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Views from the Choir Loft

“Days Of The Week In Latin” • Feria II, Feria III, Feria IV, Feria V, Feria VI

Jeff Ostrowski · April 29, 2021

OW WELL do you know your “days of the week” in Latin? At one time, Catholic bishops wanted all Christian countries to use these names (instead of pagan names), but I think Portugal was the only country faithful to that desire:

SUNDAY = “Dominica”

MONDAY = “Feria II” … or Feria Secunda

TUESDAY = “Feria III” … or Feria Tertia

WEDNESDAY = “Feria IV” … or Feria Quarta

THURSDAY = “Feria V” … or Feria Quinta

FRIDAY = “Feria VI” … or Feria Sexta … or Parasceve

SATURDAY = “Sabbatum”

The Church usage follows the Jewish, inasmuch as:

SATURDAY is the sabbath • “sabbatum” (Hb שבת; Gk Σάββατο)
SUNDAY is the first day after the sabbath (Hb ראשון: cf. Jn 20.19, 26; Ac 20.7; 1 Co 16.2), but is now called The Lord’s Day • “dies dominica” (Gk [ἡ] Κυριακή [ἡμέρα]: cf. Ap 1.10)
MONDAY is the second day • “feria secunda” (Hb שני; Gk Δευτέρα)
TUESDAY is the third day • “feria tertia” (Hb שלישי; Gk Τρίτη)
WEDNESDAY is the fourth day • “feria quarta” (Hb רביעי; Gk Τετάρτη)
THURSDAY is the fifth day • “feria quinta” (Hb חמישי; Gk Πέμπτη)
FRIDAY is the sixth day • “feria sexta” (Hb שישי), but is sometimes called “preparation day” • “parasceve” (Gk Παρασκευή: cf. Jn 19.14), i.e. the day of preparation for the sabbath

The black and white illustrations in the Brébeuf hymnal often display the zodiac (“sun and moon with happy and sad face”) in pictures of our Savior’s crucifixion:

A wise priest explains this:

The zodiac signs begin to appear in crucifixion scenes in the East, e.g. Syria, in the VIth century, and it seems they are a reference to Mt 27/45, Lk 23/44-5 and Mk 15/33 which are also regarded by later commentators and “spiritual writers” (as they used to be called in pulpit oratory) as fulfillment of the prophecy Amos 8/9-10 Vulg. For example, Legenda Aurea 53 cites Bernard of Clairvaux commenting on the Good Friday Reproaches, explaining the price Christ paid for redeeming those who belittle the Redemption: a price higher than gold or silver, sun or moon, or one of the Angels … tenebrae factae sunt etc.

And one more for good measure, again taken from the Brébeuf hymnal:

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

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Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: Latin Days of the Week, Week Days In Latin Last Updated: April 29, 2021

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About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Los Angeles.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • Gorgeous Book

If there is a more beautiful book than Abbat Pothier’s 1888 Processionale Monasticum, I don’t know what it might be. This gorgeous tome was today added to the Saint John Lalande Online Library. I wish I owned a physical copy.

—Jeff Ostrowski

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“If a pope were only ever applauded, he would have to ask himself whether or not he was doing things right.”

— Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI (2016)

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