DOCSLIB.ORG

Liturgy of the Hours: Why, History, Development

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Liturgy of the Hours: Why, History, Development Oblates Newsletter for Oblates of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana October 2012 We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and “that in every place the eyes of God are watching the good and the wicked (Prov. Presenter Sister Anita Louise Lowe explains the history of the Liturgy of the Hours at the “ 15:3).” Beyond the least September Oblate meeting. doubt we should believe Liturgy of the Hours: Why, History, Development this to be especially true By Sister Anita Louise Lowe when we celebrate the The Liturgy of the Hours is a prayer that is intimately tied to time and seasons. The Liturgy of the Hours is a daily prayer, divine office (liturgy prayed in the morning, at midday, at evening, before bed, and in some places, in the middle of the night. We find this rhythm of of the hours). Let us time and seasons expressed in the psalms used for prayer. Time today is complicated. We have technology that allows consider, then, how we us to have light when it’s dark and to make it dark when it is light outside. The Liturgy of the Hours takes us out of “clock” time and invites us ought to sing the psalms to enter into the eternal time of God. Through prayer, we mark that all time is holy, all time is of God. in such a way that our How have Christians prayed throughout the centuries? Let’s embark on some time travel and see what daily prayer looked like for Christians throughout the minds are in harmony centuries. with our voices. Our first stop is in the first century. Jewish prayer was centered in the temple, the synagogue, and the home. Until the time of the Temple’s destruction —Rule of St. Benedict in the year 70, morning and evening sacrifices are conducted there. In the Chapter 19 synagogue there are four public services on at least three days of the week— the Sabbath and the market days of Monday and Thursday. In Jewish homes we find that there is prayer at the beginning and the end of each day and some private moments of prayer three times during the day. Monastery Immaculate Conception While we don’t know exactly what Christian prayer looked like during this 802 E. 10th Street time period, we can assume some Jewish influence, especially in praying at fixed Ferdinand, Indiana 47532-9239 times, such as morning and evening. The Gospels recount various times when Jesus 812-367-1411, ext. 2827/2829 www.thedome.org/oblates” [email protected] Continued on page 2. Oblates Newsletter Page 2 prayed — in the morning, in the evening, and even keeping unlike that of the “cathedral” style, was less a liturgical vigil throughout the night. In the Acts of the Apostles, we service than it was a meditation in common. Many of the hear of the apostles gathering at the Temple as a separate desert monastics prayed 12 psalms in course — that is, in group from the Jews but at the hours of Jewish prayer and we numerical order — followed by two Scripture readings and hear of prayer at the third, sixth, and ninth hours of the day. then another set of 12 psalms. It didn’t matter if the psalm We also learn of what this prayer was composed: psalms, spoke of evening when it was actually morning. The purpose hymns, readings, and prayer of joy was to meditate on the psalms not and thanksgiving. In a document to see the psalms as prayers in and dating from around the years AD of themselves. 50-70, “The Didache,” we find an In descriptions of groups of admonition for the Christian to pray monks gathered for common the Our Father with a doxology three prayer we discover that one monk times a day. recited the psalm while the rest In the third century, we find set sat and meditated. Many of times of prayer on rising, at the 3rd, them listened while doing basic 6th, and 9th hours of the day, before work such as weaving or basket going to bed, and during the night making. For these monks “ora et itself. The Christians here were urged labora” meant continual prayer to pray facing the East as a symbol and incessant labor; all of life was of awaiting the second coming. In a prayer. At the end of the psalm, this century, we begin to see some all arose with hands lifted and standardization of rubrics regarding prayed in silence. A hybrid-type of standing or kneeling, and we have prayer began to develop in urban mention of psalms being a common areas where monks and the secular prayer of Christians. Themes begin churches came in contact with one to emerge for the various prayer another. times: Christ is seen as the true In the Western church of the sun and the true day, and the day fifth and sixth centuries we see that hours are interpreted according to the hybrid style of prayer continues the passion account found in Mark’s to develop. Morning and evening gospel. are still the main times of prayer for the general population. We next stop at the fourth century. This was the most The symbolism of the rising sun as the light of Christ is important era for the development of Christian prayer echoed in the lamplighting ceremony at evening. Psalms are because of the Peace of Constantine and the end of chosen to fit the time of day. There are some occasional vigils Christian persecutions. Christianity becomes the official celebrated, such as, at Easter or before a funeral, but this religion of the empire. All Christians