CONTENTS Introduction....................... 7 Proper of Seasons.................. 9 Solemnities of the Lord During Ordinary Time.................... 181 The Ordinary of the Liturgy of the Hours for Daytime Prayer................ 189 Proper of Saints.................... 325 Appendix I: Complementary Psalmody for Midmorning, Midday and Midafternoon..................... 387 Appendix II: Hymns for Daytime Prayer. 397
INTRODUCTION Morning and evening prayer remain the hinges of the Liturgy of the Hours, yet the custom prevails to pray at other times throughout the day. The Liturgy of the Hours, restored by the Second Vatican Council, provides for this need by offering Daytime Prayer. Composed of prayers for midmorning, midday and midafternoon the individual may use all three or select the one set of prayers most suitable for the occasion or the hour of the day. This booklet provides individuals and groups with the text for Daytime Prayer. In addition to private use during the course of the day, the prayers are also appropriate for group use at meetings, in classrooms, study sessions, etc. Like the other hours of the Liturgy of the Hours, Daytime Prayer begins with the introductory verse God, come to my assistance, and the Glory to the Father to which the Alleluia is added outside of Lent. Basically, the introduction is a call to prayer and a brief expression of praise. An appropriate hymn follows. The selection is made in view of the time of day and liturgical season. A selection of appropriate hymns is provided in Appendix II. The psalms are the heart of the Liturgy of the Hours and have been chosen to correspond to the hour of the day. Notice that the psalms have been distributed over a four-week period. Indication is made in the text itself as to when you begin to use Week I. Each psalm is prefixed by an antiphon. This antiphon states the theme of each day. It is repeated after the Psalm-prayer or the Glory to the Father. Complementary psalmody is provided for those who pray more than one of the Daytime Prayers (see Appendix I). Those who say only one of the three hours use the current psalmody even on Feasts. For
8 Introduction Solemnities the psalms are taken from the complementary psalmody for each of the three hours. If, however, the Solemnity occurs on Sunday, the psalms are taken from Sunday, Week I. A psalm-prayer has been provided with some psalms. After the psalm has been prayed, the antiphon repeated, and a brief period of silence observed, the prayer is said. It sums up the thoughts and feelings of those who just prayed and helps one to see the psalm in a Christian light. A short reading from the scripture follows and should be read and received as a true proclamation of God s word. The response to the reading may be twofold: a period of silent reflection and the brief verse provided in the text. For the Sunday and weekday offices, the reading is taken from the Proper of Seasons, when provided. For Solemnities and Feasts, the reading is found in the Proper of Saints. The Memorials of Saints (optional or obligatory) are not celebrated in Daytime Prayer. Afterwards the concluding prayer, with the invitation Let us pray and the appropriate conclusion, is said. The response at the conclusion of the prayer is Amen. In the communal celebration of Daytime Prayer, the acclamation is added: Let us praise the Lord And give him thanks.
ADVENT SEASON Midmorning Ant. This is the good news the prophets foretold: The Savior will be born of the Virgin Mary. READING Sunday and Dec. 18 Romans 13:13-14a Let us live honorably as in daylight; not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual excess and lust, not in quarreling and jealousy. Rather, put on the Lord Jesus Christ. Monday and Dec. 19 See Isaiah 10:20-21 On that day The remnant of Israel, the survivors of the house of Jacob, Will lean upon the Lord, the Holy One of Israel, in truth. A remnant will return, the remnant of Jacob, to the mighty God. Tuesday and Dec. 20 Jeremiah 23:5 Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will raise up a righteous shoot to David; As king he shall reign and govern wisely, he shall do what is just and right in the land. Wednesday and Dec. 21 See Isaiah 2:11-12 The haughty eyes of man will be lowered, the arrogance of men will be abased, and the Lord alone will be exalted, on that day. Thursday and Dec. 22 Micah 5:4-5a The ruler in Israel shall stand firm and shepherd his flock by the strength of the Lord, in the majestic name of the Lord, his God; 11
12 Advent Season And they shall remain, for now his greatness shall reach to the ends of the earth; he shall be peace. Friday and Dec. 23 Jeremiah 29:11, 13 I know well the plans I have in mind for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, not for woe! plans to give you a future full of hope. When you look for me, you will find me: when you seek me with all your heart. Saturday and Dec. 17, Dec. 24 Isaiah 4:2 On that day, The branch of the Lord will be luster and glory, and the fruit of the earth will be honor and splendor for the survivors of Israel. RESPONSE The nations will revere your name, O Lord. And the great ones of the earth will acknowledge your glory. Prayer See pages 16-25. Midday Ant. The angel Gabriel said to Mary in greeting: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with you; blessed are you among women. READING Sunday and Dec. 18 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 May the Lord make you overflow with love for one another and for all, even as our love does for you. May he strengthen your hearts, making them blameless and holy before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his holy ones.
