Timing of L.O.H

[SFX]

I AM QUITE SURE THIS WILL BE EASILY ANSWERED, HOWEVER I AM STILL NEW TO LOH AND WHAT I WANT TO KNOW IS THIS: IF YOUR DAY IS NOT ON THE USUAL CYCLE, SAY YOU WORK 3RD SHIFT, HAVE A NEWBORN, OR LIKE ME, JUST NATURALLY ARE UP VERY EARLY, THUS GO TO BED VERY EARLY, DO YOU STILL SAY THE HOURS ACCORDINGLY?
I FREQUENTLY EAT SUPPER BETWEEN 2-3PM, WHICH TO ME WOULD BE MY EVENING.

SFX

 

[asquared]

If I am wrong I am sure somebody will correct me, but the original hours corresponded to life in the monastery,very different from modern-day work schedules, with vespers at sundown which of course varies throughout the year, and lauds very early in the morning, just before sun-up, which also varies. The rule of St. Benedict goes into detail on the hours during seasons of the year. So I think you would adjust the major hours to your actual work schedule. Morning prayer when you wake up, evening prayer after work, night prayer before bed, mid-day prayer when and if you can fit it in around your lunchtime. If you find yourself awake at odd hours (people on shift work often have funny sleep schedules, I worked midnites for years) try Vigils-the office of readings if your book has it.

LOH is liturgy, the work of God, the public prayer of the church, and is communal, but most of it are in fact praying it by ourselves. It is always the proper hour somewhere in the world, so you are still praying LOH with the universal church.

 

[DJJG]

I also work the third shift and it was recommened to me be 3 priests, to say the hours at the regular times: Lauds in the morning, Vesters in the evening, and Matins at night.

I usually pray only Lauds and Vespers and I found that it is easier to do it this way anyway, because otherwise my days off mess up the whole schedule. It also feels more proper and meaningful.

 

[akemner]

Often in Eastern Churches (mostly Orthodox anymore, but in some Catholic), the Hours are bunched up into three parts: 9th Hour, Vespers, and Compline; Midnight, Orthros (which is Noturnes, Matins, and Lauds), and 1st Hour; and 3rd, 6th, and Typika (a service said in place of Divine Liturgy) at noon. So if you are praying th old Office, (i am not familiar with the full new one, just the abbreviated book), one could say it following the pattern above, with the modifications necessary with not having all the offices above, but will occasion reading the daily Mass readings, and say all of the Office thrice a day (evening, morning, and noon).

In Christ,
Adam

 

[Hesychios]

Glory to Jesus Christ!

The bunching-up of hours was a log-standing practice in the West too, just about everywhere in one way or another.

Also, saying hours in anticipation was so common that things got altogether out of whack at times, with people saying night prayers and then going back to work and study, for example.

ora et labora: Pray and work

The need for balance will require you to make some adjustments, that’s perfectly reasonable. I prefer to pray in time with the brothers at the Abbey to which I am associated, but truthfully it is next to impossible to consistantly do this, and when I can go to Orthros or Vespers at the Byzantine parish I attend, I just consider it a blessing, and can’t be worried about the timing, my life is in God’s hands anyway. Do what seems most appropriate in your circumstances, and realize that you will always be able to adjust your practice as you see fit. The best we can do is what we’ll do, all is Mercy and Grace.

Lord open my lips—
—and my mouth will proclaim your praise!