Office of Vigils to be Sung at Cathedral of St. Mary's, North Dakota this Christmas

As many NLM readers know, one of our pursuits in relation to a new liturgical movement surrounds the Divine Office, both in private recitation, as well as in public. Accordingly, we were interested to hear that this Christmas, the Cathedral of Saint Mary in the Diocese of Fargo, ND, has decided to celebrate the Office of Vigils before the Midnight Mass.

Bishop Samuel J. Aquila will preside. The Office will be led by the clergy, with all present participating.

Chant settings for the service have been prepared by Fr. Samuel F. Weber, O.S.B., Institute of Sacred Music, Archdiocese of Saint Louis. The readings, in English, will be chanted in their ancient tones. The Te Deum (solemn tone, Roman use) will be chanted in Latin. The clergy will alternate with the congregation. The settings include various possibilities (ancient tone, recent tone) for chanting the Gospel of the Vigil, including a more elaborate setting in Mode 8, traditional in many places for Christmas.

Here is the booklet that will be used.

The Nativity of the Lord: Office of Vigils - 1 of 2

The Nativity of the Lord: Office of Vigils - 2 of 2