[De horis canonicis]

He places this hour in custody. This is held by Johannes Andreae and other doctors in this our chapter and in the said Clementine. And from the premises, another question is inferred which follows for greater clarification, etc.

I ask what hour is said to be "competent" original: "cōpetens" appropriate/fitting for performing these hours. Answer: According to the gloss placed upon the word "competent," that is said to be competent which is signaled by the sound of a bell or by another sign. And it has been customary to observe this in cathedral and conventual churches, according to Hostiensis and the note also in the said Clementine. But in lesser churches and chapels, it is customary only for matins, mass, and vespers to be rung, according to Johannes Andreae. Regarding this sign, what it signifies, see below in the question that begins: "I ask how he ought to conduct himself," etc., which is the final question.

Nevertheless, every presbyter established in sacred orders and beneficed is held to say the canonical hours at their proper and competent time, and in lesser churches, he is thus held even if he does not hear a bell or does not have one, or they are not rung, and this will be spoken of more broadly below.

Or say, according to Paulus in the said Clementine, that that hour is said to be competent which corresponds to the office. And some say that midnight is the competent hour for Matins, because of the saying of the Psalm, "At midnight," etc., but in this, it is not well observed among some, and a general custom holds the contrary. Or otherwise, according to Innocentius, say that that hour is said to be competent at which it is believed the people are most likely to approach to hear the office. And if he does not have the people, then he is held to read his hours at that hour which corresponds to the office, namely, that at the time and hour of the morning [office], Matins should be said, and at the hour of Prime, [say] Prime, and so for each of the other hours, so that according to the meaning of the words we might conform ourselves, and at whatever hour the words ought to serve the meaning. From the words, one should not regularly depart, and with many similar things.

I ask who is held to these hours. Answer: That every cleric established in sacred orders and also in minor orders, if he is beneficed,