Common Forms in the Roman Breviary

Common Forms in the Roman Breviaryhttp://www.breviary.net/comform/comform.htm

Common FormsBecause the Divine Office is vocal prayer, a mere mental perusal thereof does not fulfil the obligation of praying the Office; rather, each word thereof must be formed with the lips, even when any part thereof is ordered by the Rubrics to be said silently; and further, nothing should be said from memory except these Common Forms, (which must be first be accurately learned by heart;) and even these Common Forms are better read than recited by rote; and of them, the Common Commemoration and the Marian Antiphon, with the V. and R. and Collect following, should not ordinarily be said from memory; because the effort of recalling a memorized form hinders the giving of the whole mind to prayer, and thus makes recollection more difficult.

ANTE DIVINUM OFFICIUM

PRAYER BEFORE OFFICE

It is considered praiseworthy to say the following prayer, kneeling, in preparation for the Office; for which Pope Pius XI granted an Indulgence of three years.

(By local custom, it may be said either privately, or in unison by the whole Choir, but in a low tone of voice.)

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KNEEL

Aperi, Dómine, os meum ad benedicéndum nomen sanctum tuum: munda quoque cor meum ab ómnibus vanis, pervérsis et aliénis cogitatiónibus; intelléctum illúmina, afféctum inflámma, ut digne, atténte ac devóte hoc Offícium recitáre váleam, et exaudíri mérear ante conspéctum divínæ Majestátis tuæ. Per Christum Dóminum nostrum. Amen.

Dómine, in unióne illíus divínæ intentiónis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvísti, has tibi Horas (vel hanc tibi Horam) persólvo.

Open, O Lord, my mouth to bless thy holy Name; cleanse also my heart from all vain, evil, and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding and kindle my affections; that I may worthily, attentively, and devoutly say this Office, and so be meet to be heard before the presence of thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

O Lord, in union with that divine intention wherewith thou, whilst here on earth, didst render praises unto God, I desire to offer this my Office of prayer unto thee.

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THE TRIPLE AND DUAL PRAYER

The Triple Prayer (ie. Pater, Ave, and Credo) is always said secretly immediately before the Opening Versicles of Matins and Prime, and also after Compline, as soon as the Marian Antiphon and its V. and R. and Collect have been said, and its following V. Divinum auxilium maneat semper nobiscum. In these three places (ie. before Matins and Prime and after Compline) the Triple Prayer is always said, even when these Hours are recited in aggregation with other Hours. But before the Opening Versicles at all the other Hours except Compline, (which, as indicated in the Ordinary, has its own peculiar opening devotions,) the Dual Prayer (ie. Pater and Ave) is said secretly.

During the Triple and Dual Prayers (except after Compline), the Choir is always standing, and all make a profound reverence from the moment the Pater is begun until the signal is given to turn towards the Altar for the Opening Versicles. During this reverence, it is customary to place the palms of the hands on the kneecaps, so as to make the inclination uniform; and at the moment that the Choir rises to an erect position, each one joins his hands, fingers upon fingers, with the thumbs crossed in the holy Sign, and hands held erect, and the fingers pointing upward; which position of the hands (known as the position of prayer) is their proper position during Divine Office when they are not otherwise engaged. And the Breviary is not taken in hand until the Alleluia or its substitute has been said.

Pater Noster

Pater noster, qui es in cælis,

Pater Noster

Our Father, who art in heaven,

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sanctificétur nomen tuum. Advéniat regnum tuum. Fiat volúntas tua, sicut in cælo et in terra. Panem nostrum quotidiánum da nobis hódie. Et dimítte nobis débita nostra, sicut et nos dimíttimus debitóribus nostris. Et ne nos indúcas in tentatiónem : sed líbera nos a malo. Amen.

Hallowed be thy Name. Thy Kingdom come. Thy will be done, On earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses, As we forgive them that trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil. Amen.

Ave Maria

Ave, María, grátia plena ; Dóminus tecum : benedícta tu in muliéribus, et benedíctus fructus ventris tui Jesus. Sancta María, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatóribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostræ. Amen.

Ave Maria

Hail, Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee : Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners ; Now, and at the hour of our death. Amen.

