Okay confession time ~ well, I am a Catholic lol :). ***whispers*** “I haven’t prayed my Offices since I moved house which was back in November if you remember”. Yes, I’ve prayed obviously but my Offices [Hours] and Lectio have been sadly neglected whilst life and work took over and time has ticked speedily on….
I’ve been quite poorly for the last four weeks or so with an infection [??] that just won’t shift [I’m on my third course of antibiotics in as many weeks] so I’ve relied heavily on my faith to keep me at work and to get me through the day [and to stop me being a right grumpy mare]. To be quite honest I’ve been at my wits end with discomfort and worry. Last night something made me pick up my Benedictine Daily Prayer book, which is my book of choice to use to pray the Divine Office, and there in those words I found such beauty, comfort, warmth, familiarity and most importantly the loving arms of my Dear Lord……my soft place to fall.
Why did I stay away for so long when heaven was just a page away?? It amazes me now how I could just blithely put aside something that gave/gives me so much joy. This truly is a case of you never know how much you’ve missed something until you find it again.
For me praying the Divine Office was initially something that I felt I should do and finding my way around the prayer book itself was quite a challenge when I first started. All those ribbons, all that page flicking, sigh!! For a while I felt I was just going through the motions. Now, after this unintentional break, I have to admit that at some point during those months of apparently ‘going through the motions’ a love affair began that I was totally unaware of. A love affair with the beauty and predictability of the liturgical year through [now] familiar hymns, prayers and psalms. A feeling of safety found within those beautiful words as they tap out the gentle rhythm of the religious seasons, especially on those days when personal prayer is dry and unproductive. It’s all written there for you in the Divine Hours, like a big safety net just waiting to catch you when you fall.
So, I’ve taken a good look at my spare time. [“What’s spare time?”, I hear you cry!!] I have realised that I’m not using it very well at all. Lot’s of working, cleaning, cooking, sleeping but not alot of ‘God’ time. I’m going to have a reshuffle and strike a better balance, in fact I started today. It’s like revisiting an old friend ~ why did I stay away so long……..??
Sharon, what a nice post! I’m so sorry you have been unwell for so long. This must be very draining, and with antibiotics all this time on top of it.
I very much like the way you describe praying the Divine Office. Thank you. It’s very inspiring.
Blessings.
Thank you Claire for your concern ~ I’m beginning to suspect that the meds are making no difference whatsoever which is not good. 😦
However, the Divine Office is a real comfort, a ‘known’ in a big sea of uncertainty ~ always there to bouy you up!! Have a great day, the sun is shining here this morning.
love
S xx
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I haven’t used my Benedictine Breviary in a while either. I found it was too much going backwards and forwards and too many bookmarks. The page shuffling got in the way of the prayer.
What I have recently discovered is the “Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary”, used by the Carthusians and untouched by modernism of any kind 🙂 When I pray it, I feel that somehow I am connected all the way back to the 8th century. It is quite repetitive, so after a while, the prayers feel like familiar friends, and I find I can slip into that prayerful attitude with greater ease. Then a door opens to God.
I think, as Catholics, that we need to try a few different Offices before finding the one which suits us. I’m glad you feel connected through the Breviary again. May God bless you through it 🙂
Mrs.P xx
Dear Mrs P ~ yes, I knew that the Carthusians used that Office to pray their hours. I did look into buying it about a year ago but I love my BDP and do not find the page flicking an interruption anymore, I seem to do it on autopilot now it’s become so familiar.
Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary
…..is this the one you have?? I tried two other books before settling on the BDP ~ both very Catholic and each lovely, but both rather limited/short which suited me well at the start when I was still finding my way. I tend to fall back on those if I’m away from home without privacy or if I’m very poorly and my concentration is shot.
The big struggle now is finding an opportunity to pray more than two Offices around my working day and Ethan lol….hmmm!!!! xx
So nice to share these things isn’t it??
S xx
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Yes, that’s the one. Not cheap, but it was a Christmas pressie from my dear husband 🙂 (with a nudge in the right direction from me). I think what I love most about it is the fact that it has a Mary focus, and is divided into English/Latin down the middle of the page. It’s also small enough to slip into a handbag! 😀
Tbh, Sharon, I don’t often find time to do more than 2 Offices a day, except when on retreat, but I make contact often by praying a Hail Mary, or just turning my thoughts God-ward. And then one can always pray whilst peeling potatoes! God knows where we’re at 😉
Mrs.P xx
Ah well I have a birthday coming up ~ I’ll make a suggestion possibly ;). Yep two offices is about my limit on a work day ~ sometimes only one as the mornings are a write off with Ethan to get ready. Small prayers throughout the day are a very good second best and most especially whilst peeling the spuds lol…..or loading the washing machine…… or cleaning the bathroom ~ it’s a woman thing huh?? xxx
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Oh Sharon I so agree with you about the beauty & blessings of liturgy 🙂 Having previously been in a church system that totally rejected it, I have found this a wonderful way of connecting with God.
Such was the emphasis on my Quiet Day too.
Am praying you will soon know His healing …
Will reply to your email in a bit xx
A xx
Oooooo I await your email expectantly. Glad to see we share a love of Liturgy too ~ xxx.
S xx
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Dear Sharon,
I’m sorry to hear you’re unwell. I’ll remember you in my prayers.
I too love liturgy and started to pray the Office after reading your blog. I also think that’s it’s normal to have these peaks and valleys regarding one’s prayer life.
I find the beauty of the psalms, their expressions of the love God has for His people is breathtaking.
With love and prayers,
Gail
Dear Gail ~ thank you for your concern and prayers ~ much appreciated. I’m so pleased that you found the Offices through this blog ~ that’s made my day!!
“I find the beauty of the psalms, their expressions of the love God has for His people is breathtaking.“ ~ beautifully put Gail ~ absolutely how I feel too. xx
Hugs and love
S xx
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Btw, I honestly meant to say I’m sorry you’ve been poorly, and will pray for some supernatural healing. I’ve had a bit of a poorly Lent too, and it can really wear you down.
Hugs & commiserations,
Mrs.P xx
Aww thank you Mrs P ~ last day of meds today so hoping this’ll be an end to it. Hope you too are feeling better xx.
S xx
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I too took a while to fall in love with the Office but once I did it was wonderful! I pray offices in the morning before college and on return, that one is shortened, and a shortened compline before sleep -and the blessing is immense. It also allows God to work though me in a way I could never do in my own strength. Very inspiring.
Thank you for your thoughts Karen. I love hearing other people’s experiences of praying the Divine Office. I’m so glad you are inspired ~ it’s quite a lovely feeling to know that while you’re praying morning or evening that someone else is praying along with you.
Every blessing
Sharon xx
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