Benedictions
‘Evangelica lectio Sit nobis salus et protectio’: note that on All Saints day this benediction begins ‘Sancti evangelii lectio . . . ‘
On Sunday in Octave of feasts of the Blessed Virgin it would seem appropriate to use the festal benedictions, and then continue on monday with ferial benedictions; this agrees with the pattern of repetition of the series of responsories. (One could continue the cycle of ferial benedictions for lessons 1-6, and then revert to the festal benedictions for lessons 7-9, but this would seem to go against the rubrics.)
Kalendar
The Sarum Kalendar changed over time, principally from the addition of new feasts. The Kalendar in this edition represents the most recent additions that were made prior to the Act of Supremacy (1534), as recorded in the Breviary, 1531. The following notes detail the changes and also take note of significant divergences from the Roman Kalendar and from other English uses. (A wide variety of Kalendars appeared in the Latin church, reflecting differing geographical, political, and historical circumstances.) The Roman Breviary Kalendar of 1529 (pre-Tridentine) is influenced by the Franciscans. The Tridentine Kalendar (1568) removed a number of Franciscan feasts, among other changes. The only Feast of an English saint in the medieval and Tridentine Roman Kalendars is that of Thomas of Canterbury, December 29. The only Feast of an Irish saint is Patrick, March 17. Most of the French saints found in the Sarum Kalendar (early, or Frankish) do not appear in the Roman Kalendars.
Matthew Cheung Salisbury, The Secular Liturgical Office in Late Medieval England (Turnhout: Brepols, 2015): 73-85, provides a comparative table of ‘normative’ Sarum, Benedictine and York Kalendars.
For an explanation of the classification of feasts, and of the Ruling of the Choir, see page [909]. ff. of the Breviary, and the Companion to those pages, and the Topical Guide.
The Medieval Roman Kalendar is a useful introduction–with thanks to Dr. Keith Brandt.
[The Kalendar of the First Prayer-Book of Edward VI (1549) indicates only the following feast days: Circumcision, Epiphany, Conversion of Paul, Purification, Mathias, Annunciation, Mark, Philip and James, Barnabas, the Nativity of John the Baptist, Peter, Mary Magdalen, James, Bartholomew, Matthew, Michael, Luke, Symon and Jude, All Saints, Andrew, Thomas, Christmas, Stephen, John and the Innocents.
The Kalendar of the Second Prayer-Book of Edward VI (1552) adds St. George, St. Lawrence, and St. Clement, and omits Barnabas and Mary Madgalene
The Kalendar of the King James Bible, 1611, includes a number of saints beyond what might be expected as indicated above:
January: Lucian, Hilary, Prisca, Fabian, Agnes, Vincent
February: Blaise, Agatha, Valentine,
March: David, Chad, Perpetua, Gregory, Edward (the King), Benedict
April: Richard, Ambrose, Alphege, George
May: Invention of the Cross, John, Dunstan, Augustine
June: Nichomede, Boniface
July: Visitation, [Translation of] Martin, Swithun, Margaret, Mary Magdalene, Anne
August: Transfiguration, Name of Jesus, Laurence, Augustine, Beheading of John
September: Giles, Enurchus (Evurtius), bishop (Sept. 7 [non-Sarum, but York]), Nativity of Mary, Holy Cross, Lambert, Cyprian, Jerome
October: Remigius, Faith, Denis, Edward (the King, translation), Etheldrede, Crispin
November: Leonard, Martin, Brice (Britius), Machutus, Hugh, Edmund (the King), Cecilia, Clement, Katherine
December: Nicholas, Conception of Mary, Lucy, O sapientia, Silvester
and indicates fasts before the Purification, Mathias, the Annunciation, John the Baptist, Peter, James, Batholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude, All Saints, Andrew, Thomas (the apostle) and Chrsitmas, as also indicates the accession of King James I and IV on March 24, the birth of King James on June 19, and the Papists’ Conspiracy on November 5.
Restoration editions of the Book of Common Prayer, before the 20th century, include King Charles, martyr, birthday and restoration of King Charles II, and Alban.]
January 1: The Circumcision of the Lord
Minor Double Feast, Nine Lessons, with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
January 2: The Octave of St. Stephen
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Double Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
January 3: The Octave of St. John
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Double Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Genovefe, virgin, non martyr, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the octave of St. John.
January 4: The Octave of the Innocents
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Double Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
January 5: Vigil of the Epiphany
On a feria: Vigil of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory, with no Rulers of the Choir
On Sunday: Vigil of Nine Lessons with Double Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
The Memorial of the Octave of St. Thomas does not appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1529, 1568.
Memorial of St. Edward the Confessor (d. January 5, 1066). The principal feast is October 13.
This memorial is not always included in the sources.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates the Memorial of St. Edward to 1163, the year of his translation (see October 13).
Edward appears to be observed at Wells.
In the Exeter Ordinal this date is labelled ‘Oct. sancti Thome martiris.’
January 5 has no first or second vespers.
January 6: The Epiphany of the Lord
Principal Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Four Rulers of the Choir from the Superior Grade plus the Precentor
The full octave of the Epiphany is ruled; no Sunday is observed throughout the octave. Nevertheless when Sunday falls within the octave, that day will have nine lessons and presumably two rulers of the choir.
January 7
The Keys of Septuagesima
For an explanation of how these ‘Keys’ were used to find the day on which Septuagesima fell, see Samuel Butcher, The Ecclesiastical Calendar: Its Theory and Construction (Dublin: Hodges, Foster, and Figgis, 1877):87.
The York Use has here Saint William of York.
The Exeter Ordinal has St. Brannoc, abbot and confessor. St. Brannoc migrated from South Wales to Devon, establishing a monastery at Braunton in the 6th. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has St. Kentigern, Matron, 9 lessons, middle lessons of the octave.
January 8
St. Lucian, Priest, and his Companions, Martyrs (memorial)
The York Use omits Lucian and includes the translation of William of York (1284).
No saint appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
Lucian appears to be observed at Wells.
The Aberdeen Breviary has St. Nathalani, Bishop and Convessor, 9 lessons, middle lessons of the octave.
January 10
The York use has Paul the Hermit on this day, as does the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
No saint appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has St. Felani, Abbot, 9 lessons, middle lessons of the octave.
January 11
St. Iginius, Pope, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Iginius appears as a Commemoration in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
‘Sol in Aquario‘ These entries in each month indicate the dates on which the sun enters each of the twelve signs of the zodiac. They are measured from the date of the December solstice, when the sun enters the sign Capricorn. They are correct for the year 1531 and throughout the historical period of the Use Sarum Use, which used the Julian Kalendar. In the modern Gregorian Kalendar the dates are approximately ten days later: in 2020 they are January 20, February 19, March 20, April 19, May 20, June 20, July 22, August 22, September 22, October 22, November 21, December 21. (The Gregorian Kalendar was adopted in Roman Catholic states in 1582, but was not adopted in Great Britain until 1752. The Orthodox Church continues to follow the Julian Kalendar.)
January 13: Octave of the Epiphany
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Saint Hilary (of Poitiers) Memorial with middle lessons
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxvii, dates the Feast of St. Hilary (of Poiters) to the IX. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has St. Kentigern, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double.
January 14: Saint Felix, Priest and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 772-795.
St. Hilary (of Poitiers) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
‘confessoribus’, BL-52359:233r.
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
January 15: St. Maurus (Maur), Abbot and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
St. Paul, the first hermit, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
January 16: St. Marcellus, Pope and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons
(Pope Marcellus I, 255-309)
‘[pape] et confessoris’, BL-52359:233r.
Sts. Berardi, Peter, and Companions (Franciscans) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
The Aberdeen Breviary has St. Fursei, Abbot, 9 lessons, middle lessons of St. Marcellus.
January 17: St. Sulpice, Bishop and Confessor
Bishop of Bourges, d. 644
Simple Feast of Three Lessons
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XIII. century.
The York and Hereford uses omit Saint Sulpice and have Saint Anthony (of Egypt), as does the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
Sarum’s inclusion of Sulpice may reflect its Norman heritage.
BL-52359:233r. has added in a later hand ‘Depositio sancti Anton . . .”
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Anthony, Abbot, 9 lessons, middle lessons of St. Sulpice.
January 18: St. Prisca, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons
St. Peter’s Chair at Rome appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
January 19: St. Wulfstan (Wulstan), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
Wulfstan (c. 1008 – 20 January 1095), a Benedictine monk, was Bishop of Worcester (1062-1095), and founded Great Malvern Priory in 1085. He was the last pre-conquest English bishop, and was canonized 1203. A shrine was erected in Worcester Cathedral.
The York use has here St. Germanicus. Sarum’s preference for Wulfstan may stem from geographic proximity.
Sts. Marius, Martha &c, Martyrs appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary omits St. Wulfstan.
January 20: Saints Fabian and Sebastian, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
Fabian (c. 200–January 20, 250) was Bishop of Rome.
Sebastian (d. January 20, c. 288).
January 21: St. Agnes, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
(c. 291–304)
See also January 28.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also St. Vynnini, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
January 22: St. Vincent, Deacon and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
Vincent of Saragossa (d. ca. 304)
January 23
St. Emerentiana appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568, and in the York Use.
January 24
St. Thimothy, Bishop and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
St. Babolenus appears here in the York Use.
January 25: The Conversion of St. Paul
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the VII. century, reducing St. Prejectus to a memorial.
January 26
St. Polycarp appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568, and in the York Use.
January 27: St. Julian, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(3rd-4th c.) First Bishop of Le Mans.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
St. John Chrysostom appears here in the Hereford Kalendar and Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Hereford Kalendar includes a Memorial of St. Paula, Roman matron (d. 404).
In the Aberdeen Breviary St. Julian has a Single Invitatory.
January 28: St. Agnes Second Feast
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
See also January 21.
‘A second commemoration of St. Agnes occurs on this day in the ancient Sacramentaries of Pope Gelasius and St. Gregory the Great; as also in the true Martyrology of Bede. It was perhaps, the day of her burial, or of a translation of her relics, or of some remarkable favour obtained through her intercession soon after her death. (Alban Butler, The Lives of the Fathers, Martyrs, and Other Principal Saints. 12 Vols. (Dublin: James Duffy, 1866): Vol. 1.)
In the Aberdeen Breviary St. Agnes Second Feast has a Single Invitatory.
January 29
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Voloci, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
January 30: St. Balthilda, Queen and Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(ca. 626-January 30, 680.) wife and queen of Clovis II, King of Burgundy and Neustria; canonized ca. 880.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
St. Balthilda also appears in the Hereford Kalendar.
St. Bathilda does not appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 or 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Glasciani, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
January 31
Cyrus and John, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Modoci, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
February 1: Saint Brigid
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 451 – 525), Abbess of Kildare. Her shrine was erected at Kildare Cathedral. In 1185 her relics, along with those of Sts. Patrick and Columba, were reburied in Down Cathedral.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
St. Ignatius appears here in the Hereford Kalendar and Roman in Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
February 2: The Feast of the Purification
Major Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus Precentor
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
February 3: St. Blaise, Bishop and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory.
(d. 316)
‘episcopi et confessoris’, BL-52359:233v.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
February 4
St. Gilbert (of Sempringham, founder of the Gilbertine Order) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529, and in the York Use.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Modani, Abbot, 9 lessons.
February 5: St. Agatha, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(ca. 231-251).
[The earliest day for Ash Wednesday.]
February 6: Saints Vedast and Amandus, Bishops and Confessors
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Vedast (d. ca. 540), a Frankish bishop.
Amandus (c. 584 – 675), Bishop of Tongeren-Maastricht.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
St. Dorothy appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
February 8
The earliest day for for the first Sunday in Lent.
February 9
St. Apollonia appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
February 10: Saint Scholastica, Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 480 – 10 February 542) Twin sister of St. Benedict of Nursia.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the X. century.
February 11:
Saint Frideswide (Frithuswith) c. 650 – 19 October 727; first abbess of the double monastery at Oxford. Translated 1180. See October 19. Nothing of this saint appears here in the Sarum Sanctorale.
The Hereford Kalendar has St. Radegund
February 14: St. Valentine, Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
3rd. century, Rome
February 15
The Translation of St. Anthony appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
Sts. Faustinus and Jovita, Martyrs, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
February 16: Saint Juliana, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Juliana of Nicomedia (d. 304).