were urged to pray prayer at night was most often a private prayer said in one’s without ceasing, and the Liturgy of the Hours evolved in two home. different fashions: one way for the secular church and another In monastic circles, the length of the office grows. “To for the monastics who went out into the desert. pray without ceasing” seems to imply to have more and Christians gathered publicly in large groups to pray in longer periods of formal prayer. Benedict, for his part, is an “cathedrals” with the bishop presiding. This type of daily innovator and will redistribute the psalmody, eliminating prayer became known as the cathedral office. It is a prayer repetitions of psalms, and introducing hymns. Benedict’s of praise and intercession. Psalms are selected which are office is one of moderation and pastoral “good sense.” appropriate to the particular hour or service. Within the Little changes in the next few centuries. The clergy living prayer we find much use of symbol and ceremony as well as in both cathedrals and country chapels celebrated the Liturgy the use of hymns, chants, and various ministries. The two of the Hours in common with the people of the parish. Only privileged hours were morning and evening with both having when the burden of pastoral and liturgical care fell to one light as a primary symbol. presbyter did the public celebration of the Hours begin to At the same time, men and women fled to the desert to suffer. By the 13th century, the full monastic course of psalms lead a monastic life. The “desert monastic” style of prayer, had been made obligatory for all clergy. They didn’t have , Page 3 October 2012 time to do all of these prayers publicly, so they recited them So, why do we pray the Liturgy of the Hours? We can find privately as they were able. It was during this time that orders some answers by looking at the statement of purpose in the like the Franciscans and Dominicans emerged. They had “to front of the monastery’s morning and evening prayer books. do the office” wherever they were. Whereas common prayer First, we have the basic human need to pray, to pray daily, had once been the only way, now it is becoming simply a and to pray with others. Paul Bradshaw, a liturgy scholar, better way. And the obligation to pray that used to be sensed stated that there is no such thing as private prayer. There is as an obligation of all Christians becomes more and more the personal prayer and prayer done communally, but whenever personal obligation of the clergy. a Christian prays he or she does so as a member of the Body Another development that affected praying the Hours of Christ. was the development of the printing press. What had been Second, praying with the psalms gives us words for our the prayer of the church was now a dialogue with God. The psalms book: the Breviary. This shortened speak of every human emotion. version of the daily prayer was Third, we pray the Liturgy of designed for priests to use wherever the Hours as intercessors for our they might be. Another factor at community, the Church, and the work in the 15th century was the world. The General Instruction on growth of a spirituality called “devotio the Liturgy of the Hours states that moderna.” The personal piety that “the whole body of the Church emerged saw common prayer as a shares in the priesthood of Christ.” distraction to the “true” inner, private By praying the Liturgy of the prayer. Hours we fulfill our baptismal call By the 16th century, prayer in the to pray and to intercede for each monastic life was reaching a point of other, for all of humanity, and for “liturgical exhaustion.” The church all of creation. reformed the Office, simplifying the Robert Taft, considered by prayer and making the breviary better many to be “the” expert on the suited to private use.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Praying the Liturgy of the Hours
    Praying the Liturgy of the Hours The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is a beautiful and ancient tradition in the Church marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. It is not reserved for clerics and religious (although they take vows to say it), but can also be prayed by the lay faithful. In fact, the Second Vatican Council highly encouraged the laity to “recite the divine office [especially Morning and Evening Prayer-the Major hours], either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 100). The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. The foundation of the prayer is simple – praying the Psalms – but in practicality can be difficult. If one chooses to purchase a physical breviary (the book that contains the Liturgy of the Hours, it can be challenging – especially if no one is there to show you what to do. However, after an initial introduction to praying the Liturgy of the Hours, it becomes much easier and soon it will be like clockwork. There are two main forms of the breviary. You can purchase a four-volume set entitled The Liturgy of the Hours from the Catholic Book Publishing. You can usually purchase for as low as $155. However, you can also purchase one volume at a time: This four-volume set contains prayers for all the hours of the day: Office of Readings (Major Hour); Lauds or Morning Prayer (Major Hour); Daytime Prayer (minor hour(s)-one or more of Terce (Midmorning), Sext (Midday), or None (Midafternoon); Vespers (Major Hour); and Compline or Night Prayer.
