LOTH - Beginner Question 1

[LuckyJack]

I am a Liturgy of the Hours (4 volume set) beginner and would appreciate guidance.

For today (Feb 26), Morning Prayer, I come to the instructions for the Hymn (p. 1050) in the Ordinary, which read: “For the Sunday and weekday offices…the hymn is given at the beginning of each season.”

Since the season is Lent, I took this to mean that the MP Hymn for today should be selected (my choice) from the group of Hymns on pp. 43-47.

However, when next I turned to the Psalter (p. 1401) for Psalmody (per instructions on p. 1050), I see that there is a Hymn for Morning Prayer right there.

This confuses me. Is it correct that today’s Hymn for MP is selected from the “general” group of hymns (pp. 43-47) even though there is a specific Hymn for today (Tuesday of Week III) in the Psalter (p. 1401)?

Of course, maybe I was incorrect in going to pp. 43-47 for the Hymn. If that’s the case, I would appreciate learning where I slipped up.

Thank you.

 

[AJV]

I am a Liturgy of the Hours (4 volume set) beginner and would appreciate guidance.

For today (Feb 26), Morning Prayer, I come to the instructions for the Hymn (p. 1050) in the Ordinary, which read: “For the Sunday and weekday offices…the hymn is given at the beginning of each season.”

Since the season is Lent, I took this to mean that the MP Hymn for today should be selected (my choice) from the group of Hymns on pp. 43-47.

However, when next I turned to the Psalter (p. 1401) for Psalmody (per instructions on p. 1050), I see that there is a Hymn for Morning Prayer right there.

This confuses me. Is it correct that today’s Hymn for MP is selected from the “general” group of hymns (pp. 43-47) even though there is a specific Hymn for today (Tuesday of Week III) in the Psalter (p. 1401)?

Of course, maybe I was incorrect in going to pp. 43-47 for the Hymn. If that’s the case, I would appreciate learning where I slipped up.

Thank you.

To be honest I don’t know why they waste space printing those hymns when the seasonal hymns ought to be the ones sung. You were correct in going to 43-47.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

When you’re saying the LOTH by yourself, it isn’t necessary to sing the hymns. The LOTH was written for group participation, so you can adapt when by yourself.

Besides, the 4 volume set, they don’t provide music with the hymn, so I’d only be guessing how the hymn actually goes and I’d only mangle it.

Jim

 

[LuckyJack]

When you’re saying the LOTH by yourself, it isn’t necessary to sing the hymns.

I have not been singing the hymns, but I have been reciting them. Is this unnecessary? improper? uncommon?

I understand that much freedom is allowed to accomodate individual, lay usage, but I’m curious about the typical or generally accepted practice…if there is such a thing.

Thanks.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I have not been singing the hymns, but I have been reciting them. Is this unnecessary? improper? uncommon?

I understand that much freedom is allowed to accomodate individual, lay usage, but I’m curious about the typical or generally accepted practice…if there is such a thing.

Thanks.

The hymns are meant to be sung, so it isn’t necessary to say them. However, there’s nothing wrong in doing it, if you desire.

Jim

 

[ppojawa]

The hymns are meant to be sung, so it isn’t necessary to say them.

I feel I should disagree. Of course, the hymns are meant to be sung, but there is no rule to skip what you cannot sing. In fact, almost all parts of the Office are meant to be sung!

For an authoritative answer, see the chapter about singing in the General Instruction of the LOTH, especially nos. 277 (about the parts meant to be sung) and 280 (about hymns).

 

[LuckyJack]

Check the instructions…what a great idea! Why didn’t I think of that?!

When I did, I also found:

1. The declarations of Vatican Council II on liturgical singing apply to all liturgical services but in a special way to the liturgy of the hours. [3] Though every part of it has been revised in such a way that all may be fruitfully recited even by individuals, many of these parts are lyrical in form and do not yield their fuller meaning unless they are sung, especially the psalms, canticles, hymns, and responsories.

From the above, neither the Psalms, canticles, or responsories “yield their fuller meaning unless they are sung”. Yet I venture that the vast majority (of the laity at least) who pray the LOTH do not sing any of these parts.

So, seems to me that reciting the hymns also makes sense. Like the Psalms, they are generally poetic and certainly convey a beneficial meaning even when not sung. (And some of them are in Latin, which gives me an opportunity to try and revive my long lost capability in that language.)

Thanks to all.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

I feel I should disagree. Of course, the hymns are meant to be sung, but there is no rule to skip what you cannot sing. In fact, almost all parts of the Office are meant to be sung!

For an authoritative answer, see the chapter about singing in the General Instruction of the LOTH, especially nos. 277 (about the parts meant to be sung) and 280 (about hymns).

The LOTH is intended for group participation, not individual. So, singing the Hymns is what is done when prayed with a group. It isn’t necessary to sing the hymns, or say them, when praying the LOTH on your own, just as it isn’t necessary to repeat the antiphons after each verse, for this was intended for when the psalms are sung, not recited.

Different religious orders will vary slightly on how they pray the LOTH. However, in the OCDS, this is how we are instructed.

Jim