Septuagesima Sunday

Sunday 8 February 2009

DOMINICA IN SEPTUAGESIMA
Septuagesima Sunday
2nd Class, Violet
No Gloria; Credo; Preface of the Holy Trinity


Oremus.

Preces pópuli tui, quæsumus, Dómine, cleménter exáudi : ut, qui juste pro peccátis nostris afflígimur, pro tui nóminis glória misericórditer liberémur. Per Dóminum.

Let us pray.

O Lord, we beseech thee favourably to hear the prayers of thy people : that we, who are justly punished for our offences, may be mercifully delivered by thy goodness, for the glory of thy Name. Through.

~~*~~

The three Sundays preceding Ash Wednesday are called Septuagesima, Sexagesima, and Quinquagesima, which mean, respectively, the seventieth, sixtieth, and fiftieth day, that is, before Easter. They are mere names to correspond with the name of Lent (Quadragesima in Latin: fortieth): obviously they do not actually correspond with the period they indicate.

Man, victim of the sin of Adam and of his own sins, is justly afflicted, groans and sorrows encompass him.

On these Sundays the Glória in excélsis and Allelúia are omitted. except when the Mass of a feast is said, and purple vestments are used in preparation for Lent.

Links:

• Fr Goffine's The Church's Year
• What Does the Prayer Really Say? (2008)
• What Does the Prayer Really Say? (2009)
  
• The Guéranger Blog: Discovering Septuagesima
• Vultus Christi: Through the Gate of Septuagesima
  
• Psallite Sapienter: Goodbye Alleluia
  
• Gregorian Chant propers
• Lament of the Exiled Adam
  

(image: breviary.net)