SANCTORAL CYCLE
In order to preserve the unity of the Liturgical week as one cycle of prayer from the Psalter, the offices of the Sanctoral Cycle do not significantly alter the various offices. As such, with the exception of what is included below, the office of each day is always to be celebrated as seen in the Psalter. On memorials and feasts, the office remains unchanged, except for the collect at Matins, Lauds, and Vespers, which is taken from the Codex of Rites for the proper day. On solemnities, the invitatory antiphon and the hymns are taken from the Sanctoral Cycle and the collect at Matins, Lauds, and Vepsers is taken from the Codex of Rites. The Office of Compline is always unchanged.
SOLEMNITIES
The Offices on Solemnities are taken from the Day of Precept in the Psalter.
1 JANUARY - ADPORTUS
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us celebrate the Dawn; for It consecrates the morn.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Light's dawn of glory promised by the prophets,
Graced by the morning, has attained fulfillment.
Thou our revealer comes to us through daylight,
With exultation.
Light of the dayspring, radiant in Thy splendor,
Light of all creatures, showing us the virtues,
So shall we join Thee in the Dawn eternal,
With saints in glory.
22 FEBRUARY - THE CHAIR OF ALONSUS FAOL
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us glorify the Light; Whose wisdom is heard in Its Vicar.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Alonsus, who was named on high
The guardian-shepherd of the fold,
Protect the Church that cries to you
And guard the throne on which you ruled.
Your weakness was exchanged for strength,
You faltered, but with Light you grew;
For deep in you was planted love
And, from that seed, Light brought forth fruit.
O hear a holy people's cry,
And, blessing your successor's prayer,
Raise up a temple in our sight,
A beacon bright and symbol fair.
21 JUNE - AESTIVUS
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us praise the Light; who hast consecrated the world to itself.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
The heating tongues of flaming fire,
Enkindles each with holy zeal,
And now it prompts all eager lips
In spreading peaceful, joyous faith.
Surprised, dumbfounded, willed with awe,
Now friend and foe depart the fray,
And join in a joyous festival,
Thus Midsummer lights a new way.
29 JUNE - THE TRANSITUS OF ALONSUS FAOL
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us glorify the Light; Who has honored Its servant, Alonsus.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Alonsus, who was named on high
The guardian-shepherd of the fold,
Protect the Church that cries to you
And guard the throne on which you ruled.
Your weakness was exchanged for strength,
You faltered, but with Light you grew;
For deep in you was planted love
And, from that seed, Light brought forth fruit.
O hear a holy people's cry,
And, blessing your successor's prayer,
Raise up a temple in our sight,
A beacon bright and symbol fair.
28 JULY - THE DEDICATION OF LIGHT'S DAWN CATHEDRAL
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us adore the Light; Who established Its city in the Church.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Realms of Light were seen in vision: 'twas the City of the Dawn,
Filled with grace, with peace, with glory, built of golden stones above;
Yea, from pearls and finest crystal was a castle builded there.
Precious diamonds form its portals, open wide to welcome in
Those whose fervor and whose virtue have attained that grace to win,
Who have suffered pain and sorrow here receive their great reward.
Stones of every hue and beauty sparkle from its sacred walls,
Glowing brilliant with perfection in the morning Light divine,
Placed with love in their positions, there forevermore to shine.
15 SEPTEMBER - SAINT UTHER THE LIGHTBRINGER
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us adore the Light; Who established Its city in the Church.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Holy Martyr, whose strength was steeled
To follow close the virtuous way,
Well didst thou brave thy battlefield,
And well thy saintly bliss was won!
Now join thy prayers with ours, who pray
That the Light pardon us and bless;
For prayer keeps evil’s plague away,
And draws from life its weariness.
Yea, long ago, were loosed the chains
That held thy spirit once in thrall;
For us how many bonds remain!
Saint Uther, sound the vict'ry call.
9 OCTOBER - THE DEDICATION OF THE METROPOLITAN CATHEDRAL OF THE LIGHT
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us adore the Light; Who established Its city in the Church.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Realms of Light were seen in vision: 'twas the City of the Dawn,
Filled with grace, with peace, with glory, built of golden stones above;
Yea, from pearls and finest crystal was a castle builded there.
Precious diamonds form its portals, open wide to welcome in
Those whose fervor and whose virtue have attained that grace to win,
Who have suffered pain and sorrow here receive their great reward.
Stones of every hue and beauty sparkle from its sacred walls,
Glowing brilliant with perfection in the morning Light divine,
Placed with love in their positions, there forevermore to shine.
1 NOVEMBER - THE GREAT FEAST OF THE LIGHT AND ALL THE SAINTS
Matins
INVITATORY: Ps. 1
Antiphon: O Come, let us glorify the Light; Who has honored Its servant, Alonsus.
Lauds and Vespers
HYMN:
Day of wrath, o day of mourning!
See fulfilled the prophet's warnings,
Heav'n and land in ashes burning.
O what fear man's bosom rendeth!
When from the Shadow the curse descendeth,
And on temple none dependeth.
Death is struck, and nature quaking,
all creation is awaking,
for its sins an answer making!
What shall I, frail man be pleading?
Who for me be interceding,
When the just are mercy needing?
Guilty, now I pour my moaning,
all my shame and anguish owning,
spare, O Light, thy suppliant groaning!
Worthless are my prayers and sighing,
yet, good Dawn, thy grace complying,
rescue me from dark undying!