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Antiphons in Daytime Prayer Grant Sunday, August 29, 2010

Question:

In my copy of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary (the 1988 version edited by John Rotelle, 0.S.A.) antiphons are listed before each Psalm just as they are in the other hours. For instance, Ant. 1 for Psalm 119:33-40 on p. 160 reads "Lead me, Lord, in the path of your commandments." There is also an Ant. 2 and so on for each successive psalm. These seem to be just as those given in Morning and Evening Prayer in the rest of the text, and I have presumed they are used in the same way.

However, there are three other antiphons, also on p. 160 and just before the Psalmody section, listed without numeration under headings for each hour, i.e. Midmorning, Midday, and Midafternoon. For example, under Midmorning is given "Ant. All of them, united in heart, continued in prayer, with Mary the mother of Jesus." I am somewhat confused as to how these are meant to be used. Are they given as an alternative to the antiphons coming before each psalm in case a person uses Daytime Prayer several times in one day? Or are they meant to be included with the other antiphons somehow?

Thank you very much for your help.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Grant:

I believe what you are seeing in the text on page 160 is similar to that found in the One-volume Divine Office. Since most people cannot do all three Daytime Prayers due to work, for example, the Liturgy provides a main antiphon (the one just above the Psalm) to use if only one of the Day Prayers are recited.  If you do pray more than one Daytime prayer then use the appropriate one under the Midmorning, Midday, and Midafternoon sections.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary