This is not a learned paper, the reader will know as much if not more about the Liturgy, than I do. However my advantage is AGE and long usage of the Liturgy.

It will be a paper of reflections which I hope we can all share.

Liturgy…literally Public Work.

I have attended a Friends Meeting……total silence, and also a Byzantine Liturgy, celebrated by a Melkite Archbishop….lots of movement, lots of incense, people coming and going, superb music.

Were they both Liturgy?

Prayer on behalf of us all. Most of the time prayed by individuals standing as the Church for the World.

The Roman Breviary …. Come to OUR assistance….. to help US. Do we think of this? Tucked away on our own with this massive calling, to stand before the throne of God carrying out the Church’s vocation pleading for his children.

You know, as I write this , I appreciate the raising up of one’s hands, at prayer, especially as one sets out on one of the Hours. Try it.

The liturgy has never been a static prayer, down the years it has changed, it’s living, times and people have changed so has it.

Much of the change has taken place in our Benedictine monasteries: Solesmes.. Maredsous.. Mt Cesar….. Maria Laach, then came Pius10…Pius12 …..Vat2 etc.
Away from individualism…. much greater involvement of the people, those of us outside the walls, lay or clerical. The beauty and depth of the Hours was opened up to the wider church.

You all know this but where does this leave us Oblates of our own Monasteries?

I know a few who pray the whole five offices, yes readings as well (how do get on with Augustine?) Others like myself, Morning and Evening prayer… a cleric’s obligation, but also Compline. Many Douai Oblates use the Douai Compline to unite themselves with the Community at Night Prayer. The important thing is that if we are serious about our Oblation, there should be some effort to pray the Liturgy of the Hours

There must be numerous schedules of this prayer. I know some who have a little ceremony…. alone…. first thing in the morning. The medal goes on reminding them that they are Oblates, and then the Office. We do need reminders of who and what we are.

Where do we pray? In a church…… in the country (out of the rain)…. In a lonely spot…. in our special room… even in a corner with an Icon, or candle. I used to know a sales manager who would pull into a lay by and pray before his sandwiches. This is all about being in the world outside the walls. Nothing artificial about it. We are not half monks or nuns, we are people who want to be attached to a community, caught up in their life of prayer. Living the Gospel in the spirit of Saint Benedict. Simple really.

What do we use for the Office ? There is a variety of options. The Roman Breviary three volumes, or the single volume, without readings. The Benedictine short office .. then Universalis… on Kindle, iPad. Phone. Advantage? No ribbons, always the right office for the day. Of course they do not use the Benedictine Ordo.

Disadvantage? Most of us like using a book,and, of course, we can highlight and make notes on the pages.
The point is we are spoiled for aids.

One of the most moving aspects of praying the Office is “Continuity”
As you and I, and all the monks and nuns around the globe settle down to say or “sing the melody of the psalms,” we are with Benedict, Bernard, Bruno, Scholastica countless brothers and sisters, right back to Cassian, Basil, and yes, let’s go back to our Hebrew forefathers. Use our imagination to get caught up in this truth of continuity and tradition

Altogether, the office is not only prayer, official prayer, it is also a gel which binds us together not only in our lifetime, but to our history as Benedictines.

Glory to Thee O Lord, for you created not only the visible light but also the light of God.
Give us a mind to perceive this light
…in the oracles of the prophets, … in the melody of the psalms, … in the prudence of the proverbs, … in the experience of histories, … and in the life and love of Our Lord Jesus Christ, for his sake. Amen.

Ron O’Toole

Oblate of Douai