Juliana is a fictional conflation of Juliana of Cumae; Julian of Egypt; and Juliana of Nicomedia. In the medieval ‘composite’, Juliana was said to be a native of Cumae, near Naples; who was martyred under Diocletian in Nicomedia, Egypt, c.304; and whose relics were later returned to Cumae.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
BL-52359:233v. omits ‘et martyris’.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
February 17
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Finnan, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
February 18
St. Simeon, Bishop and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Colman, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
February 21
The latest date for Septuagesima
February 22: St. Peter’s Chair
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
This Feast is known as St. Peter’s Chair at Antioch, distinguishing it from the (non-Sarum) Feast of St. Peter’s Chair at Rome, January 18.
February 23
The Hereford Kalendar has St. Milburh
February 24 (February 25 in leap years): Saint Matthias, Apostle
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Four Rulers of the Choir
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
This feast appears on February 25 in leap years.
February 28
The Hereford Kalendar has St. Oswald
March 1: Saint David, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 500 – c. 589), Bishop of Mynyw (St David’s). Canonized by Callixtus II in 1120. The shrine of St. David stands on the north side of the chancel in St. David’s Cathedral, Wales. The shrine was restored and rededicated in 2012.
David does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars. It was recognized in the Sarum Kalendar from 1398, when Archbishop Roger Walden decreed that it was to be celebrated throughout the province of Canterbury on the first of March, cum ix. lectionibus et ceteris omnibus ad officium sanctorum. (Owain Tudor Edwards, Matins, Lauds and Vespers for St. David’s Day (Cambridge: D. S. Brewer, 1990):146, citing David Wilkins, ed, Concilia magnae Britannicae et Hiberniae (London, 1737), III:234.) In 1415 Archbishop Henry Chichele, who had been translated from St. David’s in 1414, added ‘cum regimine chori et ix. lectionibus perpetuis futuris temporibus etiam celebrentur.’ (Wilkins III:376.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1415.
David does appear in BL-52359:234r.
The Holy Guardian Angels appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
Saint Albinus appears here in the York Use.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also Saint Monan, Confessor and Saint Marnan, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
March 2: Saint Chad, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of NIne Lessons with Duple Invitatory, With Two Rulers of the Choir.
(ca. 634 – March 2, 672) Bishop of Mercia (Lichfield). Trans. August 2, 1296. The shrine of St. Chad was in Lichfield Cathedral: his tomb was in the apse directly behind the high altar; his skull was kept in a special chapel above the south aisle. In 1841 his relics were re-enshrined above the high altar in the new St. Chad’s (R.C.) Cathedral, Birmingham.
Chad does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1415.
Chad does appear in BL-52359:234r.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 or 1568.
March 4
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Adrian, Bishop and Martyr and his companions, 9 lessons.
March 5
The Hereford Kalendar has a Memorial of St. Piran
The Exeter Ordinal has St. Keiran (Kerani, Keverne, Kerrian)
March 6
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Baldred, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
March 7: Saints Perpetua and Felicity, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(believed to have died in 203 AD.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
A memorial of St. Thomas Aquinas (Dominican) is included here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
A Feast of St. Thomas appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The York Use omits Sts. Perpetua and Felicity.
The Aberdeen Breviary has St. Thomas Aquinas, 9 lessons, with a memorial of Sts. Perpetua and Felicity on the same day, but also supplies a feast of three lessons for them, with short lessons.
In the Use of Hereford Sts. Perpetua and Felicity are marked as a commemoration (memorial) only.
March 8
The 1519 Antiphonale includes a prayer for St. Felix, Bishop and Confessor. (St. Felix of Burgundy, also known as St. Felix of Dunwich, first bishop of the East Angles (d. March 8, 647 or 648).)
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Duthac, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
March 9
The Holy Forty Martyrs appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
March 10
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Kessog, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
March 11
The Keys of Easter
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Constantine, King and Martyr, 9 lessons.
March 12: Saint Gregory, Pope and Doctor
Inferior Double Feast with Nine Lessons, with Four Rulers of the Choir
(c. 540–March 12, 604). Saint Gregory the Great.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 747 or earlier.
‘[pape] et confessoris’, BL-52359:234r.
March 13
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Kevoc, Virgin, not a Martyr, 9 lessons.
March 14
The latest date for the first Sunday in Lent
March 15
St. Longinus appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
March 16
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Boniface, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double.
March 17: Saint Patrick, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
5th. c. bishop in Ireland, not formally canonized.
This feast appears in the Kalendars of some Sarum Missals. There is nothing for St. Patrick in the Breviary, except the mention of his name in the Litany. There is, however, a Mass in the Missal. St. Patrick appears in Bologna-2565.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Patrick, Bishop and Confessor, Minor Double 9 lessons.
In BL-52339 a later hand has added ‘Translatione sancti Antonii. Et sancti Patricii.
March 18: Saint Edward, King and Martyr (see also June 20)
Simple Feast of NIne Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 962 – 18 March 978). Buried at Shaftesbury; translated to a shrine, June 20, 1001 (or 1008). Edward was never canonized. The relics, apparently recovered in 1931, were re-enshrined in 1984 in the Church of Saint Edward the Martyr, Brookwood.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1008.
Gabriel, Archangel, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529, with a memorial of St. Anselm.
The York Use omits Saint Edward.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Finian, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double.
March 19
St. Joseph appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Joseph, Confessor, and the Translation of Saint Mary Magdalene, 9 lessons.
March 20: Saint Cuthbert, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 634 – 20 March 687), Bishop of Lindisfarne, translated 999; translated to Durham Cathedral, 1104, where a shrine was erected behind the high altar. Cuthbert’s relics are apparently buried beneath the original site of the shrine.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
St. Joachim appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
March 21: Saint Benedict (Benet) of Nursia, Abbot
Simple Feast of NIne Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 480–543 or 547.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxvii, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
March 22
The earliest date for Easter.
March 25: The Annunciation of our Lord
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir
At Salisbury Cathedral (and others dedicated to St. Mary), a procession before high mass; but at other places, presumably no procession. (Terrence Bailey, The Processions of Sarum: 12.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
(Known also as Lady Day)
March 27 The Resurrection of our Lord
Principal Double Feast of Three Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor
This day is the presumed Kalendar date of the Resurrection. It is of no liturgical significance, but it does thereby associate Good Friday with the Feast of the Annunciation.
See Christian M. Rose, ‘March 27 as Easter and the Medieval Liturgical Calendar’ in Manuscripta 30 (1986): 112-117.
March 29
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Olave, King and Martyr, 9 lessons, and St. Regulus, Abbot, 9 lessons.
April 1
St. Mary of Egypt appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Gilbert, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double.
April 2
This is the York date for the Feast of the Visitation. (see July 2.)
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Mary of Egypt, Matron, 9 lessons.
April 3: Saint Richard (of Chichester), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(1197 – April 3, 1253, Canonized 1262, Translated June 16, 1276.) The shrine of St. Richard was located behind the high altar at Chichester Cathedral.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1260.
Richard does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars, or in the Roman Kalendar, 1529, 1568.
April 4: Saint Ambrose
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 340–April 4, 397) Bishop of Milan. In many Kalendars his feast day is December 7, the date of his ordination.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
St. Isidore, Bishop, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
April 5
St. Vincent appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
April 11
St. Leo, Pope, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
Leo appears to be observed at Wells.
The Hereford Kalendar has St. Gunthlac, as does the Arsenal Missal.
(Guntlac of Crowland, 764-714)
April 13
The Arsenal Missal has St. Eufemia, virgin and martyr.
April 14: Saints Tiburtius and Valerian (and Maximus), Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
According to the Acts of St. Cecilia (see November 22), Tibertius was the husband of Cecilia, and Valerian was his brother. Maximus was an official that was martyred with the brothers. They were buried April 14.
Removed from the general Roman Kalendar in 1969.
April 16
St. Isidore, Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
April 17
St. Anicetus, Pope, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Donan, Abbot, 3 lessons with Rulers of the Choir.
April 19: Saint Alphege, Archbishop and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(953 – April 19, 1012), Bishop of Winchester, Archbishop of Canterbury; canonized 1078. His shrine was located to the north of the high altar at Canterbury Cathedral.
Saint Alphege does not appear in the York Kalendars.
April 22
Sts. Soter and Gaius, Popes, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
April 23: Saint George, Martyr
Inferior Double Feast of Three Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
(Major Double Feast according to provincial constitutions.) See [910].
‘The cult of St. George developed after 1415, when, in a flourish of nationalism, it was promoted by Henry V and the feast elevated to a double.’ (William Smith, The Use of Hereford:114.) St. George was already mentioned by Bede, and the saint gained great prominence in England as patron of the Order of the Garter, founded in 1348 by Edward III.
April 24
The Translation of Saint Wilfrid appears here in the York Kalendars.
The Arsenal Missal has St. Mellitus (d. 624), first Bishop of London and Archbishop of Canterbury.
April 25: Saint Mark, Evangelist
Inferior Double Feast of Three Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir
The latest date for Easter.
April 26
Sts. Cletus and Marcellinus, Popes, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
April 28: Saint Vitalis, Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Simple Invitatory
In the Customary and the Crawford Missal this feast has no Rulers of the Choir.
In BL-52359:234v this feast has no rulers.
In the Ordinal (OCR-LE:24) and 1531 it has Rulers of the Choir (with Duple Invitatory).
My interpretation is that at some point in time it was promoted to a ruled feast.
Saint Vitalis of Milan, 1st-2nd century.
April 29
The going forth of Noah from the Ark
St. Peter (of Verona), Martyr (Dominican), appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529, and, in a later hand, in the Arsenal Missal.
April 30: Deposition of Saint Erkenwald, Bishop and Confessor
London Synod: Inferior Double Feast of Three Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Bishop of London (675-693); translated (February 1, May 13, and) 1140, November 14, 1148. The November 14 Date was commemorated at St. Paul’s. His shrine was at (Old) St. Paul’s Cathedral, London.
St. Erkenwald does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars (or in the Roman Kalendar, 1529); it is marked ‘non Sarum’. The inclusion of this feast and the Deposition of St. Erkenwald in the Sarum Kalendar accommodates the Sarum Use to the Diocese of London, which officially adopted Sarum Use in 1414-1415.
The Arsenal Missal adds St. Eutropius (of Saintes), martyr, in a later hand.
May 1: Saints Philip and James, Apostles
Inferior Double Feast of Three Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also Saint Aseph, Bishop and Confessor, 3 lessons with Rulers of the Choir.
May 2
St. Athanasius, Bishop, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
May 3: The Invention of the Holy Cross
Minor Double Feast of Three Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
This Feast apparently stems from the Gallican liturgy of the 7th century.
Memorial of Sts. Alexander, Eventius and Theodolus
See also Louis van Tongeren, Exaltation of the Cross: Toward the Origins of the Feast of the Cross and the Meaning of the Cross in Early Medieval Liturgy (Leuven: Peeters, 2000).
May 4
[St. Monica.] No saint appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
In the Sarum Hours 1551 (Rouen), 1554 (London) and 1557 (London), the feast of the Crown of the Lord. (The Dominican books (April 24) contain the music for the mass and office, the latter being a rhymed office.) See also the Sarum Martirology, August 11.
May 6: Saint John before the Latin Gate
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxvii, dates this Feast to c. 790.
May 7: John of Beverley, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
(d 721) Bishop of Hexham, 687, Bishop of York, 705, canonized 1037, translated Oct 25, 1307. His shrine was in Beverley Minster.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1416.
St. John of Beverley does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars (or in the Roman Kalendar).
In BL-52359:235r. this feast is added in a later hand.
The 1519 Antiphonale indicates a memorial of St. Augustine of Nicomedia; this does not appear to be a standard part of the Sarum Kalendars.
In BL-52359 a later hand has added St. John of Beverley
The Arsenal Missal includes St. Flavia (Domitllia), virgin? (and martyr), in a later hand.
May 8
The Apparition of St. Michael appears in the Exeter Ordinal and in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Translation of Andrew appears to be observed at Wells.
May 9: The Translation of Saint Nicholas, Bishop
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir, non Sarum.
The Translation of St. Nicholas does not appear in the (older) Sarum Kalendars or in the Roman Kalendar, or in the York Kalendar.
St. Gregory (Nazianzen) appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
Presumably this Feast appears in order to accommodate the many English churches dedicated to the Saint.
In BL-52359:235r. a later hand has added the Translation of St. Nicholas.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also the Translation of Saint Andrew, 3 lessons.
May 10: Saints Gordianus and Epimachus, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory.
(d. Rome, 362 and Alexandria, 250)
The Arsenal Missal includes St. Maturinus (Bishop of Sens), confessor, in a later hand.
May 11
This is the Feast Day of the Dedication of Hereford Cathedral
May 12: Saints Nereus, Achilleus, and Pancras, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Congall, Abbot, 3 lessons with Rulers of the Choir, and a memorial of the martyrs.
