II class
Violet
Traditional day of fast and partial abstinence in the USA
From December 17 to 23, III and IV class votive and Requiem Masses are prohibited.
Proper Mass with additional lessons*; Mass of Ember Saturday; No Gloria nor Credo; common Preface
*The forma longior (obligatory in Ordinations and conventual Masses) has five prophecies preceding the Epistle; the forma brevior (which may be used at all other Masses etiam in cantu) has one prophecy preceding the Epistle
N.B. More information on Ember Days and particular rubrics on the Flectamus genua can be found by clicking on the Rubrics/help icon at the bottom of the page.
Matins: Invitatorium Prope est iam and Hymn in Tempore Adventus; antiphons and psalms of the feria (last three psalms from the second schema); lessons from the homilia in Evangelium diei; no Te Deum
Lauds: Antiphons are proper as given in the psalter (Sabbato ante Vigiliam Nativitatis Domini) and psalms of the feria (2nd schema); remainder in Tempore Adventus, except proper antiphon at Benedictus Ecce completa sunt (see below) and oration; the preces are said
Nota bene: the Benedictus antiphon is proper to December 23 (printed in the proper section after the III Sunday of Advent): Ecce, completa sunt * omnia, quae dicta sunt per Angelum de Virgine Maria
Hours: Psalms of the feria with antiphons from Lauds; remainder in Tempore Adventus
I Vespers: Antiphons proper with Saturday psalms; remainder in Tempore Adventus, except proper capitulum, Magnificat antiphon O Emmanuel (O Antiphons for Advent) and oration
Compline: Of Saturday