Monday, August 28, 2023

September 2023

These Ordo notes are intended as an aid to those who wish to say the traditional form of the Benedictine Office using the Monastic Diurnal (MD) published by St Michael’s Abbey, Farnborough; the Antiphonale Monasticum (AM); and/or the Breviarium Monasticum. 

The Ordo generally follows the rubrics and General Calendar approved for the Benedictine Confederation of 1962.  In addition to the feasts specified in the General Calendar, it is necessary to add in any local feasts particular to your region, country, diocese, and monastery and/or parish.

Consistent with the decree Cum Sanctissima, the Ordo also identifies some ‘optional Class III feasts’ for certain feasts previously reduced to commemorations during Lent, as well as for selected saints canonized since 1962. 

More detailed instructions on how to say the Benedictine Office can be found here, while more detailed Ordo notes can be found in the Ordo available in PDF or book form from Lulu.  

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)

 

**                          Indicates a feast celebrated in some places only, for which texts for feast available in supplement at the back of the Monastic Diurnal (page numbers with **).

 

ff                                  And following pages.

 

Canticle antiphons         In reference to Lauds and Vespers, refers to the Benedictus and Magnificat respectively.  At Matins, it refers to the third nocturn canticles of Matins used for Sundays and feasts.

 

Festal psalms               a) At Lauds: Psalm 66, 92, 99, 62, Sunday or festal canticle of the day of the week, Psalms 148-150; 

(b) At Vespers: The psalms of Sunday or of a particular types of saints/feast (ie of one of the ‘Commons’), or specific to the feast; and

(c) At Matins: For the type of saint/feast (ie of the Commons) or specific to the feast.

 

SEPTEMBER 2023

 Friday 1 September – Class IV [EF: St Giles, Memorial] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 473*/AM 604. 

Saturday 2 September – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [EF: St Stephen, Class III/Gower: Memorial] 

1 Vespers of the First Sunday of September: Magnificat antiphon, MD 452-3*/AM 582-3; collect of the Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 473-4*/AM 605. 

Sunday 3 September – Fourteenth Sunday after Pentecost/ First Sunday of September, Class II

 MD 473-4*/AM 605-6. 

Monday 4 September – Class IV 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 473-4*/AM 605. 

Tuesday 5 September – Class IV [EF: St Laurence Justinian, Class III] 

Wednesday 6 September – Class IV 

Thursday 7 September – Class IV 

Friday 8 September – Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Class II [Previously: with a Simple Octave] 

MD [259]/AM 1032 ff. 

Saturday 9 September – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady; St Gorgonius, Memorial [US: St Peter Claver, Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [264-5]/AM 1037; 1 Vespers of the Second Sunday of September: Magnificat antiphon, MD 453*/AM 583; collect of the Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 474-5*/AM 606. 

Sunday 10 September – Fifteenth Sunday after Pentecost/Second Sunday of September, Class II

 MD 474-5*/AM 606-7. 

Monday 11 September – Class IV; SS Protus and Hyacinth, Memorial 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 474-5*/AM 606; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [265]/AM 1037. 

Tuesday 12 September – Class IV [EF/Previously: Most Holy Name of Mary, Class III/Gower: Memorial] 

Wednesday 13 September – Class IV 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 474-5*/AM 606. 

Thursday 14 September – Exaltation of Holy Cross, Class II 

MD [266]/AM 1040 ff. 

Friday 15 September – The Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Class III [EF: Class II] 

MD [273]/AM 1047 ff. 

Saturday 16 September Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady; SS Cornelius and Cyprian, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [278]/AM 1040; 1 Vespers of the Third Sunday of September: Magnificat antiphon, MD 453-4*/AM 584; collect of the Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 475*/AM 607. 

Sunday 17 September – Sixteenth Sunday after Pentecost/Third Sunday of September, Class II

 MD 475-6*/AM 607-8. 

Monday 18 September – Class IV [EF: St Joseph of Cupertino, Class III] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 475*/AM 607. 

Tuesday 19 September – Class IV [EF: St Januarius and companions, Class III; **In some places, St Theodore, Class III] 

Wednesday 20 September – Ember Wednesday, Class II [EF: and St Eustace and Companions, Memorial]

MD 454*/AM 584. 

