"Reign over us, Most Holy Mother of God, and teach us how to make the Heart of Thy Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, reign and triumph in us even as It has reigned and triumphed in Thee."
What is an "Office"?
The term "Office" refers to a station or duty. In government we
have the Office of President, Senator, etc. In the Church we have
the Office or duty to pray unceasingly. Mother Church has brought
this to fruition with the Divine
Office or Liturgy of the Hours and The Little Office
of the Blessed Virgin Mary in which the day is broken into distinct
periods in which to praise God and pray. Here follows the Offices
contained in The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary:
| Name of Office | Latin | Times | Comments |
| Morning Prayer | Matins | 0500-0800 (0600) | Primary Morning Office: Psalms of praise and the Te Deum. |
| Morning Prayer | Lauds | 0500-0800 (0600) | Second Morning Office: Psalms of praise, the Canticle of the Three Youths (Daniel 3), the Canticle of Zachary (Luke 1), and the Commemoration of the Saints |
| Morning Prayer | Prime | 0500-0800 (0600) | Third Morning Office: Hymn and psalms |
| Mid-Morning Prayer | Tierce | 0830-1000 (0900) | Minor Office of midmorning: Hymn and psalms |
| Mid-Day Prayer | Sext | 1130-1300 (Noon) | Minor Office of midday: Hymn and psalms |
| Mid-Afternoon Prayer | None | 1430-1600 (1500) | Minor Office of midafternoon: Hymn and psalms |
| Evening Prayer | Vespers | 1630-1900 (1800) | Primary evening Office: Psalms, hymn, The Magnificat (Luke 1), and Commemoration of the Saints |
| Night Prayer | Compline | 1930-2200 (2000) | Office prior to retiring: Psalms, Hymn, The Nunc Dimittis, and the Final Antiphon to Mary |
Although defined times are given for each Office, these are only listed
to serve as a guide and for perspective. The Offices can be read or recited
at whatever time is best for each individual situation.
How is The Little Office recited?
Individually
The Office may be read or recited individually, and this web page was created
with this purpose in mind. When done individually, everything
is read or said -- even portions that seem fragmentary or repetitive.
Two or More ("Chorally," "in choir")
When two or more recite the Office together, then the recitation normally
proceeds according to a pattern of alternation. They Hymns and Psalms
are said stanza by stanza and verse by verse alternately between the First
Side and the Second Side of the participants; the Antiphons
and the Responsories
are said alternating between a First Chanter and a Second Chanter, at
Matins, Lauds, and Vespers; a Reader asks the Blessing and reads the Lessons
at Matins; and leading and directing all is the Officiant. At other
portions both Chanters recite together; and again, all participants recite
together.
In the choral recitation a slight pause is made at the "*" in the midst
of each Psalm versa or Hymn stanza. The respective Chanter, after
starting (called "intoning") the Antiphon, intones the first verse of the
Psalm as far as the "*". Similarly, the First Chanter intones the
first line of each Hymn. The Officiant intones the Benedictus, the
Magnificat, and the Nunc Demitis at Lauds, Vespers, and Compline, respectively.
All participants on the respective side finish the first verse or stanza;
then all the opposite side takes up the second verse or stanza, and the
alternate recitation goes on to the end.
The Aperi Domine is said kneeling. Then all stand, at least until
the alternate recitation of the Psalms begins. All rise at least
until the alternate recitation of the Psalms begins. All rise at
least after the Psalms have been completed at each of the Hours.
All but the Reader sit at the Lessons of the Matins. All kneel for
the Final Antiphon to Mary, except from Vespers on Saturday to Compline
on Sunday and in Easter time. All kneel always at the Sacrosanctae.
All bow, if they are standing or sitting: At the initial Hail
Mary, and at the last Our Father (Hail Mary, Creed) if any; whenever the Glory be to the Father occurs; at the last stanza of the Hymns; at the
close of the Orations. Other instances of kneeling, rising, bowing,
making the small or the large sign of the cross, etc, are indicated in
the due course of the Hours.
Abbreviations used are:
F.S. and S.S. for First Side and Second Side, respectively
500 days for each Hour
For those who do not have a clear understanding on indulgences, please
see the above link to the New Advent Catholic Encyclopedia. These
are listed only because they exist. Otherwise, if you pray from the
heart, that is, for the love and praise of the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost,
then who is counting?
Please send comments and suggestions to: jdri63@sbcglobal.net
Prayer: O my Jesus, we love You. And we love and honor
your dear Mother, the Blessed Virgin Mary. Please help us to follow
your command to pray without ceasing. May the Little Office of
the Blessed Virgin Mary be a means to this divine mission, may it bring
honor to the Blessed Virgin Mary, and may we be assisted by her intercessions.
Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
F.C. and S.C. for First Chanter and Second Chanter, respectively,
and B.C. for Both Chanters, together.
R for Reader
O for Officiant or presiding leader.
10 years if one says the whole Office
Plenary Indulgence if one says the whole Office for a Month under
the usual conditions.
This web page is based upon the information found in "The Little Office
of the Blessed Virgin Mary", published by Franciscan Press, Quincy
University, 1800 College Avenue, Quincy Illinois 62301-2699 (217-228-5670
voice, 217-228-5672 fax.) Copies of the Little Office may be purchased
on-line at Catholic Treasures.
I recommend obtaining a copy (only ~$3.50 each) as it is a much more
convenient form than this page. This page is intended as a reference
and introduction to the Little Office, as well as provide a convenient
means of referencing the Hours when the booklet is unavailable (such as
when at the "office".)
