Liturgy of the Hours Recommendation?

[2PT3]

I am looking for a good book that explains the history and the “why” behind the structure of the Liturgy of the Hours. I have read the General Instruction, which contains some good insights but not a lot of depth. All I can find on Amazon are general “How to Pray the Divine Office” type books, which is not what I need. Surely there has been much written on this subject but I am having a hard time finding it.

Any recommendations?

Peace.

 

[OraLabora]

I am looking for a good book that explains the history and the “why” behind the structure of the Liturgy of the Hours. I have read the General Instruction, which contains some good insights but not a lot of depth. All I can find on Amazon are general “How to Pray the Divine Office” type books, which is not what I need. Surely there has been much written on this subject but I am having a hard time finding it.

Any recommendations?

Peace.

“From Breviary to Liturgy of the Hours: The Structural Reform of the Roman Office 1964-1971” by Stanislaus Campbell.

It’s a history of the development of the Liturgy of the Hours that should answer all your questions. I don’t necessarily agree with the author’s conclusions as I am a big supporter of the LOTH, but as a historical record it is an excellent, if somewhat dry, read. It will reach back into the Monastic and Roman traditions for a summary of what was done before.

You’ll learn for instance, that one of the more controversial aspects, the elimination of the imprecatory psalms and psalm verses, was at the insistence of Paul VI himself even in the face of a recommendation to maintain the entire psalter intact.

For the rest, I won’t spoil the read for you

 

[2PT3]

“From Breviary to Liturgy of the Hours: The Structural Reform of the Roman Office 1964-1971” by Stanislaus Campbell.

It’s a history of the development of the Liturgy of the Hours that should answer all your questions. I don’t necessarily agree with the author’s conclusions as I am a big supporter of the LOTH, but as a historical record it is an excellent, if somewhat dry, read. It will reach back into the Monastic and Roman traditions for a summary of what was done before.

You’ll learn for instance, that one of the more controversial aspects, the elimination of the imprecatory psalms and psalm verses, was at the insistence of Paul VI himself even in the face of a recommendation to maintain the entire psalter intact.

For the rest, I won’t spoil the read for you

Thank you.

 

[Usige]

Ditto on the thanks, OraLabora. I had never really thought about changes in the psalter until it was brought up here. I love reading the history behind how and why liturgical changes happen.

 

[OraLabora]

You’re both very welcome. I gave a lecture to oblates last year on the development of the LOTH (not in as much detail as the book) and in particular the parallels and influences of the Monastic Office on the LOTH (there are a lot more than what appears on the surface). This was in support of our oblate director’s very strong recommendation that oblates use the LOTH instead of the monastic office, mostly because books for the monastic schema the abbey uses are now out of print and very hard to find.

The above book was a very valuable research tool for that talk. I’ve done similar lectures for the Gregorian Institute of Canada.