Octave of the Nativity - antiphons

The antiphon for the third Nocturn for each of the feasts of SS Stephen, John and the Holy Innocents in the Benedictine Office is not taken from the relevant Common, and differs from the Roman, and so I thought it might be useful to provide a copy of the chants here. 

In addition the second Nocturn antiphon for the Octave is not readily available elsewhere, so is provided here.

The source in each case is Antiphonale Synopticum.

St Stephen

 

St John the Evangelist



The Holy Innocents




During the Octave (Nocturn II)

Hic qui advenit - Octave Day of the Nativity no 4

R. Hic qui advénit, / nemo scit nomen eius nisi ipse solus: † vocátur verbum Dómini habens vestem praecláram: * Et omnis chorus Angelórum in albis sequúntur illum. V. Oculi eius velut flamma ignis: † et in cápite eius diadémata multa. R. Et omnis chorus Angelórum in albis sequúntur illum. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Et omnis chorus Angelórum in albis sequúntur illum.

R. This is he who comes, whose name no man knows but he himself; he is called the word of the Lord, dressed in shining clothes * And all the choirs of angels followed him, dressed in white. V. His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many diadems. R. And all the choirs of angels followed him, dressed in white. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. And all the choirs of angels followed him, dressed in white.

Gregofacsimil (different verse); trans KE

Used

Octave Day of the Nativity no 4

Sources

Translation source: KE

Text:  cf  Rev 1:14; 19:12-14

Chant

Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Céntum quadragínta quatuor millia - Feast of the Holy Innocents responsory no 1

R. Céntum / quadragínta quátuor míllia, qui empti sunt de terra, † hi sunt qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: * Vírgines enim permansérunt, ídeo regnant cum Deo, et Agnus Dei cum illis. V. Isti sunt qui venérunt ex magna tribulatióne, † et lavérunt stolas suas in sánguine Agni. R. Vírgines enim permansérunt, ídeo regnant cum Deo, et Agnus Dei cum illis.

R. A hundred and forty-four thousand, which were redeemed from the earth; these are they which were not defiled with women. * For they remained virgins; therefore are they kings before God, and the Lamb of God is with them. V. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes in the Blood of the Lamb. R. For they remained virgins; therefore are they kings before God, and the Lamb of God is with them.

NR 190-1

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 1

Octave Day of Holy Innocents

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: Rev 14:3-4 (adapted)- Et cantabant quasi canticum novum ante sedem, et ante quatuor animalia, et seniores : et nemo poterat dicere canticum, nisi illa centum quadraginta quatuor millia, qui empti sunt de terra. Hi sunt, qui cum mulieribus non sunt coinquinati : virgines enim sunt. Hi sequuntur Agnum quocumque ierit. Hi empti sunt ex hominibus primitiae Deo, et Agno :

v: Rev 7:14 - Et dixi illi : Domine mi, tu scis. Et dixit mihi : Hi sunt, qui venerunt de tribulatione magna, et laverunt stolas suas, et dealbaverunt eas in sanguine Agni.

Chant

NR 190-1
Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

https://cantusindex.org/id/006273

Sub altáre Dei audívi - Holy Innocents No 2

R. Sub altáre / Dei audívi voces occisórum dicéntium: * Quare non deféndis sánguinem nostrum? † Et accepérunt divinum responsum: Adhuc sústinete módicum tempus, † donec impleátur númerus fratrum vestrórum. V. Vidi sub altáre Dei ánimas interfectórum propter verbum Dei, et propter testimónium quod habébant, † et clamábant voce magna, dicéntes. R. Quare non deféndis sánguinem nostrum? † Et accepérunt divinum responsum: Adhuc sústinete módicum tempus, † donec impleátur númerus fratrum vestrórum.

R. I heard under the altar the voices of them that were slain, saying: * How long dost Thou not avenge our blood? And it was said unto them from God Rest yet for a little season, until the number of your brethren be fulfilled. V. I saw under the altar of God the souls of them that were slain for the Word of God, and for the testimony which they held, and they cried with a loud voice, saying: R. How long dost Thou not avenge our blood? And it was said unto them from God Rest yet for a little season, until the number of your brethren be fulfilled.

NR 191

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 2

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: Rev 6

Chant

NR 191
Gregofacsimil

Audio

Source notes

Adoravérunt vivéntem in sǽcula - Holy Innocents no 3

R. Adoravérunt / vivéntem in sǽcula sæculórum, * Mitténtes corónas suas ante thronum Dómini Dei sui. V. Et cecidérunt in conspéctu throni in fácies suas: † et benedixérunt vivéntem in sæcula sæculórum. R. Mitténtes corónas suas ante thronum Dómini Dei sui.

R. They worshipped Him That liveth for ever and ever. * And cast their crowns before the throne of the Lord their God. V. And they fell down upon their faces before the throne, and blessed Him That liveth for ever and ever. R. And cast their crowns before the throne of the Lord their God.

