In the sixth century the Office
of Vespers in the Latin Church
was almost the same as it has
been throughout the Middle
Ages and up to the present
day. In a document of unquestionable
authority of that period
the Office is described as
follows: The evening hour, is composed of four psalms, a
capitulum, a response, a hym, a versicle, a canticle from the
Gospel,litany Pater with the ordinary finale, oratio, or prayer,
and dismissal . Vesper time varied according to the season
between the tenth hour (4 p. m.) and the twelfth (6 p. m.). As a
matter of fact it was no longer the evening hour, but the sunset
hour, so that it was celebrated before the day had departed
and consequently before there was any necessity for artificial
light (Regula S. Benedicti, xli). This is a point to be noted, as it
was an innovation. Before this epoch this evening synaxis was
celebrated with all the torches alight. The reason of this is that
St. Benedict introduced in the cursus, another hour—that of
Compline which was prescribed to be celebrated in the evening,
and which might be considered as a kind of doubling of
the Office of Lucernarium.
ORIGIN OF VESPERS: PERIOD BEFORE THE 6TH CENTURYThe Rule of St.
Benedict was written about 530-43 and represents the Office of
Vespers drawn up in the manner shown above. Much earlier
than this we find an evening Office corresponding to both that
of Vespers and that of Compline. Its name varies. In St. Benedict
we find the name vespera which has prevailed, whence the
French word vêpres and the English vespers. John Cassian calls
it Vespertina synaxis, or Vespertina solemnitas (P. L., XLIX, 88-
9). The name, however, by which it was most widely known
during that period was Lucernalis or Lucernaria hora (l. c., 126).
This name is characteristic. It was so called because at this
hour a number of candles were lighted, not only to give light,
but also for symbolical purposes. The "Peregrinatio", which
gives the liturgical order as practised at Jerusalem and the date
of which is probably the 4th century, calls it Lichnicon. This is
the Latin transcription of the Greek word lychnikon, which corresponds
to the word Lucernarium (cf. AMBROSIAN LITURGY
AND RITE). The author tells us that this Office took place at the
tenth hour (four o'clock in the evening); it is really the Office
des lumières, i.e. of the lights; it was celebrated in the Church
of the Holy Sepulchre; all the lamps and torches of the church
were lighted, making, as the author says, "an infinite light". The
Lucernal psalms were sung, after which followed the recitation
of the supplication and commemorations or litanies, then the
prayers, and finally the blessing and dismissal. In the
"Antiphonary of Bangor", an Irish document of the 6th century,
Vespers are called hora duodecima, which corresponds to six
o'clock in the evening, or hora incensi, or again ad cereum
benedicendum. All these names are interesting to note. The
hora incensi recalls the custom of burning incense at this hour,
while at the same time the candles were lighted. The term ad
cereum benedicendum presents a still greater interest because
it reminds us that the ceremony of the lights at Vespers was
symbolic and very solemn. Vespers, then, was the most solemn
Office of the day and was composed of the psalms called
Lucernales (Psalm 140 is called psalmus).
Vespers are offered every evening at 6:00 PM,
Monday through Friday during Lent. Please join us for this prayerful reflection.
SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 28, 2010
SECOND SUNDAY OF LENT
See beyond the surface
Peter gets the Transfiguration wrong, as he does so many things at first. Upon
seeing a glimpse of Jesus’ glory, his impulse is to mark the spot, to
memorialize it with a shrine. We can understand that, though today we take digital
photos and videos, vainly trying to capture a place, a person, or a moment that
can never be held—except in the heart. In Lent we remember that our faith
is not only a matter of medals, holy cards, a rosary hung from the car’s
rearview mirror or worn as a necklace. These do not sum up our faith any more
than children are their photographs. Tokens remind us of someone or something
important; at their best, they move us to an act of love. Those in the Rite
of Christian Initiation of Adults process are not supported only by browsing
through photos in our parish directory but by seeing faith in action: on the
street, at work, in the homes of believers.
TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis
15:5-12, 17-18; Philippians 3:17-4:1 or 3:20-4:1; Luke 9:28b-36
"Brothers and sisters, join in imitating me, and observe those who
live according to the example you have in us."
DOMINGO, 28 DE FEBRERO DE 2010
SEGUNDO DOMINGO DE CUARESMA
Ve más allá de la superficie
Pedro entiende mal la Transfiguración, como muchas otras cosas al principio.
Una vez visto brevemente la gloria de Jesús, su impulso es marcar el
lugar, recordarlo con un santuario. Podemos entender que, aunque hoy tomamos
fotos y videos digitales, vanamente intentando capturar un lugar, una persona,
o un momento que puede nunca ser tomado—excepto en el corazón.
En la Cuaresma recordamos que nuestra fe no solo es una cuestión de medallas,
estampas sagradas, un rosario colgado del espejo retrovisor de un carro o usado
como un collar. Estos no resumen nuestra fe más que los niños
son sus fotos. Las fichas nos recuerdan a alguien o algo importante; en el mejor
de los casos, nos llevan a un acto de amor. Aquellos en el proceso Rito de la
Iniciación Cristiana de Adultos no están apoyados solo por echar
un vistazo a las fotos en nuestro directorio de parroquia sino por ver la fe
en acción: en las calles, en el trabajo, en las casas de los creyentes.
