#breviary

Sometimes manuscripts only survive in pieces. Here is an example: a 15th c. breviary used to make collages in the 1800s. An interesting historical example, but not something you would want to to today! (UPenn Ms. Coll. 713)

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Ms. noted breviary single leaf; written and illuminated in northern Italy, probably the Veneto, ca. 1420-1430.

One 6-line historiated initial D in burnished gold frame, with attached marginal vinescroll design with a human figure. The initial begins Psalm 59 for Matins and depicts a Benedictine monk, cowled and sitting in a rocky landscape with distant forest, all beneath a star-studded sky. This nocturnal scene calls to mind the nighttime office at which this Psalm was recited. Also, the monks' attitude of dejection and the barren landscape recall the Psalm's opening words: "God, you have pushed us away and wreaked havoc on us ... You have shaken the earth and thrown it into disorder." 3-line calligraphic initial in colors; 1-line versal initials alternate in red and blue with penwork flourishes; 4-line stave in red with black neumes; rubricated. Foliated CII at upper center of recto, and 102 in red paint at lower right margin.

Previously attributed to the Austrian Tyrol, see Harrsen, 1958, no. 53; now assigned to Northern Italy, probably the Veneto, see Getty Museum Journal, v. 15 (1987) p. 174, as reflecting the impact of Austrian illumination on an Italian artist.

Musical notation: Three 4-line staves in red ink with black neumes on recto.

Other leaves from the same noted Breviary are found in the following collections: Pierport Morgan Library: 1 leaf, M.885; J.Paul Getty Museum: 5 leaves, MS 24.86.ML.674; Free library of Philadelphia, John Frederick Lewis Collection: 3 leaves, M64.8-10.

The Liturgy of the Hours (also called the Divine Office or Breviary) is the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church. It sanctifies different parts of the day with prayer, primarily consisting of psalms, scripture readings, hymns, and prayers. Clergy, religious, and many laypeople pray it daily as a way to unite themselves with the universal Church and offer praise to God.

What Does the Liturgy of the Hours Contain?

The Liturgy of the Hours is divided into canonical hours, each designed for different times of the day. The major hours include:

Office of Readings (Matins) – Can be prayed at any time; includes extended scripture readings and writings from saints or Church Fathers.

Morning Prayer (Lauds) – Prayed at dawn to give thanks and offer the day to God.

Daytime Prayer (Terce, Sext, None) – Prayed at mid-morning (Terce), midday (Sext), or mid-afternoon (None), focusing on dependence on God throughout the workday.

Evening Prayer (Vespers) – Prayed at sunset, giving thanks for the day and reflecting on God’s mercy.

Night Prayer (Compline) – Prayed before bed, asking for God’s protection during the night.

Each hour consists of:

Opening verse (e.g., "O God, come to my assistance…")

Hymn (specific to the time of day or feast)

Psalms and Canticles (from the Book of Psalms and other scriptures)

Scripture Reading (a short passage from the Bible)

Responsory (a short prayer response)

Gospel Canticles (Benedictus for Morning, Magnificat for Evening, Nunc Dimittis for Night)

Intercessions (prayers for the Church and the world)

Concluding prayer and blessing. How to Use the Liturgy of the Hours?

Choose the Right Version

The full version is in the 4-volume Breviary.

A shorter version is Christian Prayer (1-volume).

Apps like iBreviary, Universalis, or Divine Office provide digital versions.

Follow the Liturgical Calendar

The prayers change based on the liturgical season (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time).

Feast days and solemnities have their own special prayers.

Pray at the Appointed Times

Laypeople can pray as much as they can. Morning and Evening Prayer are the most encouraged.

It can be prayed alone or in a group.

Use It as an Offering to God

The Liturgy of the Hours is not just personal devotion but an extension of the Church’s prayer.

Pope Pius X, born Giuseppe Melchiorre Sarto, was the first Pope elected in the 20th century.

He came to the papal office in 1903 and died 11 years later in 1914, just as World War I was beginning.

He was born to a poor family on 2 June 1835 at Riese, near Venice. He was one of eight children.

He felt a calling to be a priest at a young age and was ordained in 1858. After 26 years, he was named Bishop of Mantua in Italy. In 1893, he became Patriarch of Venice.

As Pope, he issued decrees making the age of First Holy Communion earlier — at the age of 7.

He advocated frequent and even daily reception of the Eucharist.

He promoted the reading of the Bible among laypeople, reformed the liturgy, promoted clear and simple homilies, and brought back Gregorian chant.

He revised the Breviary, reorganized the curia, and initiated the codification of canon law.

Pope Pius X died on 20 August 1914 of natural causes, reportedly aggravated by worries over the beginning of World War I.

Pope Pius XII beatified him on 3 June 1951 and canonized on 29 May 1954.

Pius X is known for vigorously opposing modernist interpretations of Catholic doctrine, and for promoting liturgical reforms and Thomist scholastic theology.

Noon Prayer

Afternoon/ Evening Prayer

Night Prayer

“But men are hopeless creatures, and the less they concentrate on their own sins, the more interested they become in the sins of others. They seek to criticize, not to correct. Unable to excuse themselves, they are ready to accuse others.”

From a sermon by St. Augustine, bishop

I use the IBreviary app for everything tbh. The one thing they don't have is a meditation on the Luminous mysteries but im working on a lil something to post on that. As well as specific meditations for people to pray an intentional rosary for their priest with each of the mysteries.

I know a lot of people like Hallow but I dislike it for several reasons: 1, you have to pay for it; 2, there is NO option to read the prayers or meditations so people who are hard of hearing beware; 3, because of 1 and 2 it is insanely hard to personalize. I don't have time for a 5 or 10 minute reflection but I have 3. But I can't skip ahead because it's timed; 3.5, I personally HATE recordings of the rosary with meditations because it does not allow for free-form thoughts of God which is kind of the point of meditation; 4, it removes a feeling of Oneness with the entire Church to me. Like trying to pray with other people but you aren't really praying with anyone else. I know it is popular but thats just my .2 cents.

As far as actually reading the Bible, if you want to read the entire thing I suggest either Fr. Mike's "Bible in a Year" available on YouTube or there are Catholic devotionals that do the Bible in 1, 3, or 5 years. My mom has the one for a 3 year cycle and she LOVES it. It takes it a little bit slower and doesn't include reflections but it has an old Testament reading, a psalm, and a new Testament reading every day.

If you aren't looking for the entire Bible, but just little bits of scripture I suggest the Bible App, (YouBible in the app store) it gives 1 sometimes 2 versus of a daily Bible Quote and you can choose your translation. One of the things I use IBreviary for is that it gives the daily Mass readings which I love to pray and meditate with, as well as doing at least one hour of the Divine Office a day so I'm getting scripture that way as well.

Hope this helps!