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The Dominican Rite is the liturgy of the Order of Friars Preachers, as it was in force from the thirteenth century until the late 1960s. The Dominican Order had its own proper Missal and Breviary, along with several other liturgical books, that were part and parcel of its conventual life and preaching mission. The Dominican Rite Mass was the form used by countless friars over the centuries, including most of the familiar Dominican saints. Its ethos and prayers are an invaluable part of the Dominican spiritual patrimony.
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2025-2026 Dominican Rite Masses
All Masses begin at 7 p.m. in the church, unless otherwise noted.
Monday, August 4, 2025
Solemn High Mass in honor of Our Holy Father St. Dominic
Music: Misa Caça, Cristobal Morales
Friday, September 5, 2025
Low Mass for the Deceased Familiars and Benefactors of the Order of Preachers
Music: None
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Solemn High Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary
Music: Messe de Nostre Dame, Guillaume de Machaut
Preceded by Rosary Procession at 6:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Low Mass for the Deceased Brothers and Sisters of the Order of Preachers
Music: None
Check back soon for the 2026 Masses.
Solemn High Mass in honor of Our Holy Father St. Dominic
Music: Misa Caça, Cristobal Morales
Friday, September 5, 2025
Low Mass for the Deceased Familiars and Benefactors of the Order of Preachers
Music: None
Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Solemn High Mass in honor of Our Lady of the Rosary
Music: Messe de Nostre Dame, Guillaume de Machaut
Preceded by Rosary Procession at 6:15 p.m.
Thursday, November 13, 2025
Low Mass for the Deceased Brothers and Sisters of the Order of Preachers
Music: None
Check back soon for the 2026 Masses.
About the Dominican Rite
History
The Rite of the Order of Preachers, or Dominican Rite, is unique to the Order, and has been part of its tradition since the late Middle Ages. Prior to the Council of Trent (1545–1563), including the time of St. Dominic, every region had developed its own rite or usage of the Mass and Divine Office. The establishment of priories of friars and convents of nuns throughout an enormous geographical area (at least by the standards of the Middle Ages) meant that each community was following a different version of the Mass and Divine Office. While some of these forms of the liturgy differed by a few words, others used entirely different texts and musical settings in the Propers (prayers that change according to the day) and incorporated a tremendous diversity of postures and actions for those at the altar. The fifth Master General of the Order of Preachers, Bl. Humbert de Romanis, O.P. (c. 1190–1277), sought to unify the prayers of all Dominicans, and established a new liturgy unique to the Order of Preachers in 1256, which combined elements of the Gallican Rite, Roman usage, and the Parisian Rite. About a decade later, the sixth Master General, Giovanni da Vercelli, O.P. (c. 1205–1283), successfully petitioned Pope Clement IV to issue a Papal Bull which forbade any further changes to the Dominican Rite. While new feasts have been added since the Rite’s establishment, the form of the liturgy remains largely unchanged over the last 768 years.
FAQ
Have questions about the Dominican Rite? Check out our FAQ Sheet and Father Augustine Thompson’s website to understand more about this beautiful and ancient rite.
The Rite of the Order of Preachers, or Dominican Rite, is unique to the Order, and has been part of its tradition since the late Middle Ages. Prior to the Council of Trent (1545–1563), including the time of St. Dominic, every region had developed its own rite or usage of the Mass and Divine Office. The establishment of priories of friars and convents of nuns throughout an enormous geographical area (at least by the standards of the Middle Ages) meant that each community was following a different version of the Mass and Divine Office. While some of these forms of the liturgy differed by a few words, others used entirely different texts and musical settings in the Propers (prayers that change according to the day) and incorporated a tremendous diversity of postures and actions for those at the altar. The fifth Master General of the Order of Preachers, Bl. Humbert de Romanis, O.P. (c. 1190–1277), sought to unify the prayers of all Dominicans, and established a new liturgy unique to the Order of Preachers in 1256, which combined elements of the Gallican Rite, Roman usage, and the Parisian Rite. About a decade later, the sixth Master General, Giovanni da Vercelli, O.P. (c. 1205–1283), successfully petitioned Pope Clement IV to issue a Papal Bull which forbade any further changes to the Dominican Rite. While new feasts have been added since the Rite’s establishment, the form of the liturgy remains largely unchanged over the last 768 years.
FAQ
Have questions about the Dominican Rite? Check out our FAQ Sheet and Father Augustine Thompson’s website to understand more about this beautiful and ancient rite.
