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I922 arranged Gospel readings in Ordinary Time in a sort of harmonised version. In my view this is the best of the Anglican lectionaries and I am delighted to see it given new life in this book. The English Office came in two editions with or without readings which (in the Authorised Version) were from the 1922 lectionary. Hymn number references to the English Hymnal appear in both books. Like that book it adds much seasonal material, updated here for the current Roman Calendar. The English Office and the Office Book of the Community of the Resurrection (produced for use of the community only).ĭivine Worship: Daily Office draws heavily on The English Office. In the mid twentieth century two books represent the zenith of this tradition. The nineteenth century Catholic revival saw a multiplication of collections of prayer to enhance the Prayer Book Office orreplace it with translations of the traditional Western liturgy using the language and texts of the Book of Common Prayer. Perhaps the first was John Cosins’, A Collection of Private Devotions for the Hours of Prayer of 1627. Yet since very early on there have been those who seek a richer provision for the Office, notably Hours at other times of day. A simplicity that continues to draw people day by day to our Cathedrals and other churches. Taft is right, alone among liturgies it is the absolute simplicity of the Prayer Book Office that has proved an enduring ‘people’s Office’. Like many ideas I have had in my life I now think I was wrong. Later in the parishes and schools in which I served I always promoted a Daily Office like this. Simple sung texts with liturgical action. Elements of this are described, for example in Celebrating Common Prayer. Often the use of liturgical action, candles, holy water, incense was encouraged. I wrote my dissertation at theological college (Chichester) on this in the early 90s and visited communities in France, Germany and the States to see what was being done. The idea that there was a ‘people’s office’ (properly a ‘cathedral’ as distinct from ‘monastic’ office) was a persuasive part of liturgical renewal in the second half of the twentieth century. Jesuit scholar Robert Taft writes this ecumenical compliment in his seminal work The Liturgy of the Hours East and West. “To its great merit the Anglican Communion alone of all Western Christian Churches has preserved to some extent at least the daily services of morning prayer and evensong as a living part of parish worship.” NOTE: I have had only a few days to look at DWDO if there are any factual errors in this review I would be delighted to correct them.