| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Liturgy of hours | Rick | Friday, May 9, 2008 |
Question: Is it considered sinful for a layperson to follow a different schedule of psalms, say in ordinary time, to obtain coverage of the entire psalter say through Morning and/or Evening prayer if they cannot recite the other hours? If not sinful, would they still be considered to have prayed "with the church?" |
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| Question Answered by
Dear Rick: This is Bro. Ignatius. Since the Divine Office is my specialty I am answering your question. The Liturgy of the Hours is a "liturgy". That means that how it is said is regulated by the Holy See. As with any liturgy, such as the liturgy of the Mass, one must follow the rules set by Church. The Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer has particular psalms designed for those hours. The purpose of the Divine Office is to sanctify the hours of the day. Thus, each Office must be said at the proper time and not at some other time. As for saying the Office itself, you need to say it as the Church designates. Now if you wish to read or pray psalms or prayers from the other hours as a personal devotion, you can. Doing this will not be participation in the Liturgy of the Hours "with the Church" rather it will be personal devotion. God Bless,
Footer Notes: (a) A Eucharistic Minister is clergy (Ordinary Ministers of Holy Communion). Laity are Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion and should never be called Eucharistic Ministers. (b) There is no such Mass called the Novus Ordo. The Current Mass is the Roman Missal of 2000, or the Oridinary Form of the Mass. The Tridentine Mass is the Roman Missal of 1962, or the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. Please refrain from using the term, Novus Ordo. Thanks. (c) The titles of Acolyte and Lector belong exclusively to the Installed Offices of Acolyte and Lector, who are men (only) appointed by the Bishop. These roles performed by others are Altar Servers and Readers, respectively. |
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