E
Evania
Guest
Can anyone give me directions on how to do this? If not, will you kindly point me to a website or a book that explains how to pray in this way? Thank you!
- Status
M
Magdalen2013
Guest
First, you need a copy of “Christian Prayer.” I’d advise getting the one-volume version to start. I’d get the Daughter’s of St. Paul edition – there’s a used one available for $35 on Amazon:
amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B001Z6LXW2/ref=sr_1_12_twi_pap_2_twi_har_2_olp?ie=UTF8&qid=1441304403&sr=8-12&keywords=divine+office+liturgy+of+the+hours
The best instruction book is The Everyday Catholic’s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours:
amazon.com/Everyday-Catholics-Guide-Liturgy-Hours/dp/1616365285/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1441304403&sr=8-1&keywords=divine+office+liturgy+of+the+hours&pebp=1441304402402&perid=0EX3QRASMCZJGRG3AQ96
There’s also a very helpful website: www.divineoffice.org
W
Windmill
Guest
Id echo the advice above, but instead of the Daughters of St. Paul I’d get the Christian Prayer book by Catholic Book Publishing Company. The reason is the CBPC version is the one that 99% of the Catholics praying the LOTH will have. If you end up praying with other people or asking them for help, it will just make it easier for them to assist you.
M
Magdalen2013
Guest
Windmill the Daughters of St. Paul version is the SAME as CBC, but it has ALL the Psalms for Daytime Prayer, while the one volume from CBC has only a selection. It is also EASIER to follow than the CBC version, as it requires less flipping between sections. I know, I have both.
H
hazcompat
Guest
W
Windmill
Guest
I know, I’ve seen the DSP version. It is definitely superior in layout and the fact that it has all the daytime psalms instead of the one-week mix of daytime psalms and useless appendices in the CBPC version. My reason for recommending the CBPC version to someone who is new is that it would be easier to get help from others praying CP. They’d be able to tell the new person exactly what page to be on. If they had the DSP version it might be a little more complicated for them.
O
otjm
Guest
It seems, every time this topic comes up, that those who have a goodly degree of experience in saying the LOTH suggest as if you (somehow) had experience equal to theirs.
Many years ago, I was in college in a seminary, and what we used then was Shorter Christian Prayer. It was very adequate, and it covers Lauds (Morning Prayer), Vespers (Evening Prayer), and Compline (night Prayer). It is less complete, and also less complicated, than Christian Prayer. And it is an excellent place to start if you have never said the LOTH.
And if one does not wish to make an investment in a book at this point, one can also go online for the daily readings.
Enthusiasm is wonderful but one can easily be lost. I happen to have the Shorter Christian Prayer, which I never got rid of, and the 4 volume set, which I use, but most often not to its fullest. I had the 1 volume and gave it to someone else who was ready to step up to that level, only because I was gifted the 4 volume set and didn’t need both.
We all need to learn to crawl before we walk; and to walk before we run. Some people either have others from whom they can learn, have the privilege of saying the LOTH in community, or are fast learners.
Others can struggle with the whole issue; and it is too easy, if one feels “in over their head” to go to some other prayer format rather than “gut it out”.
Also, depending on your status in life, you may have more or less time than others to pray parts or all of the LOTH. Some people have a very disciplined prayer life, and others do not, and that too can weigh in on the choice.
I happen to have the 4 volume set because someone else, who got “in over their head” gifted it to me, and until I retire, I am simply not able to make full use of it. Nor did I find that I made full use of Christian Prayer (the 1 volume). I am not any less enthusiastic about LOTH, but the reality of my status right now is that Shorter Christian Prayer would still be plenty adequate.
M
Magdalen2013
Guest
The main reason I dislike Shorter Christian Prayer, is that it is VERY limited when you reach Advent and Lent – the same week repeated over and over again for four or more weeks,
Most of the folks can also go to their parish priest for help with reciting the Office. Mine was very helpful when I went to him with questions. There’s also the “Coffee and Canticles” blog, which has a “Breviary Boot-Camp.”
Most of the folks can also go to their parish priest for help with reciting the Office. Mine was very helpful when I went to him with questions. There’s also the “Coffee and Canticles” blog, which has a “Breviary Boot-Camp.”