Thursday 21 September – St Matthew, Class II 

MD [279]/AM 1053. 

Friday 22 September – Ember Friday, Class II; St Maurice and Companions, Memorial 

MD 455*/AM 585-6; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [280]/AM 1053/SupAnt 133. 

Saturday 23 September Ember Saturday, Class II; St Linus, Memorial 

MD 456*/AM 586; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [280-1]/AM 1053; 1 Vespers of the Fourth Sunday of September: Magnificat antiphon, MD 456-7*/AM 586-7; collect of the Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 476*/AM 609. 

Sunday 24 September Seventeenth Sunday after Pentecost/ Fourth Sunday of September, Class II

MD 476-7*/AM 608-9. 

Monday 25 September – Class IV 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 476*/AM 609. 

Tuesday 26 September – Class IV [EF: SS Cyprian and Justina, Memorial; Gower: SS Isaac Jogues, John de Brébeuf and Companions, Memorial, in Canada, Class II/elsewhere Optional Class III] 

Wednesday 27 September – Class IV, SS Cosmas and Damian, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [281]/AM 1054. 

Thursday 28 September – Class IV [EF: St Wenceslaus, Class III; St Lioba, Optional Class III] 

1 Vespers of St Michael, MD [282]/AM 1055 ff. 

Friday 29 September – Dedication of St Michael the Archangel, Class I 

MD [284]/AM 1058 ff. 

Saturday 30 September – St Jerome, Class III 

MD [290]/AM 1064; 1 Vespers of First Sunday of October: Magnificat antiphon, MD 457*/AM 587-8; collect of the Eighteenth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 477*/AM 610.

 

Friday, July 28, 2023

August 2023

The 'ordinary' texts for the Office in August are for time throughout the year (after the Octave of Pentecost). 

At Matins on ordinary weekdays, the readings follow the summer pattern of one short reading and short responsory only.

On Sundays, the Matins readings for Nocturns I&II and responsories are of the relevant week of August rather than the Sunday after Pentecost (except where displaced by a feast).

At Saturday Vespers, the Magnificat antiphon refers to the Matins readings of the Sunday, and so are of the relevant Sunday of August (except where displaced by a feast, such as on the first Sunday, with the Transfiguration). 

If you would like more detailed notes, you can purchase the full ordo through Lulu in hardcopy or PDF form.

You can also find notes on how to say the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 calendar and rubrics here.  

AUGUST 2023

 Tuesday 1 August – Class IV; The Holy Maccabees, Memorial [In some places: St Peter in Chains] 

For St Peter, see AM 987 ff. 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect MD 469*/AM 600; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [209-10]/AM 988. 

Wednesday 2 August – Class IV; St Alphonsus Mary de Liguori, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [210]/AM 993. 

Thursday 3 August Class IV 

Friday 4 August – St Dominic, Class III 

MD [211]/AM 994. 

Saturday 5 August – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady; Dedication of the Church of Our Lady of the Snows, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [211-2]/AM 994; 1 Vespers of the Transfiguration: MD [212]/AM 997 ff; no commemoration of the Sunday. 

Sunday 6 August – Transfiguration of Our Lord, Class I

 MD [212]/AM 998 ff; no commemoration of the Sunday. 

Monday 7 August – Class IV; SS Sixtus II, Felicissimus and Agapitus, Memorial [EF: St Cajetan, Class III] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect of the Tenth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 470*/AM 601; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [219]/AM 1001. 

Tuesday 8 August – Class IV; St Cyriacus, Memorial [EF/Gower: St John Mary Vianney, Class III; Australia and NZ: St Mary of the Cross, Class I] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [219-20]/AM 1004. 

Wednesday 9 August – Vigil of St Lawrence, Class III [OF/ in Europe/Optional Class III: St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)] 

MD [220]/AM 1004. 

Thursday 10 August – St Lawrence, Class II 

MD [221]/AM 1005 ff. 

Friday 11 August – Class IV; St Tiburtius, Memorial [EF: and St Susanna; Gower: SS Tiburtius, Susanna and Philomena, Memorials] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [227-8]/AM 1009-10. 

