Matrem nobis et magistram providisti
Today, we had this wonderful collect (from the Maurist Benedictine Breviary) at the Hours: O God, who hast given us thy Spouse, the Church, to...
She Chose the Best Part
Preface of Saint Scholastica, Virgin* Truly it is right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy...
Father and Teacher of monks and hermits
The Supplemento Monastico al Messale Romano gives the following Collect and Preface for Saint Romuald. Although of recent composition and somewhat lacking in the sobriety...
S. Ioannis Didaci Cuahtlatoatzin
Yes, that would be the much loved Saint Juan Diego of Guadalupe as he is designated in the new Solesmes Antiphonale Monasticum for December 9th....
Towards Advent
Late November Saints The saints of these last days of the liturgical year incite us to look beyond the conditions of this present life and...
To seek what is human, to give what is divine
The physician who does not suffer infirmities, knows not how to cure infirmities. This was the lesson before the Holy Gospel at Matins this morning....
Diabólica vitáre contágia
Da, quaesumus, Dómine, pópulo tuo diabólica vitáre contágia: et te solum Deum pura mente sectári. Grant, we beseech Thee, O Lord, that Thy people may...
Blessed Columba Marmion, O.S.B.
Would you have recognized him? This is none other than Blessed Abbot Columba Marmion, O.S.B. He was obliged to travel in disguise during World War...
Patri munus et hostiam
The Office hymn given for Lauds and Vespers in the Liber Hymnarius and in the Liturgia Horarum for today’s feast of Saint Jerome, Doctor of...
August 6th: The Blessing of Grapes
The tradition of the Roman Church marks the feast of the martyrs Pope Saint Sixtus and his four deacon companions on the 6th/7th of August...
Blessing of Roses in Honour of Saint Rita
The blessing of roses takes place at the end of Mass on the feast of Saint Rita. It recalls an episode in the life of...
Salve, Festa Dies
It is the custom in some monasteries to go round the cloister, singing the Salve, Festa Dies, in procession before Lauds on Easter morning. Many...
The only spotless priest without sin
The Proper Mass of the Feast of Reparation for Offenses Committed Against the Most Holy Sacrament (Thursday after Sexagesima) contains the following beautiful Preface: It...
Ut perfectam disciplinam teneamus in Christo
A Soldier Turned Monk Today is the feast of Saint Benedict of Aniane (745-821). Under the patronage of Louis the Pious (778-840), Benedict of Aniane,...
Dulcis Iesu Memoria
Painting of the Child Jesus with a crown of flowers by Carlo Dolci (1616-1686) Over forty years ago, when I was taking my first steps...
Te Deum Laudamus
We were feeling the need for a more rhythmic and chant-worthy rendering of the Te Deum in English. Certain emphatic repetitions were deemed necessary. This...
Stabat Mater
This is the lovely translation of the Stabat Mater given in Maurice Zundel’s classic, The Splendour of the Liturgy (New York: Sheed and Ward, 1939)....
28 August: Saint Augustine
Here are some lovely texts for the feast of Saint Augustine. At First Vespers Holy Father Saint Augustine, Hearken to thy children’s cry; Plea for...
Proper Mass of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Introit Rejoice we all in the Lord, as we keep festival in honour of the Blessed Virgin Mary: whose solemnity makes angels joyful and sets...
God’s bounty toward us has been multiplied
The Lectionary used at Matins is that edited by Stephen Mark Holmes for Pluscarden Abbey. Today’s readings are especially lovely. The responsories are proper to...