Anyone Exclusively Pray the Divine Office?

[Go_Irish]

I was wondering how many of you pray only the Divine Office. If so, why?

And, for those of you that do- how do you work in Devotion to the Blessed Virgin?

It seems to me- after examining the Pre-Vatican II Breviary (which was available in my college library), Devotion to the Holy Mother of God was “built in” through the various preparatory prayers (and of course the Marian Antiphons- which we still have today after Compline).

In the past, I have included the Pre-Vatican II preparatory prayers- which has, in a sense, rounded out my prayer life with the Office. Does anyone else do this?

Jason

 

[David_Frye]

Since I attended a retreat at a Benedictine Monastery, I have begun to pray the Divine Office. What works for me is to pray either the Office of Readings or Morning Prayer the very first thing when I awaken. Probably about half of the days I pray either Evening Prayer or Compline, depending upon the time in the evening. Having grown up as a Lutheran, I was not familiar with Marian Devotion, but have grown to appreciate this spiritual discipline. I follow the breviary when I pray Compline. Last month my wife and I vacationed in Italy and I had a chance to visit the Vatican and to purchasd a rosary there. I have prayed the rosary once or twice alone and have found it moving.

As an aside, from a Lutheran perspective, I find no theological issues with any of these practices. I would ask an individual I know to pray for me, so why would I not ask a saint to intercede on my or anyone else’s behalf?

David

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I can’t imagine why anyone would pray the Divine Office to the exclusion of all other types of prayer. The Rosary, meditation, lectio divina, any form of mental prayer are all very important and should not be overlooked.

Of course, if you use the Divine Office as a starting point for meditation on the Scripture contained therein, for intercessory prayer with the saint of the day, for the beginning of an intimate dialogue with God on something in the Divine Office that touches your heart, etc., that would be much better.

 

[Go_Irish]

PhilotheaZ-

I agree with your points…

When I was just a student and stay home dad I had more time for various devotions. My plan of life included the Office, the Rosary, some mental prayer, etc.

However, since I have graduated and begun my career as a nurse- I find it difficult to manage all those beautiful methods of prayer- so I have to make hard choices.

Mental prayer (to be a contemplative in the middle of the street)- as taught and encouraged by St. Josemaria Escriva is the actual foundation of my prayer life.

Additionally, I have found that in order to pray well and not merely rattle off words (for me this has been a problem in the past) I must simplify as much as possible (St. Josemaria also taught that prayer ought not be the piling of one devotion on top of another- another problem for me).

The Office, for me, keeps me praying with the Church and keeps me in tune with her rhythms (which would ideally be fulfilled in the daily Mass- but I am unable to attend because of my schedule). However, I am still trying to work out the best way to properly honor Our Lady without the Rosary.

Thanks again for your (name removed by moderator)ut and pray for me and for all who are striving for holiness!

Jason

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Just to note, the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) is the official prayer of the Church.

The other items that are being spoken of here are private devotions.

Not everyone is drawn to the same private devotions, some are not drawn to any of them at times in their lives. I would even go so far as to say that some may not be drawn to any at all.

That does not make them any less faithful as a Catholic as no private devotions are required.

 

[RyanML]

However, I am still trying to work out the best way to properly honor Our Lady without the Rosary.

The daily Rosary is a wonderful way to be devoted to the Blessed Mother, but of course it’s not the only way to show your love for her. You can always honor her with the Office on Saturdays with the Saturday memorial, or you can wear the Scapular or the Miraculous Medal. There’s also the Angelus and the Memorare and the Three Hail Mary’s for purity and all sorts of shorter but beautiful devotions. God bless!

 

[puzzleannie]

I was wondering how many of you pray only the Divine Office. If so, why?

And, for those of you that do- how do you work in Devotion to the Blessed Virgin?

no not exclusively but it is the one thing I am faithful to every day. the Magnificat is integral to evening prayer, and night prayer closes with a Marian prayer, your choice of several, so if I have not yet had a chance to say my rosary I finish it then. Most Saturdays in OT will be optional Marian prayers.

the other thing I am fairly faithful to is Lectio Divina, not every day but most days, and over the course of the year the gospel focus of the mysteries of the rosary will of course be included. The rosary is only one of several good ways to medidate upon them

 

[BarbaraTherese]

I was wondering how many of you pray only the Divine Office. If so, why?

And, for those of you that do- how do you work in Devotion to the Blessed Virgin?

It seems to me- after examining the Pre-Vatican II Breviary (which was available in my college library), Devotion to the Holy Mother of God was “built in” through the various preparatory prayers (and of course the Marian Antiphons- which we still have today after Compline).

In the past, I have included the Pre-Vatican II preparatory prayers- which has, in a sense, rounded out my prayer life with the Office. Does anyone else do this?

Jason

Night Prayer traditionally ends with a Hymn to Our Lady. I also begin it with a Hymn to Our Lady although living alone I recite these hymns as prayers. No reason why one cannot include a prayer to Mary as part of one’s prayer immediately on waking (I pray The Morning Offering). Usually too The Angelus are traditionally attached to Midday Prayer and also Vespers.

Saturdays every week are traditionally days dedicated to Our Lady and I usually pray the Memorial Office of Our Lady for a Saturday - also The Rosary. One can include other Prayers to Mary if they wish - the Litany of Our Lady for example - whatever one wishes. Another good practise for a Saturday is to read some devotional work on Our Lady.

Barb