May 9 and May 23rd, 2015 we continue our diaconate journey.It was for this class that Jay was the presider and Candy was the psalm leader for Morning Prayer, the Divine Office, Breviary or Liturgy of the Hours (LOH). As a diaconate candidate couple, they agreed to pray the LOH each morning and evening and this will continue after ordination. ( Click here to read all of Jay and Candy’s Diaconate blogs!)
When LOH is conducted during class, it consists of an introduction prayer, hymn, three psalms with responses, scripture reading, reflection (presented by the presides), reading response, the Canticle of Zachariah or the Magnificat, intercessions, the Lord’s Prayer, closing prayer and blessing if a deacon is present or dismissal.
These prayers follow the Jewish practice of praying at specific times and by the 5th century had evolved into seven offices (or times of day): Martins (during the night), Lauds (Dawn or 3 a.), Prime (6 a), Terce (9 a), Sext (noon), None (3 p) Vespers (6 p) and Compline (9 p). The arrangement has been attributed to Saint Benedict.
After Vatican II, Pope Paul VI, promulgated a new Roman Breviary referred to as the LOH. This defined Major and minor hours as follows: Office of the Readings (formally Martins) major hour, Lauds or Morning Prayer – major hour, Daytime prayer which can include any or all of Terce, Sext, and / or None, Vespers or Evening Prayer – major hour and Compline or Night Prayer. Lauds and Vespers are prayed by the diaconate.
The LOH utilized by the diaconate are the four volume set. There is also a single volume (Book of Christian Prayer) as well as many on-line versions and applications (IBreviary, Laudate and Divine Office to name a few (Note: the on-line version or Apps have many more items that just the LOH). In order to utilize either of the hard copy versions, there is a guide (Saint Joseph Guide for Liturgy of the Hours or Christian Prayer) that explains which prayers, readings and responses are used on a given day. This also includes Holy Days and Memorials as well as the optional Saints of the day. The one volume and four volume sets are available in the Holy Family Book Store as well as both guides.
The LOH is not just a prayer for those in diaconate formation or the seminary. It is not just for those who have been ordained or taken vows. The LOH is for everyone and can be prayed by everyone. In fact, it is prayed each weekday at 7:20 am and 7:30 am on Saturday’s and Holidays at Holy Family Church in South Pasadena.
On May 23rd, we continued our journey …
On November 26, 2013 we lost one of our classmates and dear friends, Tess Francisco. As classes were drawing to a close last year we gathered at Tess’ grave to pray the Liturgy of the Hours. We did the same last Saturday. Ding, Tess’ husband led the prayer. It was a beautiful and tear filled service, remembering the joy and light that Tess brought to our Class, her family and her Community. We miss her smiles, her prayerful spirit and her warmth, but know that she journey with us each day, listening to our prayers and interceding on our behalf. Even though we have been praying the LOH for the past 2 ½ years, sometimes, it is more pray filled and reflective than others. Saturday was one of those days as we remembered our friend, our sister, our St. Tess.
If you have any questions about what we have experienced in the diaconate (aka “that deacon thing”), please ask us or send us an e-mail to gbmom_01_02@yahoo.com.
If you are interested in becoming a Deacon or a Deacon Couple for the Archdiocese of Los Angeles, please contact:
Diaconate Formation Office
Archdiocese of Los Angeles
3424 Wilshire Boulevard, 2nd Floor
Los Angeles, CA 90010-2241
213-637-7383
Candy & Jay Krueger,
Candidacy Year II, Diaconate Formation year III,
Holy Family Church, South Pasadena, CA