Combining the Liturgy of the Hours? Sin?

[Tonaw]

As we know it is a sin (I believe mortal) if a religious or priest were to purposefully and willingly neglect praying one of the hours of the Divine Office. There may also be some illicit forms of praying it (I suppose if they changed the hymn or psalms without provision? or perhaps skipped a part.) I think my main question falls into the latter. If a religious superior of an order had decided to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in a certain way that was illicit, would have to be obedient even though that was the case? Let me clarify, what I mean is if a superior made this the practice would you be sinning by taking part in illicit LOTH practices? If you are obedient does that clear you of guilt?

But my main question is this, If a religious superior decided to combine two hours (excluding the Office of Readings) would that be licit? Let’s say the decided to combine Terce and sext (mid-morning and mid day prayer) or sext and non (Mid day and Mid afternoon)? a step beyond that, what If they decided to combine all 3 daytime prayers? My question is, would the superior or those under him be culpable of sin for following this practice?

What I mean here is that I know the Office of Readings can be combined with any hour but I’m talking about other hours being combined. Let’s say you woke up at 9 (terce) could you combine the Office of Readings, Lauds (morning) and Terce (mid-morning)? after all the time limit to have morning prayer done by is 11am.

I’ve heard it said we should respect the hour in which it is typically said. But if by not respecting it fully are we guilty of sin?

 

[Convert_in_99]

Priests and religious are bound to obey the rules of their community or Bishop on these matters. Many times they do combine two or several hours, especially active communities and parish priest. Not all priests and religious are bound to recite all the hours, again it’s written in their community rule or orders given by the bishop.

Laity have no obligation whatsoever, unless they be in a third order religious community. You can say how many or few (or none) of the hours. And you can say them in full or in part if you are short on time.

 

[OraLabora]

The rubrics of the monastic LOTH are different and allow the combining of two minor hours together, as well as omitting Compline and integrating its psalms into anticipated Vigils.

 

[Della]

There is no sin involved in how one prays. Combining hours is fine for lay people. Religious follow their superior’s direction. As has been mentioned lay people are not obligated to pray the Divine Office at all, but it’s a good practice. Any way that is easiest for you to pray it is just fine.