Credo in Deum

Credo in Deum, Patrem omnipoténtem, Creatórem cæli et terræ. Et in Jesum Christum, Fílium ejus únicum,

Credo in Deum

I believe in God the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth : And in Jesus Christ his only Son our Lord : Who was conceived by the

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Dóminum nostrum : qui concéptus est de Spíritu Sancto, natus ex María Vírgine, passus sub Póntio Piláto, crucifíxus, mórtuus, et sepúltus : descéndit ad ínferos ; tértia die resurréxit a mórtuis ; ascéndit ad cælos ; sedet ad déxteram Dei Patris omnipoténtis : inde ventúrus est judicáre vivos et mórtuos. Credo in Spíritum Sanctum, sanctam Ecclésiam cathólicam, Sanctórum communiónem, remissiónem peccatórum, carnis resurrectiónem, vitam ætérnam. Amen.

Holy Ghost, Born of the Virgin Mary : Suffered under Pontius Pilate, Was crucified, dead, and buried : He descended into hell ; The third day he rose again from the dead : He ascended into heaven, And sitteth on the right hand of God the Father Almighty : From thence he shall come to judge the quick and the dead. I believe in the Holy Ghost : The holy Catholick Church : The Communion of Saints : The Forgiveness of sins : The Resurrection of the body : And the Life everlasting. Amen.

THE OPENING VERSICLES

The Opening Versicles are not used at any of the Hours during the Sacred Triduum, nor in the Office of the Dead, nor are they used at Matins on the Feast of the Epiphany; but otherwise each of the Hours except Compline is begun with the Opening Versicles, which are said aloud immediately after the Triple or Dual Prayer (when it is said) is finished. At

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an appointed signal, the Choir turns toward the Altar, with joined hands (ie. in the position of prayer).

The Officiant makes the Sign of the Cross and says:

V. Deus, † in adjutórium meum inténde

V. O God, † make speed to save me.

And the Choir, making the holy Sign, responds:

R. Dómine, † ad adjuvándum me festína.

R. O Lord, † make haste to help me.

Then the choir, making together a profound reverence, recites in unison:

Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto.

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.

Here all return to an erect position:

Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.Allelúja.

As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.Alleluia.

But the aforegoing Alleluia is omitted from Compline on Saturday before Septuagesima until Compline on Saturday before Easter, at which latter Office it is resumed. During the aforesaid period, Alleluia is never said anywhere in the Divine Office, during which time, in this one place in the Office, there is

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substituted:

Laus tibi Dómine, Rex ætérnæ glóriæ.

To thee, O Lord, all honour be, King of endless majesty.

But Note, that at Matins is always first said:

V. Dómine, lábia mea apéries.R. Et os meum annuntiábit laudem tuam.

V. O Lord, open thou my lips.R. And my mouth shall shew forth thy praise.

And during these words, the Sign of the Cross is made over the lips with the thumb. After which is immediately added the Opening Versicles as above.

THE GENERAL CONFESSION

At Prime and Compline when the General Confession is to be made, it is done as follows:

During the Confiteor, anyone who recites it must, unless he be kneeling, make a profound reverence, (which same may be measured out by placing the palm of the hand on the knee,) and he does not arise to an erect position until he says Amen at the end of the first Absolution. And when the Foremost says to you, brethren, he turns, first to the right and then to the left, unless the Choir be only on one side of him, in which case he turns only in that one direction; and the Choir likewise, at

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the words to thee, Father, turns towards the Foremost.

First, the person of the greatest dignity (technically known as the Foremost or Prelate, ie. not a Bishop only, but in a Choir of layfolk any Priest who happens to be present, or in a Choir of Priests, the Superior, etc.) says the Confiteor, thus:

Confíteor

Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joánni Baptístæ, * sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et vobis, fratres, * quia peccavi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et ópere : (percutit sibi pectus ter, dicens:) mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa. * Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, * sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et vos fratres, * oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.

Confíteor

I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, * to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to you, brethren, * that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, (he strikes his breast thrice, saying:) through my fault, through my own fault, through my own most grievous fault. * Therefore I beseech Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, * the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all

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the Saints, and you brethren, * to pray for me to the Lord our God.

And the choir answers with the Absolution, thus:

Misereátur tui omnípotens Deus, et, dimíssis peccátis tuis, perdúcat te ad vitam ætérnam.

Almighty God have mercy upon thee, forgive thee thy sins, and bring thee to everlasting life.