May 14
St. Boniface appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568. (see June 5)
May 16
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Brandan, Abbot, 3 lessons with Rulers of the Choir.
May 17
The Translation of St. Bernardini (Franciscan) appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
May 19: Saint Dunstan, Archbishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons before Pentecost or Nine Lessons after Pentecost, with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(909 – May 19, 988); Abbot of Glastonbury Abbey, Bishop of Worcester, Bishop of London, Archbishop of Canterbury, canonized 1029. His shrine was located to the south of the high altar at Canterbury Cathedral.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1033, reducing St. Potentiana to a memorial.
St. Pudentiana (Potentiana) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Potentiana, Virgin, simple invitatory, 3 lessons.
Saint Pudentiana (Potentiana), Virgin and Martyr
(2nd century, Rome) daughter of Saint Pudens, sister of Saint Praxedes.
Pudentiana is likely a fictional saint based on a misunderstanding of the name of the church dedicated to St. Pudens (an historical Roman martyr of the 1st century, who was possibly the Biblical Pudens; no feast at Sarum). In the medieval context, Potenciana was thought to be Pudens’s daughter and the sister of St Praxedes (probably also a fictional saint, feast day 21 July).
May 20
The Hereford Use has here the Feast of St. Ethelbert (with octave)
May 22
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Ronan, Bishop and Confessor, 3 lessons with Rulers of the Choir.
May 25: Saint Aldhelm, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons before Pentecost or Nine Lessons after Pentecost, with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 639 – 25 May 709), Abbot of Malmesbury Abbey, first Bishop of Sherborne. (Sherborne was a see from 705 until it was transfered to Old Sarum in 1075.) His shrine was at Malmesbury Abbey. St. Aldhelm was translated by Dunstan 980; his name appears in the Roman martyrology.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century, reducing St. Urban to a memorial with middle lessons.
Saint Urban
Pope, 222 to May 23, 230.
The York Use honours St. Urban rather than St. Aldhelm. Aldhelm, as Bishop of Sherbourne, had particular significance for Sarum.
The Translation of St. Francis appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Urban, Pope, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary indicates ‘Estas’ (summer) here.
May 26: St. Augustine (of Canterbury), Bishop and Confessor
Inferior Double Feast of Three Lessons before Pentecost or Nine Lessons after Pentecost with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 747.
St. Eleutherius, Pope, Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York Use honours both Augustine and Bede on this day.
May 27
The Octave of St. Bernardini appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. John, Pope and Martyr, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
May 28: Saint Germain (Germanus), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 496 – May 28, 576) Abbot, Bishop of Paris, canonized in 754.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
May 30
St. Felix, Pope, Martyr, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
May 31: Saint Petronilla, Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory ‘cum nocturno’, except during unruled octaves of Trinity and Corpus Christi, where it is ‘sine nocturno’ with Te Deum.
(1st or 3rd century, Rome) Petronilla of Rome. She is a legitimate Roman martyr of the 3rd century, but not the daughter of St Peter.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast c. 760. This would connect with the time of her translation in 757.
June 1: Saint Nichomede (Nichomedis), Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(A Roman martyr)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxvii, dates this Feast to the X. century.
St. Nichomede does not appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
June 2: Sts. Marcellinus and Peter, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. 304, Rome)
June 3
BL-52359:235v. has added in a later hand St. Hezame [Erasmus], episcopi et martyris
[St. Erasmus of Formia (St. Elmo), d. c. 303. ]
June 4
The York Use has Saint Petroc, as does the Exeter Ordinal and the Arsenal Missal.
Petroc appears to be observed at Wells.
June 5: Saint Boniface, Bishop, and his Companions
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory (Kalendar); Single Invitatory (Sanctorale).
(c. 675?, Wessex, – June 5, 754, Frisia) Boniface was the first archbishop of Mainz, and Apostle of the Germans.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 756.
St. Boniface does not appear in the Roman Kalendar. (see May 14)
June 6
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Colmoc, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
June 8: Saints Medard and Gildard, Bishops and Confessors
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Medard (456–June 8, 545) was Bishop of Vermandois-Noyon.
Gildard (c. 448–June 8, 525) was Bishop of Rouen 488-525.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the X. century.
The York Use celebrates William of York, rather than Medard and Gildard.
Sts. Medard and Gildard do not appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
June 9: The Translation of Saint Edmund (of Abingdon), Bishop (see also November 16)
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons (outside of Eastertide) or Three Lessons (within Eastertide) with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(1175–1240), from 1219 (or 1222) Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral; from 1233(34), Archbishop of Canterbury. Edmund died while in France and was buried at Pontigny. Canonized 1246; translated June 9 1247. His shrine was at Pontigny.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1247, reducing Sts. Primus and Felician (642-9) to a memorial with middle lessons. The adoption of this feast into the Sarum Rite appears to have taken place at a later date, seeing that this feast does not appear in the earlier Sarum sources. No doubt impetus was gained by Walter de la Wyle’s establishment of the Collegiate Church of St. Edmund in Salisbury on February 17, 1269. There is also a Chapel of St. Edmund in Salisbury Cathedral.
The Translation of St. Edmund does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
BL-52359 has St. Medard and Gildard, with the translation of St. Edmund added in a later hand.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Columba, Abbut, Major Double, 9 lessons.
Saints Primus and Felician
(d. ca. 297)
Sts. Primus and Felician, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568, and in the York Use.
At Wells, Sts. Primus Felician, 3 lec., duple invit.
June 11: Saint Barnabas, Apostle
Simple Feast of Three Lessons before Pentecost or Nine Lessons after Pentecost, with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
June 12: Basilides, Cyrinus, Nabor, and Nazarius, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Date unknown, Rome.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Ternan, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, middle lessons of the saints [i.e. Basilides etc.].
June 13
St. Anthony of Padua (Franciscan), appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
June 14: Saint Basil, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Saint Basil the Great (ca. 330–January 1 or 2, 379), Bishop of Caesarea Mazaca in Cappadocia.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
St. Basil does not appear here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
June 15: Saints Vitus, Modestus and Crescentia, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 303)
The Martyrology of Bede and the Old English Martyrology list Vitus by himself. Most of the medieval abbeys in England celebrated Vitus and Modestus without Crescentia, but five which followed the Sarum Rite added her name.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
The York Use has here the Octave of St. William.
The Hereford Use has here St. Edburga
June 16: The Translation of St. Richard (of Chichester)
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(1197 – April 3, 1253), Canonized 1262, Translated June 16, 1276. (see also April 3). His shrine was behind the high altar at Chichester Cathedral.
The Translation of St. Richard does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars. (Seeing that there are no propers for this feast–other than the prayer–it might be appropriate to maintain the older observance of Sts. Cyriacus and Julitta (three lessons), with a memorial of St. Richard, excepting of course at Chichester Cathedral, and perhaps also within that diocese. But when the feast of St. Richard (April 3) is omitted, then Richard could be observed on June 16.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1262, reducing Sts. Cyriacus and Julitta (XI c.) to a memorial with middle lessons.
BL-52359:235v. has Sts. Ciriacus and Julitta; the Translation of St. Richard is added in a later hand.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saints Ciriacus and Julitta, martyrs, 3 lessons, simple invitatory.
Saints Cyriacus (Quriaqos) and Julitta
(d. 304, Tarsus)
The York Use omits the Translation of St. Richard, but has here Saints Ciricus and Julitta.
June 17
The York and Hereford Kalendars have here St. Botulph.
BL-52359:235v. has St. Botulph, abbot, non Sarum.|
The Arsenal Missal has St. Botolph, abbot and confessor.
June 18: Saints Mark and Marcellian, Martyrs
Simple Feast of three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. c. 286, Rome)
June 19: Saints Gervase and Protase (Gervasius and Protasius), Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(2nd. c.)
The Aberdeen Breviary has the Translation of Saint Margaret, Queen, 9 lessons, middle lessons of the martyrs.
June 20: The Translation of Saint Edward, King and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons (or Three) with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(see also March 18)
(c. 962 – 18 March 978). Buried at Shaftesbury; translated, June 20, 1001 (or 1008). Edward was never canonized.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1008.
The Octave of St. Anthony appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Silvester, Pope and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The York Use omits the Translation of Saint Edward.
In BL-52359:235v. the Translation of St. Edward is added in a later hand.
June 21
The York Use has here Saint Leufrid.
June 22: Saint Alban, Martyr
Simple Feast of NIne Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
The first martyr of England, ca. 300. His shrine was behind the high altar at St. Alban’s Abbey (now Cathedral). The 14th. c. shrine has been reconstructed from fragments.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
St. Paulinus of Nola appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
June 23: Saint Etheldreda, Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Etheldreda (Æthelthryth, Audrey) (ca. 636–June 23, 679), Queen of Northumbrian, Abbess of Ely from 672, translated in 695 from a common grave to the new abbey church at Ely. At Ely Abbey (now Cathedral) was the shrine of St. Etheldreda.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the X. century.
St. Etheldreda does not appear in the Roman Kalendar, nor does she appear in all the Sarum Kalendars.
June 24: The Nativity of Saint John the Baptist
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir
June 25
In BL-52359:235v. is added in a later hand St. Eligii epi & mart. [translation]
[St. Eligius of Noyon, feast day December 1]
The Arsenal Missal has St. Peccina, virgin (3rd century Spain) in a later hand.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Moloc, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double.
June 26: Saints John and Paul, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
In the New Ordinal (predating the 1531 Breviary) this feast is with rulers of the choir.
(d. ca. 362, Rome)
The Arsenal Missal includes St. Maxentius (c. 445-515), Abbot of Poitou, in a later hand.
June 28: Saint Leo, Pope and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(611–June 28, 683) Pope Leo II 682-683.
The Vigil of the Apostles Peter and Paul
June 29: Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
At Exeter, where it is the Feast of the Place, Major Double ‘prout in Nativitate Domini’ (Exeter Ordinal:234). The Octave is ruled, and a memorial is made of St. John.
June 30: The Commemoration of Saint Paul
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
At Exeter, a minor double.
July 1: The Octave of St. John the Baptist
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Servanus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
July 2: The Visitation of Blessed Mary
Greater Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
This Feast, associated with the Franciscans, and celebrated by them from 1263, was extended to the universal church in 1389.
In the Sarum Use this Feast has an Octave. For a detailed examination of the development of this feast, see Richard Pfaff, New Liturgical Feasts in Later Medieval England (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1970):40-61.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1431 or 1480. ‘. . . adopted in England generally only after 1480’, Terrence Bailey, The Processions of Sarum:10, citing The Oxford Dictionary of the Christian Church (ODCC), ed. Cross (London, 1957): 1426, and Wilkins, Concilia Magnae Britaniae et Hiberniae (1737), III: 613.
The older Sarum Kalendars have the Feast of Saints Processi and Martiniani, rather than the Visitation. Some Kalendars have Saint Swithun. The York Kalendars omit the Visitation.
The Choir is ruled throughout the octave.
Pius V abolished the rhythmical office, the vigil, and the octave; in the Breviarium Romanum (1568) all of the chants are repeated from the Nativity of the Virgin.
In BL-52359:236r. the Visitation is added in a later hand.
Saints Processus and Martinian
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(ca. 3rd. c., Rome)
This feast and the memorial of St. Swithun were omitted when the Feast of the Visitation was instituted.
| Date | Old Kalendar | New Kalendar |
| July 1 | Octave Day of John the Baptist | Octave Day of John the Baptist |
| July 2 | Processus and Martinianus | Visitation |
| July 3 | Octave of Peter and Paul | Octave of the Visitation |
| July 4 | Translation of St. Martin | Translation of St. Martin |
| July 5 | Octave of Peter and Paul | Octave of the Visitation |
| July 6 | Octave Day of Peter and Paul | Octave Day of Peter and Paul |
| July 7 | Translation of St. Thomas | Translation of St. Thomas |
| July 8 | feria | Octave of the Visitation |
| July 9 | feria | Octave Day of the Visitation |
| July 10 | Seven Holy Brothers | Seven Holy Brothers |
July 3
Of the Octave of the Visitation with Rulers of the Choir
July 4: The Translation and Ordination of Saint Martin, Bishop
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with two Rulers of the Choir.
Of the Octave of the Visitation with Two Rulers of the Choir
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
The Translation of St. Martin does not appear in the Roman Kalendar.
July 5
Of the Octave of the Visitation with Two Rulers of the Choir
July 6: The Octave of Saints Peter and Paul, Apostles
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Of the Octave of the Visitation with Two Rulers of the Choir
At Exeter, ‘Fiat solemnitas sicut in octave Epiphanie Domini’, Exeter Ordinal:238.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Palladius, Bishop and Confessor, apostle of the Scots, with a memorial of the apostles.
