As we journey towards the end of the Season of Lent, I want to take the opportunity to reflect on one of the fundamental themes of the Season, that of Prayer.
Last Sunday I was in Spain and I participated in a type of liturgical event that I had never participated in before. Having celebrated the Vigil Eucharist, I went out for a walk on Sunday morning and decided to visit the Cathedral of Valencia and say a few prayers. There I was pleasantly surprised to see the Chapter of Canons of the Cathedral Praying the Divine Office.
The Catholic Church in the United States does not have any Chapters of Canons (the bishops decided in the Nineteenth Century that the needs of the nascent church for priests to be available in far-flung corners of the diocese trumpeted the desirability of a Canon praying regularly in the cathedral).
The celebration in Valencia had an organ and the Hymn, Antiphons, Psalms and Canticles were chanted in Latin. The Intercessions and Reading were in Spanish. The altar was incensed during the Benedictus. The celebration was immediately followed by the Eucharist.
I think about 7 or 8 Canons were present in the Sanctuary, as well as acolytes, an organist and a Cantor. About 100 people attended the liturgy, although I imagine that many were also attending the Celebration of the Eucharist that immediately followed.
When I hear discussions about the Liturgy of the Hours, it is often in the context of being a substitute for the Eucharist. Yet here was a celebration that was attended by many members of the clergy. It was not in place of the Eucharist, but formed an integral part of the Cathedral parish’s liturgical life.
I think that this should be considered in all of our parishes. Not every parish can celebrate all the hours. But it should not be only seen as a possible alternative to the Eucharist. Indeed it is something integral to the Church’s liturgical life.
Indeed, every candidate for Ordination has had to promise to pray with the People of God, A promise which is unfortunately often lamentably neglected:
Do you resolve to maintain and deepen the spirit of prayer that is proper to your way of life and, in keeping, with this spirit and what is required of you, to celebrate faithfully the Liturgy of the Hours with and for the People of God and indeed for the whole world?