Latin Rite Catholic Usage
The office of Matins is the longest of the daily offices, and includes a minimum of two lengthy readings, and traditionally had the most number of psalms and canticles. Since the reforms that followed the Second Vatican Council, the Liturgy of the Hours has renamed "Matins" as "Office of Readings", allowing it to be said at any time during the day or night. The Office of Readings has only three psalms or portions of psalms, where the earlier form had nine, and two readings, in length similar to the total length of the readings in the three "nocturns" of the previous form. Clergy who have an obligation to celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours may still fulfil their obligation by using the Roman Breviary promulgated by Pope John XXIII in 1962. A characteristic of Matins or the Office of Readings, is the ancient hymn, Te Deum, said on Sundays and solemnities.
The office of Lauds, traditionally said just before sunrise, is now often called, in English, "Morning Prayer", though the official name (in Latin) remains unchanged. The character of this office is one of praise to God.
The office of Vespers, traditionally said just after sunset, has been renamed "Evening Prayer" after the Second Vatican Council, and is to be said at about 6 p.m. The character of this office is one of thanksgiving.
The office of Compline, is said just before retiring to bed, and has been renamed "Night Prayer" after the Second Vatican Council. The character of this office is a meditation on death.
Read more about this topic: Night Hours
Famous quotes containing the words latin, rite, catholic and/or usage:
“Wealth is so much the greatest good that Fortune has to bestow that in the Latin and English languages it has usurped her name.”
—William Lamb Melbourne, 2nd Viscount (1779–1848)
“Every ceremony or rite has a value if it is performed without alteration. A ceremony is a book in which a great deal is written. Anyone who understands can read it. One rite often contains more than a hundred books.”
—George Gurdjieff (c. 1877–1949)
“Go, you are dismissed.
[Ite missa est.]”
—Missal, The. The Ordinary of the Mass.
Missal is book of prayers and rites used to celebrate the Roman Catholic mass during the year.
“...Often the accurate answer to a usage question begins, “It depends.” And what it depends on most often is where you are, who you are, who your listeners or readers are, and what your purpose in speaking or writing is.”
—Kenneth G. Wilson (b. 1923)