O come, let us sing unto the Lord; let us heartily rejoice in the God of our salvation. Let us come before his presence with thanksgiving ; and shew ourselves glad in him with psalms. (Ps. 94)
[Note: sadly the first part of the this tutorial will be next to useless to all but those using the larger Office books which include a full Office of Readings; Christian Prayer, etc., are unfortunately deficient in this regard.]
Matins -- The Office of Readings
Matins is the oldest Office of the Roman Breviary -- hence its nickname the "Parent" Office -- and historically the longest. It consisted of Opening Versicles, the Invitatory (Ps. 95), a hymn, and a number of "Nocturns". Either there was one Nocturn of nine Psalms, interstices (responsory, Our Father, and Absoltuion) and three scripture lessons; or, there were three Nocturns of three Psalms, interstices, and three lessons.
Following the reforms promulgated in Laudis Canticum, matins or the Office of Readings has now been simplified in terms of structure. The structure is now:
- Opening Versicles;
- three Psalms, with Antiphons and doxology, as previously explained for Lauds, Vespers, and Compline;
- a reponsory (i.e. a versicle and response);
- two readings, each followed by a reponsory
- (on feasts and solemnities, the Te Deum with doxology); and
- a concluding prayer.
The Opening Versicles would normally be:
V. "Lord, open my lips",
R. "And my mouth will proclaim your praise".
-- a sign of the cross is traditionally made by the thumb over the mouth at these words.
The Invitatory (Ps. 95) is then said, but can be optional in private recitation. This is a "hymn of adoration to God", as an "introduction to the Sabbath liturgy of the synagogue. The Church has placed it at the beginning of each day's Divine Office"(1).
However, if the Office of Readings is not the first Office of a particular day (this is called "anticipation" and takes place after Evening Prayer; see below), the Versicles would instead be:
V. "God, come to my assistance"
R. "Lord, make haste to help me."
"Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now and will be for ever. Amen."
-- An Alleluia is said outside Lent. These are all listed in the Ordinary/"Common Texts".
The Hymn is generally taken from the Psalter, though obviously if the Proper of Seasons, the Proper of Saints, or the Commons mandate a particular other Hymn, then this would be said.
Three Psalms/Canticles are then said as per Morning, Evening or Night Prayer. Again, they may come from the Psalter, the Propers or the Commons. Each is preceded by an Antiphon, and followed by a doxology and Antiphon.
The final Psalm is followed by a Responsory.
The Readings are not listed in the Psalter. For any given feast, the second reading will generally be given in the Proper of Seasons/Saints. The first reading is often taken from a Common, but do not worry, as the Proper of Seasons/Saints will always direct which Common to reference. For Solemnities and other very important liturgical days, sometimes both readings are given.
See the Resources page, for sources of further readings for matins.
Each Reading is followed by a Responsory.
For me, the readings are the joy of the Office of Readings. In them we find spiritual nourishment; whilst I find the Psalms and Canticles of the other Hours (and indeed of this Hour) speak to me on an emotional and subconscious level, the Readings imbue direct catechesis and learning, at the same time as allowing us to pray.
If it is a Sunday outside Lent, a Solemnity or feast, the canticle Te Deum is then said, followed by a doxology (Glory Be).
If another Office will not immediately follow (see below), then a prayer is said. It is preceded by "Let us pray", but is not often listed for the Office of Readings. Most often we find the direction "As in Morning Prayer". The this Office then ends (traditionally whilst making the sign of the cross) V. "Let us praise the Lord", R. "And give him thanks".
(1) Socias, Handbook of Prayers, p. 47
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