    [Show full text]
  • A BRIEF GUIDE to the LITURGY of the HOURS (For Private/Individual Recitation) Taken in Part From
    A BRIEF GUIDE TO THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS (For Private/Individual Recitation) taken in part from http://www.cis.upenn.edu/~dchiang/catholic/hours.html Names: LOH, Divine Office, “The Office,” “The Breviary” Brief History Jewish practice: • Ps. 119:164: "Seven times a day I praise you" • perhaps originating in the Babylonian Exile (6th cent. BC): “sacrifice of praise.” • Perhaps older: synagogues • Temple use after the Exile: o Morning and Evening Prayer and at the Third, Sixth and Ninth Hours Early Christians continued • Acts 3: 1 Now Peter and John were going up to the temple at the hour of prayer, the ninth hour. • Acts 10:9: The next day, as they were on their journey and coming near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Mass of the Catechumens Monastic Use Current Canonical Use: clerics, religious and laity Liturgical nature: • “why”: the prayer of the Church • “norm”: public recitation, with rubrics, etc. o chanted Instructions: • General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours • Rubrics • “Saint Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours” Sources used to pray the liturgy of the hours, either: • the 4 volume “Liturgy of the Hours” (“Breviary”) • the 1 volume “Christian Prayer”: there are various versions of this. • various “apps” for smartphones and websites as well (e.g.: http://divineoffice.org/. 1 When: The “Hours” (Note: each is also called an “office”, that is “duty”) There are seven “hours”—or each day: 1. Office of Readings [OR] or “Matins”: can be any time of day, but traditionally first 2.
    [Show full text]
  • Monastic Liturgy of the Hours
    Oblates Newsletter for Oblates of the Sisters of St. Benedict of Ferdinand, Indiana April 2013 We believe that the divine presence is everywhere and that in every place the eyes of the Lord are watching the good Presenter Sister Anita Louise Lowe explains the Liturgy of the Hours at the April Oblate meeting. “ and the wicked. But Monastic Liturgy of the Hours/ beyond the least Roman Liturgy of the Hours doubt we should By Sister Anita Louise Lowe believe this to be The fourth century was the most important era for the development of Christian especially true when prayer. With the end of Christian persecutions, Christianity becomes the official religion of the empire. After being persecuted for proclaiming Christianity, now we celebrate the there was persecution of those who refused to become Christians. It was no longer necessary to hide to pray with other believers; rather the Christian community divine office. could gather openly and publicly. What occurs in the prayer of the church is evolution, not starting over or creating —Rule of St. Benedict a new form of prayer, but building on what went before in the prayer-life of the Chapter 19, 1–2 gathered Christian community. The development of the Liturgy of the Hours can be categorized by the terms, Cathedral and Monastic. These are not chronological stages following one another, but distinct types of prayer that evolved in separate areas by different communities of people. As we step back in the lives of the 4th century Christians, I want to introduce you to a woman named, Egeria.
    [Show full text]
  • Liturgy Update Archdiocese of New York Vol 8.3 - June 2021 Offce of Liturgy
    Liturgy Update Archdiocese of New York Vol 8.3 - June 2021 Office of Liturgy LITURGY UPDATE Liturgical Memos Days of Prayer and Special Observances The USCCB has issued a helpful listing of special days of prayer and other observances throughout the year. There have been frequent additions to these days in the past several years (e.g., World Day of Prayer of the Care of Creation, Sunday of the Word of God, etc.), and this list may be useful to pastors and others entrusted with liturgical planning. June 3: Solemnity of the Most Holy Body and Blood of Christ A procession of the Blessed Sacrament may take place on this day or on another appropriate day near this feast. The Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments has indicated that processions should not take place solely within the body of a church, as this practice does not fully express the character of a “procession,” which should move from one place to another. A procession with the Blessed Sacrament should instead ordinarily move from one church to another; when necessary, the procession may Forthcoming New and return to the same church from where it began. More information on the history Revised Liturgical Books and practice of Corpus Christi processions may be found in the June The USCCB’s Divine Worship Secretariat recently announced 2018 edition of the Liturgy Update. the approval and imminent publishing of a number of new liturgical books, along with several others which have been July 4: Independence Day newly translated. The Secretariat also offered updates This year, July 4 falls on the 14th concerning the ongoing work of editing and translating other Sunday in Ordinary Time.
