I might have bitten off more than I can chew; especially of all times -because I happen to be busier than usual- but I am quite determined to provide a series of videos, rubrics and several blog posts over the course of the next few months for those interested in learning the Carmelite Rite of the Divine Office. Just when I was beginning to have my doubts on doing these posts, another fellow reader of Mary’s Secretary recently reached out and said he obtained his own 4-volume-set of breviaries, and so, with the help of Our Lady and Carmelite Edith Stein (thanks to my good friend Jim), I will God-willing finish what I started. However, because the making of these videos are of a tedious process (especially beginning with Matins) I must pace myself, take it slow and do all I can to gently ease you into the Office.

I do not want you to get discouraged at the fact, that mastering the Carmelite Rite (Roman Rite in general), will not happen over night. Whenever you are tempted to give up, remember these words from my previous post: “grace of office”. You do not have to be the smartest person in the room; you just need the simple desire to worship God, through the breviary, and Our Lady and the angels will come to your aid and assist. The angels are eager to guide you; they even pray the Office with you. So, today’s video, and the three that will follow this post (2-4 below), are for those learning the Carmelite Rite individually. Community rubrics will have to be placed on the back-burner at present (as I said, I have to pace myself if these videos are going to be of any service to viewers).

Four Different ways to pray Matins for the following:

1.) Feria Day (video for today’s post). I am starting with Feria because it’s the easiest.

2.) 3rd or 4th class feast.

3.) 1st and 2nd class feast.

4.) Matins on Sundays.

2-4 will come in different blog posts; today’s video is only for Feria.

How to set up and decipher the different sections of the Breviary:

#1 First section of the book contains rubrics, but also essential prayers for Matins, Lauds and Vespers. This section for Matins is used for Psalm 94, the Te Deum and blessings for the readings.

#2 Second Section of the book contains the Psalms, from Dominica- Sabbato (Monday- Saturday).

#3 Third Section contains the readings of the week: Dominica- Sabbato.

#4 Fourth Section of the book contains the Gospel; is only used on Sundays or 1st class feasts. But if it’s a Feria day, like this video, then the oremus will be used from this section. See “Deprecationem…” see below.

#5 Fifth Section of the book contains the Saint of the day, readings, the oremus and if the feast is a 3rd class, you will always go to the common of the saints (see number 6 labeled common)

#6 Sixth Section of the book is the common of the saints- see video

Prayers following the end of Matins, on a Feria Day, directly recited after the last reading:

After intoning “Tu autem, Domine, miserere nobis (or nostri)….Deo gratias….

 Domine, exaudi orationem meam, et clamor meus ad te veniat…. oremus (the oratio for Feria day, used from Sunday Gospel section).

Oratio/ Oremus prayer followed by one of the following (the breviary will tell you which one to recite):

Per Dóminum nostrum Iesum Christum Fílium tuum, qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum (Through our Lord, Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever)

Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per omnia sǽcula sæculórum (Who lives and reigns with you and the Holy spirit, one God, forever and ever)

Qui vivis et regnas cum Deo Patre in unitáte Spíritus Sancti, Deus, per ómnia sǽcula sæculórum (You live and reign with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever)

Followed by…

Dominus Vobiscum…Et cum spiritu tuo… Benedicamus Domino…. Deo Gratias…. FIDELIUM ANIMAE PER MISERICORDIAM DEI REQUIESCANT IN PACE (always end office with this prayer for the dead).

The Salve Regina is not said after Matins, but for all the other hours it is recited after each.