The Return of a Lost Tradition

A Complete Latin Dominican Breviary Restored from the Medieval Tradition

A complete Dominican breviary restored from the manuscripts, designed for everyday prayer. Based upon the medieval prototype of Blessed Humbert of Romans, this edition restores centuries of liturgical prayer for modern Catholics. Researched, compiled, and typeset entirely by one person, this project represents a personal labor of scholarship and devotion.

Preview PDF Available Soon GitHub
Breviary

Why a Dominican Breviary?

For centuries, the Dominican Rite shaped the prayer of saints, theologians, and preachers. Yet today, a complete Dominican breviary has become difficult to obtain.

This breviary restores the medieval Totum - the complete Office for the entire liturgical year - into a single practical volume, faithful to the prototype of Blessed Humbert of Romans.

Rediscover the Dominican Office

Pray the complete medieval Office as generations of Dominicans once did.

Prayer Without Barriers

Created for everyday use rather than expensive collector editions.

Historically Faithful

Carefully restored from medieval sources while remaining practical for modern readers.

A Breviary Rooted in Tradition

Based upon the 12th-century prototype of Blessed Humbert of Romans, this edition restores the Dominican Office according to the tradition that formed generations of Dominican saints, theologians, and preachers.

The Breviary and Psalter according to the Ecclesiastical Office of the Dominican Order (Order of Preachers). This specific edition was restored and printed based on the prototype of the venerable Master Humbert of Romans, excerpted from the historic Codex of Santa Sabina XIV L1 in Rome.

The Making of the Edition

This edition brings together historical research, traditional typography, and modern open-source tools to restore the Dominican Office for contemporary use.

Manuscript Tradition

Based upon the Dominican liturgical tradition preserved in medieval manuscripts and the 12th-century prototype of Blessed Humbert of Romans.

Historical Restoration

The Office has been carefully reconstructed to preserve the structure, prayers, and character of the medieval Dominican tradition.

Traditional Typography

Designed with careful attention to readability, page layout, and the tradition of liturgical books.

Open Development

Created using LaTeX with source files available publicly, allowing others to study, adapt, and contribute to future development.

A Single-Handed Labor

From historical research and liturgical reconstruction to LaTeX typesetting, page design, and preparation for publication, this entire edition has been created by one person.

Why This Edition?

This edition is guided by five core values that shape every aspect of its restoration, design, and publication.

More than a reprint, this edition seeks to restore the Dominican Office as a practical breviary for everyday prayer. These five values guide every decision behind the project.

Restoration

Recovering centuries of Dominican prayer from the manuscripts and returning a forgotten liturgical tradition to everyday use.

Accessibility

Designed to be affordable and practical - so the complete Office can be owned and prayed, not reserved for collectors or libraries.

Completeness

A true Totum: the complete Dominican Office for the entire liturgical year contained in a single volume.

Open Source

Developed publicly in LaTeX with every source file available on GitHub, encouraging collaboration, improvement, and future editions.

Utility

Returning the breviary to its original purpose: a durable, practical companion for the daily prayer of clergy, religious, and laity.

The Volume

Cover of the Dominican Breviary

The first edition is presented in a durable 5" × 7.5" format designed for daily prayer.

Liturgical Calendar

This edition follows the medieval Dominican calendar established under Blessed Humbert of Romans.

Preview Calendar

Complete Office

Everything required for the daily Divine Office.

Entire Year

The complete liturgical cycle in one volume.

Traditional Layout

Designed for prayer, not merely reference.

Edition Details

Tradition

The Venerable Traditional Dominican Rite

Source

Based upon the 12th-century prototype of Blessed Humbert of Romans, the Fifth Master General of the Order of Preachers.

Language

Latin

Contents

Complete Dominican Office for the entire liturgical year.

Creation

Independently researched, compiled, typeset, and designed by a single creator.

Format

Print edition available through Amazon.

Dimensions

5 x 7.5 inches

Pages

Approximately 560 pages.

Availability

The first edition is currently in preparation. A printed edition will be available through Amazon, with a free PDF preview and open-source LaTeX files available on GitHub.

Preview PDF Amazon (Coming Soon) GitHub

Open Source

Breviary is developed openly. The complete LaTeX source is available on GitHub, allowing scholars, clergy, and lay faithful to study, improve, and adapt the project for future Dominican breviaries.

View on GitHub

Support the Project

Whether through prayer, sharing, feedback, or contributions, this project depends on a community dedicated to preserving the Dominican liturgical tradition.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is a Totum?

A Totum is a complete breviary containing everything required for praying the Divine Office throughout the liturgical year.

What are the dimensions?

I have no idea.

Is this in English or Latin?

Latin...

Is it open source?

Yes. The complete LaTeX source is available publicly.

What calendar does it use?

some calendar.

What tradition does it follow?

s.

How is it different from existing breviaries?

It's better.

What is the Dominican Rite?

It's dominican :D.

Who is Blessed Humbert of Romans?

V cool guy.

Is this approved for liturgical use?

For laypersons, all liturgical prayer does not requre approval. As Pope Benedict XVI once said, "What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church's faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place." Clerics or persons living under a rule should consult their competent religious superiors.