Are the Office of readings required?

[Emojiguy2004]

I am doing the Christian prayer liturgy of the hours my question is is the office of readings required when you do the morning and the evening prayer like what I’m saying is do I have to do it if I’m doing the others?

 

[phil19034]

I am doing the Christian prayer liturgy of the hours my question is is the office of readings required when you do the morning and the evening prayer like what I’m saying is do I have to do it if I’m doing the others?

No. Assuming you are referring this book by Catholic Publishing (pic below), the Office of Readings is not even complete in it. Christian Prayer only has the complete psalter for the Office of Readings with just a sampling of the actual readings themselves. So it is very incomplete.

The volume below only has the complete office for Morning Prayer (Lauds), Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Night Prayer (Compline).

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Now, if you have one of the Daughters of St. Paul (aka Pauline) versions of Christian Prayer then it also has the complete Daytime Prayers too.

• Link to 1st Pauline version: https://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-lis...d_used_olp_sr?ie=UTF8&condition=used&qid=&sr=
• Link to 2nd Pauline version: https://www.amazon.com/dp/9715903576/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_dp_U_x_nV7fEbZRYF90E

But no version of Christian Prayer has the complete Office of Readings. In order to have the complete Office of Readings, you need one of the following:

• The four volume Liturgy of the Hours (3 volume if you use the British version)
• an online LOTH app / website
• a copy of the out of print “Office of Readings” by the Daughters of St. Paul (aka Pauline) http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B0091VORYE/ref=cm_sw_r_tw_ol_yS7fEbERWDZ9C

 

[OraLabora]

If you are not bound to the Liturgy of the Hours (e.g. you are not religious or clergy) then you do not have to pray the Office of Readings.

I do however, the readings are very rich and worth the time.

 

[CilladeRoma]

the readings are very rich and worth the time.

I agree 100%
I love the Office of Readings, it is actually my favorite hour.
I have the 4 volume set, the readings are a great way to introduce yourself to a wonderful cross-section of Church Fathers.

 

[OurLadyofSorrows]

Being Laity we can pray the LOTH by particular hours, all hours, one hour, or by praying the Office of Readings. I really enjoy the Office of Readings and often choose them over the hour.

 

[TomH1]

Unless you are bound to recite the Office, and if you are you will know, you do not have to recite any office. Of course, saying the Office is commendable but you can choose which ones to pray if you have no obligation. Therefore, making the choice to pray Morning and Evening Prayer doesn’t compel you to say any other office.

 

[OraLabora]

I love the Office of Readings, it is actually my favorite hour.

Me too. I pray it as Vigils at 5:30 am. The monks say that Vigils is the Hour they consider the most important as they are on a prayer night watch for the world; and the readings also are very nourishing for them, and anybody else lucky enough to have discovered them!