Thinking about praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the Catholic Church's official daily prayers? Many people are intimidated by the common hurdles associated with this noble task: The multiple volumes, the flipping back and forth to the correct page, not to mention the cost. Fear not! Enter "The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary," a daily cycle of liturgical prayer almost as old as the longer Liturgy of the Hours, but much shorter and easier to incorporate into your daily prayer life. This version of the "Little Office" is adapted from the 1867 Fowler edition. What elevates this version above all the others is the touching meditations at the beginning of each hour. For example, from the hour of Terce: O divine and adorable Lord, Jesus Christ, who has graciously redeemed us by thy bitter passion and death, we offer up this hour of Terce to thy honor and glory, and most humbly beseech thee through the torments thou didst endure in being cruelly scourged at a pillar, crowned with thorns, and unjustly condemned to be crucified, to grant us patience and longanimity under the scourges of temporal afflictions, courage to walk in the thorny road to the narrow gate, which opens to bliss, and perseverance under all the crosses of this life, which are the portion of the elect, that by suffering for our sins we may fully satisfy thy divine justice on earth, and may enter into thy glory immediately after death. Amen. As an added benefit, those who love Our Lady will appreciate that these short prayers allow them not only to sanctify the day, but to do it using a text that is at reverent and readable; the language exemplifies noble simplicity and unembellished piety, in the most beautiful tradition of good liturgical prayer. It is appropriate both to those who attend the ordinary and extraordinary forms of Catholic Mass. This updated version restores the traditional ordering of the prayers and places it in a user-friendly format that eliminates that distracting flipping pages back and forth. Why Pray the Little Office?People pray the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary for various reasons, some of which include:
Devotion to the Blessed Virgin Mary: The Little Office is a way for the faithful to express their love and devotion to the Mother of God. Through these prayers, they seek her intercession, guidance, and protection in their lives.
Spiritual enrichment: The prayers and hymns in the Little Office offer a rich source of meditation and contemplation, helping individuals to deepen their spiritual life and grow in their relationship with God.
Structured prayer routine: Praying the Little Office provides a daily routine of prayer, helping individuals maintain a consistent and disciplined prayer life. By incorporating this practice into their daily schedule, they can build a strong foundation for their spiritual growth.
Connection to tradition: The Little Office has been a part of Catholic tradition for centuries. Praying it allows individuals to connect with the rich history of Marian devotion in the Church and join countless other believers throughout time who have also turned to Mary for her intercession and guidance.Meditation on the mysteries of Mary's life: The prayers and readings in the Little Office invite individuals to reflect on the various aspects of Mary's life and her role in salvation history. Through this meditation, they can gain a deeper understanding of Mary's virtues, her role as the Mother of God, and her importance in the Christian faith.
