Regarding the Holy Hours and the Clergy

[Little_Boy_Lost]

I just wanted to clarify whether this is true or false.

That Roman Catholic clergy are to pray the Holy Hours everyday under the pain of mortal sin. Is this true or not?

Thanks!

 

[Mark1970]

I’m assuming that when you say “Holy Hours”, your referring to the daily cycle of prayers at various times of day, using the name it is referred to by Byzantine Catholics - I notice from your profile that you’re a Byzantine Rite Catholic.

It is true that Roman Catholic clergy are required to recite the Liturgy of the Hours daily, but I’m not sure how binding the obligation is. One reason that I’m not sure is that I’ve read somewhere that permanent deacons may only be obliged to Morning and Evening Prayer, which isn’t the “full” Liturgy of the Hours for each day. There is also the Office of Readings, Prayer during the Day, and Night Prayer.

 

[anruari]

Secular Priests are bound by cannon law to pray a minimum of Lauds, Vespers, Compline, and any one of the 3 daytime Hours. (That’s Morning, Evening and night prayer, plus any one of the 3 daytime prayers)

Many also choose to pray the Office of Readings, (Matins) but they are not bound to this.

Most members of Religious Orders are bound by Rule to pray the whole of the divine Office every day.

Failure to do this is a breach of cannon law. that is a breach of discipline, which is a sin. To do this knowingly and wilfully would be a mortal sin.

Some secular priests are very short of time and may have such duties that makes praying all these hours very difficult. They can obtain exemptions from some of the requirements, but this would be personally granted by their bishop, That would, frankly, be none of your business as a lay person.

Permanent Deacons are automatically given dispensation to pray just Morning & Evening Prayer in many dioceses as they have normal jobs and often have families.

 

[TrueLight]

That would, frankly, be none of your business as a lay person.

True or not, was this necessary?

 

[anruari]

True or not, was this necessary?

I agree the tone of that comment was not right. I genuinely apologise if it caused offence.
Assuming the question relates to the poster wanting to know more about the ordaned or religious life then that comment was inappropriate.

I do have one reservation regarding the apology:
It is unclear if the reason for the O.P. might relate so some knowledge that the poster has obtained about a specific priest.

• If *that were the case I would stand by the assertion that it is not the place of a lay person to get involved in the matters that belong in the private conversations between a Priest, His Bishop, His Confessor and his Spiritual Director.

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

Actually the reason I was asking is because I was told this by a Byzantine Priest regarding the Western tradition and I did not know if it was correct. Is there perhaps something from canon law that states not fulfilling the obligation to the pray the Divine Office/LOTH as you said is in fact a mortal sin? Thanks!

 

[TrueLight]

Secular Priests are bound by cannon law to pray a minimum of Lauds, Vespers, Compline, and any one of the 3 daytime Hours. (That’s Morning, Evening and night prayer, plus any one of the 3 daytime prayers)

Do you have a reference for this by any chance? I was having a discussion about the Liturgy of the Hours yesterday and we were discussing what some lay orders are obligated to pray and we came to the topic of what priests are obligated to pray.

I stated I didn’t think they were obligated to pray all of them, but I couldn’t remember where I read that.

 

[Padraig1972]

I have a question here:

Which of the prayers in the Liturgy of the hours is required to pray for Lay catholics (like lay franciscan, lay dominicans +++)?

Laudes, sext and vespers + completorium? Or all eight?

 

[agnes_therese]

I have a question here:

Which of the prayers in the Liturgy of the hours is required to pray for Lay catholics (like lay franciscan, lay dominicans +++)?

Laudes, sext and vespers + completorium? Or all eight?

That may vary by Order. I can tell you that secular discalced Carmelites are to pray Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, with Night Prayer being strongly encouraged.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Actually the reason I was asking is because I was told this by a Byzantine Priest regarding the Western tradition and I did not know if it was correct. Is there perhaps something from canon law that states not fulfilling the obligation to the pray the Divine Office/LOTH as you said is in fact a mortal sin? Thanks!

Does everything need to be written out?

I think it is common sense that to violate Canon Law is a grave matter.

