Matins

Common card · No. 209405

Matins (also Mattins) is one of the major canonical hours, originally sung during the darkness of early morning (between midnight and dawn). The earliest use of the term was in reference to the canonical hour, also called the vigil, which was originally celebrated by monks or nuns from about two hours after midnight to, at latest, the dawn, the time for the canonical hour of Lauds (a practice still followed in certain orders). It was divided into two or (on Sundays and high feasts) three nocturns. Outside of monasteries, it was generally prayed at other times of the day, sometimes in conjunction with Lauds, sometimes anticipated, i. e. on the evening before, after compline.

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