Understanding the Liturgical Phrase Feria Tertia infra Hebdomadam IV post Epiphaniam I. Novembris

Understanding the Liturgical Phrase

"Feria Tertia infra Hebdomadam IV post Epiphaniam I. Novembris"

Breaking It Down:

1. Feria Tertia:
   • "Feria" refers to a weekday. In the ancient Roman Church, weekdays were named "Feria" followed by a number.
   • "Feria Tertia" means Tuesday.
2. Infra Hebdomadam IV post Epiphaniam:
   • "Infra" translates to "within" or "during".
   • "Hebdomadam" means "week".
   • "Hebdomadam IV" is the Fourth Week.
   • "Post Epiphaniam" means "after Epiphany".
   • So, "during the Fourth Week after Epiphany".
3. I. Novembris:
   • "I." is the Roman numeral for 1.
   • "Novembris" means "November".
   • "I. Novembris" is November 1st.

Putting It All Together:

It's saying Tuesday, November 1st, during the Fourth Week after Epiphany.

But Here's the Intriguing Part:

• Epiphany is celebrated on January 6th, marking the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus.
• Usually, the Fourth Week after Epiphany would be in late January or early February.
• So why is it in November?

Understanding the Traditional Liturgical Calendar:

In the Traditional Latin Mass (pre-1970 liturgical calendar), any "Sundays after Epiphany" that weren't used before Lent would be inserted after Pentecost Sunday and Trinity Sunday. This means that the weeks after Epiphany can end up occurring much later in the year.

• Movable Feasts: Since the date of Easter changes each year, Lent and Pentecost shift accordingly. This affects how the weeks are counted in the Church calendar.
• Addition After Pentecost: The "unused" weeks after Epiphany are added after the 23rd Sunday after Pentecost, leading up to the end of the liturgical year.

So, on November 1st, it's possible to be in the Fourth Week after Epiphany according to this system.

However, There's More to Consider:

• November 1st is All Saints' Day, a major solemnity in the Church.
• On solemnities and feast days, the usual weekday liturgies are superseded by the special readings and prayers of the feast.
• Therefore, the liturgy on November 1st focuses on celebrating all the saints, rather than the regular readings of the Fourth Week after Epiphany.

In Essence:

• The phrase highlights the complexity and beauty of the traditional liturgical calendar.
• It reflects how the Church weaves together fixed dates (like All Saints' Day) with movable celebrations (like the weeks after Epiphany and Pentecost).

If You're Curious:

• The Liturgical Calendar is a rich tapestry that guides the rhythm of worship throughout the year.
• It might seem a bit labyrinthine, but it's all about immersing the faithful in the mysteries of faith across seasons.