The Little Office 
of the 
Blessed Virgin Mary

Officium

Parvum

Beatae Mariae Virginis

 

- Continued -

Now, to illustrate the similarities and differences among the various "uses", here is a comparison of structure and texts as found in the Roman, Monastic, Carmelite, Dominican and Cardinal Bea's "Amplior" uses. These structures reflect the Pius X reform of 1911, and were in use from 1911-1966, approximately.  (As mentioned earlier, some of the Roman editions retain  popularity and have been reprinted).

First, the psalm distributions for these uses:
 
 

The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary *

Officium Parvum Beatae Mariae Virginis

 
 
Roman Carmelite Dominican Monastic Amplior
Matins Sunday,
Monday,
Thursday.
8
18
23
Tuesday,
Friday.
44
45
86
Wednesday, Saturday
45
96
97		 (same as Roman) Every day
8
18
23		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
Lauds 92
99
62
Dan 3, 57-88
148		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman) (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
Prime 53
84
116		 53
116
117		 119
120
121		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
Terce 119
120
121		 (same as Roman) 122
123
124		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
Sext 122
123
124		 (same as Roman) 125
126
127		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
None 125
126
127		 (same as Roman) 128
129
130		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
Vespers 109
112
121
126
147		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman) (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
Compline 128
129
130		 12
42
128
130		 131
132
133		 (same as Roman) (same as Roman)
*  These editions of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin are familiar to Religious Communities, to Third Order members, to Oblates, and to thousands of lay persons throughout the Church.

Some other versions of the "Little" Office of Our Lady as those used by Carthusians, Cistercians, Premonstratensians, Bridgettines would not be so familiar to lay persons and active communities.  See the comparison tables and structural analysis for those versions elsewhere.


Here is a comparison of various structural and textual differences of these offices:
 
 

 
Officium Parvum Beatae Mariae Virginis
Little Office of the BVM
- MATINS -
per annum
Roman Carmelite Dominican Monastic AMPLIOR (Bea) *
Introductory Material
V. Ave Maria….
R. Benedicta….

V. Domine, labia….
R. Et os meum….

V. Deus in adjutorium….
V. Domine ad adjuvandum….

Gloria Patri….
Alleluia
(or Lenten: Laus tibi)

 V. Ave Maria….
R. Benedicta….

V. Domine, labia….
R. Et os meum….

V. Deus in adjutorium….
V. Domine ad adjuvandum….

Gloria Patri….
Alleluia
(or Lenten: Laus tibi)

 V. Ave Maria….
R. Benedicta….

V. Domine, labia….
R. Et os meum….

V. Deus in adjutorium….
V. Domine ad adjuvandum….

Gloria Patri….
Alleluia 
(or Lenten: Laus tibi)

 V. Ave Maria….
R. Benedicta….

V. Domine, labia….
R. Et os meum….

V. Deus in adjutorium….
V. Domine ad adjuvandum….

Gloria Patri….
Alleluia 
(or Lenten: Laus tibi)

 V. Ave Maria….
R. Benedicta….

V. Domine, labia….
R. Et os meum….

V. Deus in adjutorium….
V. Domine ad adjuvandum….

Gloria Patri….
Alleluia
(or Lenten: Laus tibi)
Invitatory & Ps 94
Ave, Maria, gratia plena; * Dominus tecum Ave, Maria, gratia plena; * Dominus tecum Regem Virginis Filium, * Venite Adoremus Ave, Maria, gratia plena; * Dominus tecum Ave, Maria, gratia plena; * Dominus tecum
Hymn
Quem terra, pontus aethera 

(5 verses)

 Quem terra, pontus aethera 

(5 verses)

 Quem terra, pontus aethera 

(6 verses)

 Quem terra, pontus aethera 

(5 verses)

 Quem terra, pontus aethera 

(5 verses
Antiphon(s) & 3 Psalms
Sun, Mon & Thu: 

Ants:
a) Benedicta tu, 
b) Sicut myrrha, 
c) Ante torum

Pss: 
8, 18, 23

 Sun, Mon & Thu:

Ant: 
Benedicta tu

Pss
8, 18, 23 

 Every Day: 

Ant: 
Benedicta tu

Pss 
8, 18, 23

 Sun, Mon & Thu: 

Ants: 
a) Benedicta tu, 
b) Sicut myrrha, 
c) Ante torum

Pss: 
8, 18, 23 

 Sun, Mon & Thu: 

