Saints’ Offices

In the Roman rite, these were cycles of chants composed for the celebration of the Divine Office on the feast days of saints in the Middle Ages. They typically comprise the following items: the Magnificat* antiphon* of First Vespers* (sometimes one or more antiphons for the Vesper psalms); the invitatory antiphon and the antiphons and responsories of the Nocturns of the Night Office (Vigils, or Matins); the antiphons for the psalms and Benedictus of Lauds; and the Magnificat antiphon of Second Vespers. An antiphon for each of the Little Hours may be included, and perhaps some provision for the Octave of the feast. Hymns were also composed to complement the cycle; since hymns were often...