To which the Foremost responds:

R. Amen. R. Amen.

After which the Choir says the Confiteor, thus:

Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joánni Baptístæ, * sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, ómnibus Sanctis, et tibi, Pater, * quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et ópere : (percute tibi pectus ter, dicens:) mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa. * Ideo precor beátam Maríam

I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, * to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, to all the Saints, and to thee, Father * that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, (they strike their breasts thrice, saying:) through my fault, through my own fault, through

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semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, * sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, omnes Sanctos, et te, Pater, * oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.

my own most grievous fault. * Therefore I beseech Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, * the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, all the Saints, and thee, Father, * to pray for me to the Lord our God.

And the Foremost then says the Absolution, thus:

Misereátur vestri omnípotens Deus, et, dimíssis peccátis vestris, perdúcat vos ad vitam ætérnam.R. Amen.

Almighty God have mercy upon you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to everlasting life.R. Amen

And then he signs himself with the holy Sign (as does the Choir) as he says:

Indulgéntiam, † absolutiónem, et remissiónem peccatórum nostrórum tríbuat nobis omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.R. Amen.

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, † absolution, and remission of our sins.R. Amen.

But in private recitation of the Office and in Choirs composed completely of layfolk, the Confiteor is said in unison by the whole Choir,

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all bowing profoundly, and it is said once only, thus:

Confiteor

Confíteor Deo omnipoténti, beátæ Maríæ semper Vírgini, beáto Michaéli Archángelo, beáto Joánni Baptístæ, * sanctis Apóstolis Petro et Paulo, et ómnibus Sanctis, * quia peccávi nimis cogitatióne, verbo et ópere: (percute tibi pectus ter, dicens:) mea culpa, mea culpa, mea máxima culpa. * Ideo precor beátam Maríam semper Vírginem, beátum Michaélem Archángelum, beátum Joánnem Baptístam, * sanctos Apóstolos Petrum et Paulum, et omnes Sanctos, * oráre pro me ad Dóminum Deum nostrum.

Confiteor

I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, to blessed Michael the Archangel, to blessed John the Baptist, * to the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints,* that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed, (they strike their breasts thrice, saying:) through my fault, through my own fault, through my own most grievous fault. * Therefore I beseech Blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, blessed Michael the Archangel, blessed John the Baptist, * the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, * to pray for me to the Lord our God.

And afterwards the Absolutions are said by the Choir, thus:

Misereátur nostri omnípotens Deus, et,

Almighty God have mercy upon us,

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dimíssis peccátis nostris, perdúcat nos ad vitam ætérnam.R. Amen.

forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.R. Amen.

Here all arise to an erect position and, making the Sign of the Cross, say:

Indulgéntiam, † absolutiónem, et remissiónem peccatórum nostrórum tríbuat nobis omnípotens et miséricors Dóminus.R. Amen.

The Almighty and merciful Lord grant us pardon, † absolution, and remission of our sins.R. Amen.

Note: Some religious Orders have the privilege of naming their holy Founder in the Confiteor, eg. the Franciscans insert to our blessed Father Francis before the words and to all the Saints, etc.

THE USUAL LITURGICAL DOXOLOGY

Which same, as a summary of the Creed, and a profession of the chief Mystery of our Faith, and an act of devotion to the Triune God, is used in whole or in part in many places in the Divine Office. In particular, it is said, except during the Sacred Triduum and in the Office of the Dead, at the end of every Psalm or Canticle, unless there be a direction to the contrary. (For the application of the foregoing, see NOTE after Psalm 1 of Sunday Matins in the Psalter.)

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V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto.

V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, * and to the Holy Ghost.

When said in responsorial form, the Sicut erat is said as the R.

R. Sicut erat in princípio, et nunc, et semper, et in sæcula sæculórum. Amen.

R. As it was in the beginning, † is now, and ever shall be,* world without end. Amen.

During this Doxology the Choir makes a profound reverence towards the Altar, except when kneeling. When standing, this reverence is made as prescribed above in the rubric concerning The Opening Versicles wherein it is noted that the reverence must be made continuous during the mention of the three Divine Names.

TABLE OF PROPER DOXOLOGIES TO HYMNS

When a Hymn has a last verse entitled Ordinary Ending or Doxology, or is marked in the Latin with a *, then for such an Ending there is substituted the Proper Doxology, (ie. one of the ten Endings given in the Table of Proper Doxologies below, whenever the Ordo or the Proper or the Common or the aforesaid Table directs such a substitution.