NR 192

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 3

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: Rev 4:10

Chant

NR 192
Gregofacsimil

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Vidi Agnum stantem - Holy Innocents no 4

R. Vidi / Agnum stantem supra montem Sion, † et cum eo Sanctórum míllia: * Et habébant nomen eius, et nomen Patris eius scriptum in fróntibus suis. V. Hi sunt, qui tolléntes crucem suam, sequúntur agnum ubíque. R. Et habébant nomen eius et nomen Patris eius scriptum in fróntibus suis. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Et habébant nomen eius, et nomen Patris eius scriptum in fróntibus suis.

R. I beheld a lamb standing upon mount Sion, and with him thousands of saints * And they had his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. V. These are they who taking up his cross, follow the Lamb whithersoever he goeth. R. And they had his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. And they had his name and the name of his Father written on their foreheads.

Gregofacsimil (minor wording differences and different verse); trans KE

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 4

Sources

Translation source: KE/DR (adapted)

Text: Rev 14:1, 4

Chant

Gregofacsimil (minor wording differences and different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Cantus

Effudérunt sánguinem Sanctórum - Holy Innocents no 5

R. Effudérunt / sánguinem Sanctórum velut aquam in circúitu Ierúsalem: * Et non erat qui sepelíret. V. Posuérunt mortalia servórum tuórum escas volatílibus cæli, † carnes sanctórum tuórum béstiis terræ. R. Et non erat qui sepelíret.

R. The blood of thy saints have they shed like water round about Jerusalem. * And there was none to bury them. V. The dead bodies of thy servants have they given to be meat unto the fowls of the air, the flesh of thy saints unto the beasts of the earth. R. And there was none to bury them.

NR 193

Used:

Feast of the SS Innocents, December 28 No 5

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 193
Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Isti sunt Sancti qui passi sunt - Holy Innocents No 6

R. Isti / sunt Sancti, qui passi sunt propter te, Dómine: víndica eos, * Quia clamant ad te quotídie. V. Víndica, Dómine, sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum, qui effúsus est. R. Quia clamant ad te quotídie.

R. These holy ones suffered for thy sake, O Lord take vengeance for them. * For day by day they cry unto thee. V. Avenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints which is shed. R. For day by day they cry unto thee.

NR 194

Used:

Feast of the SS Innocents, December 28 No 6

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 194
Gregofacsimil

Audio

Source notes

Isti sunt, qui non inquinavérunt - Holy Inncents no 7

R. Isti / sunt, qui non inquinavérunt vestiménta sua: * Ambulábunt mecum in albis, quia digni sunt. V. Hi sunt, qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: † vírgines enim sunt. R. Ambulábunt mecum in albis, quia digni sunt.

R. These are they which have not defiled their garments. * They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy. V. These are they which were not defiled with women for they are virgins. R. They shall walk with Me in white, for they are worthy.

NR 194-5

Used:

Feast of the SS Innocents, December 28 No 7

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 194-5
Gregofacsimil

Audio

Source notes

Ambulabunt mecum in albis - Holy Innocents no 8

R. Ambulábunt / mecum in albis, quia digni sunt * Et non delébo nómina eórum de libro vitae. V. Hi sunt, qui cum muliéribus non sunt coinquináti: † vírgines enim sunt. R. Et non delébo nómina eórum de libro vitae. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Et non delébo nómina eórum de libro vitae.

R. They shall walk with me in white, because they are worthy * And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. V. These are they who were not defiled with women: for they are virgins. R. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. And I will not blot out his name out of the book of life.

Gregofacsimil; trans ke

Used:

Feast of the SS Innocents, December 28 No 8

Sources

Translation source: Rev 3:4-5; 14:4

Text: KE/DR (adapted)

Chant

Gregofacsimil

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Cantábant Sancti cánticum novum - Holy Innocents no 9

R. Cantábant / Sancti cánticum novum ante sedem Dei et Agni: * Et resonábat terra in voces eórum. V. Hi empti sunt ex homínibus primítiæ Deo et Agno, † et in ore ipsórum non est invéntum mendácium. R. Et resonábat terra in voces eórum.

R. The saints sung a new song before the throne of God and the Lamb * And their voices were echoed on earth. V. These were redeemed from among men, being the first-fruits unto God, and to the Lamb, and in their mouth was found no guile. R. And their voices were echoed on earth.

NR 195

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 9

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 195
Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Vidi sub altáre Dei ánimas - Holy Innocents no 10

R. Vidi / sub altáre Dei ánimas interfectórum propter verbum Dei quod habébant, † et clara voce dicébant: * Víndica, Dómine, sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum, qui effúsus est. V. Sub throno Dei omnes Sancti clamant. R. Víndica, Dómine, sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum, qui effúsus est.

R. I saw under the Altar of God the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, which they held, and they cried with a loud voice: * Avenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints, which is shed. V. Under the throne of God all the saints cry aloud. R. Avenge, O Lord, the blood of thy saints, which is shed.

