„Officium divinum” w encyklice „Mediator Dei”

Abstract

The article shows the problem indicated in the title in five detailed questions. First, it presents Officium divinum as fulfilling Christ’s instruction of constant prayer (cf. Luke 18, 7), and then it discusses the essence and character of this liturgical prayer, its place in the cult of God, the place and role of psalms in the breviary, and the role of parish vespers. If follows clearly from the article that Pius XII’s teaching on the breviary in the encyclical Mediator Dei was a foundation for the teaching of the Vatican Council II contained in the General Introduction to the Liturgy of the Hours. This, in turn, shows continuity and constant development of certain truths in the Church’s teaching.