    [Show full text]
  • Catholic Diocese Tucson
    Asesor del Vaticano dice que se acabó la época de encubrimiento JUNE/JULY 2019 VOL. XI I NO. XI diocesetucson.org — ver pagina 17 Bishop Edward J. Weisenburger places his hands upon the head of Deacon Jesus Haros-Mendez during the ordination Mass June 1 in St. Augustine Cathedral. For a story and more pictures of the Mass, see pages 10-11. Diocese announces spring assignments — See pages 6 and 18 2 CATHOLIC OUTLOOK JUNE/JULY 2019 Catholic high school 2019 graduates by the numbers Below are listed the numbers students; and the amount of if Catholic high school graduates scholarship money awarded by school; valedictorians, in the school’s graduates from salutatorian or other outstanding institutions of higher learning. The Diocese of Tucson, its parishes or ministries do not support or advocate on behalf of this tour company and are not liable for its actions. Consumers are encouraged to research all tour packages and cancellation details before making business decisions. Investing. It’s about more than money. It’s about your future. Stocks | Bonds | Mutual Funds | Annuities | CDs | IRAs | IRA Rollovers UITs | Retirement Plans | Cash Management | Financial Planning Ben Palazzo Senior Vice President/Investments Branch Manager (520) 209-7400 | (877) 879-3156 Toll-Free [email protected] 4380 N. Campbell Avenue, Suite 201 Tucson, Arizona 85718 Celebrating 32 Years! Stifel, Nicolaus & Company, Incorporated | Member SIPC & NYSE | www.stifel.com JUNE/JULY 2019 CATHOLIC OUTLOOK 3 Ribbon cut marks official opening for new Cathedral Square center By MICHAEL BROWN reception following a Mass and ribbon cutting. Kicanas, Catholic Foundation Executive Director Managing Editor Bishop Weisenburger noted that the facility Ernie Nedder, diocesan Property and Insurance Praising donors, engineers and architects, houses the parish offices of St.
    [Show full text]
  • Liturgy of the Hours
    Liturgy of the Hours Catholic Teachings by the Deacons Deacon David Ochoa May 11, 2021 1 Opening Prayer Be at peace among yourselves. We urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, cheer the fainthearted, support the weak, be patient with all. See that no one returns evil for evil; rather, always seek what is good [both] for each other and for all. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus. May the God of peace himself make you perfectly holy and may you entirely, spirit, soul, and body, be preserved blameless for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. 2 Tonight’s Agenda • Overview – What is the Liturgy of the Hours • Importance of the Liturgy of the Hours, a Reflection • History of the Liturgy of the Hours • Current Form of the Liturgy of the Hours • How to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours • Evening Prayer for Tuesday of the 6th Week of Easter 3 • Daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying What is the the day with Liturgy of the prayer Hours • Liturgy of the Hours is also known as the Divine Office, or the Work of God (Opus Dei) 4 Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium “By tradition going back to early Christian times, the divine office is devised so that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praises of God… It is the very prayer which Christ Himself, together with His body, addresses to the Father.
    [Show full text]
  • Catholic Charities Offers ‘Tele-Health’ CECILIA PADILLA of the Florida Catholic Staff
    WWW.THEFLORIDACATHOLIC.ORG | April 3-9, 2020 | Volume 81, Number 11 Celebrating Mass in the midst of COVID-19 LIVE STREAMING OPPORTUNITIES ONLINE ORLANDO DIOCESE PALM BEACH DIOCESE VENICE DIOCESE Easter Sunday Mass with Bishop Televised Catholic Mass Daily Mass with Bishop Frank Dewane Noonan on WFTV Channel 9, 12:30 p.m. diocesepb.org/2020-masses facebook.com/DioceseofVenice The following Masses are found on: Bishop’s video message regarding The weekly TV Mass from the Diocese • youtube.com/user/OrlandoDiocese • liturgical precautions during coronavirus of Venice is available starting at 3:30 • vimeo.com/orlandodiocese • vimeo.com/398603289 p.m. Saturdays online at • facebook.com/orlandodiocese • Example Links of Parishes Live Streaming www.dioceseofvenice.org/tvmass Chrism Mass: • Holy Family Parish, Port St. Lucie: Masses are also available online at: April 8; 6:30 p.m (Bilingual) facebook.com/HolyFamilyCCPSLFL vimeo.com/dioceseofvenice Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper, • Cathedral of St. Ignatius Loyola: Mass in Spanish is available on the radio April 9, 7 p.m. (Bilingual) facebook.com/CathedralPB at 99.1 FM or 1280 AM La Numero 1, and Passion of Our Lord, April 10, 3 p.m. • Ascension Parish, Boca Raton 105.3 FM La Zeta): Easter Vigil, April 11, 8 p.m. (Bilingual) facebook.com/AscensionBocaFL REFLECTING UPON THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS Florida Catholic Standing on the walking path of available digitally outside of Resurrection Parish in Lakeland, Letty and Dic Troiano each week in April meditate upon the Stations of Cross. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, our The parish hosts the outdoor stations, bishop publishers asked us to suspend the which are encased murals made of tiles print editions of the Florida Catholic during the month of April.