And NOTE further, that during any Ending which is labelled as a Doxology, the whole Choir is to make a profound reverence

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towards the Altar. It is customary to make such a reverence as is made at the Sacred Name of Our Lord whenever in the ending of any Breviary Hymn whatsoever, the word Trinity is mentioned, or the Names of all Three Divine Persons are mentioned continuously, (no matter in what order), in which latter case the inclination is continuous from the mention of the first Name until the last Name has been pronounced.

For Christmas, certain Feasts of Our Lord, and Feasts of our Lady

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui natus es de Vírgine, Cum Patre et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

All honour, laud, and glory be,O Jesu, Virgin-Born, to thee;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

But for the two Feasts of our Lady's sorrows

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui passus es pro sérvulis, Cum Patre et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

Praise, Virgin-Born, to thee we give,Who died to make thy servants live;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

For the Epiphany

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui apparuísti Géntibus, Cum Patre et almo Spíritu,

All glory, Jesu, be to theeFor this thy glad Epiphany;Whom with the

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In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

But for the Holy Family

Jesu, tuis obédiensQui factus es paréntibus,Cum Patre summo ac SpírituSemper tibi sit glória. Amen.

Praise God, who served, whilst here on earth,Joseph, and her who gave him birth;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

In Eastertide

Deo Patri sit glória,Et Fílio, qui a mórtuisSurréxit, ac Paráclito,In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

All praise be thine, O risen Lord,From death to endless life restored;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

For the Ascension

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui victor in cælum redis,Cum Patre et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

All praise from every heart and tongueTo thee, ascended Lord, be sung;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

In Whitsuntide

Deo Patri sit glória,Et Fílio, qui a mórtuis

All praise be thine, O risen Lord,From death to

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Surréxit, ac Paráclito,In sæculórum sæcula. Amen.

endless life restored;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

For the Sacred Heart

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui Corde fundis grátiam,Cum Patre et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

We give thee praise, who dost impartSuch grace, O Jesu, from thy Heart;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

For the Transfigurátion

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui te revélas párvulis,Cum Patre et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

All glory, Lord, to thee we pay,Transfigured on the Mount today;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

For Christ the King

Jesu, tibi sit glória,Qui sceptra mundi témperas,Cum Patre et almo Spíritu, In sempitérna sæcula. Amen.

All praise, King Jesu, be to thee,The Lord of all in majesty;Whom with the Father we adore,And Holy Ghost, for evermore. Amen.

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THE SALUTATION

Before the Collect of the Office, and at other times, is said the Salutation, thus:

V. Dóminus vobíscum.R. Et cum spíritu tuo.

V. The Lord be with you.R. And with thy spirit.

NB. This salutation is said only by one who has received Deacon's Orders. All other persons substitute for the Salutation, wherever and whenever it is said in the Office, another V. and R. unless this same have already just been said, namely:

V. Dómine, exáudi oratiónem meam.R. Et clamor meus ad te véniat.

V. O Lord, hear my prayer.R. And let my cry come unto thee.

THE COLLECT

At the words Oremus (Let us Pray) before the Collect, if it is not a kneeling day, a profound reverence is made towards the Altar.

And on kneeling days, the Officiant rises before the Collect, and stands until he has said the Fidelium. Then he kneels, but meanwhile the Choir has maintained its kneeling position.

Unless otherwise specified, each Collect is concluded either with the Short Ending, or with the Long Ending, which latter is an Act of Faith in the Deity of our Lord, and should therefore be always reverently and accurately

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made.

The Short Ending is printed out in full in every place it is to be used (see for example the Collects below, which are said with the Marian Antiphons).

The Long Ending is printed in full only when it is unusual or does not follow the norm as herein given, because it is so constantly used that the Officiant is expected to know it by heart, and to be able to say it without grammatical blunders, even though it varies in form, according as to whether the prayer has been addressed to the Father or the Son; and if one of the other Divine Persons be mentioned before the Ending is begun, the word eumdem or ejúsdem (same) is inserted as indicated.

To a Prayer addressed to God the Father:

Per [eúmdem] Dóminum nostrum, Jesum Christum, Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat, in unitáte [ejúsdem] Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.R. Amen.

Through [the same] Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord. Who liveth and reigneth with thee, in the unity of the [same] Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.R. Amen.

To a Prayer addressed to God the Son:

Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre, in unitáte [ejúsdem] Spíritus Sancti Deus, per ómnia sæcula sæculórum.R. Amen.

Who livest and reignest with the Father, in the unity of the [same] Holy Ghost, ever one God, world without end.R. Amen.