July 7: The Translation of Saint Thomas, Archibishop and Martyr
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Instituted 1220, suppressed, 1539-1552.
Some sources indicate a Greater Double Feast of Nine Lessons.
Some sources indicate a Simple Feast of NIne Lessons with Duple Invitatory.
The translation to a new shrine in the Trinity Chapel at Canterbury Cathedral took place on Tuesday, July 7, 1220. This event has great significance both for the design of Salisbury Cathedral and as a spur to the canonization of Osmund. See Tim Tatton-Brown and John Crook, Salisbury Cathedral: the Making of a Medieval Masterpiece (London: Scala, 2009):36-37.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 1220-3.
The Translation of St. Thomas does not appear in the Roman Kalendar.
The Sunday after the Translation of Saint Thomas: The Feast of Relics
Major Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor.
The Sarum Feast of Relics had been on September 15 until 1252 when that date was used for the Octave of the Nativity of Blessed Mary, at which time the change was made.
The Feast of Relics was moved to the Sunday after the Translation of St. Thomas by Bishop Roger Martival in 1319.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates the Feast to 1252.
The removal of this feast to a Sunday meant there would be one more day available for labour.
The Hereford Use has the Feast of Relics on the same day. The Exeter Ordinal places this feast on the Monday after the Feast of the Ascension.
In BL-52359:236r. the rubric is added in a later hand.
The Aberdeen Breviary indicates the Feast of Relics and the Dedication of the Church to be according to the constitutions of each individual church.
July 8
Of the Octave of the Visitation with Two Rulers of the Choir
The York and Hereford Kalendars have St. Grimbald.
July 9: The Octave of the Visitation
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
The York Kalendars have Saint Everild.
July 10: The Seven Holy Brothers, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 150, Rome)
July 11: The Translation of Saint Benedict, Abbot
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons, if not observed in Lent, with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
This is the date of Benedict’s translation to the Abbey of Fleury (now Saint-Benoît-sur-Loire) in the 7th century.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
St. Pius, Pope, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York Kalendars omit Saint Benedict.
July 12
Sts. Nabor and Felix, Martyrs, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Hereford Use has St. Cletus here.
July 13
St. Anacletus, Pope, Martyr, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
July 15: The Translation of Saint Swithun and his Companions, Bishops and Confessors
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Bishop of Winchester, d. 863 (or 862), translated July 15, 971; translated to the new Norman church in 1093; shrine moved to the new retrochoir in 1476.
Swithun is not in the Roman Martyrology, but is in the Sarum Martirology.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
The York Kalendars omit the Translation of Saint Swithun.
The Aberdeen Breviary has the Nine Holy Virgins, nine lessons.
July 16: The Translation of Saint Osmund, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
At the cathedral itself the feast would be at the highest level, a Principal Double Feast with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor; that is, in equivalent rank to the Feast of the Dedication or the Patronal Feast.
The indication ‘non Sarum’ in the Kalendar signifies that this feast was not a general feast to be observed throughout the Province of Canterbury. Presumably the feast was celebrated throughout the diocese of Salisbury, with all from the Common of One Confessor and Bishop. Only at the cathedral itself were the proper chants and lessons sung.
In BL-52359:236r. the Translation of St. Osmund is added in a later hand.
(The Feast Day of Osmund’s Deposition is December 4.) Osmund succeeded Heremann as Bishop of Sarum in 1078, and died Dec 3, 1099.
Osmund’s remains were enshrined in the east end of (Old) Sarum Cathedral, over which a foramina tomb-shrine was built. This foramina shrine remains today in Salisbury Cathedral.
Osmund’s remains were first translated from Old Sarum to the new Salisbury Cathedral on Trinity Sunday, June 14, 1226, where they were placed in the south arcade of the newly built Trinity Chapel, surmounted by the same foramina tomb-shrine. (Tim Tatton Brown and John Crook, Salisbury Cathedral: The Making of a Medieval Masterpiece (London: Scala Books, 2009):52.) It may be that the design to focus the eastern arm of Salisbury Cathedral around a shrine of Osmund was planned from the beginning.
In 1228 the Bishop of Sarum and the canons applied to Gregory IX for Osmund’s canonization but not until some 200 years afterwards, the final proceedings having taken place in December 1456, on 1 January 1457, the bull was issued by Callistus III. (A. R. Malden, ed., The Canonization of Saint Osmund (Salisbury: Bennett Brothers, 1901:224-35.)
The letter was written from Rome on the 13th of December, 1456, and was received and solemnly published at Salisbury on the 15th of January following. (The Canonization of Saint Osmund, xxxi.)
In this Bull, December 4, the day following Osmund’s death, was officially established as his Feast Day (the deposition, or interment). Shortly after, on July 16, 1457, Osmund’s translation was again effected, when his remains were relocated from the south arcade bench of the Trinity Chapel to a more prominent shrine behind the High Altar, as suggested by some, in the middle of the Trinity (Salve, Lady) Chapel of Salisbury Cathedral. Others, including this author, believe that the shrine was located within the chancel and behind the high altar. This shrine was destroyed, along with Osmund’s relics, at the reformation. Today the the original foramina shrine remains on the south arcade bench of the Trinity Chapel, while the tomb slab (which also appears to originate from Old Sarum) is located in the centre of the Chapel. (Recent news (2018) suggests that this slab has since been relocated.)
Presumably the proper texts and music for this feast were composed in or around 1457; thus they are among the latest additions to the Sarum liturgy. They remain in a single manuscript in the cathedral library (Ms. 152.).
A lengthy account of Saint Osmund is given by Francis Goldie in Saints of Wessex and Wiltshire (London: Burns and Oates, 1885): 45-66.
The Translation of St. Osmund naturally does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
The York Use omits the Translation of St. Osmund.
(Although Saint Osmund is in a sense–after his canonization–the Patron of Salisbury Cathedral, he is not the Patron in the liturgical sense. The Virgin Mary is the Patroness of the Cathedral. Nevertheless, this Feast may have been celebrated at Salisbury as a Principal Double in terms of ceremony.)
July 17-23: Within the Octave of Saint Osmund
The full octave was celebrated at Salisbury Cathedral with Rulers of the Choir.
The Addition of the Feast of the Translation of St. Osmund with Octave has the effect of changing July 17 and 18 from the Feasts of St. Kenelm and St. Arnulph to the second and third days in the Octave of St. Osmund; July 19, formerly a feria becomes the fourth day of the Octave; the Feasts of St. Margaret and St. Mary Magdalene remain, but the Feasts of St. Praxedis and St. Appolinaris become the sixth day and the Octave day.
July 17: Saint Kenelm, King and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
St. Kenelm (ca. 786-811) was the son of Coenwulf, King of Mercia. (His status as co-king with his father appears to be unsubstantiated.) The church of St. Kenelm in the parish of Romsley, Worcestercshire, marks the apparent site of his murder, and the crypt contained a shrine. His major shrine was in Winchcombe Abbey. He is not in Roman Martirology, but is in the Sarum Martyrology. July 17 is the date of St. Kenelm’s translation.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
St. Alexius (the Beggar) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York Kalendars omit Saint Kenelm.
July 18: Saint Arnulph (of Metz), Bishop and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, presuming that the bishop of Metz is intended, dates this Feast to 1121, the year of his canonization. It would seem probable that after this date the two saints came to be confounded. Recognizing that the mass propers are drawn from the common of a martyr, it seems appropriate to consider that this feast was intended to commemorate St. Arnoul. ( Appropriate emendations of the prayers are provided in the companion to the Missal.) Note, however, that the St. Arnulph that appears in the Litany, falls under the heading of confessors; that one must be St. Arnulph the bishop.
St. Symphorosa and her Seven Children, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York and Hereford Kalendars omit Saint Arnulf.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Thenewe, Matron, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of Saint Arnulf.
July 20: Saint Margaret, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
(289-304, Antioch)
It would appear that part or all of the story of Margaret of Antioch (in Pisidia) or Marina is legendary. Nevertheless her martyrdom continues to be memorialized in many churches, east and west.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
July 21: Saint Praxedes (Praxedis), Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(d. 165, Rome)
See St. Potentiana, May 19.
This Feast was displaced by the Octave of St. Osmund at Salisbury Cathedral only.
July 22: Saint Mary Magdalen (Magdalene)
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
Memorial of St. Wandragesilus
July 23: Saint Apollinaris
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
First Bishop of Ravenna.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to 625-638.
This Feast was displaced by the Octave of St. Osmund at Salisbury Cathedral only.
This Feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
The Octave of the Translation of Saint Osmund
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
July 24: Saint Christina, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Saint Christina of Bolsena, also known as Christina of Tyre (3rd. c.).
(Not to be confused with Christina Mirabilis (c. 1150–July 24, 1224, Belgium), also venerated on July 24.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
Vigil of St. James
July 25: Saint James, Apostle
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxviii, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
Memorial of Sts. Christoforo and Cucufato
Saint Christopher (d. ca. 251, Asia Minor)
Saint Cucuphas (269, Scillis- ca. 304, Sant Cugat del Vallès)
The blessing of new apples takes place on this day. (See the Manuale.)
July 26: Saint Anne, Mother of Mary
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory sung by three, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
St. Anne was venerated in the west from 13th c. (Douai 1291), and became universal in the west as late as 1584. According to Andrew Hughes the feast was obligatory in England from ca. 1382. “In 1351 her festival was enjoined as a double in the province of Dublin (Wilkins, III, 178), but not till 18 May, 1383, by Archbishop William Courtenay for the province of Canterbury, in accordance with the bull of Urban VI, dated 21 June, 1381, on the occasion of the marriage of Richard II, with Anne of Bohemia. (John Neale Dalton, ed., The Collegiate Church of Ottery St. Mary (Cambridge, University Press, 1917): 144.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this feast to 1383. See Wilkins, Concilia Magnae Britaniae et Hiberniae (1737), III:178. According to H. M. Bannister, ‘The Introduction of the Cultus of St. Anne into the West’, English Historical Review XVIII (1903):107-112, this was ordered for England by Urban VI in order to popularize the marriage of Anne of Bohemia to Richard III.
The Feast of St. Anne does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
The Feast of St. Anne does not appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
In the Exeter martyrology the Transfiguration of the Lord appears on this day; presumably that would have been removed upon the adoption of August 6 as the feast day of St. Anne.
July 27: The Seven Holy Sleepers, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
The Seven Sleepers of Epehesus, ca. 250.
These saints are a puzzle. Were they charlatans, or were they foreign Christians whose story was misunderstood?
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
The York Use celebrates St. Martha rather than the Seven Holy Brothers.
St. Pantaleon, Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
This feast normally has neither first nor second vespers.
July 28: Saint Samson (Sampson, Samsun) (of Dol), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(ca. 480- 564), bishop in Wales and Brittany. His relics were deposited at his monastery (MIlton Benedictine Abbey) at Milton Abbas, Dorset.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the X. century.
Memorial of St. Panthaleon
(ca. 275-305, Nicomedia) martyr during the Diocletian persecution.
The Sarum Missal provides a mass for St. Panthaleon against acute fever.
Sts. Nazarius and Celsus, Victor, and Innocent, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York Use has here Saints Samson and Pantaleon.
July 29: Saints Felix (Felicius), Simplicius, Faustinus, and Beatrice
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Saint Felix, Martyr (Rome).
Simplicius, Faustinus, and Beatrice d. 302 or 303, Rome.
In the medieval context Felix was incorrectly venerated as a martyr and defender of the Nicene faith against the supposed Arian, Liberius. In fact Liberius was the orthodox pope and Felix was deposed as an Arian and sent into exile.
St. Martha appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Olave, King and Martyr, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the saints.
July 30: Saints Abdon and Sennen
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 250, Rome)
July 31: Saint Germanus
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 378 – c. 448) Bishop of Auxerre.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the X. century.
St. Germanus does not appear in the Roman Kalendar.
August 1: Saint Peter in Chains
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
‘This feast was originally the dedication feast of the church of the Apostle [Peter], erected on the Esquiline Hill, [Rome], in the fourth century. The church was rebuilt by Sixtus III (432-40) at the expense of the Byzantine imperial family. Either the solemn consecration took place on 1 August, or this was the day of dedication of the earlier church. Perhaps this day was selected to replace the heathen festivities which took place on 1 August. In this church, which is still standing (S. Pietro in Vincoli), were probably preserved from the fourth century St. Peter’s chains, which were greatly venerated, small filings from the chains being regarded as precious relics.’ (‘St. Peter, Prince of the Apostles’, Catholic Encyclopedia (http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/11744a.htm).)
