Did you know that:
–According to our Rule and Constitutions, we should pray some form of liturgical prayer each day?
Here are the references from the Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order-
Rule:
Article 8. As Jesus was the true worshipper of the Father, so let prayer and contemplation be the soul of all they are and do. Let them participate in the sacramental life of the Church, above all the Eucharist. Let them join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of the life of Christ.
This is further explained in the General Constitutions:
Article 4. The brothers and sisters, as well as the fraternities, should adhere to the indications of the Ritual with respect to the different forms of participating in the liturgical prayer of the Church, giving priority to the celebration of the Liturgy
of the Hours.
Here is the reference from the Ritual (See Essential Documents of the Secular Franciscan Order, Appendix Part III, pp. 39-40):
Part Three
Liturgical Prayer
For the Members of the Secular Franciscan Order
26. According to the OFS Rule (art. 8), the members of the Secular Franciscan Order are to join in liturgical prayer in one of the forms proposed by the Church, reliving the mysteries of Christ.
27. These prayers may be:
a. Morning and evening prayer from The Liturgy of the Hours, either in common or in private. These celebrations are to be preferred at the fraternity meeting.
b. A shortened form of The Liturgy of the Hours according to forms adapted to the local Churches.
c. The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
d. The Office of the Passion written by St. Francis of Assisi
e. The office of the twelve Our Fathers in one of its many versions that have been enriched with short biblical readings and also adapted to the structure of The Liturgy of the Hours, especially since this form of prayer still thrives in many parts of the world and is a useful way of praying in everyday circumstances.
Possibilities for the Liturgy of the Hours
+Shorter Christian Prayer*
+Christian Prayer*
+Four volume breviary*
+I-breviary (app)
+Divine Office.org (app and website)
*If you are new to this form of prayer and choose to use one of these books, have someone help you learn to use it.
You might be interested in this video about the LOH on YouTube. https://youtu.be/Z-uLI7husAs
+Do you pray the Liturgy of the Hours? Which hours?
+If not, which of the alternates above do you pray?
+Why are these forms of prayer important to us as Secular Franciscans?
See this post on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SecFranUSA/
Diane F. Menditto, OFS
Chair, National Formation Commission
—
Peace and blessings,
Dona Gibbons OFS
Regional Formation Director
Juan de Padilla Region
Kansas~NW Missouri~Oklahoma
