Doubt X: What is grave matter in omitting a Canonical Hour

Diana reports many opinions resol. 41. Navarrus cap. 10. de oratione, numero 44., with Squillante de oblig. cleric. part. 1. disp. 33. num. 99., say that a notable part of one Hour, namely the whole beginning with a psalm, is grave matter.

D. Antoninus, cited by Azor. part. 1. lib. 10. cap. 7. quaest. 3., Macrignus de Horis can. cap. 16. num. 20., Malderus 2. 2. tract. 10. cap. 2. disp. 3., and others say that a third part of Prime, Terce, Sext, None, and Compline is a grave part.

Diana refutes this opinion with Angelus, verb. Horae, num. 18., and Lessius lib. 2. cap. 37. dub. 9. numero 32.: If a third part of an Hour is grave matter: therefore also a third part of a Psalm. But this reason is frivolous; for if I admit that a third part is grave matter, it is because compared to the whole it is still a grave part; not so a third part of a Psalm.

Diana answers with Fernandez part. 3. cap. 13. §. 7., Belloch. in Praxi de casibus refer. part. 2. quaest. 15. num. 49., Vega tom. 1. cap. 128. casu 15., Pet. Ledisma tom. 2. tract. 9. cap. 10. conclusione 14., Reginaldo Tom. 2. lib. 18. cap. 12. num. 143., that in the brief Hours, the half is a grave part. He also refers to Lorca Tom. 2. disp. 16. memb. 2. de legibus.

As to the other greater Hours, Sanchez Tom. 1. lib. 1. cap. 18. num. 8. says that to omit nine lessons is grave matter in Matins.

Gavantus ad rubr. missalis, tom. 2. sect. 1. cap. 5. tit. 1. num. 4. and Suarez de Relig. Tom. 2. lib. 4. cap. 15. num. 16. say it is necessary that no part of any hour be omitted which is equivalent to one small hour; but if they do not reach this, it is not mortal.

Antonius Ragucius tract. de officio Canonicorum in Choro, quaest. 13. num. 4. says that in the greater Hours, namely Matins, Lauds, and Vespers, a notable part is a fourth.

The reason, however, why a greater part is required in a greater Hour is, because it ought to be a part compared to a whole still greater and grave: Tannerus disp. 5. quaest. 1. num. 145., with Sà verb. Horae, says a notable part is one Hour of the seven, or the half of each Hour, even the least; and he says this is the common opinion.

You will ask: whether one is bound to recite the Litanies on the days of Rogations outside the Choir, and the public supplications. Tannerus asserts so 2. 2. disp. 5. quaest. 1. dub. 5. num. 148., with Gavant. in comment. ad Rubr. missalis, Tom. 2. sect. 6. cap. 16., Suarez de Relig. Tom. 2. lib. 4. cap. 15., Bonacina de Horis, can. disput. 1. quaest. 3. part. 1.

Macign. denies it de Horis, can. cap. 29., with Vazquez opusc. de benefic. cap. 4. §. 1. art. 2. disp. 1., Molfesius Tom. 1. tract. 5. cap. 1. num. 56., Diana resol. 42.

The Holy Doctor notes also, on Psalm 94, that the Invitatory Psalm is omitted at the beginning of the office of Epiphany, because that office concerns the calling of the nations, while the Jews remain in their obstinacy. But at length in the sixth place it is sung, because in the sixth age even they lick the traces of Christ.

The Holy Doctor notes, on Psalm. 23. et 118., in those words: See my humility, that in holy week, in the three days of darkness, the beginning of the office is omitted: O God, come to my assistance, and also the end of the prayers, because then Christ was taken away, who is Alpha and Omega; that is, the beginning and the end.

Moreover, the Holy Doctor examines the effect of prayer in its figures in Dieta, tit. 2. cap. 5.

He compares it to incense Psalm. 104. suaveolenti. Second, to a shield; sap. 18. it is said of Aaron proferens scutum orationis, restitit irae [bringing forth the shield of prayer, he withstood the wrath]. Third, he compares it to tribute, which we are bound to pay to the Divine majesty.

The praying man is compared to a man carrying an encomium [gift] to the Prince. So the Angel says, cap. 12. Tobiae, de orationibus eius.

Therefore he exhorts us to cry out to the Lord like little ones who want the breasts, like a whelp when it feels blows, and like a people seeing dangers.

Likewise we ought (he says) to open the mouth like one afflicted with rheum, or like a little chick hastening to its mother coming; and like a tiny infant to its nurse.

Let us rise then vigorously to the divine praises in the manner of the cock at song, nor be driven by sleep; for thus, not repeating the office which you sang while sleeping, you are guilty of a lethal fault, as Bassaeus warns num. 23., with Marchino de sacr. Ordinis, tract. 2. part. 6. diff. 2. cap. 12. Though I would grant gratis — which I deny to Rodericus sum. part. 1. cap. 140. — that the Choir is satisfied if one strives to shake off sleep. Nor, I constantly assert, is the Choir satisfied while it is sung with musical chant, if you are willingly distracted, against Zach. Pasqualigo decis. 408., if you are bound to recite that part.