Saturday 12 August – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady; St Clare, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [228]/AM 1010; 1 Vespers of the Second Sunday of August, Magnificat antiphon, MD 451*/AM 580-1; collect of the Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost, MD 471*/AM 602. 

Sunday 13 August – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost/Second Sunday of August, Class II

 MD 470-1*/AM 602. 

Monday 14 August – Vigil of the Assumption, Class II 

MD [229]/AM 1011; 1 Vespers of the Assumption, MD [230]/AM 1011 ff. 

Tuesday 15 August Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Class I [Previously: with a Common Octave] 

MD [233]/AM 1013 ff. 

Wednesday 16 August – Class IV [EF: St Joachim, Class III] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 471*/AM 602. 

Thursday 17 August – Class IV [EF: St Hyacinth, Class III] 

Friday 18 August – Class IV; St Agapitus, Memorial 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [245]/AM 1019.

Saturday 19 August – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [EF: St John Eudes, Class III; Benedictine Confederation: St Bernard Tolomei, Optional Memorial] 

1 Vespers of the Third Sunday of August: Magnificat antiphon, MD 451*/AM 581; collect of the Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 472*/AM 603. 

Sunday 20 August – Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost/Third Sunday of August, Class II

 MD 471-2*/AM 602-3. 

Monday 21 August – Class IV; St Bernard Ptolemy, Memorial [EF: St Jane Frances de Chantal, Class III] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 472*/AM 603; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [249]/AM 1022. 

Tuesday 22 August – Class IV; St Timothy, Memorial [EF: Immaculate Heart of the BVM, Class II/ Gower: Class I] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [250]/AM 1023. 

Wednesday 23 August – Class IV [EF: St Philip Benizi, Class III; Previously: Vigil of St Bartholomew] 

Thursday 24 August – St Bartholomew, Class II 

MD [250]/AM 1024. 

Friday 25 August – Class IV [**In some places/EF: St Louis, Class III/Gower: Memorial] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 472*/AM 603. 

Saturday 26 August – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [EF: St Zepherinus, Memorial] 

1 Vespers of the Fourth Sunday of August: Magnificat antiphon, MD 452*/AM 581-2; collect of the Thirteenth Sunday, MD 472-3*/AM 604. 

Sunday 27 August – Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost/Fourth Sunday of August, Class II

 MD 472-3*/AM 604-5. 

Monday 28 August – St Augustine of Hippo, Class III; St Hermes, Memorial 

MD [251]/AM 1024. 

Tuesday 29 August – Beheading of St John the Baptist, Class III 

MD [252]/AM 1026 ff. 

Wednesday 30 August – Class IV; SS Felix and Adauctus, Memorial [Gower: and St Rose of Lima, Memorials; EF/**In some places, St Rose of Lima, Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [257]/AM 1029. 

Thursday 31 August – Class IV [EF: St Raymond Nonnatus, Class III] 

Tuesday, June 27, 2023

July 2023

The 'ordinary' texts for the Office in July are for time throughout the year (after the Octave of Pentecost). 

At Matins on ordinary weekdays, the readings follow the summer pattern of one short reading and short responsory only.

If you would like more detailed notes, you can purchase the full ordo through Lulu in hardcopy or PDF form.

You can also find notes on how to say the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 calendar and rubrics here. 

JULY 2023

Saturday 1 July – Class IV; Our Lady on Saturday [EF/In some monasteries: The Most Precious Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Class I] 

1 Vespers of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 446*/AM 576-7 & 594. 

Sunday 2 July Fifth Sunday after Pentecost, Class II; Commemoration of the Visitation of the BVM

Matins: All as in the psalter with readings and responsories of the Fifth Sunday after Pentecost. 

MD 464-5*/AM 594-5; for the commemoration at Lauds, Benedictus antiphon, versicle, and collect of the Visitation MD [182]/AM 955-6. 

Monday 3 July – Class IV; SS Processus and Martinian, Memorial [EF: St Irenaeus, Class III] 

For notes on how to say the Octave of SS Peter and Paul see AM 958. 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year, collect MD 464-5*/AM 594; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [184]/AM 956. 

