Little Office of Our Lady
Encyclopedia
The Little Office of Our Lady also known as Hours of the Virgin is a liturgical devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary, in imitation of, and usually in addition to, the Divine Office
in the Roman Catholic Church (Some secular orders did use the Little Office on its own as their official form of prayer). It is a weekly cycle of psalms, hymn
s, scripture
and other readings.
All of the daily variation occurs in Matins
(which is usually said with Lauds
). The text of the other offices (Prime
to Compline
) remains the same every day in the Roman rite
and most other rites. In the Roman rite there are seasonal variations in Advent
and Christmastide. The Gospel
antiphon also changes in Eastertide, although there are no other changes during that season. The Little Office was a core text of the medieval book of hours
.
Monastery
of Monte Cassino
there was, in addition to the Divine Office, another office "which it is customary to perform in honour of the Holy Mother of God, which Zachary the Pope
commanded under strict precept to the Cassinese Monastery."
However, the Little Office did not come into general use before the tenth century; and in the eleventh century there were at least two versions the Little Office extant in England. Pre-English Reformation
versions varied considerably, and in England in medieval times the main differences were between the Sarum
and York
uses. Several early printed versions of the English uses of the Little Office survive in the Primers.
Peter Damian
states that it was already commonly recited amongst the secular clergy of Italy
and France, and through his influence that the practice of reciting it in choir after the Monastic Office, was introduced into several Italian houses.
In the twelfth century, the new foundation of the Augustinian (Austin) Canons of Prémontré
prescribed the Little Office in addition to the eight hours of the Divine Office
. The Austin Canons also used it, and, perhaps through their influence, it developed from a private devotion into part of the daily duty of the secular clergy as well in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
By the fourteenth century the Little Office was obligatory for all the clergy. This obligation remained until St. Pius V
suppressed it in 1568. Down to the Reformation it formed a central part of the "Primer" and was customarily recited by the devout laity
, by whom the practice was continued for long afterwards among the persecuted Catholics. An English-only version appears appended to versions of Bishop Richard Challoner
's 'Garden of the Soul' in the eighteenth century, and with the restoration of the hierarchy in the 1860s James Burns
issued a Latin and English edition.
Minor revisions of the Office occurred in the twentieth century, most notably in 1910, as part of Pope Pius X's liturgical reforms. The most significant change made by the pontiff was the shortening of the numbers of psalms recited at Lauds from seven to four (excluding the canticle).
In the reforms following the Second Vatican Council
, the Little Office was overshadowed by the revised Liturgy of the Hours
. According to Apostolic Letter Ecclesiae sanctae of Pope Paul VI
,
The Little Office was not officially revised after the Council, as many Congregations abandoned it in order to adopt the Liturgy of the Hours
. However, that has not stopped several post-conciliar editions being issued. The Carmelites produced a revised version of their form of the office, which is still used by some Religious and those who are enrolled in the Brown Scapular. Additionally Tony Horner, a layman, and Father John Rotelle, O.S.A. both formulated their own editions of the Little Office which conformed to the revised Liturgy of the Hours
, both of these are approved for private use. These newer versions include vernacular
translations from the Latin
and follow the new structure of each Hour in the Office.
Despite its decline among religious orders after the Council, the traditional Little Office in English and Latin has never been out of print. From the 1970s onwards Carmel Books in the UK kept the traditional version in print , and several other publishers also issued editions, usually containing the text as it was in the 1950s. St Bonaventure Publications publish the 1904 edition, which gives the office as it was before Pius X's revisions. The 1961 text, which is the one permitted by Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio summorum pontificum
in 2007, was published for the first time in a bilingual English and Latin edition by Baronius Press
later that same year. This edition collected all the Gregorian chant
for the office for the first time in a published edition.
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
in the Roman Catholic Church (Some secular orders did use the Little Office on its own as their official form of prayer). It is a weekly cycle of psalms, hymn
Hymn
A hymn is a type of song, usually religious, specifically written for the purpose of praise, adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification...
s, scripture
Bible
The Bible refers to any one of the collections of the primary religious texts of Judaism and Christianity. There is no common version of the Bible, as the individual books , their contents and their order vary among denominations...
and other readings.
All of the daily variation occurs in Matins
Matins
Matins is the early morning or night prayer service in the Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Eastern Orthodox liturgies of the canonical hours. The term is also used in some Protestant denominations to describe morning services.The name "Matins" originally referred to the morning office also...
(which is usually said with Lauds
Lauds
Lauds is a divine office that takes place in the early morning hours and is one of the two major hours in the Roman Catholic Liturgy of the Hours. In the Eastern Orthodox tradition, it forms part of the Office of Matins...
