Divine Office said in unusual locations

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tstadheim

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Hi, are there any rules on locations where the Divine Office can be said? I sometimes say one of the hours while on a plane or waiting at the gate.
Also, if you have no crucifix handy, should you still bow at the appropriate times?
 
I once prayed Vespers with a priest friend on the bench of a square, just next to a group of really high junkies.

He didn’t mind, and neither did I. After all, it’s a way of bringing Christ into unexpected places.
 
I have said the office on an airplane, in my car, in a store, in a hospital waiting room, in the bathroom, in my office, in the confessional, walking down the street, lying in bed, eating a meal while traveling, and many, many, many other places.

So no, no rules on where you may pray it.

-Fr ACEGC
 
Is the Divine Office the same thing as the Liturgy of Hours? And as far as saying it at the right times, 3am, 6am, 9am and so forth, must they be said at that exact time or within the hour?
 
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A rhetorical question: Would it be better to not say the Divine Office in unusual locations?
You can bow spiritually or physically - whichever is prudent. The Lord knows your heart.
Same with the Rosary - same with any prayer.
 
The actual form of the office is a little different (an Ordinariate version) but I used to say morning or evening prayer on trains. I never considered this a problem. As for bowing, probably just a slight inclination of the head in this case. Also sometimes while walking (from memory).
 
Scripture does say to “pray always”. It doesn’t say “except when answering the call of nature”.

I know when I have felt terribly sick sometimes in there I’ve been praying up a storm.
 
tstadheim said:
Also, if you have no crucifix handy, should you still bow at the appropriate times?
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The gestures (bowing, standing…) are not required in private recitation. I do in my small oratory unless I’m really tired, but officially the requirements for bowing etc. are only in public or community-celebration of the DO.
Hawkeye916 said:
Is the Divine Office the same thing as the Liturgy of Hours? And as far as saying it at the right times, 3am, 6am, 9am and so forth, must they be said at that exact time or within the hour?
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Yes the current Divine Office of the secular Church is the Liturgy of the Hours. Monastics have their own versions.

The verity of the hour needs to be respected, but it does not have to be at a fixed time (and the Office of Readings can be said at any time), So Morning Prayer (Lauds) should be said in the morning and evening prayer in the evening, and the prayers should be in their proper sequence. I’ve been to monasteries that celebrate Lauds at 6 am and at 7:30 am, and Vespers from 4 pm to 7 pm. You have considerable latitude to set it up according to your own schedule. It doesn’t even have to be the same time each day. Religious orders and congregations that are bound to choral recitation of the Office of course have to have a much more rigid schedule,
 
tstadheim said:
Hi, are there any rules on locations where the Divine Office can be said? I sometimes say one of the hours while on a plane or waiting at the gate.
Also, if you have no crucifix handy, should you still bow at the appropriate times?
Click to expand...
You can pray it anywhere. Even in the bathroom, if necessary.

Regarding the bow of the head, yes, you should still do it even when there is no crucifix.

God Bless
 
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OraLabora said:
Yes the current Divine Office of the secular Church is the Liturgy of the Hours.
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Just as a point of clarification, the English version used in North America (and other various English speaking parts of the world) is called “The Liturgy of the Hours”

While the English version used in the UK, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and other various English speaking parts of the world is called “The Divine Office”

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Yes good point thanks for bringing it up.

In the Francophone world I’m more familiar with, it’s “Liturgie des Heures”.
 
I personally consider 9 pm my cut off for vespers. I’ve been known to start at 8:59 PM on days where I didn’t or couldn’t get to it earlier! I know thats pushing it… but as I’m always up until at least midnight anyway, anytime prior to 9 is definitely “evening” and not “night” for me.
 
I’m a morning person and usually I’m in bed by 8:30 pm! I read a little, then lights off between 9 and 9:30. So Vespers at 9 would be way weird for me! I’m up at 5:15 am and start Vigils at 5:30.

That said, the LOTH/DO allows considerable flexibility to accommodate early birds and night owls.
 
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