Memorial of the Maccabees.
August 2: St. Stephen
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Stephen I (Bishop of Rome 254-257).
This feast normally has neither first nor second vespers.
The Dedication of the Church of Porziuncola, Assisi (Franciscan), appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
The Exeter Ordinal (Exon 3502) has the feast of St. Sativole (Sidwell).
August 3: The Invention of (the relics of) Saint Stephen
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the X. century.
August 4
St. Justin appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Dominic appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568; see August 5.
August 5: Saint Oswald, King and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(ca. 604-642), King of Northumbria; translated from Bardney Abbey in 909, because of Viking raids, to St. Oswald’s Priory in Gloucester.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
St. Mary of the Snows and St. Dominic appear here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
Saint Dominic
The rubric indicates that this Office is not part of the Sarum Kalendar.
(1170– August 6, 1221) Founder of the Dominican Order. Canonized in 1234.
Dominic is more typically commemorated on August 4 (or 8).
A mass with proper Alleluya (Pie pater Dominice) and sequence (In celesti hierarchia) appears in Cam-Queens-MS-28:371. This mass is edited in the Appendix.
Blessed Virgin Mary of the Snows
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons.
This is the Feast of the Dedication of the Basilica of St Mary Major in Rome.
This local Feast was extended throughout Rome in 14th c., and presumably spread from there. It was perhaps adopted at Sarum in the 16th. c. because of its Marian theme.
This Feast would appear to take the place of Saint Oswald. The extent of its adoption is unclear. Presumably in places which did not have music for the proper antiphons Sancta Maria succurre and Beatam me dicent, and the Invitatory Sancta Maria Dei Genitrix, would supply the deficiency from another feast of the Virgin.
Apparently entered the general Roman calendar as late as the Breviarium Romanum of 1568.
Vespers would normally be of the Transfiguration.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Mary of the Snows, Minor Double, and St. Oswald, 9 lessons.
August 6: The Transfiguration of Our Lord Jesus Christ
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
This feast originated in the in 9th c. In 1457, Pope Callistus III extended the feast throughout the Latin church in memory of the victory over the Turks at Belgrade, the news of which reached Rome on August 6. For a detailed examination of the development of this feast, see Richard Pfaff, New Liturgical Feasts in Later Medieval England (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1970):13-39.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1457 or 1480.
In BL-52359:236v. this feast is added in a later hand.
The older Sarum Kalendars have the Feast of Saints Sixtus, Felicissimus, and Agapitus. With the adoption of the Feast of the Transfiguration, this became a memorial.
In the Exeter martyrology the Transfiguration of the Lord is entered on July 26; presumably that entry would have been be removed upon the adoption of August 6 as the feast day.
Second vespers would normally be of the Most Sweet Name of Jesus.
Saint Sixtus and Companions
Simple Feast of 3 Lessons with Invitatory sung by one.
This Feast was superseded by the Feast of the Transfiguration.
At Wells, (before 1457), St. Sixtus, 3 lecs., duple invit.
(d. August 6, 258) Bishop of Rome (257-258).
August 7: The Feast of the Most Sweet (Holy) Name of Jesus
Major Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor.
This Feast developed under the influence of John of Vercelli, OP, 1205-83 (after 1274) and Beranardino of Sienna, a Franciscan 1380-1444. Walter Frere indicates its establishment in 1457 (Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix.). It was officially adopted by the Franciscans in 1530; however it became universal (in the Roman Church) only in 1721. For a detailed examination of the development of this feast, see Richard Pfaff, New Liturgical Feasts in Later Medieval England (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1970):62-83.
It appears in Sarum printed Breviaries from 1494, and in the 1520 Antiphonale.
(The calendar of the 1662 Book of Common Prayer stipulates a festival “The Name of Jesus” to be observed on 7 August as had been the practice in Durham, Salisbury and York and Aberdeen. (Catholic Encyclopedia.)
In the Sarum Rite this feast is provided with a full octave, fitted between the Transfiguration and the Assumption.
The older Sarum Kalendars have the Feast of Saint Donatus. This was superseded by the Feast of the Most Sweet (Holy) Name of Jesus.
Saint Donatus appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568, and in the York Kalendars.
The introduction of the Feasts of the Transfiguration and the Most Sweet Name caused considerable change to the Sarum Kalendar, as summarized below.
| Date | Old Kalendar | New Kalendar |
| August 5 | Oswald | Oswald |
| August 6 | Sixtus | Transfiguration |
| August 7 | Donatus | Most Sweet Name |
| August 8 | Cyriacus | Octave of the Most Sweet Name |
| August 9 | Romanus | Octave of the Most Sweet Name |
| August 10 | Laurence | Laurence |
| August 11 | Tiburtius | Octave of the Most Sweet Name |
| August 12 | Oct. of Laurence | Octave of the Most Sweet Name |
| August 13 | Ipolitus | Ipolitus |
| August 14 | Eusebius | Octave Day of the Most Sweet Name |
| August 15 | Assumption | Assumption |
Saint Donatus
Simple Feast of 3 Lessons with Single Invitatory
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
This Feast was superseded by the Feast of the Holy Name.
(d. August 7, 362?) Bishop of Arezzo.
August 8: Saints Ciriacus and Companions, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Duple Invitatory, Three Lessons
(d. c. 303, Rome)
With the introduction of the Feast of the Holy Name with Octave, this feast became a memorial, except where Ciriacus is the patron (which is not likely in England).
Saint Cyriacus and companions appears in the older Sarum Kalendars and the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568. The York Kalendars include the Octave of Saint Peter.
August 9: Saint Romanus, Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(d. 258, Rome)
With the introduction of the Feast of the Holy Name with Octave, this feast became a memorial, except where Romanus is the patron (which is not likely in England).
Vigil of St. Laurence
August 10: Saint Laurence (Lawrence), Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 225–August 10, 258, Rome) Deacon.
The Aberdeen Breviary commemorates St. Blane (d. 590), and provides an office for St. Blane, patron of the Cathedral of Dunblane, deferred until August 11 on account of the feast of St. Lawrence (vol II:163v.).
August 11: Saint Tiburtius, Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(3rd. c., Rome)
With the introduction of the Feast of the Holy Name with Octave, this feast became a memorial, except where Tiburtius is the patron (which is not likely in England).
The Hereford Use has St. Taurinus here
August 12
St. Clare appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Clare appears as a commemoration here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
August 13: Saint Hippolytus and his Companions, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(170, Rome–235, Sardinia, converted by St. Laurence)
The older Kalendars, such as Rylands-24. and Risby indicate ‘Inv. dup. iij. lec.’ the Kalendar of the Breviary 1531 retains this designation. This feast came to be observed with nine lessons as a result of the introduction of the Feast of the Holy Name with its ruled octave in the late 15th century. (It was desired to retain the three lessons for St. hippolytus on account of the proper responsories; it was necessary to include three lessons for the Holy Name on account of the ruled octave. The first three lessons (the purpose of which is to bring the total to nine) are taken from the common of many martyrs, the next three from the octave of the Holy Name, and final three for the proper of St. Hippolytus. Compare the feast of Sts. John and Paul (June 26) which, with proper responsories, falls in an unruled octave.
August 14: Saint Eusebius, Priest
Simple Feast of Three Lessons
(d. c. 357, Rome)
With the introduction of the Feast of the Holy Name with Octave, this feast became a memorial, except where Eusebius is the patron (which is not likely in England).
The Octave of the Name of Jesus
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
The older Sarum Kalendars have the Feast of Saint Eusebius. This was superseded by the Octave of the Most Sweet Name of Jesus.
Saint Eusebius appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
Vigil of the Assumption
August 15: The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin
Principal Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir from the Superior Grade plus the Precentor.
This is the Patronal Festival of Salisbury Cathedral (and generally, other churches dedicated to the Blessed Virgin.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
August 16
Of the Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
August 17: The Octave of St. Laurence
Of the Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
August 18
Of the Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
St. Agapitus, Memorial
Agapitus appears to be observed at Wells; does this suggest an unruled octave?
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
August 19
Of the Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
St. Magnus, Memorial
Magnus appears to be observed at Wells; does this suggest an unruled octave?
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
St. Louis (of Toulouse) (Franciscan) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
August 20
Of the Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
St. Bernard appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Arsenal Missal has St. Philbert (of Jumieges), abbot (c. 608-684).
August 21
Of the Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
August 22: The Octave of the Assumption
Simple Feast of Nine Lesson with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 847.
Memorial of St. Timotheus and Symphorianus
The Aberdeen Breviary has middle lessons of the martyrs.
August 23: Saints Timothy and Apollinaris
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(d. 290, Reims.)
These saints are likely literary inventions. There is great deal of confusion about the Timothys of 22 and 23 August. There is likely only one historical Timothy (the one on 22 August), a 3rd- or early 4th-century Roman martyr. In some sources (though apparently not Sarum), there is additional confusion with Timothy the Apostle (no feast at Sarum). The Apollinaris venerated on this day is likely Apollinaris of Ravenna (feast day 23 July), incorrectly or fictionally associated with Reims.
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Ebbe, Virgin, not a martyr, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the saints.
Vigil of Saint Bartholomew
August 24: Saint Bartholomew, Apostle
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also Saint Richard, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons–o.
Memorial of St. Audoenus, Bishop and Confessor
St. Audoenus (Audoen, Ouen) (ca. 605-648), Archbishop of Rouen
August 25
St. Louis (King of France) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
Saint Hilda appears here in the York Kalendar.
The Arsenal Missal has St. Genesius (of Rome), martyr, 3rd century. A later hand adds St. Louis, King of France, confessor.
August 26
The Octave of St. Louis (of Toulouse) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Zepherinus, Pope and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
August 27: Saint Rufus (Ruphus), Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(died c. 295) Bishop of Capua, disciple of St Apollinaris of Ravenna.
St. Rufus does not appear in the Roman Kalendar.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Malubrius, Abbot, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the martyr.
August 28: St. Augustine (Justin) (of HIppo), Bishop
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
(November 13, 354–August 28, 430), Bishop of Hippo Regius.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VIII. century, reducing St. Hermes to a memorial.
Memorial of St. Hermes, Martyr
(d. 120, Rome)
August 29: The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
The date of this feast is said to mark either the martyrdom of John, or the finding of his head, or the translation of his head.
Memorial of Saint Sabina, Virgin and Martyr
(d. 125, Rome)
St. Sabina was in fact a widow.
The York Use omits the Memorial of Saint Sabina.
August 30: Saints Felix and Adauctus, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. 303, Rome)
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Fiacrius, Abbot, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of St. Adauctus.
August 31: Saint Cuthburga
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 718) Abbess of Wimbourne. She was apparently buried near the altar. Presumably a shrine was erected in due course.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XIII. century.
The older Sarum Kalendars omit the Feast of St. Cuthburga.
The York Use celebrates St. Aidan rather than St. Cuthburga. St. Aidan is of particular significance to Northumbria.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
In BL-52359:236v. it appears as if St. Cuthberga was unintenionally omitted (because ‘Sci’ is present), and was added in a later hand.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Aidan, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double.
September 1: Saint Giles, Abbot
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(ca. 650-710), French hermit.
W. H. Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century, reducing St. Priscus (VIII c.) with middle lessons from the common.
The Holy Twelve Brothers and St. Giles both appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
In the Aberdeen Breviary this feast is a minor double.
Memorial of St. Priscus, Martyr
September 2
Saint Antoninus (of Pamiers), Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529, and in the Arsenal Missal.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
In the Exeter Ordinal the first Monday of September is the feast of St. Gabriel, Archangel.
Gabriel appears to be also observed at Wells.
September 3: The Ordination of St. Gregory
Simple Feast of Nine or Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir, non Sarum.
(see also March 12)
The older Sarum Kalendars omit the optional Feast of St. Gregory on this day. Nothing of St. Gregory appears here in the Sarum Breviary, as all is taken from the other feast.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
September 4: Translation of Saint Cuthbert
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons (or Three) with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 634 – 20 March 687), Bishop of Lindisfarne, translated 999; translated to Durham Cathedral, 1104. (see also March 20) The shrine of St. Cuthbert was located on the platform behind the high altar.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
York provides 3 lessons for the translation of St. Cuthbert, and 3 lessons for St. Birinus, Bishop of Dorchester.
September 5: Saint Bertin, Abbot and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 615–709) Abbot, Saint-Omer.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
Bologna-2565. has the note: ‘Nota finis dierum canicularium memoria sancto Zekaria.’
September 6
Bologna-2565. indicates St. Gabriel, archangel.