Tuesday 4 July Class IV [**In some places: St Procopius] 

Wednesday 5 July Class IV [EF: St Anthony Mary Zacharia, Class III] 

Thursday 6 July Class IV [St Maria Goretti, Optional Class III; Gower, Class III; Previously: Octave Day of SS Peter and Paul] 

Friday 7 July Class IV [EF: SS Cyril and Methodius, Class III] 

Saturday 8 July – Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [EF: St Elizabeth of Portugal, Class III] 

1 Vespers of the Sixth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 447*/AM 577 & 596. 

Sunday 9 July – Sixth Sunday after Pentecost Class II

MD 465-6*/AM 595-6. 

Monday 10 July Class IV [EF: Seven Holy Brothers and SS Rufina and Secunda, Class III] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect, MD 466*/AM 596. 

Tuesday 11 July – Translation of the Relics of St Benedict, Class II [Previously: with a Common Octave; EF: Class IV; Pius I, Memorial; OF: St Benedict] 

MD [185]/AM 964 ff. 

Wednesday 12 July Class IV, St John Gualbert, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [193]/AM 969. 

Thursday 13 July Class IV 

Friday 14 July St Bonaventure, Class III [USA/optional: St Kateri Tekakwitha, Class III] MD [193-4]/AM 970.

Saturday 15 July Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [Optional Class III/EF: St Henry, Patron Saint of Benedictine Oblates] 

1 Vespers of the Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, MD 447-8*/AM 577&597. 

Sunday 16 July Seventh Sunday after Pentecost, Class II

MD 466-7*/AM 596-7. 

Monday 17 July – Class IV; St Leo IV, Memorial [**In some places, SS Andrew Svoradi and Benedict; EF: St Alexius, Memorial] 

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect MD 467*/AM 597; for the commemoration at Lauds, MD [194]/AM 972. 

Tuesday 18 July Class IV [Gower: SS Symphorosa and Seven Sons, Memorial; EF: St Camillus de Lellis, Class III] 

Wednesday 19 July Class IV; St Vincent de Paul, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [195]/AM 973. 

Thursday 20 July – Class IV; SS Jerome Aemiliani [EF: Class III], Joseph Calanctius and John Baptist de la Salle, Memorial 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [195-6]/AM 973. 

Friday 21 July Class IV [Gower: St Praxedes, Memorial; EF: St Lawrence Brindisi, Class III; St Praxedes, Memorial] 

Saturday 22 July – St Mary Magdalen, Class III [OF: Feast; Le Barroux, Class I] 

MD [196] ff/AM 976-7; 1 Vespers of the Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 467-8/AM 598. 

Sunday 23 July – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost, Class II

MD 467-8*/AM 598-9. 

Monday 24 July Class IV [EF: St Christina, Memorial; Previously: Vigil of St James] 

Tuesday 25 July St James, Class II 

MD [201]/AM 979. 

Wednesday 26 July – SS Joachim and Anne, Class III [EF: St Anne, Class II; in Quebec: Class I] 

MD [202]/AM 980 ff. 

Thursday 27 July – Class IV [EF: St Pantaleon, Memorial] 

Friday 28 July – Class IV [EF: SS Nazarius and Celsus, Victor I& Innocent I, Class III] 

Saturday 29 July Class IV; Our Lady on Saturday; SS Felix, Simplicius, Faustinus and Beatrice, Memorial [EF: St Martha, Class III; Benedictine Confederation: SS Martha, Mary and Lazarus, Memorial] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [207-8]/AM 986; 1 Vespers of the Ninth Sunday after Pentecost: Magnificat antiphon and versicle, MD 448-9*/AM 578; collect, MD 449*/AM 600. 

Sunday 30 July – Ninth Sunday after Pentecost, Class II [Previously: First Sunday of August]

MD 468-9*/AM 599-600. 

Monday 31 July St Ignatius, Class III 

MD [209]/AM 986.

 


Sunday, May 28, 2023

June 2023

Notes on the Office for June. 

From 1 Vespers of Trinity Sunday, the Office returns to the 'throughout the year' texts for the Ordinary of the Office.

If you would like more detailed notes, you can purchase the full ordo through Lulu in hardcopy or PDF form.

You can also find notes on how to say the Benedictine Office according to the 1962 calendar and rubrics here.


