The Little Office Of The Blessed Virgin Mary And The Office Of The Dead (In Latin and English)

About the book: “As you vigilantly school yourself in studying the psalms and in giving praise to God, I exhort you, venerable brother, and recommend that you also not omit the daily office of the blessed Mary ever virgin.” - ⁠Saint Peter Damian

The best prayer is the prayer of the Church - pray the inspired psalms of the Holy Ghost since the 8th century, hated by heretics, loved by friends of Our Lady, recited by Saints John Damascene, Catherine of Siena, Vincent Ferrer, Louis of France, Bridget of Sweden, and many more.

The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary has been in use for centuries. It often was the "simplified breviary" of religious communities; as such it was subject to the reform of the Roman Breviary by Pope Pius X in 1911. It is a part of the 1962 edition of the Roman Breviary as well, which was the norm for the present edition.

This new edition has been designed for private use. It can, however, be used in community, although this edition is without a ceremonial. If it is used privately, the Office may be recited in either Latin or in English. 

For private use, the following times are suggested for the canonical hours:

    Matins: Early morning or previous evening

    Lauds: Always in the morning, even if Matins are anticipated (said the evening before)

    Prime: Morning prayer

    Terce: 9 AM

    Sext: Noon

    None: 3 PM

    Vespers: 6 PM

    Compline: Night prayer

The text of The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Office of the Dead is that of the 1915 Benziger Brothers edition with updated punctuation and slight rewording of some familiar passages in English. The content of the Offices was revised in conformity with the norms of the typical edition of the Roman Breviary published in 1961. Completely re-typeset with the Latin and English text on facing pages, Angelus Press offers this beautiful edition (2014) to the faithful as an eminently readable and truly affordable format.

May The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary bring many graces to those who use it, and foster the spirit and deepen the understanding of the Roman Catholic Liturgy.