For a sin to be a mortal sin it must meet three critera;

1. Be of grave matter
2. Have complete consent of the will
3. Have full knowledge

Violating Canon Law can meet these three critera.

Do you have a reference for this by any chance? I was having a discussion about the Liturgy of the Hours yesterday and we were discussing what some lay orders are obligated to pray and we came to the topic of what priests are obligated to pray.

I stated I didn’t think they were obligated to pray all of them, but I couldn’t remember where I read that.

From the Code of Canon Law (see underlined portion);
Can. 276 §1 Clerics have a special obligation to seek holiness in their lives, because they are consecrated to God by a new title through the reception of orders, and are stewards of the mysteries of God in the service of His people.

§2 In order that they can pursue this perfection:

1° they are in the first place faithfully and untiringly to fulfil the obligations of their pastoral ministry;

2° they are to nourish their spiritual life at the twofold table of the sacred Scripture and the Eucharist; priests are therefore earnestly invited to offer the eucharistic Sacrifice daily, and deacons to participate daily in the offering;

3° priests, and deacons aspiring to the priesthood, are obliged to carry out the liturgy of the hours daily, in accordance with their own approved liturgical books; permanent deacons are to recite that part of it determined by the Episcopal Conference;

**4° **they are also obliged to make spiritual retreats, in accordance with the provision of particular law;

5° they are exhorted to engage regularly in mental prayer, to approach the sacrament of penance frequently, to honour the Virgin Mother of God with particular veneration, and to use other general and special means to holiness.

According to the commentary on the Code of Canon Law I have this is Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Office of the Readings, one of the three daily offices, and Night Prayer.

 

[TrueLight]

Does everything need to be written out?

I think it is common sense that to violate Canon Law is a grave matter.

For a sin to be a mortal sin it must meet three critera;

1. Be of grave matter
2. Have complete consent of the will
3. Have full knowledge

Violating Canon Law can meet these three critera.

From the Code of Canon Law (see underlined portion);
Can. 276 §1 Clerics have a special obligation to seek holiness in their lives, because they are consecrated to God by a new title through the reception of orders, and are stewards of the mysteries of God in the service of His people.

§2 In order that they can pursue this perfection:

1° they are in the first place faithfully and untiringly to fulfil the obligations of their pastoral ministry;

2° they are to nourish their spiritual life at the twofold table of the sacred Scripture and the Eucharist; priests are therefore earnestly invited to offer the eucharistic Sacrifice daily, and deacons to participate daily in the offering;

3° priests, and deacons aspiring to the priesthood, are obliged to carry out the liturgy of the hours daily, in accordance with their own approved liturgical books; permanent deacons are to recite that part of it determined by the Episcopal Conference;

**4° **they are also obliged to make spiritual retreats, in accordance with the provision of particular law;

5° they are exhorted to engage regularly in mental prayer, to approach the sacrament of penance frequently, to honour the Virgin Mother of God with particular veneration, and to use other general and special means to holiness.

According to the commentary on the Code of Canon Law I have this is Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Office of the Readings, one of the three daily offices, and Night Prayer.

Thanks ByzCath. Do you know if Religious follow the same guidelines or have to pray more of the hours?

 

[Alex2008]

Geepers,

I only had time to do morning and evening prayer when I was a priest…I guess I’m now damned for all time!

What about the spirit of the law??? Which I interpret as “Priests should pray.”
I know some priests who absolutlely HATED the setup of the Litrugy of the Hours and couldn’t pray using them. They prayed in other ways as determined with their spiritual directors.

I can just imagine parishoners comments: “Oh I’m sorry Father can’t hear your confession right now because he has to pray morning prayer.” “Oh I’m sorry, we can’t schedule a funeral for your Mother at that time as that is when Father has to do his Office of Readings.” “I’m sorry, Father can’t come to the Hospital to anoint your Mom as he is required to do Evening Prayer at this time.” Yes I’m obviously being facetious here, but the whole point is to remind priests to pray and that there is one tool out of many which he can use!

 

[TrueLight]

Geepers,

I only had time to do morning and evening prayer when I was a priest…I guess I’m now damned for all time!

