Udemy
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
    •  
Subscribe
Turn what you know into an opportunity and reach millions around the world.
Learn More
Your cart is empty.
Keep shopping
Sing the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latin!
Rating: 4.8 out of 5(180 ratings)
661 students

Sing the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Latin!

Enjoy this popular Medieval devotion, introducing yourself to the world of Gregorian Chant.
Created byVeronica Brandt
Last updated 12/2024
English

What you'll learn

  • Discover 'Hours" and how they can be spaced throughout your day
  • Master Psalm Tones - sing any psalm!
  • Sing all the Hymns of the Little Office
  • Common postures employed in singing the Office together
  • Build your Latin Vocabulary
  • Practice your Solfege
  • Learn to read "square notes" or "neumes"

Explore related topics

Course content

13 sections • 124 lectures • 16h 26m total length

  • Intro to some terminology and where to start7:17
  • Navigating the Hours
  • How to pronounce Latin - Ecclesiastical, Italian-style2:38
  • C and G
  • Which Books to Use17:47
  • Using DivinumOfficium.com3:25
  • Prayer before the Office1:54

    An optional prayer to say privately before praying each hour of the Office. A good way to banish distractions and maximize graces.

    Aperi, Domine, os meum ad benedicendum Nomen sanctum tuum; munda quoque cor meum ab omnibus vanis, perversis et alienis cogitationibus; intellectum illumina, affectum inflamma, ut digne, attente ac devote hoc Officium recitare valeam, et exaudiri merear ante conspectum divinae Maiestatis tuae. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen

    Domine, in unione illius divinae intentionis, qua ipse in terris laudes Deo persolvisti, has tibi Horas (vel hanc tibi Horam) persolvo.

    O Lord, open Thou my mouth to bless Thy holy name; cleanse my heart also from all vain, evil and wandering thoughts; enlighten my understanding , kindle my affections, that I may be able to recite this Office worthily, attentively and devoutly, and may deserve to be heard in the presence of Thy divine Majesty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen

    Lord, in union with that divine intention, wherewith Thou Thyself didst praise God whilst Thou wast on earth, I offer these Hours (or this Hour) unto Thee.

Requirements

  • Awareness of Pitch (the difference between high sounds and low sounds)
  • Awareness of the existence of the Latin Language

Description

People have been singing King David's Psalms for millennia. In early Christian times, monks would memorise all 150 Psalms and chant them every day. Benedict of Nursia arranged the Psalms into a schedule spread over a week. Gradually hymns and prayers were added, giving rise to what we now call the Divine Office or Liturgy of the Hours.

The full Office was rather onerous, so in Medieval times a smaller schedule arose, designed to be manageable for people with day jobs and families as well as being shorter to copy out and memorise. This was placed under the patronage of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who is venerated as the spiritual mother of all Christians, stemming from Jesus' words on the cross, entrusting her to the care of the Beloved Apostle, John.

The Gregorian Chant could date back to Jewish chant - there isn't much documentation, as the notation of chant came about later. The tunes are highly esteemed and there are even tales of the music being responsible for monks being able to live such austere lives.

Many people save time by just reciting or reading the Office, but singing parts really brings it alive. Even singing parts of it can really brighten your day.

Who this course is for:

  • Fans of the Mother of God
  • Christians looking for an easier version of the Divine Office
  • Re-enactors interested in Medieval Devotions
  • Families looking to soak their children in daily sessions of Gregorian chant

Report abuse