Octavarium Romanum
Encyclopedia
The Octavarium Romanum is a Catholic liturgical book
which may be considered as an appendix to the Roman Breviary, but which has not the official position of the other Roman liturgical books.
. In order to introduce a greater variety in the selection of lessons, he ordered the compilation of an Octavarium to comprise the lessons proper to each day of the octave
s. The plan was not executed during his pontificate (1585–90).
When the question of correcting the Breviary was raised anew under Clement VIII (1592–1605), the projected Octavarium was again spoken of. The consultor
s, the most distinguished of whom was Baronius, were in favour of the suggested compilation. Gavanti, another consultor, undertook the work, but his book did not appear till 1628.
Its descriptive title is Octavarium Romanum, Lectiones II et III Nocturni complectens, recitandas infra octavas Festorum, præsertim patronorum locorum et titularium Ecclesiarum quæ cum octavis celebrari debent, juxta rubricas Breviarii Romani, a Sacra Rituum Congregatione ad usum totius orbis ecclesiarum approbatum (Antwerp, 1628). In addition to the letter of approbation, the Papal Brief
of Urban VIII and the dedication, the book includes a few pages on the origin, cause and rites of octaves.
The body of the work consists of a collection of readings, or lessons, for the feasts of the Holy Trinity, the Transfiguration
, the Holy Cross
, several feasts of Our Lady (Conception
, Purification
, Visitation, Our Lady of the Snows
), the feasts of St. Michael, the Apostles, Saints Mary Magdalene
, Martha, John, Athanasius, Monica, Nereus and Achilleus, the Seven Brothers
, Apollinarius, the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist
, of Saints Gregory Thaumaturgus
, Basil, Francis, Clement etc. Then follow the varied and well-selected lessons for the commons, drawn from the writings of the Church Fathers
.
Numerous editions have appeared since then, with occasional variations. One is by Pustet
(Ratisbon, 1883). The reading of the Octavarium is not obligatory, unlike the Breviary.
Liturgical book
A liturgical book is a book published by the authority of a church, that contains the text and directions for the liturgy of its official religious services.-Roman Catholic:...
which may be considered as an appendix to the Roman Breviary, but which has not the official position of the other Roman liturgical books.
History
The first mention of this book dates from pope Sixtus VPope Sixtus V
Pope Sixtus V , born Felice Peretti di Montalto, was Pope from 1585 to 1590.-Early life:The chronicler Andrija Zmajević states that Felice's family originated from modern-day Montenegro...
. In order to introduce a greater variety in the selection of lessons, he ordered the compilation of an Octavarium to comprise the lessons proper to each day of the octave
Octave (liturgical)
"Octave" has two senses in Christian liturgical usage. In the first sense, it is the eighth day after a feast, reckoning inclusively, and so always falls on the same day of the week as the feast itself. The word is derived from Latin octava , with dies understood...
s. The plan was not executed during his pontificate (1585–90).
When the question of correcting the Breviary was raised anew under Clement VIII (1592–1605), the projected Octavarium was again spoken of. The consultor
Consultor
A consultor is one who gives counsel, i.e. a counselor.In the Catholic Church, it is a specific title for various advisory positions:*in the Roman Curia, a consultor is a specially appointed expert who may be called upon for advice desired by a department...
s, the most distinguished of whom was Baronius, were in favour of the suggested compilation. Gavanti, another consultor, undertook the work, but his book did not appear till 1628.
Its descriptive title is Octavarium Romanum, Lectiones II et III Nocturni complectens, recitandas infra octavas Festorum, præsertim patronorum locorum et titularium Ecclesiarum quæ cum octavis celebrari debent, juxta rubricas Breviarii Romani, a Sacra Rituum Congregatione ad usum totius orbis ecclesiarum approbatum (Antwerp, 1628). In addition to the letter of approbation, the Papal Brief
Papal brief
The Papal Brief is a formal document emanating from the Pope, in a somewhat simpler and more modern form than a Papal Bull.-History:The introduction of briefs, which occurred at the beginning of the pontificate of Pope Eugenius IV , was clearly prompted for the same desire for greater simplicity...
of Urban VIII and the dedication, the book includes a few pages on the origin, cause and rites of octaves.
The body of the work consists of a collection of readings, or lessons, for the feasts of the Holy Trinity, the Transfiguration
Transfiguration of Jesus
The Transfiguration of Jesus is an event reported in the New Testament in which Jesus is transfigured and becomes radiant upon a mountain. The Synoptic Gospels describe it, and 2 Peter 1:16-18 refers to it....
, the Holy Cross
Feast of the Cross
In the Christian liturgical calendar, there are several different Feasts of the Cross, all of which commemorate the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus....
, several feasts of Our Lady (Conception
Immaculate Conception
The Immaculate Conception of Mary is a dogma of the Roman Catholic Church, according to which the Virgin Mary was conceived without any stain of original sin. It is one of the four dogmata in Roman Catholic Mariology...
, Purification
Presentation of Jesus at the Temple
The Presentation of Jesus at the Temple, which falls on 2 February, celebrates an early episode in the life of Jesus. In the Eastern Orthodox Church and some Eastern Catholic Churches, it is one of the twelve Great Feasts, and is sometimes called Hypapante...
, Visitation, Our Lady of the Snows
Our Lady of the Snows
Our Lady of the Snows may refer to:* Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore, the Basilica of Saint Mary Major, in Rome* Dedication of Saint Mary Major, the feast celebrating the dedication of this church, renamed from the Dedication of Our Lady of the Snows in 1969...
), the feasts of St. Michael, the Apostles, Saints Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene
Mary Magdalene was one of Jesus' most celebrated disciples, and the most important woman disciple in the movement of Jesus. Jesus cleansed her of "seven demons", conventionally interpreted as referring to complex illnesses...
, Martha, John, Athanasius, Monica, Nereus and Achilleus, the Seven Brothers
Seven Brothers
Seven Brothers is the first and only novel by Aleksis Kivi, the national author of Finland, and it is widely regarded as the first significant novel written in Finnish and by a Finnish-speaking author. Published in 1870, Seven Brothers ended an era dominated by Swedish-speaking authors, most...
, Apollinarius, the feast of the Beheading of St. John the Baptist
Beheading of St. John the Baptist
The Beheading of Saint John the Baptist is a holy day observed by various Christian churches which follow liturgical traditions...
, of Saints Gregory Thaumaturgus
Gregory Thaumaturgus
Gregory Thaumaturgus, also known as Gregory of Neocaesarea or Gregory the Wonderworker, was a Christian bishop of the 3rd century.-Biography:Gregory was born at Neo-Caesarea around 213 A.D...
, Basil, Francis, Clement etc. Then follow the varied and well-selected lessons for the commons, drawn from the writings of the Church Fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
.
Numerous editions have appeared since then, with occasional variations. One is by Pustet
Pustet
-History:The original home of the Pustets was the Republic of Venice, where the name Bustetto is common. Probably in the seventeenth century, the founder of the Ratisbon line emigrated to South Germany, where one of his descendants, Anton Pustet, lived as a poor bookbinder in the Lower Bavarian...
(Ratisbon, 1883). The reading of the Octavarium is not obligatory, unlike the Breviary.