Rubrics
To Be Observed in Reciting the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin
1. The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin is essentially the same throughout the year. However, as Advent and Christmas have portions proper to themselves, it may be divided into three parts:
(I) The ordinary form of the Office begins at Matins the day after the Purification.
(II) The Advent Office begins with the Vespers of the Saturday before the first Sunday of Advent.
(III) The Christmas Office begins with the first Vespers of Christmas and continues until after Compline of the Purification.
2. When Lauds are said immediately after Matins the Ave Maria before the Deus in adjutorium is omitted.
3. When the Office is said in private, the Anthem of the Blessed Virgin is said after Lauds and Compline only, unless the Little Hours follow immediately after Lauds; then the Anthem is said after the last Hour. The Little Hours end with an Ave Maria when they are said separately from Lauds or from one another. Vespers are also ter-
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