Feast of St Joseph the Worker (May 1)

Today's feast, of St Joseph the Worker, is one that has perhaps been looking rather dated in recent years, but can perhaps gain a new lease of life in the light of the current Pope's emphasis on the social teaching of the Church.

The feast was introduced by Pope Pius XII in 1955, to counter Communist May Day celebrations.

With the collapse of communism, the rationale for it has looked rather less obvious.

However, the recent recognition of the adverse social consequences of increasing income inequality, and the association of wealth with the accumulation of capital rather than the rewards of hard work, particularly in countries such as America where wages have failed to keep pace with productivity and income growth, perhaps the feast can gain a new lease of life...

You can find the Gospel and the Matins readings for the feast here.

You might want to note, however, that the Monastic Breviary does provide the option of using the texts for the slightly older, non-workerized version of the feast - the Diurnal has them at MD [130].

Holy Saturday

Eastern Rite Matins for Holy Saturday

The instructions for the Office of Holy Saturday are set out at MD 318* ff.  Note that:
 There are no opening prayers
 The Gloria Patri is not said at the end of each psalm
 The psalms and antiphons to be used are set out at MD 279* ff
 ‘Propter quod…’ is added to the antiphon Christus factus est, MD 282*

Vespers is as on Maundy Thursday, except for the first antiphon and Magnificat antiphon, MD 325*.  It can be said any time after noon.

Compline can be found in the Diurnal on at 325*, and should be said before the Easter Vigil.  Note that those attending the vigil don't need to say Sunday Matins or Lauds.

Good Friday

The Monastic Diurnal sets out the Office as it is said today at 309*ff.  Note that:
 There are no opening prayers
 The Gloria Patri is not said at the end of each psalm
 The psalms etc for Prime to None are set out at MD 279* ff
 ‘Mortem autem crucis’ is added to the antiphon Christus factus est, MD 282*; and
 Compline as for Maundy Thursday, MD 305*

Remember, too, that if you attend the Good Friday afternoon liturgy, you do not need to say Vespers.

Note that outside of monasteries, Tenebrae of Holy Saturday is often anticipated, said after Compline rather than early in the morning.

Maundy Thursday

The Benedictine Office becomes Roman for the next few days, so ignore all the parts of the Diurnal except what is set out at  out at MD 265* ff.   Note that there are no opening prayers, and the Gloria Patri is not said at the end of each psalm.

If you attend the evening Mass, you don't need to say Vespers, as it is included in the ceremonies.  Compline is said according to the rubrics at MD 305* after the denudation of the altar, with extinguished candles and no chant.

Tenebrae of Good Friday (Matins and Lauds) is often said immediately after this.

Wednesday in Holy Week: Spy Wednesday

The Gospel today is the Passion according to St Luke (22:39-71; 23:1-53).  You can find the Matins readings (from Jeremiah) here.

There are specific antiphons for the psalms for the day (MD 263*ff) for Lauds to None, as well as the proper texts for passiontide.  The canticle antiphons and collects for the day can be found in the Monastic Diurnal at 264*ff.

Tenebrae of Maundy Thursday

Technically, under the 1962 rubrics Matins and Lauds of Maundy Thursday (viz Tenebrae) are not allowed to be anticipated.

However, this is one of the most widely ignored of the 1962 rule changes, ignored for entirely practical reasons.

If you happen to be able to attend Tenebrae, do make sure you have said Vespers and Compline of Wednesday first.

Tuesday in Holy Week

At Mass, today's Gospel is the Passion according to St Mark (14:32-72; 15:1-46).

The Office at Matins, however, reverts to Scriptural texts for the next two days, in the form of readings from Jeremiah, and then the special readings for the Triduum, which include the famous Lamentations.

From Lauds to None there are antiphons for the day (MD 262*ff), which are said with the psalms of Tuesday, and the proper texts for Passiontide (MD 240* ff).  The canticle antiphons and collects can be found at MD 263* (Farnborough edition).

Monday in Holy Week

At Mass for Monday in Holy Week, the Gospel is St John 12:1-9, St Mary Magdalene washes Jesus' feet with ointment.  You can find the text and the Matins readings on it over at my Lectio Divina blog.

From Lauds to None today note that there are specific antiphons for the day (you can find them in the Monastic Diurnal at 260-61*) - use them with the psalms of Monday, and the chapter, responsory and hymn of Passiontide (MD 240* ff).  The Benedictus and Magnificat antiphons, together with the collects, can be found at MD 261*.