Liturgy of the Hours question (advice)

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Well, as Benedictine oblates it is for us to pick. Our oblate statutes state that we are to pray the Liturgy of the Hours as our condition in life permits. Some abbeys tend to be specific, ours isn’t but “suggests” Lauds, Vespers and Compline and even produces a condensed breviary for oblates to use, using the same psalm schema as the monks. The suggestion thus appears clear, to me at least. I consider myself blessed that I can pray all of the Monastic Liturgy of the Hours as our abbey prays with one small exception, I spread Vigils over two weeks as allowed by the GILH of the Monastic breviary I use.

Now, the GILH (Monastic version) in our “official” monastic breviary states that those engaged in external apostolates, and those traveling, can licitly use the 4-week LOTH. Secular oblates by their nature are engaged in a sort of “external apostolate” in that we are to live the spirit of the Rule in secular life (btw we have a couple of priests who are also oblates, and the Holy Father is rumoured to be an oblate himself).

It took me a lot of experimentation to find my own balance. At the lighter end, the 4-week LOTH, and at the heavier end, the original Benedictine schema which is still licit. I finally settled on what my community does with the exception noted above, and if I am on an extended trip, I will revert to the 4-week LOTH because it’s all self-contained in one book, and easier. If my life circumstances should change, I will reconsider my options.

My guess is that his spiritual director will not pick for him. He will most likely offer suggestions for him to try, but will leave the choice to the oblate. My suggestions it to not sweat it or obsess over it, and experiment. Anybody who regularly attends liturgy at a Benedictine abbey, and pays attention, will notice over time that the monks experiment with their liturgy (although some changes are subtle and you have to be aware). I’ve been an oblate for nearly 9 years (10 if you include my formation year) and it wasn’t really until this year that I figure I’ve found a nice balance.

It appears that there is some disagreement between us on what a spiritual director does.

As I stated, my advice is to take this your spiritual direction and to look to him/her for just that, direction.

Even if he/she will not give tell you which one to do, their advice, as your spiritual director, will be way more valuable than users at an anonymous internet forum.

 

[Luigi_Daniele]

I have chosen to pray with my monks

I will post a sample couple of days of the ordo when it arrives to give you all the flavor of it.

@Byz

Appreciate your reply very much.

Don’t think speaking with an SD would help much (in this case). Either version of Lauds and Vespers are allowed, yes. My biiggest stumbling block was the fear that praying the monastery schema would not be official, ie, that it would be “only” a private devotion , but as Matthew, tlw and OraLabora explained, the schema used by my monks is “official”. In light of this information, I have absolutely no stumbling block to praying along with my monks

Thanks all Watch this space for the sample ordo, if you are interested