Chanting the Divine Office
  • aldrich
    Posts: 230
    My schola is planning to chant the Divine Office one of these days, but the presence of a priest is not yet confirmed. How do we say the prayers at the end of the Office?
  • Pedro d'Aquino
    Posts: 128
    Are you using the traditional Office or the Liturgy of the Hours, and which hour(s) will you be praying?
  • Simon
    Posts: 153
    You don't need a priest to sing any office. Don't say: Dominus vobiscum etc. (if that is what is noted - that is for a priest) but
    (Cantor / Leader or whoever - the same person who commences the office with Deus in adiutorium etc. ): Domine, exaudi orationem meam
    (choir reply:) Et clamor meus ad te veniat.
    (Cantor): Oremus. (followed by prayer of the day).
    Conclude with the same Domine exaudi etc. Et clamor ....as above. As an example, see attachment for the text of our choir's Easter Matins recording. (Sung without a priest. Ignore the hymn and gradual respond at the end - just included to fill the CD.)
    Three languages text layout.doc
    166K
    Thanked by 1aldrich
  • BenBen
    Posts: 3,114
    For the new office, you sing the following directly after the collect if a priest is not present.

    May the Lord + Bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
    - at Lauds and Vespers

    May the all powerful + lord grant us a restful night and a peaceful death. Amen.
    -at Compline
    Thanked by 1aldrich
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