Irish priests, as the Irish
recensions of it, found in the Bangor Antiphoner (to be seen in the
Library of Trinity College, Dublin) are of the greatest value to
scholars engaged in critical study. They date from the tenth century,
and give Nicetas as the author. The wording in the old Irish Antiphoner
differs in some verses from the text given in our Breviary. Thus, in
verse 6, the Bangor text has, _universa_ before the word _terra_; again,
in verse 18, the Breviary reads "_Tu ad deteram Dei sedes_," Bangor, and
probably more correctly, reads _sedens_. Verses 26-29, "_Dignare
Domine_... _confundar in aeternum_" are not found in the Irish book.
Those who wish to study these old Irish MSS. may receive great help from
Warren's _Bangor Antiphoner_ (II., pp.83-91) and light comes too from
Julian's _Dictionary of Hymnology_ (pp. 1120-1121).

SOME TEXTS AND INTENTIONS WHICH MAY HELP TOWARDS THE WORTHY RECITATION
OF MATINS (_vide_ pages 4, 120).

"Matutina ligat Christum qui crimina purgat."
"Although I should die with Thee, I will not deny Thee."
"And in like manner also said they all."
"Pray, lest you enter into temptation,"
"And being in agony He prayed the longer."
"Friend, whereunto art thou come?--"
"And they holding Jesus led Him away"--the Garden.
"Art thou one of His disciples?"
"My kingdom is not of this world"--Before the High Priest.

_General Intentions_:-Exaltation of the Church; the Pope; the Mission to
the heathen; Christian nations; the conversion of the heretics, infidels
and sinners; the Catholic laity; the Catholic priesthood.

_Personal Intentions_:-Lively faith; a greater hope; ardent charity.

_Special Intentions_:-For parents; for benefactors; for those in sorrow;
dying sinners; deceased priests of Ireland; for the conversion of
England; for vocations to the priesthood.

CHAPTER II.

LAUDS.

_Etymology, Definition, Symbolism_. The word "Lauds" is derived from the
Latin _laus_, praise. It is applied to this Hour, as it is _par
excellence_, the hour in which God's praises are chanted by His Church.
This Hour succeeds Matins and precedes Prime. The name is said to have
been given to this Hour on account of the last three Psalms, which
formerly formed part of the Office. In these Psalms, 148, 149, 150, the
word _Laudate_ recurs several times. Before the eighth century the Hour
was called "Matutinum," or morning Office, and sometimes it was called
_Gallicinum_ or _Galli