Midday - Reading 13 Monday and Dec. 19 See Isaiah 10:24a, 27 Thus says the Lord, the God of hosts: O my people, who dwell in Zion, do not fear. On that day, The burden shall be taken from your shoulder, and the yoke shattered from your neck. Tuesday and Dec. 20 Jeremiah 23:6 In his days Judah shall be saved, Israel shall dwell in security. This is the name they give him: The Lord our justice. Wednesday and Dec. 21 Isaiah 12:2 God indeed is my savior; I am confident and unafraid. My strength and courage is the Lord, and he has been my savior. Thursday and Dec. 22 Haggai 2:6, 9 One moment yet, a little while, and I will shake the heavens and the earth, the sea and the dry land. Greater will be the future glory of this house than the former; And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts! Friday and Dec. 23 Jeremiah 30:18 Thus says the Lord: See! I will restore the tents of Jacob, his dwellings I will pity. Saturday and Dec. 17, Dec. 24 Isaiah 4:3 He who remains in Zion and he that is left in Jerusalem Will be called holy: every one marked down for life in Jerusalem.
14 Advent Season RESPONSE Remember us, Lord, because of the love you have for your people. Come and bring us your salvation. Prayer See pages 16-25. Midafternoon Ant. Mary said: My soul is deeply troubled; what can this greeting mean? Am I to give birth to my King and yet remain a virgin for ever? READING Sunday and Dec. 18 See 2 Thessalonians 1:6, 7, 10 Strict justice would require that God will provide relief to you who are sorely tried, as well as to us, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with his mighty angels; when he comes to be glorified with his holy ones and adored by all who have believed. Monday and Dec. 19 See Isaiah 13:22b 14:1a Her time is near at hand and her days shall not be prolonged. The Lord has pity on Jacob and again chooses Israel. Tuesday and Dec. 20 Ezekiel 34:15-16 I myself will pasture my sheep; I myself will give them rest, says the Lord God. The lost I will seek out, the strayed I will bring back, the injured I will bind up, the sick I will heal, shepherding them rightly. Wednesday and Dec. 21 Daniel 9:19 O Lord, hear! O Lord, pardon! O Lord, be attentive and act without delay, for your own sake, O my God, because this city and your people bear your name!
Midafternoon - Reading 15 Thursday and Dec. 22 Malachi 4:2 For you who fear my name, there will arise the sun of justice with its healing rays; And you will gambol like calves out of the stall, says the Lord of hosts. Friday and Dec. 23 Baruch 3:5-6a Remember at this time not the misdeeds of our fathers, but your own hand and name: for you are the Lord our God. Saturday and Dec. 17, Dec. 24 Isaiah 61:11 As the earth brings forth its plants, and a garden makes its growth spring up, So will the Lord God make justice and praise spring up before all the nations. RESPONSE Come, Lord, do not delay. Free your people from their sinfulness. Prayer See pages 16-25.