Octaves
Certain Feasts have Octaves, that is, an
extension of the Feast over the following week. Most Octaves
are Common Octaves, the days of which are ranked semidouble and the
Octave Day greater double. All the days of a Common Octave
follow the Ordinary Office, including the Octave Day itself.
There are six privileged Octaves as follows:
Privileged Octaves of the First Order
Easter and Pentecost - The
first two days (Monday and Tuesday) are Doubles of the First Class,
the rest Semidouble. Each day of the Octave uses the Solemn
Office, has a proper Mass and certain proper elements in its Office.
No Feasts may be celebrated during the Octave, but on the Semidouble
days may be commemorated.
Privileged Octaves of the Second Order
Epiphany and Corpus
Christi - Each day within the Octave is ranked Semidouble.
Each day of the Octave uses the Solemn Office, which is the same as
on the original Feastday itself. Only Feasts ranked Double of
the First or Second Class may be celebrated during the Octave,
otherwise an occurring Feast is commemorated.
Privileged Octaves of the Third Order
Christmas and Ascension
- Each day within the Octave is ranked Semidouble. Each day of
the Octave uses the Solemn Office, which is the same as on the
original Feastday itself, with certain exceptions at Christmas.
Feasts ranked Double and above take precedence over a day within the
Octave, and use the Ordinary Office.