Let the [Ambrosian] hymn follow next (Rule of St Benedict 9)
…When the fourth responsory is finished, let
the abbot begin the hymn Te Deum laudamus…then
let the abbot follow with the hymn Te
decet laus…Rule of St Benedict
Chapter 11
The final part of the opening section of Matins is the hymn. Matins on Sundays and feasts also has two other hymns though, so I thought I would cover those off here as well.
The structure of Matins
SECTION
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OPENING (INVITATORY)
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Same elements everyday – opening prayer, Ps 3, Ps 94 (with verse), hymn
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NOCTURN I
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Six psalms with antiphon(s)
Versicle, Our Father, absolution
Blessing, reading and responsory (1,3 or 4 sets)
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NOCTURN II
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Six psalms with antiphon(s)
Versicle, Our Father, absolution
Blessing, reading and responsory *4
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NOCTURN III
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Sundays and major feasts only:
Three OT canticles under one antiphon
Versicle, Our Father, absolution
Blessing, reading and responsory *4
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CONCLUDING SECTION
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Weekdays and minor feasts: Chapter and versicle
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CLOSING PRAYERS
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Collect only or concluding prayers
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The use of hymns in the Benedictine Office
St Benedict took a quite different approach to the Roman Office in several matters, and one of those is in the use of hymns. The Roman Church in the sixth century seems generally have been reluctant to use non-Scriptural texts in the liturgy, and even in the ninth century, the date of the earliest comprehensive description of it, the Roman Office was still devoid of hymns - the Te Deum appears to have been added in some places from the tenth century, but in Rome itself hymns were only adopted in the twelfth century. .
St Benedict, on the other hand, had no such hesitation in relation to non-Scriptural texts, happily adopting the tradition of Office hymns popularised in the West by St Ambrose. A hymn is sung to close off the opening section of the hour each day. In addition, the Te Deum and Te decet laus towards the end of the hour on Sundays and major feasts.
Where to find the hymn
The hymn in the opening section of Matins is usually of the day of the week, unless replaced by one for the season or feast. The hymn for each day of the week for most of the year is generally set out under Matins for the particular day of the week - for the chants see the Brignoles Nocturnale Volume 1 (psalter).
Those for seasons can be found in the relevant section of the books or elsewhere. On feasts the hymn is generally (though not always) the same as for Vespers.
The chant for the Te Deum and Te decet laus can be found in the Brignoles Nocturnale under Sunday Matins and/or the appendix. Note that there are numerous versions of the Te Deum, and an Eastertide version of the Te decet laus.
How to say the hymns
The rubrics for the daily hymns in the opening section are the same as for the other hours - the hymn is properly sung standing, and one normally bows for the doxology in the last verse. In addition an Amen is always added to the end of the hymn.
The Te Deum and Te decet laus are also said standing, and in the Te Deum everyone kneels at the verse Te ergo quaesumus.
