Traditionalists and the Liturgy of the Hours

[Hipster_Doofus]

I think sometimes it’s not clear when reading a post, what the poster’s intentions are - do they want to use something other than that which is prescribed for the official prayer of the church in their area but still refer to what they intend to do as participating in the official prayer of the church, OR it’s all just private devotion.

Very simply, I’m considering “stronger meat” than the “Shorter Christian Prayer” I’ve been using, and as a Catholic with fairly traditional leanings, am unclear what book to buy, especially since I’m daunted by the complexities of the LOTH, which this thread has done nothing to simplify–for me, anyway.

 

[otjm]

I think sometimes it’s not clear when reading a post, what the poster’s intentions are - do they want to use something other than that which is prescribed for the official prayer of the church in their area but still refer to what they intend to do as participating in the official prayer of the church, OR it’s all just private devotion.

Very simply, I’m considering “stronger meat” than the “Shorter Christian Prayer” I’ve been using, and as a Catholic with fairly traditional leanings, am unclear what book to buy, especially since I’m daunted by the complexities of the LOTH, which this thread has done nothing to simplify–for me, anyway.

Again, my suggestion, along with others, is to go to the one volume Christian Prayer, which expands the readings over and above Shorter Christian Prayer; and get the Guide for the one volume.

Going to the UK version, or an earlier version, or one in Latin, will not make it less complex; only more.

It would seem you are ready for the next step beyond Shorter Christian Prayer, and to avoid making it as complex as the 4 volume version, the only logical step would be up to the one volume version.

 

[ddeluna]

Again, my suggestion, along with others, is to go to the one volume Christian Prayer, which expands the readings over and above Shorter Christian Prayer; and get the Guide for the one volume.

Going to the UK version, or an earlier version, or one in Latin, will not make it less complex; only more.

It would seem you are ready for the next step beyond Shorter Christian Prayer, and to avoid making it as complex as the 4 volume version, the only logical step would be up to the one volume version.

Everything otjm is saying is spot on. You’ll get the guide with Christian Prayer and no other guides exist except for the 4 volume set, certainly not the cheat sheet like the St. Joe’s guide.

Anything besides what the U.S. church is praying will only serve to make learning the LOTH even more difficult. Few if any on this forum will be able to help you, your pastor won’t be able to, virtually no one at your parish, no guide, etc…

Take a look at this eBay auction, as it’s the most commonly used edition in use and comes with the DODOS book. It was the DODOS book that taught me Christian Prayer, and that book will be the same book that will teach you the 4 volume if and when you want that.

 

[ElizabethPH]

I just thought I’d let you all know I finally got the ‘Christian Prayer’. A birthday present to myself I figured it out right away, except for the Office of Reading biblical and patristic readings.haven’t figured out which ones go with which OOR without a guide to tell me. But the rest of the prayers were pretty straight forward. And I’m happy and excited to finally get the book. This thread has been helpful in my decision to just get it! I was at a small gift shop in another parish a little ways from here and I thought I’d just pop in; in fact it’s the only Catholic gift shop for miles around. And I was surprised that they had ‘Christian Prayer’. I love praying the hours and now I don’t have to sit in front of the PC to do it!

 

[ddeluna]

Fantastic! Good for you. Did you buy the St. Paul edition? It’s the only Christian Prayer, to my knowledge, that has selections from the Office of Readings.

 

[Joannm]

Fantastic! Good for you. Did you buy the St. Paul edition? It’s the only Christian Prayer, to my knowledge, that has selections from the Office of Readings.

The Catholic Boo Publishing edition also has a limited selection of the Office of Readings. And a supplement is avalable if you want all the readings.

 

[ElizabethPH]

Fantastic! Good for you. Did you buy the St. Paul edition? It’s the only Christian Prayer, to my knowledge, that has selections from the Office of Readings.

It is the Catholic Book Publishing version. 1976 It is a black zipper cover. 2080 pgs. It has:
Morning Prayer
Daytime Prayer (selections)
Evening Prayer
Night Prayer
Office of Readings (selections)

and Edition with Music

 

[ddeluna]

Ok, then that explains why my St. Joe’s guide references office of readings. I wondered about that since my edition of CP doesn’t have any office of readings.

 

[frank_duff]

Hey all,

I usually pray the normal Office in English but will occasionally add the pre-V2 edition of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary. I love being on the calendar and particularly the selections in the OOR readings but the English can be dissapointing. The old Little Office is much simpler than the old Roman Breviary which I do not know how to pray but it retains the rubrics, ceremonial and the beautiful language. This works for me. God Bless.