The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

I was introduced to the Liturgy of the Hours on my very first morning in Nashville 25 years ago and have been praying it ever since - still with several of those same people but I've graduated to the large print edition. :)  Knowing this important prayer was also a component of Blessed Frassati's life highlights for me the beautiful rhythm and continuity of the Church throughout the ages.

Pier Giorgio faithfully prayed the shorter form - called "The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary" - because this was the form required when he became a lay Dominican at the age of 21.  He explained to one of his friends, " We need to recite the Dominican Office of Our Lady or the Rosary every day, but if you deliberately omit this for one day or for a few days you don’t commit a mortal sin."

According to his sister Luciana, they found his prayerbook after his death "on his bedside table, open and well-used."

Many people do not realize that the Liturgy of the Hours (also referred to as the Divine Office or the Breviary) is the public prayer of the Church second only to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.  It is a prayer that gives rhythm to your day as well as to the life of the Church.  In fact, Catholics have been praying it since the time of Christ, more or less, because it is rooted in the Jewish prayer tradition. 

There are many online sources of information about the origin of this form of prayer and how to pray it.  There are even YouTube videos on how to set up your prayerbook.  I've linked to a few random sites throughout this post as a starting point. 

Much like in Pier Giorgio's day, the times we are living in call for an increase of prayer.  Short on time?  He managed to fit it into his busy day no matter where he was. 

Someone asked him one day on the tram, “What are you doing, Pier Giorgio?”  “I’m saying my Office,” said the young ‘friar’ with a smile.  - Father Enrico Ibertis, O.P.

If you are not already praying a version of the Divine Office, the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary may be a great starting point.  As the Feast of the Assumption is approaching, what a wonderful time to begin.

Blessed Pier Giorgio Frassati, loyal son of the Church, pray for us.

Verso l'alto!  ///cmw