The reading appointed from the Rule of St. Benedict for February 23:
CHAPTER XVIII
In What Order the Psalms Are to Be Said (cont.)
Vespers are to be sung every day with four Psalms. And let these begin from the hundred and ninth, and go on to the hundred and forty-seventh, omitting those of their number that are set apart for other Hours - that is, from the hundred and seventeenth to the hundred and twenty-seventh, the hundred and thirty-third, and the hundred and forty-second. All the rest are to be said at Vespers. And as there are three Psalms wanting, let those of the aforesaid number which are somewhat long be divided, namely the hundred and thirty-eighth, the hundred and forty-third, and the hundred and forty-fourth. But let the hundred and sixteenth, as it is short, be joined to the hundred and fifteenth. The order of the Psalms at Vespers being thus disposed, let the rest, that is, the lessons, responses, hymns, verses and canticles, be said as already laid down. At Compline the same Psalms are to be repeated every day: namely the fourth, ninetieth, and hundred and thirty-third.
The order of psalmody for the Day-Hours being now arranged, let all the remaining 25 Psalms be equally distributed among the seven Night- Offices, dividing the longer Psalms among them, and assigning twelve to each night. Above all, we recommend that if this arrangement of the Psalms be displeasing to anyone, he should, if he think fit, order it otherwise; taking care in any case that the whole Psalter of a hundred and fifty Psalms be recited every week, and always begun afresh at the Night-Office on Sunday. For those monks would shew themselves very slothful in the divine service who said in the course of a week less than the entire Psalter, with the usual canticles; since we read that our holy fathers resolutely performed in a single day what I pray we tepid monks may achieve in a whole week.
Martyrology-February 24th
Roman Martyrology-February 24th-on this date in various years-
In Judea, the birthday of St. Matthias the Apostle. After the Ascension of our Lord, the Apostles chose him, by lot, to fill the place of Judas the traitor, and he suffered martyrdom for the preaching of the Gospel.
At Rome, St. Primitiva, martyr.
At Rouen, the passion of St. Praetextatus, bishop and martyr.
At Caesarea in Cappadocia, St. Sergius, martyr, of whose life a beautiful account still exists.
In Africa, the holy martyrs Montanus, Lucius, Julian, Victoricus, Flavian, and their companions. They were disciples of St. Cyprian and suffered martyrdom under Emperor Valerian.
At Treves, St. Modestus, bishop and confessor.
At Stylo in Calabria, St. John Therestus, noted for his sanctity, and his high regard for the monastic life.
In England, St. Ethelbert, ruler of Kent, converted to the faith of Christ by the English bishop, St. Augustine.
At Jerusalem, the finding for the first time of the head of St. John the Baptist, Precursor of the Lord.
And elsewhere in divers places, many other holy martyrs, confessors, and holy virgins.
R. Thanks be to God.
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