    [Show full text]
  • Teach My People to Pray: a Pastoral Reflection
    A Pastoral Refl ection Teach My People to Pray Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL Bishop of Green Bay A Pastoral Ref ection Teach My People to Pray Phase 1: Formation in Prayer & Holiness (2014-16) for Disciples on the Way Most Reverend David L. Ricken, DD, JCL Bishop of Green Bay August 2014 Effective on the Feast of Christ the King, 2014 through the First Sunday of Advent, 2016 1 Mission Map Disciples on the Way A Missionary Journey into the New Evangelization Phase I Phase II Phase III Formation in Formation in Formation in Prayer & Holiness Discipleship Mission 2014 - 2016 2016 - 2018 2018 - 2020 Holy Engaged Alive Come Learn Go Meet Jesus Learn from Introduce Jesus others to Jesus Know Jesus Love Jesus Serve Jesus Faith Hope Charity 2 Introduction Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, It is hard to believe that we are already in the fourth year of planning and implementing my pastoral letter, “Parishes: Called to be Holy, Fully Engaged, Fully Alive.” During these past three years, the pastoral ministry of new evangelization has been identifed as a top priority in a majority of our parishes. Additionally, we have seen the call to new evangelization emerge as a common theme to all that Pope Francis is about as he reaches out to the poor, neglected and marginal within the Church and world. He reminds us that we are called to be a Missionary Church! It is with this in mind that I extended my invitation to all in the Diocese of Green Bay to participate in a journey of six years called “Disciples on the Way” (released April 2014).
    [Show full text]
  • Carthusian Diurnal
    Carthusian Diurnal Volume I CARTHUSIAN DIURNAL Volume I Little Hours of the Canonical Office Office of the Blessed Virgin Penitential Psalms and Litany of the Saints Office of the Dead Grande Chartreuse 1985 We approve this English edition of the CARTHUSIAN DIURNAL (Volume I). La Grande Chartreuse, in the Feast of the Transfiguration 1985. Fr. Andre Prior of Chartreuse Introduction INTRODUCTION Why this Office? The Second Vatican Council expresses itself on the subject of the Office in these words: Jesus Christ, High Priest of the New and Eternal Covenant, taking human nature, introduced into this earthly exile that hymn which is sung throughout all ages in the halls of heaven. He attaches to himself the entire community of mankind and has them join him in singing his divine song of praise ... The Divine Office, in keeping with ancient Christian tradition, is so devised that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praise of God. Therefore, when this wonderful song of praise is Correctly celebrated by priests and others deputed to it by the Church, or by the faithful praying together with a priest in the approved form, then it is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father. Hence all who take part in the Divine Office are not only performing a duty for the Church, they are also sharing in what is the greatest honor for Christ's Bride; for by offering these praises to God they are standing before God's throne in the name of the Church, their Mother.
