These are relatively late chants, dating from the 11th century, and are richer and more complex than most Office antiphons. The Gregorian chant used to sing the offices will usually involve Antiphons based on Psalms, with more complex Great Responsories sung at Matins, contrasting with the simpler Short Responsories of the Lesser Hours and Compline.Īt the end of the Office, one of four Marian antiphons is sung: Alma Redemptoris Mater, Ave Regina caelorum, Regina caeli laetare, or Salve, Regina. The roots of this practice were formalised in the 8th century, and in the 11th century the followers of the Order of St Benedict further reformed the hours to reflect the liturgy. A Book of Hours contains a selection of these prayers, often elaborately decorated. Unlike the Mass repertoire, the Divine Office is essentially composed of Antiphons (a sort of refrain) that introduce and conclude the recitation of the Psalms. They are sometimes referred to as the Canonic hours of the monastic office, the Liturgy of the Hours, or the Divine Office. Neumz offers the possibility of listening to the canonical hours of the first morning prayer (Ad Matutinum), followed by lauds (Ad Laudes), passing through the so-called minor hours (Third, Sixth and Ninth) until arriving in the evening at the song of Vespers (Ad Vesperas), to end the day with the prayer of Compline (Ad Completorium).Ĭanonical hours or Offices represent the division of the Christian day, with fixed prayers said or sung at particular times.
Saint Benedict stipulated in his Rule that the monks sing the entire Psalter, the book of Psalms, every week, and this has been done since the 6th century. Unlike the Mass repertoire, the Divine Office is essentially composed of Antiphons (a sort of refrain) that introduce and conclude the recitation of the Psalms, as well as Responses (which can be more or less ornate), Readings, Hymns, and opening and closing Prayers.
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In his Rule, Saint Benedict provides for a balanced division to the monk’s day, shared between the prayer of the Office – or prayer of the Hours, designated according to the progress of the course of the sun – and Lectio Divina, manual or intellectual work, and rest.
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