Are priests bound to recite Matins and Lauds before Mass?

The first sentence of the _Ritus servandus in celebratione Missae_ in
the Missal contains the clause "_saltem Malutino cum Laudibus
absoluto_," The word _saltem_ indicates that the Church notifies the
minimum and expects a further hour, Prime or even others of the small
hours, to be finished before Mass. But theologians hold that there is no
grave obligation for such prior-to-Mass recital, and that any reasonable
cause excuses from the obligation (Lehmkuhl II., 628). In connection
with this matter a very instructive and devotional essay in the _Irish
Ecclesiastical Record_ (Fourth Series XXXI., n. 533) by Father M.
Russell, S.J., is well worth reading. It is entitled "A Neglected
Adverb"; the adverb being _saltem_, from the clause quoted.

At what times should the small hours be recited? Prime may be, and,
probably with more appropriateness, should be used as morning prayer and
said before Mass. Terce and Sext may be said before mid-day, or Sext and
None may be said after mid-day. Vespers should be said after mid-day.
Compline was the night prayer of the monks, who probably instituted the
hour. It should be borne in mind that the substance of the law of
recitation is fulfilled if the whole office of the day be recited before
midnight, and that the obligation for entire and complete recitation is
grave; while the recitation of the hours at set hours of the day is a
light obligation.




ARTICLE IV.-OF THE PLACE OF RECITATION AND THE ATTITUDE