    [Show full text]
  • The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours
    The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours Contents Chapter One The Importance of the Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office in the Life of the Church 1 I The Prayer of Christ 1 The prayer of Christ to the Father 1 II The Prayer of the Church 3 The obligation to pray 3 The Church continues the prayer of Christ 3 The action of the Holy Spirit 4 The community character of prayer 4 III The Liturgy of the Hours 5 The consecration of the course of the day 5 The relationship between the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Hours 5 The exercise of Christ’s priestly office in the Liturgy of the Hours 5 The sanctification of man 5 The praise given to God, in union with the Church in heaven 6 Supplication and Intercession 7 The culmination and source of pastoral activity 7 Heart and voice are one 7 IV Those Who Celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours 8 a Celebration in Common 8 b The Mandate of Celebrating the Liturgy of the Hours 9 c The Structure of the Celebration 11 Chapter Two The Sanctification of the Day — The Various Liturgical Hours 12 I The Introduction to the Whole Office 12 II Lauds and Vespers 12 III The Office of Readings 14 IV Vigils 15 V Terce, Sext and None, or the Prayer During the Day 16 VI Compline 17 VII The Way of Joining Hours of the Office with Mass or Among Themselves 18 Chapter Three The Various Parts of The Liturgy of the Hours 20 I The Psalms and their Close Relationship with Christian Prayer 20 II The Antiphons and Other Parts which Help in Praying the Psalms 22 III The Way of Praying the Psalms 23 IV The Way the
    [Show full text]
  • Liturgy of the Hours Powerpoint
    LITURGY OF THE HOURS OFFICE OF THE SACRED CONGREGATION FOR DIVINE WORSHIP “From ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. In this way the Church fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering its praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world.” LITURGY? HOURS? • Liturgy: because it is a public prayer of the Church not a private devotion. • Hours: because it can be used at different times throughout the day to sanctify the day. ALSO KNOWN OR REFERRED TO AS… • Liturgy of the Hours (Liturgia Horarum) • Divine Office (Officium Divinum) • Work of God (Opus Dei) • Canonical hours • Breviary • Christian Prayer WHY THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS? From the Catechism of the Catholic Church: • This celebration, faithful to the apostolic exhortations to “pray constantly,” is “so devised that the whole course of the day and night is made holy by the praise of God.” • In this “public prayer of the Church,” the faithful (clergy, religious, and lay people) exercise the royal priesthood of the baptized. Celebrated in “the form approved” by the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours “is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.” WHAT’S SO SPECIAL ABOUT THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS? • The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated.
    [Show full text]
  • THE LITURGY of the HOURS Page 1 of 2 I. History of the Liturgy of the Hours
    THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS Page 1 of 2 I. History of the Liturgy of the Hours NT / 1st Century 2nd-3rd Centuries 4th Century Late 4th Century “pray always” 3rd-6th-9th hours Cathedral Tradition Urban Monastic ?Jewish Roots morning/evening Monastic Desert tradition midnight Tradition (Skete vs. Hybrid Offices Pachomius) Benedictine (8 Hours) Roots Benedictine Modern Midnight Vigils (nocturnes; later Office of Readings (divorced matins) from hour) Morning (c. 6 am) Lauds (matins): Pss 148-50 Morning Prayer (Invitatory) Prime: monastic AM prayer Prime suppressed 3rd hour (9 am) Terce Mid-morning 6th hour (12 noon) Sext Mid-day 9th hour (3 pm) None Mid-afternoon Evening (c. 6 pm) Vespers Evening Prayer Compline (bedtime) Night Prayer Cathedral Desert Monastic Urban Monastic Hybrid (Benedict) Cursus AM & PM; AM & PM 7 day hours + 1 night Occasional vigil Skete: weekly hour Pachomius: daily Psalms/Canticles Few & selected (sung Currente psalterio Whole psalter used responsorially) (whole psalter in much in order; order) selection at some hrs. Prayers --- In pauses between Silent pauses still psalms possible Readings Often none; if used = Lectio continua At every hour; night: selective longer lectio continua Hymns Used None Used Gloria in excelsis Phos hilaron Intercessions Important part (E>W) None AM & PM litanies Other components Light; incense; None Psalms sung in processions various ways (not just responsorially) Community The Church Assembly w/o Assembly of local hierarchically hierarchy: ministry community with its assembled rests on all in turn abbot, other officials, and monks – not hierarchically based on Orders. Shifts Over Time Church as whole Clerical Popular & simple Complex; Latin; no or inaccessible music Cathedral Monastic Public Private Time-bound Divorced from proper hour Christological Saints / devotional Common school of prayer Replaced by popular devotions Flexible and diverse Rigid officium THE LITURGY OF THE HOURS Page 2 of 2 II.
    [Show full text]