Minor Hours
The daytime hours follow a simpler format, like a very compact form of the Office of Readings:
- opening versicle
- a hymn
- three short psalms, or, three pieces of longer psalms; in the daytime hours when only one is said it follows a variable psalmody which usually opens with part of the longest psalm, psalm 118/119, when all three are said this psalmody is used at one of the hours, while the other two follow the complementary psalmody which consists of 119/120-121/122 at Terce, 122/123-124/125 at Sext and 125/126-127/128 at None
- a very short passage of scripture, followed by a responsorial verse
- the concluding prayer
- a short concluding verse (V. Benedicamus Domino R. Deo gratias)
Night prayer has the character of preparing the soul for its passage to eternal life:
- opening versicle
- an examination of conscience
- a hymn
- a psalm, or two short psalms; The psalms of Sunday - Psalm 90/91 or 4 & 133/134 - may always be used as an alternative to the psalm(s) appointed on weekdays
- a short reading from scripture
- the responsory In manus tuas, Domine (Into Your Hands, Lord)
- the Canticle of Simeon, Nunc dimittis, from the Gospel of Luke, framed by the antiphon Salva nos (Save us Lord)
- a concluding prayer
- a short blessing (noctem quietam et finem perfectum concedat nobis dominus omnipotens. Amen.)
- Marian antiphon without versicle and concluding prayer; either one of the four traditional seasonal antiphons, or Sub Tuum, or another antiphon approved by the local episcopal conference; the Regina Caeli is always used in Eastertide.
Read more about this topic: Liturgy Of The Hours, Canonical Hours, Liturgy of The Hours of Paul VI
Famous quotes containing the words minor and/or hours:
“A certain minor light may still
Leap incandescent
Out of kitchen table or chair
As if a celestial burning took
Possession of the most obtuse objects now and then—”
—Sylvia Plath (1932–1963)
“One of the coolest and wisest hours a man has, is just after he awakes in the morning.”
—Herman Melville (1819–1891)