NR 196

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 10

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 196
Dominique Crochu

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Isti qui amicti sunt stolis albis - Holy Innocents no 11

R. Isti, / qui amicti sunt stolis albis, qui sunt, et unde venérunt? † Et dixit mihi: * Hi sunt, qui venérunt de tribulatióne magna, † et lavérunt stolas suas, et dealbavérunt eas in sánguine Agni. V. Vidi sub altáre Dei ánimas interfectórum propter verbum Dei, † et propter testimónium quod habebant. R. Hi sunt, qui venérunt de tribulatióne magna, † et lavérunt stolas suas, et dealbavérunt eas in sánguine Agni.

R. What are these which are arrayed in white robes? And whence came they? And he said to me: * These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb. V. I saw under the Altar of God the souls of them which were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held. R. These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the Blood of the Lamb.

NR 197

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents (December 28) responsory no 11

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 197
Dominique Crochu

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Sub throno Dei sancti clamant - Holy Innocents No 12

R. Sub throno / Dei Sancti clamant: † Víndica sánguinem nostrum, * Deus noster. V. Víndicta Dómine sánguinem Sanctórum tuórum qui effúsus est. R. Deus noster. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Deus noster.

R. The saints cried out from under the throne of God: revenge our blood * Our God. V. Revenge, O Lord the blood of your saints that has been shed. R. Our God. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. Our God.

Gregofacsimil (different verse); trans KE

Used:

Feast of the Holy Innocents, December 28 No 12

Sources

Translation source: KE - draft for comment

Text: cf Rev 6:9-10

Chant

Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Valde honorandus est beatus Joannes - St John the Evangelist Responsory no 1

R. Valde / honorándus est beátus Ioánnes, † qui supra pectus Dómini in cena recúbuit: * Cui Christus in cruce Matrem vírginem vírgini commendávit. V. Virgo est eléctus a Dómino, atque inter céteros magis diléctus. R. Cui Christus in cruce Matrem vírginem vírgini commendávit.

R. Very worshipful is blessed John, which leaned on the Lord's Breast at supper. * To Him did Christ upon the Cross commit His mother, maiden to maiden. V. The Lord chose him for his clean maidenhood, and loved him more than all the rest. R. To him did Christ upon the Cross commit His mother, maiden to maiden.

NR 183

Used:

Feast of St John the Evangelist, December 27 No 1

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 183
Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Hic est discipulus ille - St John the Evangelist no 2

R. Hic est / discípulus ille, qui testimónium pérhibet de his, et scripsit hæc: * Et scimus quia verum est testimónium eius. V. Fluénta Evangélii de ipso sacro Domínici péctoris fonte potávit. R. Et scimus quia verum est testimónium eius.

R. This is the disciple which testifieth of these things, and wrote these things. * And we know that his testimony is true. V. He drank in the rivers of the Gospel from the Lord's Breast as from a holy fountain. R. And we know that his testimony is true.

NR 184

Used:

Feast of St John the Evangelist, December 27 No 2

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 184
Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Hic est beatissimus Evangelista - St John the Evangelist no 3

R. Hic est / beatíssimus Evangelísta et Apóstolus Ioánnes, * Qui privilégio amoris præcípui, † céteris áltius a Dómino méruit honorári. V. Hic est discipulus ille, quem diligébat Iesus, qui supra pectus Dómini in cena recúbuit. R. Qui privilégio amoris præcípui, céteris áltius a Dómino méruit honorári.

R. This is that most blessed Evangelist and Apostle John. * Who was found worthy that the Lord should honour him more than all the rest, by a special privilege of love. V. This is the disciple whom Jesus loved, which also leaned on the Lord's Breast at supper. R. Who was found worthy that the Lord should honour him more than all the rest, by a special privilege of love.

NR 184

Used:

Feast of St John the Evangelist, December 27 No 3

Sources

Translation source: DO

Text: 

Chant

NR 184

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien

Ecce puer meus quem elegi - St John the Evangelist no 4

R. Ecce / puer meus quem elégi, dicit Dóminus, † eléctus meus * Complácuit sibi in illo ánimae meae. V. Pósui super eum spíritum meum, † iudícium géntibus nuntiábit. R. Complácuit sibi in illo ánimae meae. V. Glória Patri, et Fílio, et Spirítui Sancto. R. Complácuit sibi in illo ánimae meae.

R. Behold my servant whom I have chosen, my beloved * In whom my soul hath been well pleased. V. I have placed my spirit upon him, and he shall shew judgment to the Gentiles. R. In whom my soul hath been well pleased. V. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost. R. In whom my soul hath been well pleased.

Gregofacsimil (different verse); trans KE

Used:

Feast of St John the Evangelist, December 27 No 4

Sources

Translation source: KE/DR (adapted)

Text: Mt 12:18

Chant

Gregofacsimil (different verse)

Audio

Source notes

Gregorien