NB. In the latter form of the Ending, the

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verbs are in the second person, vivis et regnas, not vivit et regnat; livest and reignest, not liveth and reigneth.

THE COMMON COMMEMORATIONS OR SUFFRAGES

At Lauds and Vespers, except in Advent and Passiontide and on the Vigil of All Saints, after the Collect of the day, or if Commemorations of Occurences or Concurrences be made, after these are finished, there is said the Common Commemoration, (ie. either the Suffrage of the Saints or the Commemoration of the Cross,) unless there occur the Office or Commemoration of a Double or of an Octave.

The Suffrage of the Saints

Beata Dei Genitrix

Ant. Beáta Dei Génitrix Virgo María, Sanctíque omnes intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.

Beata Dei Genitrix

Ant. May the blessed Mother of God, Mary the Virgin, and all the Saints, intercede for us with the same Lord our God.

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V. Mirificávit Dóminus Sanctos suos.R. Et exaudívit eos clamántes ad se.

V. The Lord hath chosen to himself them that are godly.R. When they call upon the Lord he will hear them.

Orémus.

A cunctis nos, quæsumus, Dómine, mentis et córporis defénde perículis : et intercedénte beáta et gloriósa semper Vírgine Dei Genitríce María, cum beáto Joseph, beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, [atque beáto N.,] et ómnibus Sanctis, salútem nobis tríbue benígnus et pacem ; ut destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, Ecclésia tua secúra tibi sérviat libertáte. Per eúmdem Dóminum.R. Amen.

Let us pray.

Defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all dangers both of body and soul : and at the intercession of the blessed and glorious Ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of God, of blessed Joseph, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul, [of blessed N.,] and of all thy Saints, grant us thy saving health and peace ; that being defended from all adversities and all false doctrines, thy Church may serve thee in freedom and quietness. Through the same.R. Amen.

In the above Collect at the letter N. is inserted the name of the titular Saint of one's own Church, unless the Church be dedicated to one of the Persons of the Holy Trinity or to one of the Mysteries our Lord. But the titular Saint is not mentioned if the Office be of the Vigil of that Saint, or a Commemoration be made thereof, or if the name of that Saint be already in this Collect. Should the Church be dedicated to the Holy Angels or St. John Baptist, the name of the titular Saint precedes that of St. Joseph. If any of the above should occur, the bracketed words [atque beato N.,] or [of blessed N.,] are omitted.

If, however, the Office, or a Commemoration thereof, should be of the B.V.M., the Suffrage is said thus:

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Sancti omnes

Ant. Sancti omnes intercédant pro nobis ad Dóminum.

Sancti omnes

Ant. May all the Saints of God intercede for us with the same Lord our God.

V. Mirificávit Dóminus Sanctos suos.R. Et exaudívit eos clamántes ad se.

V. The Lord hath chosen to himself them that are godly.R. When they call upon the Lord he will hear them.

Orémus.

A cunctis nos, quæsumus, Dómine, mentis et córporis defénde perículis : et intercedénte beáto Joseph, cum beátis Apóstolis tuis Petro et Paulo, [atque beáto N.,] et ómnibus Sanctis, salútem nobis tríbue benígnus et pacem ; ut destrúctis adversitátibus et erróribus univérsis, Ecclésia tua secúra tibi sérviat libertáte. Per Dóminum.R. Amen.

Let us pray.

Defend us, O Lord, we beseech thee, from all dangers both of body and soul : and at the intercession of blessed Joseph, of thy holy Apostles Peter and Paul, [of blessed N.,] and of all thy Saints, grant us thy saving health and peace ; that being defended from all adversities and all false doctrines, thy Church may serve thee in freedom and quietness. Through.R. Amen.

The Commemoration of the Cross

To be used in Eastertide at Lauds and Vespers (ie. from None after Low Sunday until I Vespers of the Ascension) unless there occur the Office or the Commemoration of a Double or of an Octave.

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Crucifixus surrexit

Ant. Crucifíxus surréxit a mórtuis, et redémit nos, allelúja, allelúja.

Crucifixus surrexit

Ant. The Crucified hath risen from the sepulchre, * and redeemed us, alleluia, alleluia.

V. Dícite in natiónibus, allelúja.R. Quia Dóminus regnávit a ligno, allelúja.

V. Tell it out among the heathen, alleluia.R. That the Lord hath reigned from the Tree, alleluia.

Orémus.

