Liturgical Guide: Common of Holy Men

The hymns selected for use in the Common of Holy Men are sung on Feast Days that celebrate men of the Church whose lives were a fitting witness to the faith they professed.


Monsignor Eric Barr of the Diocese of Rockford, Illinois

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
31. Faith of Our Fathers
172. For All the Saints

176. Rise Up, O Men of God

177. This is the Feast Day of the Lord's True Witness

181. Blest Are the Pure in Heart
182. O God, Our Help in Ages Past
183. Who Would True Valor See

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
For All the Saints
This is the Day Whereon the Lord's True Witness

Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary

The hymns selected for use in the Common of the Blessed Virgin Mary are sung on Marian Feast Days and Our Lady's optional Memorial on Saturdays. Beginning at paragraph #508, the Catechism of the Catholic Church summarizes the Church's teaching on the Blessed Virgin Mary this way: "From among the descendants of Eve, God chose the Virgin Mary to be the mother of his Son. 'Full of grace', Mary is 'the most excellent fruit of redemption': from the first instant of her conception, she was totally preserved from the stain of original sin and she remained pure from all personal sin throughout her life. Mary is truly 'Mother of God' since she is the mother of the eternal Son of God made man, who is God himself. Mary 'remained a virgin in conceiving her Son, a virgin in giving birth to him, a virgin in carrying him, a virgin in nursing him at her breast, always a virgin' with her whole being she is 'the handmaid of the Lord'. The Virgin Mary 'cooperated through free faith and obedience in human salvation'. She uttered her yes 'in the name of all human nature' By her obedience she became the new Eve, mother of the living."

LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
73. Virgin-Born, We Bow Before You
79. Joy to You
80. O Mary, of All Women
156. Mary, Crowned with Living Light
157. Mary Immaculate, Star of the Morning
158. Holy Mary, Now We Crown You
159. Mother of Christ
160. Hail, This Festival Day
161. Rejoice, O Virgin Mary
162. Hail, Holy Queen (Deiss)
163. The God Whom Earth and Sea and Sky
164. Mother of Holy Hope
165. Mary the Dawn
166. Praise to Mary, Heaven's Gate
167. Queen of Heaven

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
42. Star of Sea and Ocean
43. Maiden Yet a Mother
44. Mary Crowned with Living Light
45. Hail Queen of Heaven the Ocean Star
46. God Who Made the Earth and Sky
47. Queen on WhoseStarry Brow DothRest

ROMAN BREVIARY
O Gloriosa Domina
O Gloriosa Virginum
Quem Terra, Pontus, Aethera
Quem Terra, Pontus, Sidera


Part 1 - Excerpt from The Footprints of God: Mary by Stephen K. Ray


Part 2 - Excerpt from the The Footprints of God: Mary by Stephen K. Ray 

Liturgical Guide: Common of Apostles

The hymns selected for use with the Common of Apostles are sung on Feast Days of Apostles. Paragraph #858 of the Catechism of the Catholic Church says this concerning the Apostles: "Jesus is the Father's Emissary. From the beginning of his ministry, he 'called to him those whom he desired;...and he appointed twelve, whom also he named apostles, to be with him, and to be sent out to preach.' From then on, they would also be his 'emissaries' (Greek apostoloi). In them, Christ continues his own mission: 'As the Father has sent me, even so I send you.' The apostles' ministry is the continuation of his mission; Jesus said to the Twelve: 'he who receives you receives me.'"



LITURGY OF THE HOURS (1975)
106. This I Ask (John 15)
168. The Eternal Gifts of Christ the King
169. Now Let the Heav'ns Resound with Praise

DIVINE OFFICE (1974)
Let All On Earth Their Voices Raise
O Fathers of Our Ancient Faith

ROMAN BREVIARY
Claro Paschali Gaudio
Exsúltet Cælum Láudibus (Now Let the Heav'ns Resound with Praise)
Exultet Caelum Laudibus (Let All on Earth Their Voices Raise)
Exsultet Orbis Gaudiis (Now Let the Heav'ns Resound with Praise)
Exsultet Orbis Gaudiis (Let All on Earth Their Voices Raise)
Paschale Mundo Gaudium
Tristes Erant Apostoli