Q: We are expecting our new organ to be finished by mid-October 2025, and I was hoping to attach the Blessing of the Organ to Second Vespers on the Solemnity of All Saints. Unfortunately, November 1 lands on a Saturday, so I am writing to inquire about the Divine Office on November 1, 2025.
I feared that because the Commemoration of all the Faithful Departed lands on a Sunday that the required Office for Saturday evening would be the Office for the Dead. However, I note in the Mundelein Psalter (which I happen to have in front of me open to page 1127), I find the following rubric:
When November 2 occurs on Sunday, even though the Mass for All Souls may be celebrated, the office is taken from the current Sunday in Ordinary Time; the Office of the Dead is not said.
However, when Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are celebrated with the people, these hours may be taken from the Office for the Dead.
As I read this, the Office of the Dead is not celebrated on Saturday evening, but rather Evening Prayer I for Sunday. Since the Solemnity of All Saints would normally trump a Sunday, would it be permissible to celebrate Evening Prayer II for All Saints on Saturday, November 1—after the anticipated Mass for the Commemoration of All Souls?
Thank you for entertaining this question.
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A: Congratulations on the progress with the new organ.
Your information is correct. It is permissible on November 1 in 2025 to celebrate Evening Prayer II of All Saints after an anticipated Mass for All Souls. I’ve covered this and more unusual points of interest about the calendar in my forthcoming book Sacred Times.