). The text of the other offices (Prime
Prime (liturgy)
Prime, or the First Hour, is a fixed time of prayer of the traditional Divine Office , said at the first hour of daylight , between the morning Hour of Lauds and the 9 a.m. Hour of Terce. It is part of the Christian liturgies of Eastern Christianity, but in the Latin Rite it was suppressed by the...
to Compline
Compline
Compline is the final church service of the day in the Christian tradition of canonical hours. The English word Compline is derived from the Latin completorium, as Compline is the completion of the working day. The word was first used in this sense about the beginning of the 6th century by St...
) remains the same every day in the Roman rite
Roman Rite
The Roman Rite is the liturgical rite used in the Diocese of Rome in the Catholic Church. It is by far the most widespread of the Latin liturgical rites used within the Western or Latin autonomous particular Church, the particular Church that itself is also called the Latin Rite, and that is one of...
and most other rites. In the Roman rite there are seasonal variations in Advent
Advent
Advent is a season observed in many Western Christian churches, a time of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of Jesus at Christmas. It is the beginning of the Western liturgical year and commences on Advent Sunday, called Levavi...
and Christmastide. The Gospel
Gospel
A gospel is an account, often written, that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth. In a more general sense the term "gospel" may refer to the good news message of the New Testament. It is primarily used in reference to the four canonical gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John...
antiphon also changes in Eastertide, although there are no other changes during that season. The Little Office was a core text of the medieval book of hours
Book of Hours
The book of hours was a devotional book popular in the later Middle Ages. It is the most common type of surviving medieval illuminated manuscript. Like every manuscript, each manuscript book of hours is unique in one way or another, but most contain a similar collection of texts, prayers and...
.
History
The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary probably originated as a monastic devotion around the middle of the eighth century. Peter the Deacon reports that at the BenedictineBenedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
Monastery
Monastery
Monastery denotes the building, or complex of buildings, that houses a room reserved for prayer as well as the domestic quarters and workplace of monastics, whether monks or nuns, and whether living in community or alone .Monasteries may vary greatly in size – a small dwelling accommodating only...
of Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino
Monte Cassino is a rocky hill about southeast of Rome, Italy, c. to the west of the town of Cassino and altitude. St. Benedict of Nursia established his first monastery, the source of the Benedictine Order, here around 529. It was the site of Battle of Monte Cassino in 1944...
there was, in addition to the Divine Office, another office "which it is customary to perform in honour of the Holy Mother of God, which Zachary the Pope
Pope
The Pope is the Bishop of Rome, a position that makes him the leader of the worldwide Catholic Church . In the Catholic Church, the Pope is regarded as the successor of Saint Peter, the Apostle...
commanded under strict precept to the Cassinese Monastery."
However, the Little Office did not come into general use before the tenth century; and in the eleventh century there were at least two versions the Little Office extant in England. Pre-English Reformation
English Reformation
The English Reformation was the series of events in 16th-century England by which the Church of England broke away from the authority of the Pope and the Roman Catholic Church....
versions varied considerably, and in England in medieval times the main differences were between the Sarum
Sarum
-Places:*Salisbury, United Kingdom, or New Sarum, a cathedral city in Wiltshire, England*Old Sarum, the ruins of the former settlement in England, 2 miles north of modern Salisbury, UK* Sarum , listed on the NRHP in Maryland...
and York
York
York is a walled city, situated at the confluence of the Rivers Ouse and Foss in North Yorkshire, England. The city has a rich heritage and has provided the backdrop to major political events throughout much of its two millennia of existence...
uses. Several early printed versions of the English uses of the Little Office survive in the Primers.
Peter Damian
Peter Damian
Saint Peter Damian, O.S.B. was a reforming monk in the circle of Pope Gregory VII and a cardinal. In 1823, he was declared a Doctor of the Church...
states that it was already commonly recited amongst the secular clergy of Italy
Italy
Italy , officially the Italian Republic languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Italy's official name is as follows:;;;;;;;;), is a unitary parliamentary republic in South-Central Europe. To the north it borders France, Switzerland, Austria and...
and France, and through his influence that the practice of reciting it in choir after the Monastic Office, was introduced into several Italian houses.
In the twelfth century, the new foundation of the Augustinian (Austin) Canons of Prémontré
Premonstratensian
The Order of Canons Regular of Prémontré, also known as the Premonstratensians, the Norbertines, or in Britain and Ireland as the White Canons , are a Catholic religious order of canons regular founded at Prémontré near Laon in 1120 by Saint Norbert, who later became Archbishop of Magdeburg...
prescribed the Little Office in addition to the eight hours of the Divine Office
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
. The Austin Canons also used it, and, perhaps through their influence, it developed from a private devotion into part of the daily duty of the secular clergy as well in the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries.
