Office of Readings during Solemnities

[browebmaster]

This past Christmas Eve, I read in the Ordo that we could have the Office of Readings as an extended Vigil for Christmas. It is to be held before Midnight Mass and those who participate in it may not pray the Compline.

Now my question is (using the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God): Should we pray the Office of Readings for the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God on Dec. 31 after Vespers I? or are we still to use the Office of Readings for Dec. 31?

 

[ssa_trad_cath]

The following paragraph is taken from the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours:

1. Excepting the cases just mentioned, the Office of readings may be recited at any hour of the day, or even in the night hours of the preceding day, after Vespers.

Also, please see the file I have attached, sent to me by a priest but originally published on the Zenit website. It is an answer by Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum University, to a question similar to yours, regarding the praying of the Office of Readings the previous evening.

Combining Father McNamara’s answer with the paragraph quoted above, it seems that you can say the Office of Readings for 1 January in the late evening of 31 December, after praying Evening Prayer 1/1 Vespers of 1 January. My understanding is that this can be done on any day of the year.

 

[browebmaster]

Thanks for the reply! Now I understand how to pray the Office of Readings, saving me from the stress of the thought that I’m praying the wrong text…

Another question though: At the end of the psalms there is always the Glory be, I know that we are instructed to make a profound bow while it is being said. Now, may this bow be substituted with standing up? Also, do we stand up and bow or do we just remain seated and bow?

Thanks!

 

[TheMc]

Thanks for the reply! Now I understand how to pray the Office of Readings, saving me from the stress of the thought that I’m praying the wrong text…

Another question though: At the end of the psalms there is always the Glory be, I know that we are instructed to make a profound bow while it is being said. Now, may this bow be substituted with standing up? Also, do we stand up and bow or do we just remain seated and bow?

Thanks!

I would just bow in whatever position you’re in. If you’re sitting, sit and bow. If you’re standing, stand and bow.