The Office of Readings

  • Thread starter Thread starter RyanML
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
R

RyanML

Guest
This may be a silly question but, when praying the Office of Readings as a night office after Evening Prayer, is the Office of that day prayed or the Office of the next day?
 
This may be a silly question but, when praying the Office of Readings as a night office after Evening Prayer, is the Office of that day prayed or the Office of the next day?
Keep in mind that the liturgical day doesn’t end at Evening Prayer but at Compline, which is the prayer that officially and canonically concludes the liturgical day. It is the prayer that you say right before going to bed. Therefore, if you pray the Office of Readings at any time before Compline, then the readings should be of the current day. However, if you decide to pray the Office of Readings at anytime after Compline (i.e. anytime after you have gone to bed and have actually had some sleep, and regardless of what time you decide to get up), then it is presumed that the readings will be of the next liturgical day. (and of course, it would follow that you will begin the Office of Readings with the invitatory to open the new liturgical day).
 
Keep in mind that the liturgical day doesn’t end at Evening Prayer but at Compline, which is the prayer that officially and canonically concludes the liturgical day. It is the prayer that you say right before going to bed. Therefore, if you pray the Office of Readings at any time before Compline, then the readings should be of the current day. However, if you decide to pray the Office of Readings at anytime after Compline (i.e. anytime after you have gone to bed and have actually had some sleep, and regardless of what time you decide to get up), then it is presumed that the readings will be of the next liturgical day. (and of course, it would follow that you will begin the Office of Readings with the invitatory to open the new liturgical day).
Thanks! 🙂
 
Note that the General Instructions say:
  1. Without prejudice to the regulations given above, the Office of the Readings may be recited at any hour of the day, even during the night hours of the previous day, after Evening Prayer has been said…
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top