Parable and Conscience Meditation October 22

Liturgy  October 22

In this way we follow the example of Mary . . . who united with the apostles in prayer for the coming of the Spirit (Const. 16.3).

The assembly of the Cenacle anticipated the rhythm of prayer that characterized the whole history of the Church.  Immediately after the Resurrection, the disciples began a program of prayer at fixed hours, notably at the beginning and end of the day.  Into the fourth century, this same Liturgy of the Hours, paschal and eschatological in theme, included psalms and biblical canticles.  All Christian felt obligated to participate.  After the fourth century, Lauds and Vespers, by now well developed, were prayed in the cathedral around the bishop.  The monks developed several Offices separately, including vigils.  Little by little, the pressure pastoral life caused the cathedral Liturgy of the Hours to become private and be prayed personally.  The Hours became the business of the clergy who used “pocket breviaries.”  This privatization was reinforced from the thirteen century onwards, particularly by the Orders of Mendicants and later by the Jesuits, despite the preference of Church law for prayer in common.  The Roman rite breviary knew several simplifications up to the twentieth century.  The Second Vatican Council reformed the Liturgy of the Hours and recommended it as the prayer of the entire community of the Church.

The branch of palm nuts hangs down from the palm tree.  (Luba)