Enlighten Us, O Mother: First Saturday and the Commemoration of Saint Isidore, April 4, 2020


J.M.J.

1. What Part of The Liturgy of the Hours is obligatory for Priests and Deacons?

Bishops, diocesan priests and transitional deacons are bound to recite daily five of the seven parts of the Liturgy of the Hours. These are: Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Office of Readings, one of the Daytime Hours (Midmorning, Midday or Midafternoon) and Night Prayer. Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer, which are the "hinge" of the Liturgy of the Hours, must not be omitted except for a serious reason (see General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, 29).

Permanent deacons are to recite daily at least some part of the Liturgy of the Hours, as determined by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (see General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, 30). 


2. May a parent accompany his or her child in the Confessional as the child makes the First Confession? 

The presence in the Confessional of anyone--parent, sibling, teacher, student--other than the priest-confessor and the penitent is strictly forbidden, with the exception of an interpreter, who would be bound by the Seal of Confession (see Canons 983, 2 and 990 of the 1983 Code of Canon Law). Such presence would provide the possibility for the violation of the Seal of Confession. 



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