Liturgy of the Hours

In Paul Turner's Blog by Paul Turner

Q: I am reading your book, “Eucharistic Reservation.” Thank you for the book. The background (history) that you provide is very interesting, and the commentary very helpful.

On p. 46 you state: “The General Instruction on the Liturgy of the Hours says that a presider who is not a priest ‘is only one among equals and does not enter the sanctuary or greet and bless the people’ (258).”

When I looked this up, however, I found: “258. In the absence of a priest or deacon, the one who presides at the office is only one among equals and does not enter the sanctuary or greet and bless the people.” Perhaps I have an outdated version, but it seems that a deacon would, as a priest would, enter the sanctuary and greet and bless the people. Would you please clarify that?

Thank you.  God bless you.

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A: Thanks for reading my book.

My apologies. I should have written “priest or deacon.” A deacon may enter the sanctuary, greet and bless the people during the Liturgy of the Hours.

I’ll contact Lit Press to have that sentence corrected in the next reprint.