Symbols in the Divine Office

[Novawar]

Hello I am a novice to the LOTH and am using ibreviary as well as Shorter Christian Prayer. I notice many symbols in there such as + or a ‘cross’ or an * in red font coloured font and was wondering where could I find what these symbols mean?

For example:

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

and…

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness, *

 

[Roseeurekacross]

Hello I am a novice to the LOTH and am using ibreviary as well as Shorter Christian Prayer. I notice many symbols in there such as + or a ‘cross’ or an * in red font coloured font and was wondering where could I find what these symbols mean?

For example:

God, + come to my assistance.
– Lord, make haste to help me.

and…

Today, listen to the voice of the Lord: †
Do not grow stubborn, as your fathers did
in the wilderness, *

Great question. I have started the LOTH and wonder what they mean

 

[z_0101]

My church is a Franciscan style with a central aisle that divides the church in half; thus one group sits on the left side and the other on right side… this is the format we use:

Cross ( + ) - make the sign of the cross (i.e. before the Gospel at Mass is read)

Dagger ( † ) - in a setting with a Deacon or a Priest celebrant this passage is to be read by that person.

Dash ( - ) in a setting with point-counter-point all people recite the passage

Asterisk ( * ) From my experience this is the passage for the “right” side of group; however, sometimes the left side will recite these marked passages, as far as I know, this depends on the local custom.
This mark is really helpful with some of the longer passages read by just one side.

TBH: my Brevery doesn’t have the asterisk in any of the passages, only the cross and the dagger.

When I started praying the LOTH several years back I an across something along the same lines as this link:
stbernardabbey.com/the-divine-office/
Here they indicate that the asterisk is a mark indicating silence…

What I would do, find a Deacon that is willing to help you pray the LOTH

 

[GoGoDiego]

This sign (+) means that you have to make the sign of the cross while reciting the verse.

In Psalms, especially if the Office is chanted/sung
The dagger (†) means that the note is going low, or the flex of the tone
The asterisk (*) means the short pause before finishing the tone

Music directors, please correct me if I am wrong or add more explanations. Hahaha

 

[Mary_Ellen]

The little cross, as other have posted, means that everyone makes the Sign of the Cross while those words are said.
The next dash that you show, before the words “Lord, make haste…”, means that those assembled say that part, not the leader.

Note - When praying the first hour of the day the words are"+Lord open my lips." At that point you don’t make the Sign of the Cross but instead trace a cross with your thumb over your lips.

 

[Novawar]

Thank you for all the answers.

 

[Todd977]

The Mundelein Psalter, on page 46, says in part:
5. Special notions in the text help the assembly to sing in unison. While in general, one sings to the end of the phrase, a dagger (†) in the text signals a short pause within a phrase. An asterisk (*) indicates the second half of the chanted phrase.
. . .
7. In general, the cantor will intone the antiphon; all repeat it.
8. The cantor intones the first phrase of the psalm, the left side of the assembly joins to finish the verse. The right side alternates with the left side through the doxology (Gloria), then all join together to repeat the antiphon.