Liturgy ofthe Hours

The Divine Office recited at regular canonical hours is called ramsa in Syriac. It reminds the faithful of the redemptive plan of God.The canonical hours in the Latin rite are matins (with lauds), prime, terce, sext, none, vespers, and compline. In times past, the St. Thomas Christians also followed a like pattern. At present the Syro-Malabarean canonical hours are ramsa(evening prayer), leliya (nightly prayer) and saapra (morning prayer).The ramsa in St .Alphonsa Shrine Church is held from 4 P.M. As the prayers are being recited, the heady fumes wafting away from the incense burning in the censer suffuse the scene with a heavenly aroma. Proclamation of the divine word is also part of the sacred ceremony. The ramsa is led by the priests of the diocese of Palai and nuns of various congregations.Vespers (ramsa) is followed by the Holy Mass at 5 pm. On Sundays the Mass starts before the vespers at 3.00 p.m. During the Lent Vespers starts at 3.45 p.m.