Preces facts for kids

In Christian church services, Preces (pronounced PREE-seez) are short prayers. They are like a conversation between a leader (called the officiant) and the people (the congregation). The leader says a short line, called a versicle, and the people respond with another short line, called a response.

This way of praying is very old. It comes from ancient Hebrew prayers found in the Psalms, which were used in the Temple long before Christianity.

In many prayer books, you might see special symbols for these prayers:

• Versicle: ℣, which looks like a letter V with a line through it. This means the leader speaks this part.
• Response: ℟, which looks like a letter R with a line through it. This means the people speak this part.

Preces in the Catholic Church

Roman Rite

In the Roman Rite, which is the most common way of worship in the Catholic Church, the word preces is used for prayers in general. However, it also has a special meaning for certain prayers said during the Liturgy of the Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours is a set of prayers said throughout the day.

These special preces are said in the morning and evening. They are also called Intercessions in English. They are prayers where people ask God for things, like for the Church, for leaders, or for those in need. These prayers change depending on the time of year, like during Advent or Lent. They are similar to the prayers of the faithful you might hear during Mass.

Here is an example of a versicle and response from the Morning Prayer:

• Versicle: Blessed be our God and Father: he hears the prayers of his children.
• Response: Lord, hear us.
• Versicle: We thank you, Father for sending us your Son: - let us keep him before our eyes throughout this day.
• Response: Lord, hear us.

Older Roman Rite Prayers

Before 1962, the Roman Rite had a specific set of preces that were said in the morning and evening. These were a series of versicles and responses, sometimes said standing and sometimes kneeling. This older form of prayer is not commonly used in the Roman Rite today, except by some traditional groups.

The Mozarabic Rite

The Mozarabic Rite is another, older way of worship used in some parts of Spain. In this rite, the Preces are special chants. They are prayers of sorrow for sins and are only used during Lent. They are like a litany, which is a series of short prayers with a repeated response, usually "have mercy on us."

The Opus Dei Preces

Opus Dei is a Catholic organization. Its members say a special set of prayers every day, also called the Preces. These prayers are sometimes called "Prayers of the Work."

The founder of Opus Dei, Josemaría Escrivá, created these prayers around 1930. He put together phrases from older church prayers and from the Psalms. The Preces have changed a little over time.

These prayers are very important to Opus Dei members. They include prayers for the Pope, the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Joseph, Guardian Angels, and Saint Josemaría himself. They also pray for the unity of all Christians and for the leaders and members of Opus Dei.

Here are a few examples of the versicles and responses from the Opus Dei Preces:

• V. To the Most Blessed Trinity.
• R. Thank you, God, thank you: true and one Trinity, one and highest Deity, holy and one Unity.
• V. To Jesus Christ the King.
• R. The Lord is our Judge; the Lord is our Law-giver; the Lord is our King: he himself will save us.
• V. To the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mediatrix.
• R. Remember, O Virgin Mother of God, while you stand in the sight of the Lord, to speak well of us.

Preces in the Anglican Church

In the Anglican Communion (and also in Lutheranism), Preces are often called suffrages. They are a key part of the Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer services, which are found in the Book of Common Prayer.

Here is a common example of the opening versicles and responses in Anglican services:

• Priest: O Lord, open thou our lips:
• People: And our mouth shall shew forth thy praise.
• Priest: O God, make speed to save us:
• People: O Lord, make haste to help us.
• Priest: Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Ghost.
• People: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
• Priest: Praise ye the Lord.
• People: The Lord's name be praised.

This specific form of prayer has been used in many churches for a very long time, even before the Reformation.

Many composers have written music for these prayers, from simple songs to more complex pieces that might use an organ.

See also

In Spanish: Preces para niños