September 7
The York Kalendars have Saint Evortius (Evurtius, Enurchus).
September 8: The Nativity of the Blessed Virgin
Major Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century, displacing St. Hadrian (VII c.).
Wordsworth, Tracts of Clement Maydeston:164. dates the introduction of the Vigil of the Nativity BVM to about 1380.
The Arsenal Missal includes St. Adrian, martyr, here.
September 9
Of the Octave of the Nativity of Mary
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Saint Gorgonius, Martyr, Memorial
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
It appears that in earlier times the octave of the Nativity of Blessed Mary was not observed; this day would have been the feast of St. Gorgonius.
Gorgonius appears to be observed at Wells.
The Aberdeen Breviary has a memorial of Saint Gorgonius.
September 10
Of the Octave of the Nativity of Mary
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
St. Nicholas of Tolentino appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568. (Octave of BVM)
September 11
Of the Octave of the Nativity of Mary
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Memorial of Saints Protus and Hyacinth, Martyrs
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
It appears that in earlier times the octave of the Nativity of Blessed Mary was not observed; this day would have been the feast of Sts. Protus and Hyacinth.
Protus and Hyacinth appears to be observed at Wells.
September 12
Of the Octave of the Nativity of Mary
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
September 13
Of the Octave of the Nativity of Mary
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
The York Kalendars have here Saint Maurilius.
September 14: The Exaltation of the Holy Cross
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
This feast marks the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in 335.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century, reducing Sts. Cornelius and Cyprian to a memorial with middle lessons from the common. This feast was celebrated in Rome.
See also Louis van Tongeren, Exaltation of the Cross: Toward the Origins of the Feast of the Cross and the Meaning of the Cross in Early Medieval Liturgy (Leuven: Peeters, 2000).
(see also May 3)
Memorial of Saints Cornelius and Cyprian
Cornelius, Pope (d. 253, Rome); Cyprian, Bishop (d. 258, Carthage).
September 15: The Octave of the Nativity of Blessed Mary
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1252, displacing St. Nichomede.
The older Sarum kalendars place the Feast of Relics on this date. This was superseded by the Octave of the Nativity, and in 1319 the Feast of Relics was moved to the Sunday after the Translation of St. Thomas of Canterbury.
Some old Sarum Kalendars have Saint Nichomedes on this date.
Memorial of Saint Nicomedes (Nicomede)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also Saint Merinus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
September 16: St. Edith (of Wilton), Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(961-September 15, 984) daughter of King Edgar (ruled 959-975); associated with Dunstan. Following her death in 984, she became the patron saint of her community at Wilton Abbey in Wiltshire and churches were dedicated to her in Wiltshire and in other parts of Anglo-Saxon England. Her biography was written by Goscelin. Wilton, it should be noted, is in very close proximity to Salisbury. A shrine was built at Wilton Abbey, and the abbey was dedicated to her, and later to her mother, St. Wilfrid, as well.
Sts. Euphemia, Lucy, and Geminianus, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and in the Arsenal Missal.
Euphemia appears to be observed at Wells.
Sts. Cornelius and Cyprianus appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568 (and sometimes in old Sarum Kalendars).
Sts. Euphemia and Lucy appears here in the York Kalendars.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Ninian, Major Double, with a memorial of the martyrs.
Memorial of Saints Euphemia, Lucy, and Geminianus, Martyrs
St. Euphemia (d. 303, Chalcedon); Sts. Lucy, a noble Roman matron, and Geminianus, according to the Sarum Martirology, martyred under Diocletian.
September 17: Saint Lambert, Bishop and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 636 – c. 700), Bishop of Maastricht (Tongeren) from about 670 until his death. His major shrine is at Liege.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
The Stigmata of St. Francis appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
September 20: Vigil of St. Matthew
St. Eustace and Companions, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
September 21: Saint Matthew, Apostle and Evangelist
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Memorial of Saint Laudo, Bishop and Confessor
St. Laud of Coutances (St. Lo) (6th c.)
In the Roman Martyrology St. Lo appears on September 22; in the Sarum and French Martyrologies on September 21.
September 22: Saint Maurice and his Companions, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Maurice (250, Thebes-287, Agaunum, Switzerland) was leader of the Theban Legion.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also Saint Lolanus, Bishop, 9 lessons.
September 23: Saint Thecla (Tecla), Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Thecla of Iconium, first century follower of Paul the Apostle. Though widely venerated from ancient times as a follower of St Paul, Thecla is widely considered a literary creation.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1329.
St. Linus, Pope and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Adampnanus, Abbot, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the virgin.
September 24
In Eastern churches this (or September 23) is the Feast of the Conception of St. John the Baptist. This feast, along with the Nativity (December 25) the Annunciation (March 25) and the Nativity of John the Baptist (June 24) divide the year into four equal parts, aligned with, but a few days after, the equinoxes and solstices. This was, at least in some places, the traditional day for the beginning of the pannage season–releasing livestock into the forest to feed on nuts and other forage in preparation for slaughter. This practice still takes place each year in the New Forest, just a few miles to the south of Salisbury. The standard English ‘quarter day’, however, is Michaelmas, September 29. (Note also the ‘cross-quarter days’ that fall between the ‘quarter days’: Candlemas (February 2), May Day (May 1), Lammas Day (August 1), and All Hallows (November 1). The Scottish ‘quarter days’ are similar: Candlemas, Whitsun (moveable), Lammas, and Martinmas (November 11)).
The Arsenal Missal includes the Conception of St. John the Baptist here.
September 25: Saint Firmin (Fermin), Bishop and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(c. 272, Pamplona-September 25 303, Amiens) First Bishop of Amiens.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Fimberrius, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, with a memorial of Saint Firmin.
September 26: Saints Cyprian and Justina, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. September 26, 304, Nicomedia)
September 27: Saints Cosmas and Damian, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 287, Aegea, Syrai)
St. Elzearius (Eleazarus) (Franciscan) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
[September 28: Dedication of the Trinity altar in the new Lady Chapel of Salisbury Cathedral, 1225.]
September 28
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Machanus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, and also Saint Convallius, Confessor, 9 lessons.
September 29: St. Michael, Archangel
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
September 30: Saint Jerome, Priest and Doctor
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 347, Stridon, Dalmatia–September 30, 420, Bethlehem) priest, confessor, theologian, historian, Doctor of the Church.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
Feast of the Dedication, Salisbury Cathedral. [Dedication of the High Altar of Salisbury Cathedral, 1258. (Some sources give September 20, but see C. Wordsworth, ed., The Tracts of Clement Maydeston (London, 1894):133.] It appears that the dedication of the cathedral took place on Sunday September 29. Presumably the Feast of the Dedication followed, beginning with first vespers on the eve of September 30. This feast has a ruled octave. In 1536 this feast was transferred to the first Sunday in October.
October 1: Saint Remigius and his Companions, Bishops and Confessors
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Remigius (c. 437–January 13, 533) was Bishop of Reims and Apostle of the Franks.
October 1 commemorates the translation of his relics to the Abbey of Saint-Rémy in 1099.
Germanus (c. 380- July 31, 448, Ravenna) was Bishop of Auxerre. His remains were interred on October 1 at the Oratory of Saint Maurice, Auxerre. St. Germanus was the titular saint of many churches in England, including Selby Abbey. In the Roman Catholic Church his feast day is July 26.
Vedast (d. February 6, 539, Arras) was Bishop of Arras and Cambrai from 499. Vedast was venerated throughout Belgium as well as England (from the 10th century), where he was known as Saint Foster. The spread of his cult was aided by the presence of Augustinians from Arras in England in the 12th century. Three ancient churches in England (in London (St Vedast Foster Lane), Norwich, and Tathwell) were dedicated to him. In the Roman Catholic Church his feast day is February 6.
Bavo (622-659, Ghent) was a hermit.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
At Salisbury Cathedral, within the Octave of the Dedication, from 1258-1536.
The Hereford Use has here St. Amandus, and a Memorial of St. Piat.
The Exeter Use has St. Melor.
Memorial of St. Melor, Abbot, with middle lessons from the common
10th c. Breton saint; the details are obscure.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saints Remigius, Germanus, and Amandus, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of St. Melorus.
October 2: Saint Leodegar (Leger), Bishop and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons.
The traditional Sarum Kalendar includes on this date Saint Leodegar (Leger) (of Poitiers)
(c. 615 – October 2, 679), Bishop of Autun (659-679).
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
At Salisbury Cathedral, within the Octave of the Dedication, from 1258-1536.
Thomas of Hereford, non Sarum
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(Thomas de Cantilupe) (c. 1218 – August 25, 1282, Orvieto), Bishop of Hereford, canonized 1320. A shrine was built at Hereford Cathedral. The base of the shrine remains. A new upper section (feretory) has recently been created, and contains a portion of the relics.
The inclusion of proper lessons in the 1531 Breviary allows it to be used within the that diocese.
This feast also appears in the Exeter Ordinal.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1310.
In BL-52359:237v. this feast is added in a later hand below St. Leodegar.
The Translation of St. Clare appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
Thomas of Hereford appears here in the Hereford and York Kalendars.
October 4
The earlier Sarum Kalendars included the Feast of St. Francis.
The York Use (generally) celebrates St. Francis. The omission of Francis and Dominic from the later Sarum Kalendars may possibly be interpreted as a general animosity towards the mendicant orders.
St. Francis appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568, and in Bologna-2565.
At Salisbury Cathedral, within the Octave of the Dedication, from 1258-1536.
BL-52359:237v. has ‘Sci Francisci conf. non Sar. iii. lec. Non Sar.’
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Francis, Confessor, 9 lessons.
October 5
The 1505 Hereford Kalendar has here St. Raphael
At Salisbury Cathedral, within the Octave of the Dedication, from 1258-1536.
The Beauchamp Register I Part 2 Folio 37. indicates the establishment of the Feast of St. Raphael in Salisbury Cathedral in 1456, to be celebrated on this day as a commemoration, or as a feast of nine lessons, with proper hymns, antiphons, responsories etc., with a mass with full propers, with both vespers. The proper office would appear to be that composed by Edmund Lacy, Bishop of Exeter in 1443. However, nothing of this office remains in the Sarum sources. Nevertheless Lacy’s office was adopted by Hereford and York, and we may assume that the Sarum office was the same. The full office (text only) appears in the Hereford Breviary 1505. An edition of this text will appear in the Appendix. For full particulars, see Christopher Wordsworth, Ceremonies and Processions of the Cathedral Church of Salisbury (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 1901): 263-268.
A Mass for St. Raphael appears here in the Hereford Missal 1502. This is not the same mass as that found among the votive masses in the Sarum missals.
The Arsenal Missal has St. Flavia[na] (of Auxerre), virgin and martyr in a later hand.
October 6: Saint Faith, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Saint Faith of Conques (3rd-4th c.)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
At Salisbury Cathedral, within the Octave of the Dedication, from 1258-1536.
At Lincoln cathedral, the Translation of St. Hugh (Lincoln Cathedral Library, MS. A. 5. 5.) See Christopher Wordsworth, The Tracts of Clement Maydeston:170-171.
At Lincoln Cathedral (like the Translation of St. Osmund at Salisbury) this would presumably be a Principal Double Feast with a ruled octave. All days of the week would be of the octave except October 9, the Feast of St. of St. Dionysius and October 13, the Feast of the Translation of St. Edward.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
October 7: Saints Mark, Marcellus, and Apuleius, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Mark (d. October 7, 336) Pope. While he is described as a martyr here, this does not appear to be the historical case.
Marcellus, and Apuleius (3rd-4th c.)
At Salisbury Cathedral, the octave of the Dedication of the Church, from 1258-1536.
Sts. Sergius, Bacchus,Marcellus, and Apuleius, Martyrs, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Hereford Kalendar has here St. Osyth, and in some sources a Memorial of Sts. Sergius and Bacchus
October 8
The York Kalendars have Saint Pelagia.
In BL-52359:237v. a later hand has added ‘Translatio sancti Oswaldi episcopi et conf.’
The Arsenal Missal has St. Demetrius (of Thessalonica), martyr, early 4th c.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Triduana, Virgin, non a martyrs, 9 lessons.
October 9: St. Denis (Dionysius), and his Companions, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
The Use of Sarum commemorates the Dinonysius, Bishop of Paris (b. Italy, d. 3rd. c. Montmartre) , not Saint Dionysius the Areopagite (1st. century, Athens), who is commemorated on the same day. The latter does not appear in the Sarum or Exeter martirologies. (The Roman martirology conflates the two saints.)
October 10: Saint Gereon and his Companions, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 304, Cologne)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
The York and Hereford Kalendars have here Saint Paulinus, as does the Arsenal Missal.
