Monastic Diurnal

[ChiTownGal]

I’m sure there is a thread here somewhere on the Benedictine Monastic Diurnal, but I can’t find it. Anyway, I know how to pray the entire Office using the BMD, but I’m not sure what “memorials” are and how they should be prayed. Anyone have any knowledge about this? I’ve tried to find information on the net about it, but I haven’t had any luck.

 

[EphelDuath]

Couldn’t tell you myself, but there’s a very useful blog that has instructions on how to pray the Monastic Diurnale: saintsshallarise.blogspot.com/

This might be the pertinent section on that: saintsshallarise.blogspot.com/2009/04/learning-breviary-conclusion-of-office.html

…Ordinary commemorations (such as saints days that are memorials) only affect Lauds.

So, the commemoration of the Feast of St George for example, only affects Lauds. At every other hour, you would say the normal collect from Sunday only.

A commemoration consists of an antiphon (from the Benedictus at Lauds, Magnificat at Vespers), the short verse and response, or versicle that would have been said after it at Lauds or Vespers, and a prayer (collect). The Diurnal sets all these out in the correct order, so you really just need to say what’s there!

So on the Feast of St George in 2009 at Lauds, you say the Sunday collect (Praesta…), then turn to page [112] in the Diurnal and say the antiphon ‘Filiae Ierusalem…’, then the verse and response (Pretiosa…Mors…), then the prayer (Deus, qui…).
All you have to remember about commemorations really is that they are said immediately after the collect of the day!

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I would consider praying the MD, if I could find a St Joseph’s-type guide for it.
The Farnsworth edition is a beautiful book.

 

[Sister_Terese]

Couldn’t tell you myself, but there’s a very useful blog that has instructions on how to pray the Monastic Diurnale: saintsshallarise.blogspot.com/

This might be the pertinent section on that: saintsshallarise.blogspot.com/2009/04/learning-breviary-conclusion-of-office.html

THANKS! That’s EXACTLY what I needed! I thought memorials should be treated as such, but I wasn’t sure. Again, thanks!

 

[ChiTownGal]

Couldn’t tell you myself, but there’s a very useful blog that has instructions on how to pray the Monastic Diurnale: saintsshallarise.blogspot.com/

This might be the pertinent section on that: saintsshallarise.blogspot.com/2009/04/learning-breviary-conclusion-of-office.html

Thanks! That’s EXACTLY what I needed! And, it says how I thought memorials should be prayed. The blog is a great resource for praying the MD. BTW, what is the difference between the “Farnsworth” MD and the one I got from England some years ago?

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

Thanks! That’s EXACTLY what I needed! And, it says how I thought memorials should be prayed. The blog is a great resource for praying the MD. BTW, what is the difference between the “Farnsworth” MD and the one I got from England some years ago?

The Farnsworth one is Catholic. I am not sure if it is different from your book, though. Some are Anglican. Check for an imprimatur.

 

[ChiTownGal]

The Farnsworth one is Catholic. I am not sure if it is different from your book, though. Some are Anglican. Check for an imprimatur.

My Diurnal came from St. Michaels Abbey in England. It is the same as the Farnsworth (Farnsborough is the correct name of the city–my mistake). There is a Diurnal Matins book available, but it is expensive. I would love to have a copy.

 

[BeOurDefense]

Thanks for this info. This is very timely for me, as I’ve purchased a copy and plan to begin praying it daily this Advent. I’m very excited. Challenged, but excited.

 

[elizaveta01]

My Diurnal came from St. Michaels Abbey in England. It is the same as the Farnsworth (Farnsborough is the correct name of the city–my mistake). There is a Diurnal Matins book available, but it is expensive. I would love to have a copy.

Who prints a Catholic Matins book. I’ve only been able to find the Anglican version - which at 35 dollars isn’t hugely expensive.

 

[OraLabora]

Who prints a Catholic Matins book. I’ve only been able to find the Anglican version - which at 35 dollars isn’t hugely expensive.

The Psalterium Monasticum from Solesmes has monastic Matins, in Latin (there’s also a Latin/French version called “Psautier monastique”). It’s noted for chant at least for the ordinary ferias of the seasons. For the commons and propers of feasts you will need another source if you want noted antiphons. Otherwise if you’re just reciting, the antiphons are there without notation, with reference to the psalm.

Note that it is post-Vatican II, so the psalms will be in the neo-vulgate. However it is the same psalm arrangement as originally specified by St. Benedict in his Rule.

Psalterium Monasticum

If you want music for feasts, I suggest Liber Responsorialis that’s available from Germany here:

Liber Responsorialis

It dates back to 1895 but is back in print. Of course it will not have feasts since 1895 (for example the feast of Christ the King won’t be in it), so it’s not perfect. It also has all the great responsories.