June 2023

Thursday 1 June – Pentecost Thursday, Class I 

Canticle antiphons and collect, MD 405*/AM 529-30. 

Friday 2 June – Ember Friday of Pentecost, Class I 

Canticle antiphons and collect, MD 405-6*/AM 530-1. 

Saturday 3 June Ember Saturday of Pentecost, Class I 

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

Sunday 4 June – Feast of the Most Holy Trinity, Class I

MD 409*/AM 535 ff (no commemoration of the Sunday). 

Monday 5 June St Boniface, Class III 

MD [152]/AM 914. 

Tuesday 6 June St Norbert, Class III 

MD [152]/AM 915. 

Wednesday 7 June Class IV 

Collect of the First Sunday after Pentecost, MD 418*/AM 535; 1 Vespers of Corpus Christi, MD 419*/AM 543 ff. 

Thursday 8 June – Corpus Christi, Class I [Previously: with a Privileged Octave of the second order] 

MD 427*/AM 550 ff. 

Friday 9 June Class IV; SS Primus and Felician, Memorial [**In some places, St Columba] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [153]/AM 915. 

Saturday 10 June Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [EF: St Margaret of Scotland, Class III] 

1 Vespers of the Second Sunday after Pentecost, MD 432*/AM 556-7. 

Sunday 11 June – Second Sunday after Pentecost (Sunday within the Octave of Corpus Christi), Class II

 MD 461-2*/AM 557-8. 

Monday 12 June – Class IV [EF: St John of Facundo; SS Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor and Nazarius, Memorial]

All as in the psalter for throughout the year with collect MD 462*/AM 557. 

Tuesday 13 June – Class IV; St Anthony of Padua, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [154]/AM 916. 

Wednesday 14 June – St Basil the Great, Class III 

MD [155]/AM 917. 

Thursday 15 June – Class IV; St Vitus, Memorial [EF/Gower: also SS Modestus and Crescentia, Memorial] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [155]/AM 917; 1 Vespers of the Sacred Heart, MD 432*/AM 560 ff. 

Friday 16 June Feast of the Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, Class I [Previously: with a Privileged Octave of the third order] 

MD 439*/AM 565 ff. 

Saturday 17 June Class IV; Saturday of Our Lady [EF: St Gregory Barbarigo, Class III] 

1 Vespers of the Third Sunday after Pentecost, MD 445*/AM 571. 

Sunday 18 June – Third Sunday after Pentecost (Sunday within the Octave of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), Class II

MD 462-3*/AM 571 ff. 

Monday 19 June – Class IV; St Gervase and Protase, Memorial [EF: St Juliana Falcionieri, Class III] 

All as in the psalter for time throughout the year with collect, MD 463*/AM 572; for the commemorations at Lauds, MD [157]/AM 918. 

Tuesday 20 June – Class IV [EF: St Silverius, Memorial] 

Wednesday 21 June Class IV; St Aloysius Gonzaga, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [157-8]/AM 918. 

Thursday 22 June Class IV [EF/Gower: St Paulinus, Memorial; in England and Wales, SS John Fisher and Thomas More] 

Friday 23 June – Vigil of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, Class II 

MD [158]/AM 919; 1 Vespers of the Nativity of St John the Baptist, MD [159]/AM 920 ff. 

Saturday 24 June – Nativity of St John the Baptist, Class I [Previously: with a Common Octave] 

MD [161]/AM 924 ff; 2 Vespers of the feast with commemoration of the Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, MD 445*/AM 575-6 & 593. 

Sunday 25 June – Fourth Sunday after Pentecost, Class II

 MD 463-4*/AM 593. 

Monday 26 June – Class IV; SS John and Paul, Memorial [EF: Class III] 

For the commemoration at Lauds, MD [166]/AM 929. 

Tuesday 27 June – Class IV 

Wednesday 28 June – Vigil of SS Peter and Paul, Class II 

MD [166-7]/AM 930; 1 Vespers of SS Peter and Paul, MD [167]/AM 931 ff. 

Thursday 29 June – SS Peter and Paul, Class I [Previously: with a Common Octave] 

MD [169]/AM 934 ff. 

Friday 30 June – Commemoration of St Paul, Class III 

MD [173]/AM 941 ff.