| Question Title | Posted By | Question Date |
|---|---|---|
| Vigils and Office of Readings time... | Lee | Friday, February 11, 2005 |
Question: Re: the whole issue of when to pray the Office of Readings... The reason for the question of what happens if you anticipate the Office is because the ancient tradition for this hour is to anticipate it. Historically, it was prayed at 9 pm, 12 Mid, and 3 am as a Vigil. This is why extended Vigils are permitted on Sundays, solemnities, and feasts. The only "change" in the modern Office is that you have to wait until evening (the old rule allowed anytime after 2 pm the preceding day). It is true that the Office of Readings can either be anticipated or celebrated at any hour of the day. But in the case of Sundays and solemnities, the liturgical day usually begins with First Vespers (exceptions are days when Saturday Vespers are Second Vespers of whatever feast/solemnity occurs on Sat.). One wouldn't celebrate Sunday I Vespers on Saturday night and then pray Matins for the Saturday; this is why there's an extended Vigil for Sunday. Of course, one can avoid the whole issue and pray Matins daily very early in the morning. |
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| Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM
Dear Lee: The current rule for vigils I believe is anytime after 4:00-4:30pm and in any event must be after the Vigil Mass of the following day's solemnity. Although the Sunday/Solemnity of begins with First Vespers (Sunday Evening Prayer I) said on Saturday evening, for purposes of the Divine Office, the liturgical day does not begin until the morning of the actual day from what I understand. The Invitatory is to be said at the beginning of each liturgical day and the Invitatory is never said before Vespers. I can find nothing in the GILH or the Ordinary that suggests that Saturday Office of Readings cannot be said after Vespers (which is Sunday Evening Prayer I) and before Compline on Saturday night . As the Office of Readings can be said at any time of day, and the liturgical day always begins in the morning, whereas Vespers is an Evening prayer, even though the Sunday/Solemnity may begin at the time of Vespers, offering the Saturday Office of Readings after Vespers and before Compline on Saturday night does not seem to be a problem that I can find. God Bless,
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