Prayers before and after Divine Office - How many times?
  • OMagnumMysterium
    Posts: 256
    For one who is daily saying (or singing) multiple hours of the one of the forms of the pre-conciliar Divine Office, should the prayers for before and after the Office be said before and after each hour, or only before the first hour and after the last hour?

    I am referring to the prayers promulgated by Pius XI, which begin with Aperi and Sacrosanctae.

    As an example, if I was saying Prime, Sext, and Compline daily, would I say each prayer three times a day, or would I simply say the first prayer before Prime and the second after Compline?

    Sources appreciated.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,307
    See Stercky on this.

    The Sacrosanctae is encouraged, and that is only after Compline. The Aperi and the Domine in unione are sort of required, and the Pater, Ave, and Credo are absolutely required if following pre-55.

    You say them once and don’t repeat anything before another hour when said together. If you split them up, you say everything again.

    I don’t think that it’s physically possible to routinely say Matins through Prime without a break in the early morning even for early risers, but if you did, repeating the Pater and Ave seems correct as the Apostles’ Creed is also said. But you wouldn’t need to repeat the Aperi.

    The concluding Pater is omitted in between the hours when said together, in or out of choir.

    Compline begins absolutely (although I don’t see the harm in starting with Aperi etc., it’s just not required). Then at the end, you say the Marian antiphon etc., the Pater, Ave, and Credo, and if you wish Sacrosanctae.

    The Marian antiphon also would follow Lauds (or whatever the last day hour is said) and Vespers if said apart from Compline.
    Thanked by 2OMagnumMysterium tomjaw
  • OMagnumMysterium
    Posts: 256
    Is there a spot to find Stercky's work(s) in English? I've heard the name thrown around a lot, but can only find latin writings from a basic search.
  • MatthewRoth
    Posts: 2,307
    Stercky is in French.
    Thanked by 2tomjaw OMagnumMysterium
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