Reciting Divine Office

Extract

In March 1946 the editors of La Vie Spirituelle printed a questionnaire relative to the recitation of the Divine Office. In January 1947 under the title ‘Lauda Jerusalem Dominum’ they published a summary of the 345 answers received. These were from priests, nuns and the laity most, though not all, of whom were tertiaries. While in most cases replies showed great attachment to the practice, comments on the length and language of the Office—as well as on the attitude of mind of many recitants raise some interesting problems. It was also seen that despite the goodwill shown towards their obligation (priests) or practice (laity), many were far from understanding the Church's end in establishing this. The book therefore includes a valuable chapter, ‘Towards a better understanding of the Office’, setting forth the origin, history and purpose of the breviary and another on the question of Latin.