Deus, qui pro nobis Fílium tuum Crucis patíbulum subíre voluísti, ut inimíci a nobis expélleres potestátem : concéde nobis, fámulis tuis ; ut resurrectiónis grátiam consequámur. Per eúmdem Dóminum.R. Amen.

Let us pray.

O God, who for our sakes didst send thy Son to suffer death upon the Cross, that thou mightest deliver us from the power of the enemy : mercifully grant to us thy servants ; that we may attain unto the grace of his resurrection. Through the same.R. Amen.

THE CLOSING VERSICLES

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For these Closing Versicles, all lay down their Breviaries, and join their hands, (ie. in the position of prayer,) but NOTE, that these Versicles are not used at any of the Hours during the Sacred Triduum, (nor in the Office of the Dead,) nor at Matins when aggregated to Lauds; otherwise each of the Hours is ended with the Closing Versicles, which are said immediately after the Collect (or, when at Lauds or Vespers more than one Collect is said, after the final Collect) of the Office, thus:

The Officiant makes the salutation, thus:

V. Dóminus vobíscum.R. Et cum spíritu tuo.

V. The Lord be with you.R. And with thy spirit.

Then the Invitator says:

V. Benedicámus Dómino.R. Deo grátias.

V. Let us bless the Lord.R. Thanks be to God.

Finally, the Officiant, making the Sign of the Cross, says the Fidelium:

Fidélium ánimæ, † per misericórdiam Dei, requiéscant in pace.R. Amen.

May the souls † of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.R. Amen.

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NOTE: that here and elsewhere in the Breviary the sign † índicates that the Sign of the Cross is to be made by everyone, including the Officiant, upon himself.

Sometimes the Fidelium is not said at the end of the Closing Versicles, but occasions when it is not said are exceptions to the general rule and are always noted in their proper places. However, the exception given above in regard to the Salutation (ie. that one has not received Deacon's Orders says the Salutation in the form of the V. Domine exaudi orationem meam or O Lord, hear my prayer is always to be observed, even though there be no notation of the exception else in the Breviary.

Each of the Hours, except Matins, Prime and Compline (see below), normally ends with a single Pater said secretly, and when the Marian Antiphon is immediately to be used, the final Pater is joined to it with the following V. and R. said aloud.

V. Dóminus † det nobis suam pacem.R. Et vitam ætérnam. Amen.

V. May the Lord † bestow his peace upon us.R. And life everlasting. Amen.

However, when the Hours are said in aggregation, the final Pater comes only at the end of the last Hour of the aggregation.

MATINS: But note that in Choir, Matins is, according to the usual custom and best tradition, aggregated to Lauds except on Christmas Day. Hence, as soon as the last Respond or the Te Deum is finished, the Opening Versicles of Lauds are begun.

PRIME: Note also that the Capitular Office normally follows Prime, in which case the final Pater is said after the Benediction of the

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Capitular Office, unless another Hour be aggregated to Prime.

COMPLINE: Note also that at the end of Compline, in place of this single Pater with its V. and R. there is said instead the final Antiphon of the Blessed Virgin with its V. and R. and Collect, the V. Divinum Auxílium, and the Triple Prayer.

THE FINAL ANTIPHONS OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN

Commonly calledThe Marian Antiphons

At the end of Lauds and Compline, whether publicly or privately recited, or if other Hours be aggregated to Lauds, then at the end of the final Hour of the aggregation, there is always said one of the Final Antiphons of the B.V.M. given below. The Marian Antiphon is also required to be said at the conclusion of any other public recitation of the Office if the Choir is then to disperse.

And NOTE: that the Choir stands for the Marian Antiphon and its V. and R., Collect and concluding V. throughout Eastertide and from Vespers of Saturday through Sunday Compline, but at all other times the Choir kneels during this devotion, the Officiant alone rising before the Collect, which he prays standing, through its concluding V. And when the Choir stands for this Antiphon, after Compline, no one kneels until the Triple

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Prayer is finished.

Alma Redemptoris Mater

From Vespers of the Saturday before the I Sunday in Advent through II Vespers of the

Purification;or if this Feast be transferred, through Vespers

on February 2nd


Alma Redemptóris Mater, quæ pérvia cæliPorta manes, et stella maris, succúrre cadénti,Súrgere qui curat, pópulo : tu quæ genuísti,Natúra miránte, tuum sanctum Genitórem,Virgo prius ac postérius, Gabriélis ab oreSumens illud Ave, peccatórum miserére.