Ants: 
a) Benedicta tu, 
b) Sicut myrrha, 
c) Ante torum

Pss: 
8, 18, 23 
Tue, Fri: 

Ants: 
a) Specie tua,
b) Adjuvabit eam,
c) Sicut laetantium

Pss: 
44, 45, 86

 Tue, Fri: 

Ant: 
Specie tua

Pss
44, 45, 86
Tue, Fri: 

Ants: 
a) Specie tua,
b) Adjuvabit eam,
c) Sicut laetantium

Pss: 
44, 45, 86

 Tue, Fri: 

Ants: 
a) Specie tua,
b) Adjuvabit eam,
c) Sicut laetantium

Pss: 
44, 45, 86
Wed, Sat: 

Ants:
a) Gaude, Maria Virgo, 
b) Dignare me, 
c) Post Partum

Pss: 
95, 96, 97

 Wed, Sat: 

Ant: 
Gaude, Maria Virgo

Pss 
95, 96, 97
Wed, Sat: 

Ants: 
a) Gaude, Maria Virgo, 
b) Dignare me, 
c) Post Partum

Pss: 
95, 96, 97

 Wed, Sat: 

Ants: 
a) Gaude, Maria Virgo, 
b) Dignare me, 
c) Post Partum

Pss: 
95, 96, 97
Versicle & Response
Every Day: 

V. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis.

R. Propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum.

 Sun, Mon & Thu: 

V. Sancta Dei Genetrix, Virgo semper Maria. 

R. Intercede pro nobis ad Dominum Deum nostrum

 Every Day: 

V. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis.

R. Propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum.

 Every Day: 

V. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis.

R. Propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum.

 Every Day: 

V. Diffusa est gratia in labiis tuis.

R. Propterea benedixit te Deus in aeternum.
Tue, Fri:

V. Post partum, Virgo, inviolata permansisti. 

R. Dei Genitrix, intercede pro nobis.
Wed, Sat:

V. Speciosa facta es, et suavis. 

R. In deliciis tuis, sancta Dei Genitrix.
Lord's Prayer, [Absolution] Blessings, Readings & Responsory
Absolution:
Precibus et meritis		 Absolution
(none)		 Absolution
(none)		 Absolution: 
Precibus et meritis		 Absolution
Precibus et meritis
Blessing: 
Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.: 

Lesson 1: 
Eccli 24: 11-13

Responsory: 
Sancta et immaculata virginitas…..

Blessing: 
Ipsa Virgo virginum intercedat pro
nobis ad Dominum.

Lesson 2: 
Eccli 24: 15-16

Responsory: 
Beata es, Virgo Maria….

Blessing: 
Per Virginem Matrem concedat nobis Dominus salutem et 
pacem.

Lesson 3: 
Eccli 24: 17,20

Responsory: 
Felix namque es….. (omit, if Te Deum)

 Blessing: 
Alma Virgo virginum intercedat pro nobis ad Dominum: 

Lesson 1: 
Cant. 3, 6; 4,7 & 12.

Responsory:
Sancta et 
immaculata virginitas…..

Blessing: 
Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.

Lesson 2: 
Eccli 24: 22-25

Responsory: 
Beata es, Virgo Maria….

Blessing: 
Sancta Dei Genitrix sit nobis auxiliatrix.
 
 

Lesson 3: 
Eccli 24: 26-31

Responsory: 
Felix namque es…..

 Blessing: 
Alma Virgo virginum intercedat pro nobis ad Dominum: 

Lesson 1: 
Sancta Maria…...

Responsory: 
Sancta et immaculata virginitas…..

Blessing: 
Sancta Dei Genitrix sit nobis auxiliatrix.
 

Lesson 2: 
Sancta Maria…..

Responsory: 
Beata es, Virgo Maria….

Blessing: 
Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.
 

Lesson 3: 
Sancta Dei Genitrix

Responsory: 
Felix namque es…..

 Blessing: 
Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.: 

Lesson 1: 
Eccli 24: 11-13

Responsory: 
Sancta et immaculata virginitas…..

Blessing: 
Ipsa Virgo virginum intercedat pro nobis ad Dominum.

Lesson 2: 
Eccli 24: 15-16

Responsory: 
Beata es, Virgo Maria….

Blessing: 
Per Virginem Matrem concedat nobis Dominus salutem et pacem.

