How to pray the Little Office of the BVM?

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I got enrolled in the Brown Scapular yesterday šŸ˜ƒ but Iā€™m not sure how to pray the Little Office. Iā€™m going to buy it in book form, but until then I have to use online resources (liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice.htm, and liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice1.htm). Is it as simple as saying the prayers for each day plus the daily prayers? Other than the morning and evening prayers does it matter when theyā€™re said? Can I say the words silently, out loud, or must it be chanted/sung, and if so how do I learn to do that? If I get permission from a priest to substitute the Rosary, can I choose which to do on any day given my schedule etc?

Does it matter which version we use? After doing some research I think I want the one from Baronius Press. Iā€™ve read that the 2008 edition has many typos, what are the other editions and where are they available?

One other thingā€¦ Iā€™m a SAHM of 4 children ages 0-6. There will be days when I will NOT be able to take care of the kids, take care of the house, play with the kids, spend time with my husband, say my other prayers, get some sleep, AND pray the entire Office. Duty before devotion, right? As long as I try my best am I fulfilling the obligations of wearing the Scapular?
 
peccator81 said:
I got enrolled in the Brown Scapular yesterday šŸ˜ƒ but Iā€™m not sure how to pray the Little Office. Iā€™m going to buy it in book form, but until then I have to use online resources (liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice.htm, and liturgies.net/Liturgies/Catholic/LittleOffice1.htm). Is it as simple as saying the prayers for each day plus the daily prayers? Other than the morning and evening prayers does it matter when theyā€™re said? Can I say the words silently, out loud, or must it be chanted/sung, and if so how do I learn to do that? If I get permission from a priest to substitute the Rosary, can I choose which to do on any day given my schedule etc?

Does it matter which version we use? After doing some research I think I want the one from Baronius Press. Iā€™ve read that the 2008 edition has many typos, what are the other editions and where are they available?

One other thingā€¦ Iā€™m a SAHM of 4 children ages 0-6. There will be days when I will NOT be able to take care of the kids, take care of the house, play with the kids, spend time with my husband, say my other prayers, get some sleep, AND pray the entire Office. Duty before devotion, right? As long as I try my best am I fulfilling the obligations of wearing the Scapular?
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The Baronius Press version is the pre-1962 version of the office. It has extremely archaic language and different ā€œnocturnsā€ depending on the day of the week and changes for Advent and Easter. I used it for six months and experienced much frustration.

You might want to try the newer one from Catholic Book Publishing. It is seven day cycle that repeats. It is very easy and natural language, a nice way to get started without having to deal with ā€œplenteous propitiationā€ and such phrases.

catholicbookpublishing.com/products/111

-Tim-
 
I have read the 2008 edition by Baronius Press has many errors, not typos.

You know, with a priestā€™s permission, you can pray the Rosary instead of the Little Office?
 
TimothyH said:
The Baronius Press version is the pre-1962 version of the office. It has extremely archaic language and different ā€œnocturnsā€ depending on the day of the week and changes for Advent and Easter. I used it for six months and experienced much frustration.

You might want to try the newer one from Catholic Book Publishing. It is seven day cycle that repeats. It is very easy and natural language, a nice way to get started without having to deal with ā€œplenteous propitiationā€ and such phrases.

catholicbookpublishing.com/products/111

-Tim-
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The language is not very archaic at all with the Baronius Press edition. Iā€™ve never experienced any problem with it.
 
brigid12 said:
The language is not very archaic at all with the Baronius Press edition. Iā€™ve never experienced any problem with it.
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Perhaps it is semantics but I find words like thither, plenteous, spake and vouchsafe to be archaic. The sentence structure is certainly different from modern prose.

***Behold, Mary hath borne us the Saviour, whom John beholding, exclaimed; Behold the Lamb of God etc. ***

After six months of using it for morning and evening prayer I was spending more energy grappling with the phraseology and vocabulary then I was praying. That is my experience. Iā€™m glad you like it and Iā€™m happy it works for you. It is a beautifully bound book.

Anyone who wants my copy can have it for $10 + shipping. Send a PM. It is in perfect condition. baroniuspress.com/book.php?wid=56&bid=47#tab=tab-1

-Tim-
 
I actually like the traditional language, and I like the idea of having the Latin too. Seems that the errors in Baronius were corrected in the 3rd ed. Thanks to all for your help!
 
This thread is a good read! Iā€™m wondering how much of the Little Office must be said for the Sabbatine Privilege?

Thanks,
Hatter
 
I dislike the Baronius version, caught them in an outright mistranslation of the Latin ā€“ I have a copy of the J. M. Lelen 1946 version, which also has the Office for the Dead and Penitential Psalms. This is the one Iā€™m using.

I did try the CBP version, but it doesnā€™t give you the seven hours, just Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer. Probably good for someone with very little time, it just didnā€™t work for me.

The reasons I like the Lelen edition are: No flipping around, the seasonal variations are listed in order under each Hour, and the dainty size (approximately 3" x 5"). It is easy to use compared to the Baronius.
 
I have tried several versions of the ā€œlittle Officeā€ but my favorite is the 1904 version published by St. Bonaventure Press. (Latin/English)

As to archaic language; I didnā€™t find that a problem at all. Of course, I use the Douay Rheims Bible and have for years, so I am use to the old English. I find it flows beautifully.
 
asia53 said:
I have read the 2008 edition by Baronius Press has many errors, not typos.

You know, with a priestā€™s permission, you can pray the Rosary instead of the Little Office?
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I have the Summorum Pontificum Latin/English edition by Boronius Press. Only the Latin is approved for liturgical use and is error-free. It also contains instructions for how to pray it as well as the Gregorian Chant in order to sing it.

My priest automatically commuted the requirement to the Rosary when he was enroling me. I didnā€™t have to ask.
 
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