Honoring The Blessed Mother On the Feast of Her Assumption- The Office of Readings

The above is a Eastern Orthodox of the "Dormition of the Theotokos". This too is celebrated today. I think as one of my post for the Assumption I will show how the Orthodox(the second lung of the Church) and Catholic Church view this event in similar fashion. I will also point out where there are differences. It is sad but again in may ways the Orthodox put us to shame in how they celebrate this feast. More Later

The Liturgy Hours is of course the official and public prayer of the Church. It is pretty much a extension of the Liturgy of the Word at Mass. It is basically a series of hours that are prayed during the day. All Clergy and religious(INCLUDING THE POPE) are obliged by law to pray it. Many Lay people either in groups or in most cases in private pray the hours to unite themselves more fully to the Church.

The Hour I am dealing with was called Matins. It is now called the Office of Readings. It is one of the longest hours and most Ancient. Now in the olden days this was said in the middle of the night. Now it is often said before morning prayer(Lauds). However I still see convents and monasteries that pray this at midnight or around 3 am. This hour now though can be prayed at anytime of the day. Because my Sleep schedule has always been eractic I enjoying praying this hour in the wee hours of the morning.

The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary is of course incorporated and prayed in the Office of the readings. The Office includes Psalm as usual, scripture readings, and pften ancient writings of the fathers.. The office tonight has in it
The Apostolic Constitution of Pope Pius XII on the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Your body is holy and glorious.

The readings of the office that many we pray tonight and before morning prayer tomorrow are located here.

This is the concluding prayer of the Office of Readings:

Almighty and ever-living God, you welcomed the immaculate Virgin Mary, the Mother of your Son, into heaven, body and soul.

Grant that we may constantly keep our eyes on heavenly things, and come to deserve a share in her glory.

Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,

God for ever and ever.

Amen.