Lesson 3: 
Eccli 24: 17,20

Responsory: 
Felix namque es….. (omit, if Te Deum)

 Blessing: 
Nos cum prole pia benedicat Virgo Maria.: 

Lesson 1: 
Eccli 24: 11-13

Responsory: 
Sancta et immaculata virginitas….

Blessing: 
Ipsa Virgo virginum intercedat pro
nobis ad Dominum..

Lesson 2: 
Eccli 24: 15-16

Responsory: 
Beata es, Virgo Maria…
 

Blessing: 
Per Virginem Matrem concedat nobis Dominus salutem et 
pacem.

Lesson 3: 
Eccli 24: 17,20

Responsory: 
Felix namque es….. (omit, if Te Deum).
Te Deum
at end of Te Deum:

V. Ora pro nobis, sancta Dei Genitrix

R. Ut digni efficiamur promissionibus Christi
Prayer & Conclusion (only if Matins is separated from Lauds)
Notes to the Matins comparison chart
* Cardinal Bea's Amplior Edition contained six (6) seasons: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Passiontide, Easter,Time after Pentecost. Chapter readings, Benedictus Antiphon, & the final Prayers were different for each season. Bea also included several feasts, 24 totally, which had their own Benedictus antiphons (as well as Magnificat Antiphons for Vespers) and Prayer. However, the only hymn change was the substitution of the Stabat Mater (for the standard O Gloriosa Domina) during Passiontide.
The "standard" Little Office had only three seasons: Advent, Christmas and Throughout the Year.


 
When Lauds versions are compared, differences among the uses are also apparent.
 
 
 
Little Office of the BVM

 LAUDS
Roman Carmelite Dominican Monastic AMPLIOR
Introductory Material
Ave Maria - silently Ave Maria - silently Ave Maria - silently Ave Maria - silently Ave Maria - silently
Psalmody
4 Psalms + 1 OT Cant

- Psalter

(Sunday Lauds:
Pss. 92, 99, 62,
Dan 3: 57-88,
148)

 4 Psalms + 1 OT Cant

- Psalter

(Sunday Lauds:
Pss. 92, 99, 62,
Dan 3: 57-88,
148)

 4 Psalms + 1 OT Cant

- Psalter

(Sunday Lauds:
Pss. 92, 99, 62,
Dan 3: 57-88,
148)

 4 Psalms + 1 OT Cant

- Psalter

(Sunday Lauds: Pss 92, 99, 62, Dan 3: 57-88,
& 148, only)

 4 Psalms + 1 OT Cant

- Psalter

(Sunday Lauds:
Pss. 92, 99, 62,
Dan 3: 57-88,
148)
Antiphons
Assumpta est Assumpta est Post partum Assumpta est Assumpta est
Maria Virgo assumpta
Maria Virgo assumpta Maria Virgo assumpta
In odorem unguentuorum
In odorem unguentuorum In odorem unguentuorum
Benedicta filia tu
Benedicta filia tu Benedicta filia tu
Pulchra es et decora
Pulchra es et decora Pulchra es et decora
Chapter
Sundays & WEEKDAYS

Cant 6:8

 Sundays & WEEKDAYS

Cant 6:8

 Sundays & WEEKDAYS

Eccl 24

 Sundays & WEEKDAYS

Cant 6:8

 Sundays **

2 Cor 6:1-2
Responsory
None None None None None
Hymn
O gloriosa Domina O gloriosa Domina O gloriosa Domina O gloriosa Domina O gloriosa Domina **
Versicle & Response
Benedicta tu/ Et benedictus Elegit eam/ et habitare eam facit Elegit eam/ et habitare eam facit Benedicta tu/ Et benedictus Benedicta tu/ Et benedictus
Benedictus Antiphon
Beata Dei Genitrix O gloriosa Dei Genitrix O gloriosa Dei Genitrix Beata Dei Genitrix Beata Dei Genitrix **
Prayer
Deus qui de beatae Deus qui de beatae Concede nos, famulos Deus, qui de beatae Mariae Deus, qui de beatae Maria **
Conclusion
Ant: 
Virgo Maria *

V & R 
Dignare me….
.Da mihi...

Prayer:
Beatae et gloriosae

 V & R
Ave Maria…....
 Benedicta tu…..

Fidelium.
continue to PART II of the Little Office
or
return to the Main Page
updated August 11, 2000
added February 26, 2000