Washing of the Feet Antiphons: Extra Verses?
  • Adam Bartlett
    Posts: 533
    I believe that it is the traditional practice to sing the seven Holy Thursday antiphons sequentially for the Washing of the Feet. If anyone knows differently, please advise.

    My question is: Is there any precedent for adding more verses to these antiphons?

    The intention would be to get more repetition out of the antiphon than a single iteration. Of course a few antiphons have a few verses, but what about more for those that don't? Has this been done before or discussed anywhere before?
  • smvanroodesmvanroode
    Posts: 997
    You could follow the example in the Graduale Simplex (p. 132). It has only one antiphon (Mandatum novum, identical to the Graduale Romanum), and ten verses from Psalm 119 (118): 1, 15, 32, 40, 45, 47, 97, 103, 105, 129.

    This practise probably derives from the Ordo Hebdomadae Sanctae (1957), where the first verse from Psalm 119 (118) is added to this antiphon.

    Likewise, you could add verses from the following psalms to the antiphons which have no verses of their own (see OHS 170-172):

    Postquam surrexit Dominus: Ps. 48 (47)
    Dominus Iesus: Ps. 85 (84)
    Si ego Dominus et Magister: Ps. 49 (48)

    But the Ordo Cantus Missae (1987) also adds explicitly that these four antiphons "sine psalmo cantatur", are sung without a psalm.
    Thanked by 2Adam Bartlett CHGiffen
  • Adam Bartlett
    Posts: 533
    Steven, this is extremely helpful. I know I can always count on you, my friend!
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