P
Phemie
Guest
I don’t have a paper version because I’ve yet to be in a place where I can purchase one, I use the divineoffice.org app on my iPad.
If you want to understand more about the LOH you can read chapter 2 of this document from the Church:
ewtn.com/library/curia/cdwgilh.htm
M
Magdalen2013
Guest
Phemie – you don’t have to have a physical bookstore. I got my first one-volume CP from Amazon. My Daughters of St. Paul CP came from Ebay.
P
Phemie
Guest
I know I can order online, but I want to see what I’m getting before I make my purchase.
O
otjm
Guest
So is it better to start out simply, get your “feet wet” and work up to more involvement, or is it better to be given something complex, of which you know somewhere between a little and not much at all, be overwhelmed, put it down and do something else?
There are still many people using Shorter Christian Prayer, who find that it allows them to recite what many consider the “main” parts of a day, and that is what they need.
I am aware of the Lent issue; but really, repeating the same set over and over could be applied to other prayer forms also. While it may not be as rich as a full compliment of Lenten psalms, canticles and readings, there is value to be had by contemplating those readings; and the same critique could be made of Compline.
I will say it again: it is wonderful to have enthusiasm for the LOTH; but when suggesting to someone who has had no or extremely little exposure to it, a simple start which does not overwhelm may be much better than a more complex start.
I am well aware of “helps” which are out there. I also started simply, did that for a number of years, and gradually moved up to a more complex set of hours. In the seminary we simply did not need, nor use anything more than the Shorter version. And for someone with a busy life, and/or someone who may not have the discipline for more prayer, Shorter is going to be a major blessing. If they later choose to move up, hoorah. And if they choose to only be limited to what Shorter offers hoorah again, because they are doing what they can.
It is too easy for the alternative - to be in over their head, feel guilty that they “can’t do more”, and walk away. Or just put the book down where it collects lint.
D
drforjc
Guest
I agree. Everything in SCP is in CP plus so much more… not just Advent and Lent, but the entire Sanctoral cycle… the memorials and feasts of the saints.
The difference is price to me is not worth buying something you’ll outgrow quickly.
Plus, there is a St. Joseph Guide to Christian Prayer, but not to SCP.
I always recommend CP over SCP.
O
otjm
Guest
Okay, so why do you presume that someone else, who has no experience in saying LOTH, is going to “outgrow it quickly”? Just because you felt that way?
There are plenty of people who are completely satisfied with Lauds and Vespers, are not able to say the LOTH every day, and likely will not move beyond that point. My experience with the LOTH goes back 51 years, and Shorter Christian Prayer about as long; if it was such a poor choice, one would presume that it would no longer be sold. I am happy for you that you make fairly full use of the one volume set (I make use of the 4 volume set, but it is not consistent, and if it had not been gifted to me, I wouldn’t’ be using it now), but that is not an indicator that others will be as able or as committed as you are.
although economics is not always the deciding factor, being able to spend $12 to $15 rather than $30 to $35 may make a difference to someone who is not entirely sure they will be able to make constant use of it.
In addition, a more complex book makes for more difficulty; and again, for someone who may have no experience of it at all, that can be more than a little off-putting. Hoorah for those for whom it is not; but we again get back to a complete neophyte; do we really need to recommend that they jump into the 12 foot section of the pool to learn to swim?
D
drforjc
Guest
OTJM,
You’re making it sound like SCP is WAY easier to use than CP.
It’s not.
It’s maybe a LITTLE easier, but not nearly so much as you’re making it out to be.
Plus, as I mentioned, CP has the advantage of a St. Joseph guide that provides page numbers.
The advantages I mentioned, as well as the fact that the price difference, considering what most people pay, for example, just to go out to dinner at a restaurant, is not that terribly much, make CP, IMO, a much better value.
E
Evania
Guest
Thank you everyone for responding to my question! I appreciate your help.
O
otjm
Guest
You are welcome! I hope that you would find the LOTH as fulfilling as those of us who pray it now.Thank you everyone for responding to my question! I appreciate your help.
- Status