Siena, Memorial [EF: Class III]

Ordinary of Eastertide; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 361*/AM 485-6; collect, MD 358*/AM 482; for the commemoration, MD [121-2]/AM 882.

1 Vespers of St Joseph the Worker: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect of the feast, MD [123] ff OR MD [130]/AM 883.

Friday 1 May – St Joseph the Worker, Class I

Note choice of Offices: MD [126] ff or MD [133]/AM 886 ff (former Solemnity of St Joseph).

Matins: Three nocturns, all of the feast.

Lauds: Festal psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon for the feast, MD [126] ff or MD [133] ff.

Prime: Antiphon, MD [128].

Terce to None: Antiphons, chapter, versicle and collect of the feast, MD [129-30].

2 Vespers: Sunday psalms with antiphons, chapter, responsory, hymn, and collect of the feast; versicle and Magnificat antiphon of 2 Vespers, MD [123] ff OR MD [130]/AM 883.

Saturday 2 May – St Athanasius, Class III

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory, hymn, chapter and versicle of a confessor bishop; reading, responsory and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (64)/AM 659 ff; collect (of the feast), MD [138]/AM 896.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds of the Common, MD (64)/AM 657.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter and versicle of the Common, MD (67-8)/AM 662-3; collect of the feast, MD [138]/AM 896.

1 Vespers of Third Sunday in Eastertide: One antiphon of Eastertide, with chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect, MD 362*/AM 487 ff.

Ordo for the first week of Eastertide (first week after the Easter Octave)

This week is the first of Eastertide, which has its own Ordinary texts, which can be found at MD 346*/AM 466 ff.

Page references in the Ordo  are to the Farnborough editions of the Monastic Diurnal (MD), the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM), Liber Hymnarius (LH) and Liber Responsorialis (LR) but the notes can readily be adapted to other older Benedictine breviaries and Office books.

And for those who say Matins, or want to follow the daily readings of the Office, the proper texts for each day can be found on the Lectio Divina Notes Blog.

Sunday 19 April – Low Sunday, Class I

Matins: Invitatory, hymn, antiphons, Gospel, readings and responsories for the Sunday.

Lauds: Festal psalms with (three) antiphons of Eastertide, chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle, Benedictus antiphon and collect for Low Sunday, MD 341*/AM 474 ff.

Prime: Antiphon, MD 344* (AM: As noted in the psalter).

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter, versicle and collect of the Sunday, MD 344-5*.

2 Vespers of Low Sunday: Psalms of Sunday under one antiphon (AM 476); chapter, responsory, hymn of 1 Vespers, MD 339*/AM 473 ff; versicle and Magnificat antiphon, MD 345*/AM 477.

Monday 20 April – Class IV

Matins: Ordinary of Eastertide: Invitatory, Alleluia..., hymn, Rex sempiterne, one antiphon per Nocturn (alleluia...), versicles and chapter of Eastertide, short lesson and responsory; collect of White Sunday.

Lauds to Vespers: Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 352*/AM 477-8; collect (of White Sunday), MD 344*/AM 475.

Tuesday 21 April – St Anselm, Class III

Matins: Two nocturns with invitatory antiphon, hymn, chapter and versicle of a confessor bishop; reading, responsory and collect of the feast.

Lauds: Antiphons and psalms of the day; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle and Benedictus antiphon of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (64)/AM 659 ff; collect of the feast, MD [110]/AM 870.

Prime: Antiphon 1 of Lauds of the Common, MD (64)/AM 657.

Terce to None: Antiphon, chapter and versicle of the Common, MD (67-8)/AM 662-3; collect of the feast, MD [110]/AM 870.

Vespers: Antiphons and psalms of the day; chapter, responsory, hymn, versicle of the Common of a Confessor Bishop, MD (68)/AM 654 ff; Magnificat antiphon of a doctor, MD (74)/AM 665-6; collect of the feast, MD [110]/AM 870.

Wednesday 22 April – Class IV [EF: SS Soter and Cajus, Class III]

Matins: Ordinary of Eastertide; collect of White Sunday.

Lauds to Vespers: Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 352-3*/AM 479; collect (of White Sunday), MD 344*/AM 475.

Thursday 23 April – Class IV; St George, memorial [Ben. Confed: St. Adalbert, bishop and martyr - Optional Memorial]

Matins: Ordinary of Eastertide; collect of White Sunday.

Lauds to Vespers: Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 353*/AM 479-80; collect (of White Sunday), MD 344*/AM 475; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [112-3]/AM 872.

Friday 24 April – Class IV [EF: St. Fidelis of Sigmaringen, Class III]

Matins: Ordinary of Eastertide; collect of White Sunday.

Lauds to Vespers: Ordinary of Eastertide, MD 346*/AM 466 ff; canticle antiphons for Lauds and Vespers, MD 353*/AM 480; collect (of White Sunday), MD 344*/AM 475.

Saturday 25 April – The Greater Litanies and St Mark, Class II [Australia: ANZAC Day]

Matins: All from the Common of Apostles in Eastertide except for the second nocturn readings and collect, of the feast.

Lauds to None: All from the Common of Apostles in Paschaltide, MD (23) ff, except for the collect, MD [113]/AM 873.

Vespers: Common of Apostles in Paschaltide MD (20), except for the versicle and Magnificat antiphon, MD (26) and collect, MD [113]; commemoration of the Sunday (versicle, Magnificat antiphon and collect), MD 356*/AM 482-3.