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
October 11: Saint Nicasius and Companions, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(d. ca. 285, Vexin?) Their historicity is uncertain, and no trustworthy historical records of them exit. There is a shrine to St. Quirinus at Malmedy.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
The Octave of St. Francis appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Augustine appears here in Bologna-2565.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Canicus, Abbot, 9 lessons, with lessons of Saint Nicasius.
October 12
The York Kalendars have here Saint Wilfrid, as does the Arsenal Missal, and Bologna-2565.
October 13: The Translation of Saint Edward, King and Confessor (Edward the Confessor)
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
(see also January 5)
(1003 – January 5, 1066.), ruled 1042-1066. His cult developed in the 12th century, as Osbert, prior of Westminster Abbey, worked for Edward’s canonization, which was effected on February 7, 1161, and his remains were translated on October 13, 1163. Henry III constructed a new tomb in the rebuilt Westminster Abbey, into which Edward’s remains ere translated, again on October 13, in 1269. This shrine was despoiled in 1540, but was repaired in 1557 and restored in the 1950s. A pilgrimage to the shrine is held on the Saturday nearest October 13 each year. Further information is available here. and here.
Walter Frere (Graduale Sarisburiense, xxix.) suggests 1222 as the commencement of liturgical devotion to Edward, but his Feast does not appear on the earlier Sarum Kalendars (see J. Wickham Legg, ed., The Sarum Missal (Oxford: Clarendon, 1916):xxx.)
See Frank Barlow, ed. The Life of King Edward Who Rests at Westminster attributed to a monk of Saint-Bertin (Oxford: Clarendon Press, 1992); Jerome Bertram, trans., Life of St. Edward the Confessor by St. Aelred of Rievaulx (Southampton: Saint Austin, 1990); Jane Patricia Freeland, trans., “The Life of Saint Edward, King and Confessor,” in Aelred of Rievaulx: The Historical Works, ed. Marsha L. Dutton (Kalamazoo: Cistercian Publications, 2005): 123-243; and Jennifer N. Brown, “Translating Edward the Confessor: Feminism, Time, and Hagiography”, MFF lXIII-1 (2007): 46-57.
The Seven Brothers (Franciscans) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Conganus, abbot, 9 lessons, as well as Saints Fincana and Findoca, virgins, 9 lessons; Fincana is venerated in the Aberdeen diocese, and Fincana in the Dunblane diocese.
October 14: Saint Callixtus, Pope and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
(Pope, ca. 218-223)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century.
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
The Feast of Relics appears to be observed in October at Wells.
October 15: Saint Wulfram (Vulfrannus), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 640 – March 20, 703), Archbishop of Sens. His feast day is March 20. He was translated October 15, 1058, to the collegiate church of Our Lady in Abbeville, which was then re-dedicated in Wulfram’s name.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
In BL-52359:237v. this feast seems to have been added later.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
October 16: St. Michael on Mount Tumba
Simple Feast of NIne Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(see also September 29)
Mont St. Michel, France; abbey established by Aubert of Avranches in the early eighth century. The romanesque abbey church was built in the 11th century.
There is also a St. Michael’s Mount in Cornwall, granted to the Benedictine order of Mont Saint-Michel by Edward the Confessor; following the dissolution of alien houses in the early 15th century it became a secular chapel and was given to the Abbess and Convent of Syon in 1524.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
In BL-52359 this feast is labelled ‘Dedicatione . . .’
This Feast is not found in the York Kalendar.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar or in the York Kalendar.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also SaintColman, Bishop, 9 lessons.
October 17: The Translation of Saint Etheldreda [Audrey], Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(ca. 636–June 23, 679) Abbess of Ely. translated October 17, 1106. (Walter Frere (Graduale Sarisburiense, xxix.) suggests 1480 as the introduction of this feast.) Her Shrine was at Ely Abbey (Cathedral).
(see also June 23)
The Translation of St. Etheldreda does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar or in the York Kalendar.
In BL-52359:237v. this feast is added in a later hand.
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Regulus, Abbot, 9 (or 3) lessons.
October 18: Saint Luke, Evangelist
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
Memorial of St. Justus of Beauvais, Martyr
October 19: [The Deposition of] Saint Frideswide (Fritheswithe), Virgin, not a Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(c. 650 – October 19, 727) abbess at Oxford; translated to to a new shrine at St. Frideswide’s Priory, 1180, which became Christ Church Cathedral.
(Walter Frere (Graduale Sarisburiense, xxix.) suggests 1480 as the introduction of this feast.)
The Feast of St. Frideswide does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
In BL-52359:237v. this feast is added in a later hand.
In the York Use this day is the Feast of Relics.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
The Hereford Use also has St. Frideswide here.
October 20
The York Kalendar has Saint Austreberta.
October 21: The Eleven Thousand Virgins
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Double Invitatory
This feast may well have commemorated some sort of attack on a community of Christian women in the 4th century, but it certainly did not commemorate the martyrdom of an English woman named Ursula and 11,000 of her closest friends. It is thought that pehaps in 922 the Bishop of Cologne mistranslated the Latin abbreviation ‘XI. M. V.’ as ‘undecim milia virgines’ (11,000 virgins) instead of ‘undecim martyres virgines’ (11 virgin-martyrs).
(Walter Frere (Graduale Sarisburiense, xxix.) suggests the 12th century as the introduction of this feast.)
St. Hilarion, Abbot, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568, and in the York Kalendar.
The Aberdeen Breviary has 9 lessons, and adds also Saint Mundus, Abbot, 9 lessons.
October 23: Saint Romanus, Archbishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(d. ca. 640) Bishop of Rouen.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
October 25: Saints Crispin and Crispinian, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(d. 286, Rome) Major shrine as Soissons.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
The Memorial of John of Beverley, with middle lessons, is in reference to his translation on October 25.
‘On 16 December 1416 Henry ordered the Bishop on London to celebrate the feasts of all three saints [Crispin, Crispinian, and John] on 25 October each year, throughout his diocese and in perpetuity, in commemoration. . . . Similar instructions were issued throughout the South of England, indeed all parts of the country forming the Archdiocese of Canterbury.’ (Stephen Cooper, Agincourt: Myth and Reality 1415-2015 (Barnsley:Praetorian Press, 2014):131.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1416. Before 1416, then, this day was a feast of three lessons (with duple invitatory) for Sts. Crispin and Crispinian.
This memorial is referenced in the famous St. Crispin speech in Shakespeare’s Henry V, Act IV Scene iii 18–67.
The middle readings of St. John of Beverley do not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
(In BL-52359:237v. (Kalendar) the entry for St. John of Beverley is in a later hand.)
Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York Kalendar has Saint John of Beverley. The Hereford Kalendar has the Translation of St. Thomas of Hereford.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Mernocus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the martyrs.
October 26
St. Evaristus, Pope and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
October 27
Vigil
October 28: Saints Symon and Jude, Apostles
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
October 29
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Kennera, Virgin and Martyr, 9 lessons.
October 30
The York Kalendar has here Saint Germanus.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Talaricanus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
October 31: Saint Quentin (Quintini)
Simple Feast of three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Quentin of Amiens (d. ca. 287)
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Begha, Virgin, not a martyr, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of Saint Quentin.
November 1: the Feast of All Saints
Major Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
November 2: The Commemoration of the Dead (All Souls’ Day)
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with no Invitatory, with no Rulers of the Choir.
‘The Council of Oxford, 1222, declared All Souls’ Day a holy day of the second class, upon which only works of necessity were to be done.’ (Shakespere Wood, ‘All Souls’ Day and its Octave in Rome’, The Churchman LII (December 5, 1885):640.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1222, displacing St. Eustace (X c.). Presumably the feast of St. Eustace was of three lessons, with single or duple invitatory.
The older Sarum sources do not include ‘Die animarum’.
The Arsenal Missal has St. Eustache and the Commemoration of the Dead.
November 3: Saint Winifred (Winefride, Wenefrede, Gwenfrewi), Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
A 7th-century Welsh Saint, around whom many historical legends have formed.
In 1138, relics were carried to Shrewsbury and installed in an elaborate shrine.
(Walter Frere (Graduale Sarisburiense, xxix.) suggests 1415 as the introduction of this feast.)
For further information, see Evelyn Nicholson, A Baptismal Font for Wales (II) Saint Winefride.
At Shrewsbury the decollation was observed on June 21, the day of her death on November 3, and the translation on September 19. See also the Arbuthnott Missal, 1491.
The Feast of St. Wenefrede does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars. It was officially adopted (into Sarum Use) in 1398 by Roger Walden, Archbishop of Canterbury.
In BL-52359:238r. St. Wenefrede is added in a later hand.
In the 1495 Sarum breviary the first six lessons of 1531 are distributed as nine lessons.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
A full Octave of All Saints appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saints Baya and Maura, virgins, 9 lessons, as well as Saint Englacius, abbot, 9 lessons.
November 4
Sts. Vitalis and Agricola, Martyrs, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
November 6: Saint Leonard (of Noblac/Limoges), Abbot and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(d. 599.)
In the 12th century, although there is no previous mention of Leonard either in literature, liturgy or in church dedications, his cult rapidly spread, at first through Frankish lands, following the release of Bohemond I of Antioch in 1103 from a Danishmend prison, where the successful diplomacy was inspired by Leonard of Noblac. In 1103 Bohemond I of Antioch visited the Abbey of Noblac, where he made an offering in gratitude for his release. Leonard’s cult spread through all of Western Europe: in England, 177 churches are dedicated to him.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XII. century.
The Aberdeen Breviary has also Saint Wilbrordus, Bishop and Martyr, 9 lessons.
November 7
The York Kalendar has here Saint Willebrord.
November 8: The Four Crowned Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
Four unknown martyrs, the names of whom were later learned to be Severus, Severianus, Carpophorus, and Victorinus, along with Claudius, Castorius, Symphorian, Nicostratus, and Simplicius, martyred between 287 and 305, are venerated on this day.
The Octave of All Saints also appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Morocus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the martyrs, as well as Saint Gervadius, Confessor, 9 lessons.
November 9: Saint Theodore, Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Theodore of Amasea (d. February 17 306)
This day would also be the Feast of the Icon of the Saviour. See the Psalter, [527]. When observed, this would likely be at the level of a Minor Double, like the feasts of the Cross.
The Aberdeen Breviary has here the Feast of the Icon of the Saviour, with only a memorial of St. Theodore–although the Kalendar indicates St. Theodore, three lessons.
The Dedication of the Basilica of the Saviour (Lateran) appears also on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
November 10
Sts. Tryphon, Respicius, and Nympha, Martyrs, and the Translation of Saint Louis appear in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The York Kalendar has Saint Martin, Pope.
November 11: Saint Martin, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(Sabaria ca. 316-November 8, 397, Candes) Bishop of Tours.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VII. century, displacing St. Menna.
Memorial of St. Menna (Mennas)
(285- c. 309), martyr
November 12
St. Martin, Pope and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Macharius, Bishop and Confessor, Major Double, as well as Saint Levinus, Bishop and Martyr, 9 lessons.
November 13: Saint Brice, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
In the New Ordinal (predating the 1531 Breviary) this feast is with rulers of the choir.
(c. 370 – 444 AD), Bishop of Tours, succeeding Martin of Tours in 397.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
November 14: The Translation of Saint Erkenwald
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons [with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir], non Sarum.
(d. 693) Bishop of London, 675 and 693. His shrine was at (Old) St. Paul’s Cathedral, London. The translation commemorated this day took place in 1148; another translation, from near the high altar to the new chapel of the blessed Virgin (part of the ‘New Work’), took place on February 1, 1326.
The inclusion of the lessons for this non-Sarum feast in the Breviary 1531 makes the book suitable for use within the diocese of London.
At St. Paul’s Cathedral, London, this would be a Principal Double Feast with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir plus the Precentor.
In BL-52359:238r. the Translation of St. Erkenwald is added in a later hand. In Petre’s Gradual (Newcastle):143v. a rubric for the Translation of St. Erkenwald is added in a later hand.
(See also April 30.)
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
The Hereford Use has here as a later addition, St. Dyfrig
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Modanus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, with a memorial of the octave .
November 15: Saint Machutus (Malo, Maclovius), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(520 – November 15, 621) founder of Saint-Malo, a commune in Brittany, France.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the XI. century.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
November 16: Saint Edmund, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(1175–1240), from 1219 (or 1222) Treasurer of Salisbury Cathedral; from 1233(34), Archbishop of Canterbury. Edmund died while in France and was buried at Pontigny. Canonized 1246; translated into a more honorable sepulchre, 1247.
(See also June 9.)