By the fourteenth century the Little Office was obligatory for all the clergy. This obligation remained until St. Pius V
Pope Pius V
Pope Saint Pius V , born Antonio Ghislieri , was Pope from 1566 to 1572 and is a saint of the Catholic Church. He is chiefly notable for his role in the Council of Trent, the Counter-Reformation, and the standardization of the Roman liturgy within the Latin Church...
suppressed it in 1568. Down to the Reformation it formed a central part of the "Primer" and was customarily recited by the devout laity
Laity
In religious organizations, the laity comprises all people who are not in the clergy. A person who is a member of a religious order who is not ordained legitimate clergy is considered as a member of the laity, even though they are members of a religious order .In the past in Christian cultures, the...
, by whom the practice was continued for long afterwards among the persecuted Catholics. An English-only version appears appended to versions of Bishop Richard Challoner
Richard Challoner
Richard Challoner was an English Roman Catholic bishop, a leading figure of English Catholicism during the greater part of the 18th century. He is perhaps most famous for his revision of the Douay Rheims translation of the Bible.-Early life:Challoner was born in the Protestant town of Lewes,...
's 'Garden of the Soul' in the eighteenth century, and with the restoration of the hierarchy in the 1860s James Burns
James Burns
James W. Burns, OC, OM is a Director Emeritus at the Power Corporation of Canada. He is an Officer of the Order of Canada. Burns’s contribution to the nation as well as his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba has earned him national recognition and distinction...
issued a Latin and English edition.
Minor revisions of the Office occurred in the twentieth century, most notably in 1910, as part of Pope Pius X's liturgical reforms. The most significant change made by the pontiff was the shortening of the numbers of psalms recited at Lauds from seven to four (excluding the canticle).
In the reforms following the Second Vatican Council
Second Vatican Council
The Second Vatican Council addressed relations between the Roman Catholic Church and the modern world. It was the twenty-first Ecumenical Council of the Catholic Church and the second to be held at St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican. It opened under Pope John XXIII on 11 October 1962 and closed...
, the Little Office was overshadowed by the revised Liturgy of the Hours
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
. According to Apostolic Letter Ecclesiae sanctae of Pope Paul VI
Pope Paul VI
Paul VI , born Giovanni Battista Enrico Antonio Maria Montini , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church from 21 June 1963 until his death on 6 August 1978. Succeeding Pope John XXIII, who had convened the Second Vatican Council, he decided to continue it...
,
"20. Although Religious who recite a duly approved Little Office perform the public prayer of the Church (cf. Constitution Sacrosanctum ConciliumSacrosanctum ConciliumSacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, is one of the constitutions of the Second Vatican Council. It was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and promulgated by Pope Paul VI on December 4, 1963...
, No. 98), it is nevertheless recommended to the institutes that in place of the Little Office they adopt the Divine OfficeLiturgy of the hoursThe Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
either in part or in whole so that they may participate more intimately in the liturgical life of the Church...."
The Little Office was not officially revised after the Council, as many Congregations abandoned it in order to adopt the Liturgy of the Hours
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
. However, that has not stopped several post-conciliar editions being issued. The Carmelites produced a revised version of their form of the office, which is still used by some Religious and those who are enrolled in the Brown Scapular. Additionally Tony Horner, a layman, and Father John Rotelle, O.S.A. both formulated their own editions of the Little Office which conformed to the revised Liturgy of the Hours
Liturgy of the hours
The Liturgy of the Hours or Divine Office is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the canonical hours by the clergy, religious orders, and laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns and readings...
, both of these are approved for private use. These newer versions include vernacular
Vernacular
A vernacular is the native language or native dialect of a specific population, as opposed to a language of wider communication that is not native to the population, such as a national language or lingua franca.- Etymology :The term is not a recent one...
translations from the Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and follow the new structure of each Hour in the Office.
Despite its decline among religious orders after the Council, the traditional Little Office in English and Latin has never been out of print. From the 1970s onwards Carmel Books in the UK kept the traditional version in print , and several other publishers also issued editions, usually containing the text as it was in the 1950s. St Bonaventure Publications publish the 1904 edition, which gives the office as it was before Pius X's revisions. The 1961 text, which is the one permitted by Pope Benedict XVI's motu proprio summorum pontificum
Summorum Pontificum
Summorum Pontificum is an Apostolic Letter of Pope Benedict XVI, issued "motu proprio" . The document specified the rules, for the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church, for celebrating Mass according to the "Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962" , and for administering most of the sacraments in...
in 2007, was published for the first time in a bilingual English and Latin edition by Baronius Press
Baronius Press
Baronius Press is a traditional Catholic book publisher with headquarters in London, England. It was founded in Glasgow, Scotland in 2003 by former St Austin Press editor, Ashley Paver and other young Catholics who had previously worked in publishing and printing...
later that same year. This edition collected all the Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant
Gregorian chant is the central tradition of Western plainchant, a form of monophonic liturgical music within Western Christianity that accompanied the celebration of Mass and other ritual services...
for the office for the first time in a published edition.