LECTURAS
DE HOY: Génesis 15:5-12, 17-18; Filipenses 3:17-4:1 o 3:20-4:1; Lucas
9:28b-36
"Hermanos y hermanas, únanse en imitarme, y observen a aquellos
que viven de acuerdo al ejemplo que tú tienes en nosotros."
MONDAY, MARCH 1
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Tell it like it is
The biggest saints were often some of the biggest sinners. The difference between
them and us may be that they sought liberation through confessing their wrongdoing.
Holding onto sin means letting it hold onto us, or as Saint Alphonsus Liguori
said, “After we have offended God, the devil labors to keep the mouth
closed.” The sixth-century monk John Climacus was even more picturesque
about it: “Eggs warmed in dung hatch out. Unconfessed evil thoughts hatch
evil actions.” Don’t let the spirit of jealousy, resentment, or
dishonesty hatch out! Run, don’t walk, to the sacrament that liberates!
TODAY'S READINGS: Daniel
9:4b-10; Luke 6:36-38
"Ah, Lord, great and awesome God . . . we have sinned and done wrong."
TUESDAY, MARCH 2
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Understanding God
Although the Pledge of Allegiance has been around since 1892, the words “under
God” were not officially added by Congress until 1954. While some have
criticized the move as breaching the church-state divide, the notion that we
are all under a Supreme Being in fact encourages the egalitarian spirit the
United States is known for. The idea that no one is above God reinforces the
American belief that no one is above the law either. The sense that we are a
people living under God can help us see each other as brothers and sisters and
motivate us to work for greater equality and justice for all.
TODAY'S READINGS: Isaiah
1:10, 16-20; Matthew 23:1-12
"You have one teacher, and you are all students."
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3
FEAST OF KATHARINE DREXEL, VIRGIN
The best of both worlds
Katherine Drexel (1858-1955) went beyond herself in many ways. Beyond her economic
class—she gave away millions of dollars of her inheritance to charities.
Beyond her race—she founded a religious order of women to help African
Americans and Native Americans. When she was 77, however, her life of service
changed to one of quiet and prayer after she suffered a heart attack. Katherine’s
story shows the importance of both prayer and service, contemplation and action.
Find that balance in your own life.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah
18:18-20; Matthew 20:17-28
"Whoever wishes to be great among you must be your servant."
THURSDAY, MARCH 4
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Be a good steward of yourself
In the season of Lent, tradition calls on Christians to fast. Fasting has a
long history, going all the way back to biblical times. Jesus fasted in the
wilderness before embarking on his ministry. As a spiritual discipline fasting
points to a period of preparation—in Lent, preparation to celebrate the
Easter mysteries. It reminds you to clear away distractions and look more closely
at yourself and where things come from and where they go. Think of all the “resources”
in your life: time, money, food, possessions, even love. Are you using them
well? Now’s the time to find out.
TODAY'S READINGS: Jeremiah
17:5-10; Luke 16:19-31
"I the Lord test the mind and search the heart, to give to all . .
. according to the fruit of their doings."
FRIDAY, MARCH 5
LENTEN WEEKDAY
No regrets?
You may be tempted to believe you have “failed” Lent; you might
have relaxed your resolutions or Lenten practices. But you should not think
that your Lent is over the instant you stumble. The third- and fourth-century
church father Saint John Chrysostom reminds us that our task is rather simple:
“Have you sinned? Mourn and annul the sin. How toilsome is this? . . .
I am not telling you to cleave the oceans, or to navigate slowly into port from
the high seas, or to march, or to depart on an endless journey . . . Then what?
Mourn the sin.” Always be willing to reevaluate your goals for this Lent,
keeping in mind that repentance is all that is asked of you.
TODAY'S READINGS: Genesis
37:3-4, 12-13a, 17b-28a; Matthew 21:33-43, 45-46
"Jesus said to them, ‘Have you never read in the scriptures:
The stone that the builders rejected has become the cornerstone?’ "
SATURDAY, MARCH 6
LENTEN WEEKDAY
Restrain a prodigious appetite
The gospel story of the “prodigal son” provides a vivid illustration
of the limits of acquisitiveness and self-indulgence. The son first demands
his inheritance from his father while his father is still alive (ouch!). If
that weren’t enough, he then quickly runs through it in the biblical equivalent
of a Las Vegas weekend splurge. Only when he hungers to fill his empty stomach
does he come to his senses. In a similar way, feeling a bit of hunger—the
effect of the traditional Lenten discipline of fasting—might help us reflect
on our own shortcomings and make adjustments and amends as necessary. Consider
skipping a meal today for the sake of your spirit.
TODAY'S READINGS: Micah
7:14-15, 18-20; Luke 15:1-3, 11-32
"He would gladly have filled himself with the pods that the pigs were
eating."
Contributors: Father Paul Boudreau, Daniel Grippo, Father Larry Janowski, O.F.M., Ann O’Connor, Joel Schorn, Patrice J. Tuohy, and Sister Julie Vieira, I.H.M.
©2010 by TrueQuest Communications, L.L.C. PHONE: 800-942-2811; E-MAIL: mail@takefiveforfaith.com; WEBSITE: www.takefiveforfaith.com. Licensed for noncommercial use. All rights reserved. Scripture quotes come from the New Revised Standard Version of the Bible.
