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Praying What Divine Office Daniel Wednesday, May 27, 2009

Question:

Hi,

May the peace of Our Lord be with you!

I don't know if you would answer this questions because the Q and A forum for the Divine Office is closed. But I will ask them just the same trusting in your consideration and kindness that you'll answer them. Is the Divine Office reformed by HH St. Pius X the same as that promulgated by HH Bl. John XXIII in 1962 referred by Pope Benedict XVI in his "Summorum Pontificum" at Article 9 No. 3? If yes, can we lay people use this Breviary when in the same above Motu Proprio, the only one mentioned were clerics ordained "in sacris constitutis"? I'm confused because I found in a comment in one website (http://wdtprs.com/blog/2007/07/summorum-pontificum-my-intro-comments-and-the-text/) that the USCCB stated that the Motu Proprio refers to "the 1962 Missale Romanum and all other Roman liturgical rites in force in 1962", although I couldn't find that article any longer in the USCCB website.

Why I am asking is because I am fond of reciting the Little Office of Our Lady before Vatican II and I found in Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Little_Office_of_the_Blessed_Virgin_Mary) stated that "The 1961 text, which is the one permitted by Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio Summorum Pontificum in 2007, was published for the first time in a bilingual English and Latin edition by Baronius Press later that same year", thus I'm confused if it was really permitted by the present Pope.

I was planning to buy the new Little Office but being here in the Philippines, it is unavailable and even if it becomes available, it would take considerable amount to purchase it. I was asking because, there might not be a need to.

In the same article of Wikipedia, it was stated that the new Little Office by Fr. Rotelle is "approved for private use" only, although I thought it was from the Sacred Congregation. Thus, I was thinking that I may not be participating in the official public (liturgical) prayer of the Church.

Please be considerate. Thanks and God bless.



Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear Daniel:

You can find a copy of Summorum Pontificum on the EWTN website.

Of course, to pray the Divine Office "with the Church" one must use an approved edition. You may use the Divine Office form that was in effect in 1962 and pray that office "with the Church"; it is approved for use.

The Vatican II edition of the Little Office edited by Fr. Rotelle is approved by the Sacred Congregation.

You can find a link to buy the 1961 edition of the Little Office at the bottom of our page listing approved editions of the Divine Office if you do not have access to it locally.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary


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