Little Brothers and Sisters of Jesus
Caritas
Liturgy Guidelines
Prayer Leaders- We share leadership for prayer. The leader for the day prepares and
leads the community at the hours of the day. They should:
Ÿ Make thoughtful, creative selections of music, texts, readings according to the time of
day, the season, the liturgical (feast or memorial) day…
Ÿ Be familiar with prayers and texts
Ÿ Turn on lights, light candles, make adjustments to the environment, add chairs for
guests…
Ÿ Decide who will proclaim the readings and give time for them to prepare
Ÿ At the beginning of liturgy, offer people a chance to introduce any guests that are
present
The Prayer Leader of the day also offers grace at our evening meal.
The Community at Prayer- We come not just to receive but to give ourselves to God
and to the community at prayer. We offer one another attention, prayerful attitudes and
postures. We come with appropriate attire, allowing ourselves enough time to get settled
before prayer begins.
Resources for Prayer- Our main resource is Christian Prayer. However, the novitiate
has many resources for prayer, including alternative copies of the breviary and also other
prayer services. We have music books and some cds. Intentionality and creativity are
encouraged. Novices may also compose a prayer service. The guide-line should be
simplicity and prayerfulness.
Other Novitiate Customs- Our pace of reciting prayers is reflective and slower than
what many people may be used to. We are in no hurry here and have the advantage of
being able to slow down.
For pastoral reasons, we use “horizontally” inclusive language in our prayer. For example
“brothers and sisters” instead of just “brothers.” A list of modifications will be given and
novices are expected to write them in pencil in their Christian Prayer Books so that we
are of one voice in our prayers.
The chapel is our place of common prayer unless one is not a available or another reason
rises.
After all gatherings in the chapel for Eucharist or prayer, please exit in silence; some
people may want to remain in chapel to pray.
Daily Eucharist
The leader of the day-
Ÿ Contact the presider to discuss liturgy planning
Ÿ Read the readings of the day and consult the Ordo about feasts and liturgical events
Ÿ Choose appropriate songs and music
Ÿ Ask someone to proclaim the readings allowing them enough time to prepare
Ÿ Add chairs necessary to accommodated guests
Ÿ If there is a visiting priest, ask him if he uses a Lavabo. Assist him or her in finding
vestments, books, etc
Ÿ Clean up afterwards- purificating vessels, blowing out candles…
Format in Providence- General Recommendation-
Introductory Rites
Liturgy of the Word
Ÿ Readings- readings of the day
Ÿ Conclusion to the scripture readings “verbum domini”
Liturgy of the Eucharist
Ÿ The person sitting closest to the altar prepares the altar and assists the priest
Ÿ At the sign of peace we exchange a greeting with all present
Communion Rite
Ÿ We pass the patten with the Body of Christ around the circle, but consume together
Ÿ We stand as people receive the Cup. If you do not wish to receive, please take the Cup
and pass it to the person who is next
Concluding Rite
Liturgy of the Hours
When praying the Liturgy of the Hours, the ritual is characterized by the following
elements. For morning and evening prayer, we use the Liturgy of the Hours. The prayer
leader has some flexibility to adapt or omit or replace certain elements. For mid-day and
night prayer the leader may chose to use the Liturgy of the Hours or lead the community
in some other form of shared group prayer.
Morning Prayer (Lauds)
Invitatory- “O Lord, Open My Lips--
And my mouth shall declare your praise. Glory to…”
Hymn- (optional) Songs or instrumentals other than hymns may be used and should be
reflective, prayerful and quiet. Music should reflect the time of day and the liturgical
season. We stand for the opening hymn,
Psalmody- Use from one to three psalms or canticles. They should be recited/ chanted
alternating sides in a reflective gentle pace. They may also be read by all, read alternating
the leader with the congregation…
Reading- From Scripture but also from spiritual books, the Constitutions, Church
Documents… Other readings may be used but they should be selected with a view toward
common texts and helping the community pray.
Silent Reflection- one to two minutes in length
Gospel Canticles- The Canticle of Zechariah, The Benedictus- recited or sung standing as
it is a Gospel text [when Morning Prayer immediately precedes Eucharist, the
intercessions and Lord’s Payer are omitted]
Intercessions- either spontaneous or from the book
Our Father-
Closing Prayer- Using the one in the book, a prayer written by the novice or from some
other source
Dismissal-
Evening Prayer (Vespers)
Invitatory- “Oh God Come to our Assistance--
Oh Lord, Make haste to help us. Glory to…”
Hymn- (optional) Songs or instrumentals other than hymns may be used and should be
reflective, prayerful and quiet. Music should reflect the time of day and the liturgical
season. We stand for the opening hymn,
Psalmody- Use from one to three psalms or canticles. They should be recited/ chanted
alternating sides in a reflective gentle pace. They may also be read by all, read alternating
the leader with the congregation…
Reading- From Scripture but also from spiritual books, the Constitutions, Church
Documents… Other readings may be used but they should be selected with a view toward
common texts and helping the community pray.
Silent Reflection- one to two minutes in length
Gospel Canticles- The Canticle of Mary, The Magnificat- recited or sung standing as it is
a Gospel text
Intercessions- either spontaneous or from the book
Our Father-
Closing Prayer- Using the one in the book, a prayer written by the novice or from some
other source
Dismissal-
Night Prayer (Compline)
Our last period of prayer at the end of the day is a good time for compline but also for
creative or shared prayer. The leader of the day would plan such prayer.
If night prayer is done in the form of the Liturgy of the Hours, the following form is
generally used:
Invitatory- “Oh God Come to our Assistance--
Oh Lord, Make haste to help us. Glory to…”
Examination of Conscience- (optional) May be in silence or a penitential rite from Mass.
Hymn- (optional)
Psalms-
Reading- From Scripture but also from spiritual books
Resonsory- (optional)
Gospel Canticles- The Canticle of Simeon, The Nunc Dimittis standing as it is a Gospel
text
Closing Prayer/ Dismissal- “May the all powerful Lord grant us a restful night and a
peaceful death-- Amen.”
Marian Antiphons or prayers- According to the seasons