Kindly Mother of our Redeemer ; great portal of heaven ever open, the sea's far-shining star : O succour thy people who though fallen strive to rise again. O thou who hast brought forth, to all nature's wonder, nature's Lord, thine own Creator : Mother yet a Virgin ever more, who at Gabriel's speaking didst receive the Ave : towards us sinners shew thy pity.

From Vespers of the Saturday before the I Sunday in Advent through None of the Vigil

of Christmas

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V. Angelus Dómini nuntiávit Maríæ.R. Et concépit de Spíritu Sancto.

V. The Angel of the Lord declared unto Mary.R. And she conceived by the Holy Ghost.

Orémus.

Grátiam tuam, quæsumus Dómine, méntibus nostris infúnde ; ut, qui, Angelo nuntiánte, Christi Fílii tui incarnatiónem cognóvimus ; per passiónem ejus et crucem, ad resurrectiónis glóriam perducámur. Per eúmdem Christum Dóminum nostrum.R. Amen.

Let us pray.

Pour forth, we beseech thee, O Lord, thy grace into our hearts, that we to whom the Incarnation of Christ thy Son was made known by the message of an Angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of the Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord.R. Amen.

V. Divínum auxílium † máneat semper nobíscum.R. Amen.

V. May help divine † be with us all, for ever abiding.R. Amen.

From I Vespers of Christmas through Vespers on Feb. 2nd

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V. Post partum, Virgo, invioláta permansísti.R. Dei Génitrix, intercéde pro nobis.

V. After child-bearing thou remainedst a pure Virgin.R. Mother of God, intercede for us.

Orémus.

Deus, qui salútis ætérnæ, beátæ Maríæ virginitáte fœcúnda, humáno géneri præmia præstitísti : tríbue, quæsumus ; ut ipsam pro nobis intercédere sentiámus, per quam merúimus auctórem vitæ suscípere, Dóminum nostrum Jesum Christum Fílium tuum.R. Amen.

Let us pray.

O God, who by the child-bearing of a pure Virgin hast bestowed upon all mankind the rewards of everlasting life : grant, we beseech thee ; that we may know the succour of her intercession, through whom we have been found worthy to receive the Author of life, even Jesus Christ thy Son our Lord.R. Amen.



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Ave, Regina Cælorum

After the Purification, that is, from Compline of Feb. 2nd, whether the Feast of the

Purification be transferred or not,through Compline of Wednesday in Holy

Week


Ave, Regína cælórum,Ave, Dómina Angelórum :Salve, radix, salve, porta, Ex qua mundo lux est orta :

Gaude Virgo gloriósa, Super omnes speciósa,Vale, o valde decóra,Et pro nobis Christum exóra.


Hail, O Queen, on high enthroned,Hail, O Lady, by Angels owned:Jesse's rod ; yea, heaven's portalWhence hath shone earth's Light immortal:

Hail, O Virgin, most renowned, For thy grace and beauty crowned:Hail, O truly worthy Maiden:Pray Christ for us so burden-laden.

V. Dignáre me laudáre te, Virgo sacráta.R. Da mihi

V. My praise by thee accepted be, O hallowed Virgin.R. Obtain for me

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virtútem contra hostes tuos.

strength against thine enemies.

Orémus.

Concéde, miséricors Deus, fragilitáti nostræ præsídium ; ut, qui sanctæ Dei Genitrícis memóriam ágimus ; intercessiónis ejus auxílio, a nostris iniquitátibus resurgámus. Per eúmdem Christum Dóminum nostrum.R. Amen.

Let us pray.

We beseech thee, O Lord, mercifully to assist our infirmity : that like as we do now commemorate blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, Mother of God ; so by the help of her intercession we may die to our former sins and rise again to newness of life. Through the same Christ our Lord.R. Amen.



Regina Cæli Lætare

From Compline of Holy Saturday through None of the Saturday within the Octave of

Pentecost

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Regina Cæli

Regína cæli, lætáre, allelúja ;Quia quem meruísti portáre, allelúja,Resurréxit, sicut dixit, allelúja :Ora pro nobis Deum, allelúja.

Regina Cæli

O Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia;For he, whom thou didst merit to bear, alleluia;Hath risen as he said, alleluia:Pray thou for us to God, alleluia.

