In your handy copy of the 2004 Martyrologium Romanum you find that today is the … well… read it yourself:
1. Commemoratio sancti Melchisedech, regis Salem et sacerdotis Dei Altissimi, qui Abraham benedicens salutavit a victoria regressum, Domino sanctum sacrificum, immaculatam hostiam, offerns, atque in praefiguratione Christi rex pacis et iustitiae interpretatus est et, licet genealogiae expers, sacerdos in aeternum.
I bet you readers can come up with your own perfect renderings of this entry.
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What is the difference between “commemoratio” and “memoria” in the time “per annum”? Does it mean that today is possible second collecta?
There are no commemorations in the Ordinary Form as there are in the Extraordinary Form. My guess is that in this case, “commemoratio” ranks below that of “memoria” — a “memoria” being on the calendar. Since there is no memorial for today, a commemoration could perhaps be observed by saying a Votive Mass/Office for Holy Melchisedech from the appropriate Common of Saints… but which one? Common of Holy Men? Pastors?
If I am wrong, someone please correct me.
Geoffrey asks, “which one? Common of Holy Men? Pastors?”
Might this layman humbly suggest the Missa votiva Domini Nostri Iesu Christi Summi et Aeterni Sacerdotis? I seem to recall seeing a votive office for this once upon a time as well, but not in the recent Breviarium Romanum. Perhaps it will be in the long-awaited 5th volume…
Ah, yes, I found the office on-line: http://www.almudi.org/Portals/0/docs/Breviario/fuentes/breviario2.asp?archivo=advnav/zdnic_sacerdotis.htm
Rob F:
I have come across that Votive Office online, too! I think we’ll have a long wait for it in English! From what I’ve seen it looks beautiful. I wonder what its origins are? It seems to be the only specific Votive Office in the Latin Liturgy of the Hours.
My question was actually about if one wanted to observe a Votive Offive for Holy Melchisedech, which I believe is allowable in the Mass and Divine Office on any day with no obligatory memorial in the Ordinary Form.
“Commemoratio sancti Melchisedech, regis Salem et sacerdotis Dei Altissimi, qui Abraham benedicens salutavit a victoria regressum, Domino sanctum sacrificium, immaculatam hostiam, offerens, atque in praefiguratione Christi rex pacis et iustitiae interpretatus est et, licet genealogiae expers, sacerdos in aeternum.”
The commemoration of Saint Melchizedek, the king of Salem and priest of God Most High, who, while blessing Abraham, hailed his return from victory, offering to the Lord a holy sacrifice, an immaculate victim, and as a prefiguration of Christ he is interpreted to be the king of peace and of justice, and, although he lacks a pedigree, he is a priest forever.
See Genesis 14:18, Ps 109(110):4, and most importantly, Hebrews, chapter 7.
Geoffrey: Yes, I see what you asked for; I suggested what I hope was a very appropriate alternative.
Since all I know about Melchizedek is that he was a king, I guess I would suggest that we use the same common used for yesterday’s holy king, the Common of Holy Men. But what do I know?
I like the votive office idea much better, in honor of Melchizedek’s membership in the Lord’s sacerdotal order. The readings for that office look extremely appropriate for today’s saint as well.
Actually, there are commemorations in the Ordinary Form breviary for lesser-ranked offices.
At matins, after the patristic reading of the day, with it’s responsory, a reading in honor of the saint or office, with it’s responsory is added.
At lauds and vespers,after the prayer of the day, the conclusion is omitted. The benedictus/magnificat antiphon for the office is added, followed by the prayer of the saint of office.The conclusion to the prayer is then said.
So, when celebrating Mass of St Melchisedech, the priest would bow his head at the mention of his name in the Supplices te rogamus…
GIRM 316 c. On the weekdays in Ordinary Time, the priest may choose the
weekday Mass,
the Mass of an optional memorial,
the Mass of a saint inscribed in the martyrology for that day,
a Mass for various needs and occasions,
or a votive Mass.
Josiah: I think that is during Lent and the last few days of Advent, yes?
I has asked about EF of the Mass. “Commemorationes” in Liturgia Horarum are in Lent and Advent, because weekdays in it have a stronger rank, than memoriae.
In OF of Mass are “memoria” and “memoria facultativa”, but no commemorationes.