What about the spirit of the law??? Which I interpret as “Priests should pray.”
I know some priests who absolutlely HATED the setup of the Litrugy of the Hours and couldn’t pray using them. They prayed in other ways as determined with their spiritual directors.

I can just imagine parishoners comments: “Oh I’m sorry Father can’t hear your confession right now because he has to pray morning prayer.” “Oh I’m sorry, we can’t schedule a funeral for your Mother at that time as that is when Father has to do his Office of Readings.” “I’m sorry, Father can’t come to the Hospital to anoint your Mom as he is required to do Evening Prayer at this time.” Yes I’m obviously being facetious here, but the whole point is to remind priests to pray and that there is one tool out of many which he can use!

Why did you leave the priesthood? Never mind.

That’s why I thought Priests didn’t have to do so many of the hours. They have so many obligations. I thought it was the Religious that had to do most if not all the hours.

 

[OraLabora]

Do you have a reference for this by any chance? I was having a discussion about the Liturgy of the Hours yesterday and we were discussing what some lay orders are obligated to pray and we came to the topic of what priests are obligated to pray.

I stated I didn’t think they were obligated to pray all of them, but I couldn’t remember where I read that.

From the General Instructions of the Liturgy of the Hours:

1. Hence bishops, priests, and other sacred ministers, who have received from the Church the mandate to celebrate the liturgy of the hours (see no. 17), should recite the full sequence of hours each day, observing as far as possible the true time of day.

They should, first and foremost, attach due importance to those hours that are, so to speak, the two hinges of the liturgy of the hours, that is, morning prayer and evening prayer, which should not be omitted except for a serious reason.

They should faithfully pray the office of readings, which is above all a liturgical celebration of the word of God. In this way they fulfill daily a duty that is peculiarly their own, that is, of receiving the word of God into their lives, so that they may become more perfect as disciples of the Lord and experience more deeply the unfathomable riches of Christ. [115]

In order to sanctify the whole day more completely, they will also treasure the recitation of daytime prayer and night prayer, to round off the whole Opus Dei and to commend themselves to God before retiring.

1. It is most fitting that permanent deacons recite daily at least some part of the liturgy of the hours, to be determined by the conference of bishops. [116]

I have a question here:

Which of the prayers in the Liturgy of the hours is required to pray for Lay catholics (like lay franciscan, lay dominicans +++)?

Laudes, sext and vespers + completorium? Or all eight?

That is established by the order or the community you belong to. As a secular oblate, my attachment is to my abbey and obedience to its abbot, not to the order. As such our abbey’s Oblates’ Charter says that we are to pray the LOTH “as our condition in life allows”. It is strongly recommended that we pray at least Lauds, Vespers and Compline and to assist our abbey publishes a breviary containing those hours, for oblates. It is an extract from the official Monastic Liturgy of the Hours.

I myself pray the full Office except that sometimes for work (meetings, etc.) I have to combine some of the minor hours, usually I combine Terce with Sext though sometimes Sext with None.

There are 7 hours in the current LOTH BTW, Prime has been abolished:

Vigils
Lauds
Terce
Sexte
None
Vespers
Compline

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Thanks ByzCath. Do you know if Religious follow the same guidelines or have to pray more of the hours?

Religious priests would be bound under the Canon I listed as they are clergy.

All other religious are bound by their Constitutions (and Rule) that they vow obedience to when they make their vows.

I can not speak for others but my Orders Constitutions say;
73. The Liturgy of the Hours is to be celebrated in common; provision should therefore be made to allow all members to participate. Where special difficulties exist in a particular community, at least Morning and Evening Prayer shall be recited in common every day. Those parts which, for whatever reason, are not recited in common, shall be said in private.

So, as I was told in my early formation, we are bound to the same. Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer in common, Office of Reading (done in common in the novitiate), one of the three daily offices, Night Prayer in private.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Geepers,

I only had time to do morning and evening prayer when I was a priest…I guess I’m now damned for all time!

What about the spirit of the law??? Which I interpret as “Priests should pray.”
I know some priests who absolutlely HATED the setup of the Litrugy of the Hours and couldn’t pray using them. They prayed in other ways as determined with their spiritual directors.