V. Gaude et lætáre, Virgo María, allelúja.R. Quia surréxit Dóminus vere, allelúja.

V. Rejoice and be exceeding glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia.R. For verily, the Lord is risen, alleluia.

Orémus.

Deus, qui per resurrectiónem Fílii tui, Dómini nostri Jesu Christi, mundum lætificáre dignátus es ; præsta, quæsumus ; ut, per ejus Genitrícem Vírginem Maríam,

Let us pray.

O God, who by the resurrection of thy Son our Lord Jesus Christ didst deign to give joy unto the world : grant, we beseech thee ; that through the Virgin Mary, his Mother, we may attain to the joys of everlasting life. Through the same Christ our Lord.R. Amen.

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perpétuæ capiámus gáudia vitæ. Per eúmdem Christum Dóminum nostrum.R. Amen.



Salve, Regina

From I Vespers of the Feast of the Most Holy Trinity through None of the Saturday before

the First Sunday of Advent

Salve Regina

Salve, Regína, mater misericórdiæ ; vita, dulcédo et spes nostra, salve. Ad te clamámus éxsules fílii Hevæ. Ad te

Salve Regina

Hail, holy Queen, Mother of mercy, hail, our life, our sweetness, and our hope! To thee do we cry, poor banished

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suspirámus geméntes et flentes in hac lacrimárum valle. Eja ergo, advocáta nostra, illos tuos misericórdes óculos ad nos convérte. Et Jesum, benedíctum fructum ventris tui nobis post hoc exsílium osténde. O clemens, o pia, o dulcis Virgo María.

children of Eve, to thee do we send up our sighs, mourning and weeping in this vale of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy towards us; and after this our exile, shew unto us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Génitrix.R. Ut digni effíciámur promissiónibus Christi.

V. Pray for us, most holy Mother of God.R. That we may be worthy of the promises of Christ.

Orémus.

Omnípotens sempitérne Deus, qui gloriósæ Vírginis Matris Maríæ corpus et ánimam, ut dignum Fílii tui habitáculum éffici mererétur, Spíritu Sancto cooperánte præparásti : da, ut cujus commemoratióne lætámur ; ejus pia intercessióne, ab instántibus malis, et a morte perpétua liberémur. Per eúmdem Christum

Let us pray.

Almighty, everlasting God, who by the co-operation of the Holy Ghost didst prepare the body and soul of the glorious Virgin-Mother Mary to become a dwelling-place meet for thy Son : grant that as we rejoice in her commemoration ; so by her fervent intercession we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting

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Dóminum nostrum.R. Amen.

death. Through the same Christ our Lord.R. Amen.



PRAYER AFTER OFFICE

To those who devoutly say, kneeling, the following prayer after the Divine Office, Pope Leo X granted the remission of the defects and faults in its recital arising from human frailty. The prayer must always be said kneeling, even in private recitation, unless illness or grave impediment prevents one from kneeling down. Besides, there is granted an indulgence of three years (S. Pen. Ap., Dec. 1, 1933).

(By local custom, this devotion may be said privately, or in unison by the whole Choir, but in a low tone of voice).

KNEEL

Sacrosanctæ

Sacrosánctæ et indivíduæ Trinitáti, crucifíxi Dómini nostri Jesu Christi humanitáti, beatíssimæ et

Sacrosanctæ

To God Most Holy, in his Divine Majesty of Trinity in Unity;To Jesus Christ, our Lord and God made man and crucified for

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gloriosíssimæ sempérque Vírginis Maríæ fœcúndæ integritáti, et ómnium Sanctórum universitáti sit sempitérna laus, honor, virtus et glória ab omni creatúra, nobísque remíssio ómnium peccatórum, per infiníta sæcula sæculórum.R. Amen.

V. Beáta víscera Maríæ Vírginis, quæ portavérunt ætérni Patris Fílium.R. Et beáta úbera, quæ lactavérunt Christum Dóminum.

Et dicitur secreto Pater noster et Ave María.

us;To blessed Mary Ever-Virgin, from whose glorious purity he took flesh;And to the entire Company of the Saints of God, in heaven;Be praise, honour, power, and glory, from every creature on earth:And likewise to us sinners may there be full remission of all our sins:Throughout all ages, world without end.R. Amen.

V. Blessed is the womb of the Virgin Mary, which bore the Son of the everlasting Father.R. And blessed are the breasts which gave suck to Christ the Lord.

Then is said secretly a Pater and an Ave.

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Documents

Common Forms in the Roman Breviary