Antiphonale

An antiphonale is a Western liturgical book that collects antiphons—the short refrain responses—used in the Divine Office. Antiphons provide the musical framework for the psalms that are recited or chanted at the hours of the day and night, such as Matins (or Night Office), Lauds, and Vespers, and in some traditions other hours such as Prime or Compline.

Contents: The book is organized to pair antiphons with the psalms or canticles to which they belong. Typically the antiphon appears before and after the psalm, sometimes printed to the left of the page with the psalm text, or set in the margin. Many antiphonals include psalm tone notation, so the antiphons can be sung to a specific tone. Regional editions may also contain hymns, canticles, versicles, and liturgical instructions for the season or feast.

History and variations: Antiphonals arose in the medieval Western Church as part of developing monastic and cathedral liturgies. They existed in several regional forms—the Roman, the Sarum, Benedictine and other monastic versions—and later were standardized in print for the Roman Rite as the Antiphonale Romanum. Benedictine and other orders produced their own antiphonales for use in their houses.

Modern use: In contemporary practice the antiphon is typically used within the Liturgy of the Hours, often integrated into the breviary or gathered in modern editions of the antiphonale. Surviving traditional antiphonals remain in use in some monasteries and church choirs, and the term is encountered in Anglican and other Western liturgical contexts describing historical or inherited antiphonaries. See also: antiphon, Gregorian chant, Divine Office.