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A Simplified Breviary - A Missal of The Divine Office of St. Brigit's Community Catholic Church

An Altar Set up for Mass in Ordinary Time

We wanted a Simplified Breviary, a Missal of the Divine Office as prayed by the members of St. Brigit's Community Catholic Church. Something that people of all ages, education levels and dispositions could readily use. As stated previously on our page dedicated to the Divine Office, we have issues with the Old Testament, Psalmist versions of the Divine Office, specifically wording calling for harm to "enemies and infidels", dominion over others and other things which Christ specifically taught against.

Our own Divine Office begins with early morning meditation, focusing on uniting the divine within each of us with the Holy Spirit/God, morning prayers, Mass, noon prayers, the Holy Rosary and evening prayers. As Episcopate this seems appropriate. It may be a bit much for the average 'civilian' and overwhelming for children and youth. Thus we see a need for the basics to be very much 'quick and easy'. In keeping with the teachings of Christ, we also wanted to exclude any of the negative references previously referred to.

We wanted to draft a custom prayer book by organizing structure, writing new prayers, and selecting scripture passages. We wanted it to;

Structure of the Book: To organize daily routines for Morning, Noon, and Evening prayer across every church season.
Draft Prayers: Use new prayers focused entirely on love, peace, and inclusion using the style of traditional collects.
Use a modern, everyday language style.
Filter Passages: Use scriptural verses from the broader Catholic biblical canon and, just for a one week sample include scriptural verses from the broader Ethiopic biblical canon that match our themes of adoration and grace.
A custom missal requires review by local church leaders if you want to use it officially. This would be a huge undertaking for large churches and denominations but is a simple matter at St Brigit's Community Catholic Church or other independent churches.

Here is a sample daily prayer framework for Ordinary Time, structured for morning, noon, and evening. It incorporates themes of inclusion from the broader Ethiopic canon, such as the Book of Enoch, and aligns strictly with the peaceful teachings of Christ.

Ordinary Time Daily Prayer Framework

🌅 Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Opening Focus: Awakening to universal love and God's creation.
Opening Versicle: "O Lord, open my lips, and my mouth shall declare your praise."
Scripture Reflection (Example from Enoch 48:4): "He will be a staff to the righteous whereon to stay themselves and not fall, and he will be the light of the Gentiles."

The Benedictus (Song of Zechariah): Focus on light shining on those in darkness and guiding feet into the way of peace.

Morning Collect:
"O God of all creation, who commands the sun to rise on everyone without exception, fill our hearts this morning with the spirit of your boundless love. May we see your image in every person we meet today, acting only as instruments of your peace. We ask this through Christ our Teacher. Amen."

The Our Father

Noon Prayer (Sext)

Opening Focus: Mindfulness, justice, and daily work.
Opening Versicle: "O God, make speed to save us. O Lord, make haste to help us."
Scripture Reflection (Example from the Gospels): "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; even as I have loved you, that you also love one another." (John 13:34)
Midday Prayer:
"Lord Jesus, at this midday hour, you hung upon the cross to draw all people to yourself. Strip from our minds any desire for dominion or power over others. Help us instead to seek the kingdom of humble service, bringing comfort and inclusion to the marginalized. Amen."

Evening Prayer (Vespers & Compline)

Opening Focus: Adoration, thanksgiving, and resting in grace.
Opening Versicle: "Stay with us, Lord, for it is evening, and the day is almost over."
Scripture Reflection (Example from Enoch 92:4): "He will be merciful to the righteous, and give them eternal uprightness, and He will give them power in goodness and righteousness."
The Magnificat (Song of Mary): Focus on lifting up the humble and filling the hungry with good things:
"My soul magnifies the Lord
And my spirit rejoices in God my Savior;
Because He has regarded the lowliness of His handmaid;
For behold, henceforth all generations shall call me blessed;
Because He who is mighty has done great things for me,
and holy is His name;
And His mercy is from generation to generation
on those who fear Him.
He has shown might with His arm,
He has scattered the proud in the conceit of their heart.
He has put down the mighty from their thrones,
and has exalted the lowly.
He has filled the hungry with good things,
and the rich He has sent away empty.
He has given help to Israel, his servant, mindful of His mercy
Even as he spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his posterity forever." (Luke 1:46-55)
Act of Confession
Closing Blessing:
"May the Creator of the universe protect us this night. May all hatred be banished from our hearts, leaving only room for adoration and grace. Grant us rest, free from fear, that we may wake tomorrow ready to serve your people. Amen."

A Simplified Breviary - A One Week Sample of the Missal of The Divine Office of St. Brigit's Community Catholic Church

An Altar Setup for Easter Mass

Here is a sample of a complete, seven-day cycle of readings and prayers for a week in Ordinary Time. The language is modern and accessible, drawing themes of light, inclusion, and wisdom from the Gospels and the broader Ethiopic canon (such as the Book of Enoch and the Book of Jubilees).

Every day follows a simplified three-part structure: Morning Focus, Noon Reflection, and Evening Rest.