Yes, this is not an issue. This also goes for religious. Every priest/religious should have a spiritual director.

Just a note while I have laid out what is required by Canon Law and Constitutions, bishops and superiors can make other allowances and one can also work something out with their spiritual director. Having said that though, these are private things for those individuals and should not be used as the norm for anyone, the norms are spelled out in Canon Law and the Constitutions. What is approved for one individual does not apply to anyone else.

I can just imagine parishoners comments: “Oh I’m sorry Father can’t hear your confession right now because he has to pray morning prayer.” “Oh I’m sorry, we can’t schedule a funeral for your Mother at that time as that is when Father has to do his Office of Readings.” “I’m sorry, Father can’t come to the Hospital to anoint your Mom as he is required to do Evening Prayer at this time.” Yes I’m obviously being facetious here, but the whole point is to remind priests to pray and that there is one tool out of many which he can use!

I am sorry but I can not take you seriously here.

At most Morning and Evening Prayer take 15 minutes and that is when done with sung hymns at the beginning and end.

Of course you do not try to do any of your private prayers when you have other scheduled activities going on so your example of confession is off base. If someone came to the office with an emergency, of course, you would stop and help them and if the prayer needed to be missed then it is missed, as the commentary I have access too says that prayer can be missed for “a serious reason” and this is left to the discretion of the ordained minister but it is not to be a common/frequent occurrence.

As the Rule of St Albert states “Use discernment, however, which is the guide of the virtues.”

 

[Little_Boy_Lost]

Thanks.

Since Eastern Clergy do not have this injunction, it seems that the Church varies on what she considers to be a grave sin. As they are not held to that same regulation.

 

[TrueLight]

Thanks.

Since Eastern Clergy do not have this injunction, it seems that the Church varies on what she considers to be a grave sin. As they are not held to that same regulation.

Agreed. What is a grave sin for Roman Catholics should also be for Eastern rite Catholics.
One of those things I don’t understand.

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

Thanks.

Since Eastern Clergy do not have this injunction, it seems that the Church varies on what she considers to be a grave sin. As they are not held to that same regulation.

I do not really understand what you are saying here.

While traditionally there really is no distinction between mortal and venial sins in the Eastern Churches the Eastern Churches do acknowledge that some sins are graver than others.

As for what is required for Eastern clergy.

From the Code of Canons for the Oriental Churches;
Canon 377 All clerics must celebrate the divine praises according to the particular law of their own Church sui iuris.

So you would have to look it up in each individual Church’s particular law.

Here it is from the Ruthenian particular law;
Canon 377 When common prayer of the Divine Praises is not possible, all clerics should recite the divine praises privately in a manner to be established by the competent authority.

Here it is from the Ukrainian particular law;
Can. 56 (CCEO c. 377) All clerics must celebrate the divine praises daily, either publicly or privately, unless they are unable to do so for a just cause.

I doubt that you will find any Eastern clergy that would not say that violation of these laws was not a grave matter, they might not say that it is mortal sin, but then all sin is to be confessed in the Eastern Churches whereas in the West only mortal sin is required to be confessed with venial sin being encouraged to be confessed.

 

[OraLabora]

Agreed. What is a grave sin for Roman Catholics should also be for Eastern rite Catholics.
One of those things I don’t understand.

Not necessarily. These are matters of obedience and discipline, not of dogma. Another example is married priests, OK in the Eastern Rites but not in the Roman Rite. It’s a matter of local custom, discipline and obedience to the hierarchy of your Church. It’s not as if the Eastern Rite was saying abortion was OK and the Western not OK, that is a matter of faith and morals.

A good example of something similar is what happens with the Divine Office in Benedictine monasteries. In some, they pray the entire original Benedictine schema in 1 week (about 250 psalms in a week); others like ours use Schema B, 150 psalms in a week; some use Schema B spread over two weeks, or Schemas C and D. Yet others will use the 4-week psalter of the Roman Rite, if they have a significant external apostolate (a teaching mission for example). Each abbot or abbess is free to determine the rules that applies to their community based on the size, needs and mission of the community.