The Matins Lectionary

For centuries, the Divine Office was central to the Church’s daily prayer life, with Matins as one of its most meaningful parts. It included Psalms, Scripture, writings of the Church Fathers, and stories of the saints. The Matins Lectionary brings back this tradition by restoring the full set of readings from the Traditional Roman Breviary as it existed before Pope John XXIII’s 1960 reform, which removed many of these texts.

Pope John XXIII encouraged people to read and reflect on the wisdom of the Church Fathers, and this book responds to that call by making those readings available again. Using the Douay-Rheims Bible and updated translations, it provides a full year of daily readings based on the traditional liturgical calendar.

The book includes selections from across the Bible, organized by seasons and feast days. On feast days, it adds readings about saints or the event being celebrated, along with Gospel passages and reflections from the Church Fathers. Sundays include longer readings to help prepare for Mass. Overall, it offers a structured way to engage with Scripture and tradition throughout the year.

The Complete Readings from the Traditional Roman Breviary (1954). Compiled by Samuel McIlearn / Hardcover, 1,045 pages with Ribbon marker (thin paper)