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Views from the Choir Loft

Why remember gruesome things

Veronica Brandt · January 16, 2016

Peter Martyr with Mary Lorenzo Lotto – Madonna and Child with St Peter Martyr HE ROMAN MARTYROLOGY is a compilation of all the official saints arranged by the day of their death (or heavenly birthday). It is intended for daily reading. The most recent official edition is from 2004 but is only available in Latin, though this site gives the day’s entry in French.

Fr Z often mentions the Roman Martyrology on his blog. He reads the 2004 Latin edition, though here he notes editorial changes since the older editions. There are more saints, but fewer details in places. This makes sense when assembling a printed book and gives some consolation for those who read the older editions. We may miss the North American Martyrs, but we do get more Roman tortures.

Here’s an example from a 1916 edition of a more detailed entry from 22nd January:

At Valencia, in Spain, while the wicked Dacian was governor, St. Vincent, deacon and martyr, who, after suffering imprisonment, hunger, the torture, the disjointing of his limbs; after being burned with plates of heated metal and on the gridiron, and tormented in other ways, took his flight to heaven, there to receive the reward of martyrdom. His noble triumph over his sufferings has been elegantly set forth in verse by Prudentius, and highly eulogized by St. Augustine and pope St. Leo.

The first response may be to recoil, but you see how the writer frames the torments in terms of a triumph. That is the supernatural way of viewing suffering – as a precious gift, an opportunity to win grace and ultimately heaven!

Each day’s martyrology contains about a dozen brief eulogies – each helping to bring to mind our heavenly goal. When faced with setbacks or threats or shocking international events, it gives us a viewpoint to see how God is glorified.

When read as part of the office, each day’s listing ends with the prayer:

Precious in the sight of the Lord; is the death of His Saints.

I came across the Roman Martyrology when having a go at saying Prime according to the Liber Usualis. The hour seems to have two endings. After the three psalms is a little reading, then a brief responsory, a collect followed by a “Benedicamus Domino” and “Deo gratias” (let us bless the Lord, thanks be to God) which would usually signal the end of the hour. But instead of ending, then there’s the reading of tomorrow’s martyrology followed by more prayers, another collect, another brief reading then a final blessing. It’s like another mini office in itself tacked on the end of Prime.

As there is no easily found English of the 2004 version, I have been reading from this Roman Martyrology from 1916. I spent a year processing a copy from the Internet Archive and proof-reading each day’s entry. If you find typos, then that shows how lazy I am.

Another option is CatholicSaints.info list of today’s Saints though this gives more detail and is not so suited for reading out aloud – but great for following up any curious entries in the briefer books.

Interestingly, there was an English version of the 2004 martyrology available briefly in 2009 in a project called eCatholicHub.net which folded with the database of Saints transferring to the Catholic News Agency.

The New Liturgical Movement has this Guest Article reviewing the official 2004 edition.

Lastly, the Roman Martyrology is a fantastic resource for expectant parents choosing names for new infants. How about Accursius, Adjutus, and Otto (from 16 January.)

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Alabama Assessment!

We received this evaluation of Symposium 2022 from an Alabama participant:

“Oh, how the Symposium echoed the words of Cardinal Merry Del Val: …choosing only what is most conformed to Thy glory, which is my final aim. In one short and fast paced week, the faculty and attendees showed me the hand of God and our Lady working in our lives. The wide range of education—from Gregorian Chant, jazz modes in organ improvisation, to ‘staying sane’ while leading a choir—were certainly first-class knowledge from the best teachers of the art. However, the most powerful lesson was learning how to pray as a choir. The sacrifice of putting songs together, taking time to learn the sacred text, meditating on the church teaching through the chants, and gaining the virtues required to persevere in these duties were not only qualities of a choir but of a saint. The sanctification of the lives of the attendees was a beautiful outcome of this event … and that in itself is worth more than a beautifully-sung Solesmes style chant!”

—Jeff Ostrowski
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Feel free to download this Organ Accompaniment Booklet for Trinity Sunday (Second Vespers). Notice how the modes progress by number. Psalm 1 is mode 1; Psalm 2 is mode 2; Psalm 3 is mode 3; Psalm 4 is mode 4; Psalm 5 is mode 5. I am told by an expert that other feasts (such as Corpus Christi) are likewise organized by mode, and it’s called a “numerical office.”

—Jeff Ostrowski
10 June 2022 • “Official” rhythm of plainsong

I continue to search for the most beautiful way to present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores. (Technically, the “pure” rhythm of the official edition is what everyone is supposed to use.) You can download my latest attempt, which is the Introit for this coming Sunday: Feast of the Most Holy Trinity. Because this is not an ancient feast, the Introit had to be adapted (perhaps around 750AD). Prior Johner says the adaptation is “not an entirely happy one.”

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

An Indult of the “Commission for Russia” (25 November 1929) authorizes Bishops and Administrators Apostolic in Russia to permit the celebration of Mass and the reception of Holy Communion in the afternoon or evening, on condition that a Eucharistic fast of four hours from noon be observed.

— Sacred Congregation of Rites, 25 nov 1929

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