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Margaret, Queen of Scotland. 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the octave.
November 17: Saint Hugh (of Lincoln), Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(1135/40, Avalon, – November 16, 1200, London) Bishop of Lincoln 1186-1200; canonized February 17, 1220, reducing St. Anianus to a memorial with middle lessons. The Shrine of Saint Hugh was in Lincoln Cathedral.
Also known as Hugh of Avalon.
The Feast of St. Hugh does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars. For Salisbury Cathedral the ‘Depositio’ of St. Hugh ‘was enjoined . . . by a statute of Bp. Roger de Mortival (cap. 38, A.D. 1319), who had been Dean of Lincoln.’ Wordsworth, Tracts of Clement Maydeston:168.
In BL-52359:238r. St. Hugh is added in a later hand following the main entry for St. Anianus, epi. et conf. ix.? lec.
Crede michi notes that if this feast is observed as a double (as at Lincoln Cathedral and other churches named for St. Hugh), there would not be middle lessons of St. Anianus.
No saint appears on this day in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Gregory the Wonderworker appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The York Kalendar has Saint Anianus.
At Wells, St. Anianus, 3 lecs., duple invit.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Anianus, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, with middle lessons of the octave, with a memorial of St. Hugh.
November 18: The Octave of Saint Martin
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
The Dedication of the Basilicas of Sts. Peter and Paul appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Fergusianus, Bishop and Confessor, with middle lessons of the octave.
November 19
St. Elizabeth (of Hungary) appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
St. Pontianus, Pope and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary indicates in the Kalendar Saint Medana, Virgin, not a martyr, 9 lessons, ‘in die Machrarii’ (see Nov 12 above).
November 20: Saint Edmund, King and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(ca. 841 – November 20, 869) King of East Anglia (ca 855-869). translated into the new church at Bury St. Edmunds, April 29, 1095; November 23, 1198. His shrine at Bury St. Edmund’s was destroyed in 1539.
It is also claimed that in 1219 Edmund’s remains were forcibly translated to Saint Sernin, Toulouse.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1013.
November 21
The Presentation of Blessed Mary appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
Seeing that the Feast of the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin appears as a late insertion in the 1516 and 1531 Psalters, we may presume that in some places this feast was observed, presumably on this day. This would presumably be celebrated, like the Conception and the Annunciation, at the level of a Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Wordsworth, Tracts of Clement Maydeston:164. dates the introduction of this feast at Salisbury to about 1480.
The Roman (Franciscan) Breviary 1529: pdf:868, which contains virtually the same office, has the following rubric: ‘In festo presentationis virginis Marie : qui non habent proprium faciant officium de nativitate ejusdem mutato nomine nativitatis in nomen presentationis. Et ubi in antiphone dicitur ortum dignissimum dicatur festum dignissimum. Sed sequitur proprium officum. . . .’
In the Exeter Ordinal this is the Feast of the Dedication of the Church of Blessed Peter, Exeter (i.e. the cathedral).
The Aberdeen Breviary has the Feast of the Presentation of Mary, 9 lessons.
November 22: Saint Cecilia, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(d. November 22, 230, Rome)
If the Presentation of the Blessed Virgin is observed, first vespers of Saint Cecilia will be reduced to a memorial.
November 23: St. Clement, Pope and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Bishop of Rome 88-99.
Memorial of St. Felicity
November 24: Saint Grisogonus (Chrysogonus), Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
(d. November 24, ca. 304, Aquileia)
This feast will normally have neither first nor second vespers.
November 25: Saint Catherine (Catharine, Katherine), Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Catherine of Alexandria (ca. 287-November 25, 305).
Katherine is a literary creation, likely intended as a Christian response to the pagan philosopher, Hypatia of Alexandria.
November 26: Saint Linus, Pope and Martyr
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Bishop of Rome, ca. 67-76.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to ca. 1080.
Although venerated on November 26 in the Sarum and York Uses, his name appears on September 23 in the Roman Martyrology.
St. Peter of Alexandria, Bishop and Martyr, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
November 27
The earliest day for Advent.
November 28
In the Exeter Ordinal, the Octave of the Dedication of the Church.
November 29: Saints Saturninus and Sisinnius, Martyrs
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Single Invitatory
Saturninus, Priest in Rome and Sisinnius, Deacon in Rome, (both b. Carthaginia, d. Rome, c. 309) were sentenced to hard labor for their faith.
Saint Saturninus, Bishop of Toulouse (b. Patras, d. c. 257, Toulouse), is also venerated on this day.
Vigil
November 30: Saint Andrew, Apostle
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
St. Andrew Cathedral, now in ruins, was the seat of the great archdiocese of Scotland. The old cathedral was replaced beginning in 1158, and consecrated on July 5 1318. It was abandoned in the 16th century. Aberdeen Cathedral was also dedicated to St. Andrew. The Aberdeen Breviary gives a good indication how the Octave of St. Andrew was observed as a Ruled Octave.
The great Welsh cathedral is the the Cathedral of Saint Andrew and Saint David. Presumably Andrew would be the dedication and David the patron.
Wells Cathedral and Rochester Cathedral Priory were dedicated to Saint Andrew.
December 1
The York and Hereford Kalendars have Sts. Chrysanthus and Daria, as does the Arsenal Missal.
The Arsenal Missal includes a St. Candati, martyr.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Giles, Priest and Confessor, 9 lessons.
December 2
St. Bibiana, Martyr, appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
The Aberdeen Breviary has Saint Ethernani, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons.
December 3
The Hereford Use has a Memorial of St. Birinus
In BL-52359:238v. St. Barbara virgin and martyr is added in a later hand.
December 4: The Deposition of Saint Osmund, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Presumably at Salisbury Cathedral this feast would be a Lesser Double with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir. (Compare the Deposition of St. Erkenwald, April 30.)
St. Osmund, deposition, simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Invitatory sung by two.
(d. December 3, 1099) Bishop of Sarum. Canonized 1456/1457, from which time his deposition (burial) was celebrated officially, and his name enrolled in the Roman Martyrology. For further information, see the Translation of St. Osmund, July 16. That his feast day is apparently the day after his death may be understood if the new taken is taken to begin at sundown rather than midnight.
The Deposition of St. Osmund does not appear in the older Sarum Kalendars.
In BL-52359:238v. St. Osmund is added in a later hand below St. Barbara.
St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568. St. Barbara appears here in the Aberdeen Breviary.
December 5
St. Sabbas, Abbot, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
December 6: Saint Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Triple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
(15 March 15, 270–December 6 343) Bishop of Myra.
The celebration of this Feast in the west appears to date from the translation of the relics in 1087. (W. Frere, Antiphonale Sarisburiense: xxix. indicates the XI century.)
December 7: The Octave of Saint Andrew
Simple Feast of Three Lessons with Duple Invitatory
St. Ambrose appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568. (See April 4)
One source of the Hereford Use indicates here a Memorial of St. Ambrose.
The Octave of St. Andrew has no first vespers on account of St. Nicholas. It has no second vespers since it is an unruled octave. Most commonly the Octave of St. Andrew is observed only as a Memorial.
In the Aberdeen Breviary this Octave has nine lessons.
December 8: The Conception of the Blessed Virgin
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
At Salisbury Cathedral (and others dedicated to St. Mary), a procession before high mass; but at other places, presumably no procession. (Terrence Bailey, The Processions of Sarum: 12.)
Frere (Graduale Sarisburiense: xxix.) places the general establishment of this Feast in the 11th century. This would align with the re-invigoration of the Feast of the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin at Chartres in the same era. See Margot Fassler, ‘Mary’s Nativity, Fulbert of Chartres, and the Stirps Jesse: Liturgical Innovation circa 1000 and Its Afterlife’ Speculum LXXV (2000): 389-434.
However, this Feast does not appear in the ‘Old Ordinal’ (The Use of Sarum II: 106; 177), nor in The Sarum Missal Edited from Three Early Manuscripts: 235. In the Kalendar of the latter (xxxii), the entry indicates ‘Conceptio sancte Marie. ix. lec. Sarum nichil.’ Thus it would seem that at Sarum the feast was adopted in the 14th-15th centuries. this would accord with the papal authorization of the observance in1476-1477. Wordsworth, Tracts of Clement Maydeston:164. dates the introduction of this feast at Salisbury to 1328.
(The Roman Catholic dogma of the ‘Immaculate Conception’ was not promulgated until 1854.)
This feast apparently originated among the Anglo-Saxons in the 1030s and later spread to the continent. See Edmund Bishop, Liturgia Historica : Papers on the Liturgy and Religious Life of the Westen Church (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1918): 238-259. The feast was apparently abolished in at the time of the conquest, and re-established in 1129.
December 10
St. Melchiades, Pope, Martyr, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568.
December 11
St. Damasus, Pope, appears here in the Roman Kalendar, 1529 and 1568, and in the Arsenal Missal.
The Hereford use has a Memorial of St. Damasus here.
December 13: Saint Lucy, Virgin and Martyr
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir.
Lucy of Syracuse (283–304)
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the VIII. century.
December 14
Saint Drostani, Abbot, 9 lessons, appears here in the Aberdeen Breviary.
December 15
The Octave of the Conception of Blessed Mary appears in the Roman Kalendar, 1529.
December 16
O Sapientia. The commencement of the series of great ‘O’ antiphons at the Magnificat, acting as a count-down to Christmas.
The Arsenal Missal includes St. Barbara, virgin and martyr, early 4th c.
December 18
Saint Maniri, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, appears here in the Aberdeen Breviary.
December 21: Saint Thomas, Apostle
Inferior Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to the IX. century.
December 22
Saint Ethernasci, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, appears here in the Aberdeen Breviary.
December 23
Saint Mazote, Virgin, non Martyr, 9 lessons; Saint Carani, Bishop and Confessor, 9 lessons, and Saint Fotini, Bishop and Martyr, 9 lessons, appear here in the Aberdeen Breviary. A note indicates that the feasts of Saint Carani and and Saint Fotini are to be transferred until after the Octave of the Epiphany, except where they are the patrons.
December 24: The vigil of the Nativity
Single Invitatory (Duple if Sunday).
December 25: The Nativity of our Lord
Principal Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir from the Superior Grade plus the Precentor.
December 26: St. Stephen, Protomartyr
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir from the Superior Grade.
On this date in 416 the remains of St. Stephen–having been discovered by Lucian in Debatalia (see August 3)–were translated to the Church of Sion (Hagia Sion) at Jersualem.
December 27: St. John, Apostle and Evangelist
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons with Quadruple Invitatory, with Four Rulers of the Choir from the Superior Grade.
December 28: The Holy Innocents,Martyrs
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons
December 29: St. Thomas (of Canterbury), Archbishop and Martyr
Minor Double Feast of Nine Lessons
Thomas Becket (21 December c. 1119 (or 1120), London – 29 December 1170, Canterbury), Archbishop of Canterbury 1162-1170. Canonized 21 February 1173. His shrine, erected in 1220, was located in the raised apse behind the altar in Canterbury Cathedral. The translation took place on July 7, 1220. The shrine was destroyed in 1538. A royal injunction in 1538 forbade the honouring of St. Thomas. With the accession of Queen Mary in 1553 the honouring of St. Thomas was re-instituted, as is shown in the Sarum books printed during her reign.
Frere, Graduale Sarisburiense:xxix, dates this Feast to 1173. Presumably before this time this day was observed as a day within the octave of the Nativity, like December 30. The lessons at matins would presumably be from some sermon on the Nativity of the Lord, perhaps the continuation of the Homily of Gregory that is begun as Lesson 7 on the Feast of St. Thomas. (‘Lectiones de aliquo sermone de Nativitate Domini’, Ordinaries de l’eglise cathedrale de Laon (Paris: Picard, 1807):54.) Else, the lessons would logically be from the sermon of Maximus that are appointed for use when December 30 is a Sunday.
See also Breviarium Ebroicense [Evreux] Pars Hiemalis (Vesontione, 1829): 282-286, which outlines an order for December 29 and December 30 as days within the Octave of the Nativity, with sermons by Saint Basil on Romans 3 (Deus in terra est) and Saint Fulgentius on Romans 4 (Dilectissimi fratres, attendite magnitudinem gratie), as well as a sermon by Saint Hilary on Romans 5 (Dei imago invisibilis). It must be understood, however, that the Breviarium Ebroicense is a neo-medieval work.
December 30
In one source the Hereford Use has a Memorial of St. Egwin
December 31: St. Silvester, Pope and Confessor
Simple Feast of Nine Lessons with Duple Invitatory, with Two Rulers of the Choir from the Second Form.
(d. 31 December, 335), Pope 314-335.