THE HOURS OF OUR LADY

I will be posting from time to time excerpts from

THE LITTLE OFFICE OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY

so that we all can understand how wonderful these prayers are in honor of Our Lady and the great graces that are given to us when we devoutly pray them. 

Deacon John

 

To King David the "excellent Psalmist" of Israel (II Kings 23:1) and admirable penitent whose prophecies in the Psalms are literally Messianic and who as a great theocratic king typifies THE MESSIAS The Son of David and from whom descended MARY THE MOTHER OF GOD who was of the Tribe of Juda and The Royal House of DAVID (Feast Dec. 29).

Mary most sorrowful, Mother of Christians, pray for us (300 days) No. 376 Raccolta.

Virgin most sorrowful, pray for us. (300 days) No. 377 Raccolta.

In accordance with the most recent Latin version of the Psalms (1945) translated into English.

Published privately for the use of LAY RETREAT LEADERS AND LAY RETREATANTS of the Diocesan Retreat House, Cleveland, Ohio, with the hope that familiarity with the English translation of the Office of the B.V.M., will lead them on some day to the recitation of the Office in Latin--the Church's official language.

Notes and Explanations compiled and edited by Rt. Rev. Msgr. Francis P. Johns, S.T.D., Rector

Nihil Obstat: Bernard L. Koebele, O.F.M., Censor Deputatus

Imprimatur: +Eduardus F. Hoban, S.T.D., Archiepiscopus-Episcopus Clevelandensis

December 8, 1952

Feast of the Immaculate Conception

"Sweet is it to praise the Lord, to sing, Most High God, in honor of Thy Name: to proclaim Thy mercy and faithfulness at daybreak and at the fall of night." (Psalm 91)

The central idea of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin is given in the verses of the Hymn at Lauds:

"COME THEN, YE RANSOMED NATIONS, SING THE LIFE DIVINE "TWAS HERS TO BRING."

[To be continued]