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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

    Symposium Draft Schedule Released!
    Those who head over to the Symposium Website will notice the tentative schedule for 2023 has been released. This is all very exciting! Very soon, we will begin accepting applications, so please make sure you have subscribed to our mailing list. If you are subscribed, that means you'll hear announcements before anyone else. (It’s incredibly easy to subscribe to our mailing list; just scroll to the bottom of any blog article and enter your email address.)
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Good Friday Polyphony by L. Senfl
    The editor of the Sacred Music Magazine recently made available to the public this splendid article by our own Charles Weaver. It includes an edition of polyphony for the GOOD FRIDAY “Reproaches.” Renaissance composers often set the various offices of Holy Week; e.g. readers will probably be familiar with the beautiful TENEBRAE setting by Father Tomás Luis de Victoria (d. 1611). From what I can tell, Ludwig Senfl (d. 1543) was originally a Catholic priest, but eventually was seduced by Luther and ended up abandoning the sacred priesthood.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Coming Soon! • Symposium 2023
    A few weeks ago, dates were announced for Sacred Music Symposium 2023. The rehearsal videos are beginning to appear! For example, the KYRIE ELEYSON contains sections by Lassus, Victoria, and Palestrina. You can see and hear Part 1 at this link. Much more information about this wonderful conference will be released soon!
    —Jeff Ostrowski

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