Daily Archives: March 2, 2007

Lent and a Trial Liturgy

I’m not doing much this Lent. My work schedule is so involved and I’m getting so little sleep that I think any sort of physical ascesis might lead to health problems. I’m abstaining from meat on Fridays but that’s about it in that department.



Instead, I’m recommitting to good habits–some that had fallen by the wayside.



First, I recommitted to doing the Office as much as possible including saying Compline with M when my work schedule allows (i.e., the nights when I *don’t* end my shift at midnight).



Second, I recommitted to memorizing and mulling over the weekly collects.

Third, I decided to memorize the seven penitential psalms, taking one a week or so.



Two and three are going well; one is difficult as a function of time with the Office Book. I do have time–it’s during my commute which is more by car these days than mass transit and I’m not going to try and read while I’m driving in this town! While the Brief Devotions in the BCP are ok for bedtime prayers with G and H, I can’t see the morning one as a substitute for MP. Thus, I’ve been trying to work up a fully memorizable Anglican Lauds for the mornings when I can’t get to the prayer book. Here’s the pattern as it currently stands:



Opening Versicles

Ps 51

Little Chapter [Seasonal]

Hymn [Seasonal]

Benedictus

Pater Noster

Collect of the Day

Closing Versicles



Those familiar with the Anglican Breviary will recognize the ordo as a stripped-down version of Lauds 2 straight from there. I invite any interested to give it a try and let me know how it goes. Note that it can be used as a supplement in addition to MP as well as a replacement for it. Let me know what you think…