Needed LOTH Resources

I’d like something like what you did with the Lectionary:

The Missal is a closer match to the functionality required to make a "coherent" LOTH. An equivalent homepage card for LOTH would most likely be a link to the starting point for each each of the hours and for the offeratory.

First Reading in the Office of Readings is only a link to the verses in the preferred Bible.

I am certain that the copyright for the Bible text is a separate copyright than that for the LOTH. The contract for the rights to the LOTH probably did not include rights to the Bible text. I am toying with possibilities that can be shared that would make the LOTH behave more like the Universalis version ... it is one of those "almost simple" problems where most of it is easily done and then there are the thorny, rally thorny, parts.

The current implementation makes the same demands on the user as purchasing the four volumes in dead tree format. It is reasonably easy to set up bookmarks as if they were ribbons ... and where we any of us be in the Missal or LOTH without ribbons? I have a couple of ideas as to how to make them more novice friendly without running into copyright issues as I am not Faithlife.  But I'm in the middle of some other things so I won't be getting to it immediately ...

Correct. No one obligated to pray the LotH, or who intends to pray the LotH properly, can use the present edition.

What?! Can you explain why you think this is true?

if true, then the FL version, providing links to the preferred Bible instead of the NAB 1970, seems to indicate that the imprimatur does not apply. That won’t impact private use of course.

Hmmm ... since the NAB (and NABRE) are easily made the preferred Bible, this appears to me to be a non-issue. However, if FL makes a "harness" that pulls in the readings, it should provide an option to state the preferred translation.  However, the imprimatur has little to do with the legitimacy of the prayers and whether or not they meet an individual's obligations. This information appears in the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (the equivalent of the GIRM for the Missal).

For example, one may change the scriptural reading:

[quote]

46. There is freedom to choose—especially in a celebration with the people—a longer Scripture reading, either from the Office of Readings or the Lectionary for Mass, particularly texts which for some reason have not been used. In addition, there is nothing to prevent the use from time to time of a more suitable reading, in accordance with the rules laid down in nos. 248–249 and 251.

International Commission on English in the Liturgy, The Liturgy of the Hours with Supplement, vol. 1 (New York: Catholic Book Publishing Corp., 1975–1992), 44–45.

In some parts of the country, one sees a mingling of the Mexican and American LOTH - especially in the hymns which must (theoretically) be approved.

official use does require use of the approved Bible translation in a country

There are often multiple translations -- and one can appeal to the practice of the cathedral which in my part of the country is heavily influenced by the Canadian practices.

Because I had forgotten about the loophole

"Loophole" ...no, not English law but Italian law .. "Yes, officier, I was well above the posted speed limit but I needed to clean out my engine and I was on my way to see my dying grandmother for the last time and ..." i.e. think of laws as guidelines to be followed where they are logically reasonable but there is room for negotiation ... And yes, it was a canon law professor who taught me that as the first principle.

Agreed, this seems like it will be a hang-up for those who are obligated to pray the hours. 

I am quite certain that the format was tested and "approved" by some obligated to pray the hours. They probably were not representative of the expectations of the lay Verbum users as they are already used to having to use ribbons to flip back and forth ... and to further adjust for the requirements of their order (if any). What concerns me is the lack of the hymns - essential but with a less than obvious means for filling the gap.

I would suggest that you take a class on interpreting Church documents on liturgy - one either offered by your diocese or by a professor of canon law in an accredited canonical law program.  The first two principles you would learn are:

• apply law in the sense of Italian law not of English law
• there are at least 17 levels of authority of official documents applying to liturgy -- don't assume that if you have an answer that it is necessarily the answer that applies in your locale and specific circumstances.

So with this "practice of the cathedral,"

I am using it in the sense it is normally used in applying liturgical rules - it is the practice of cathedral which is not "informal" but forms the rule of practice within the diocese. 

Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.

True which is why the General Instructions on the Liturgy of the Hours explicitly gives the right to make changes within certain parameters -- as I have already quoted above. It's a good illustration of why one needs to look at all the relevant documents and know their relative weight.

But I fear I've taken this much further than the forums justify ... and, no, I am not a canonical lawyer, I am simply a well-trained liturgist.

Masters in Theology 1998.

Outside the narrow field of liturgical theology, praxis, and canon law as it applies to liturgy, I will defer to you at least until I have the opportunity to educate myself. But within the narrow confines of what my instructors taught me, I'll trust their credentials over yours ... PhD's and international training.