Sunday: The Day of Universal Light

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Enoch 58:3): "The righteous will be in the light of the sun and the elect in the light of eternal life. There will be no end to their days."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: God of the morning, your light shines on everyone without exception. Fill us with hope today. Help us welcome the stranger and see your goodness in all people. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (John 8:12): "Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.'"
Prayer: Lord Jesus, you are the light that guides us. When our days get busy or confusing, center our minds on your peaceful path. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (Jubilees 2:19): "He sanctified it, and blessed it, and made it a day of holiness above all days."
Act of Confession.
Prayer: Creator God, thank you for this day of rest. As the sun sets, we give you our worries. Wrap the world in your quiet peace tonight. Amen.

Monday: The Path of Humble Service

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Mark 10:43-44): "Whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: Teach us to serve today, Lord. Remove our desire to control or stand above others. Let our first thoughts be about how we can help. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (Enoch 92:4): "God will be merciful to the upright, giving them eternal integrity and authority rooted in goodness and love."
Prayer: Holy Spirit, give us the strength to choose kindness over power. When we are tempted to judge, remind us of your grace. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (Luke 22:27): "For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one at the table? But I am among you as one who serves."
Act of Confession
Prayer: Jesus, our Teacher, we rest knowing you walked the earth as a servant. Forgive our shortcomings today, and give us a peaceful night. Amen.

Tuesday: The Community of Inclusion

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Luke 14:13): "But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, and the blind."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: God, your table is wide and everyone has a seat. Open our hearts today so that we don’t exclude anyone. Let St. Brigit’s be a home for all. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (Enoch 48:4): "He will be a staff for the righteous to lean on so they do not fall, and he will be the light for all nations."
Prayer: Lord, be our support when we are tired. Make us a safe place for people who feel lost, rejected, or alone in the world. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (Galatians 3:28): "There is no longer Jew or Greek, slave or free, male or female; for all of you are one in Christ Jesus."
Act of Confession
Prayer: Loving Creator, thank you for making us different yet one in you. Watch over the lonely tonight, and let everyone know they are loved. Amen.

Wednesday: The Wisdom of Peace

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Matthew 5:9): "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: Give us a quiet mind this morning, God. Let our words heal instead of hurt. Help us bring peace to our families and workplaces today. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (Enoch 48:7): "He has preserved the lot of the righteous, because they have hated and despised this world of unrighteousness, and have hated all its works and ways in the name of the Lord of Spirits."
Prayer: Jesus, shield us from the toxic patterns of our culture. Help us reject greed, gossip, and division, and choose your simple way of love instead. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (John 14:27): "Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled."
Act of Confession
Prayer: We hand over the heavy burdens of this day to you, Lord. Calm our racing thoughts and guard our sleep with your perfect peace. Amen.

Thursday: The Abundance of Grace

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Luke 6:38): "Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: Generous God, you give us more than we deserve. Teach us to be generous with our time, our love, and our resources today. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (Jubilees 1:23): "I will create in them a holy spirit, and I will cleanse them so that they will not turn away from me from that day unto eternity."
Prayer: Cleanse our hearts, Holy Spirit. Fill our noon hour with fresh energy to do good and to see the world through eyes of compassion. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (Enoch 5:7): "But for the elect there will be light and grace and peace, and they will inherit the earth."
Act of Confession
Prayer: Thank you for a day filled with your quiet gifts, God. As we close our eyes, we rest securely in your endless grace. Amen.

Friday: The Power of Forgiveness

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Luke 6:36): "Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: Mercy is your greatest quality, Lord. Help us forgive those who upset us today. Do not let bitterness take root in our hearts. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (Matthew 6:14): "For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you."
Prayer: Jesus, you forgave even from the cross. Grant us the courage to let go of old grudges today and heal broken relationships. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (Enoch 50:1): "And in those days a change will take place for the holy and the elect; the light of days will rest upon them, and glory and honor will turn to them."
Act of Confession
Prayer: We end this day free from resentment, God. Heal our memories and give us sweet, restorative sleep. Amen.

Saturday: The Horizon of Hope

🌅 Morning Focus

Scripture (Enoch 91:17): "The first heaven will depart and pass away, and a new heaven will appear."
The, Our Father.
Prayer: We look to the future with hope, God. Whatever happens today, we know your love wins in the end. Keep our hearts joyful. Amen.

☀️ Noon Reflection

Scripture (Matthew 25:40): "Just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me."
Prayer: Lord, open our eyes to see you in the marginalized, the poor, and the forgotten. Let our actions show your love clearly. Amen.

🌙 Evening Rest

Scripture (Luke 12:32): "Do not be afraid, little flock, for it is your Father’s good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
Act of Confession
Prayer: Creator, we thank you for guiding us through this week. Bless St. Brigit's community as we prepare to gather for Sunday worship. Amen.

In these examples we have chosen to include scriptures from the Ethiopian bible, simply to demonstrate that they can be used and fit well. Given that they are not widely accepted, for reasons discussed elsewhere on this site, the breviary we ultimately publish will be drawn from the complete Roman Catholic bible, as this is a more widely accepted work.

A Simplified Breviary - A Missal of The Divine Office of St. Brigit's Community Catholic Church

A Simplified Breviary - A One Week Sample of the Missal of The Divine Office of St. Brigit's Community Catholic Church

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