Office of Readings

The Office of Readings is a resulting from the Matins prayer time in the liturgical book of hours of the Catholic Church, in which the reading of Scripture is in the foreground.

In the course of the liturgical reform of Vatican II liturgical Hours ( Breviary ) of the deacons and priests were (Latin title: " Liturgia horarum " ) adapted to the living conditions of the cleric. Thus, the vigil or Matins, which was prayed earlier in the night or early in the morning, and has since been shortened to any particular time of day longer bound. This change is called Hore Office of Readings. In the Liturgy of the Hours of the contemplative orders, however, the vigil or Matins has been preserved. Will the Office of Readings celebrated as the first Hore of the day, you go the invitatory ahead, a psalm for liturgical day with a suitable antiphon.

The Office of Readings consists of the hymn, three psalms, a reading from the Bible, a longer reading of the Church Fathers or saints biographies and the Oration. On Sundays, feasts and solemnities are also singing the Te Deum. On Sundays and solemnities, the Office of Readings by adding three canticles ( songs ) can be extended from the Old Testament and the Gospel reading of the day for Matins or Vigil.