In the absence of a priest or deacon, and instituted acolyte may lead the Divine Office. In the Offices, the term officiant is used to denote the person, clerical or lay, who leads the office. A lay officiant may read everything appointed in the office, except the supplication for the remission of sins at the end of the Penitential Rite ("May the almighty and merciful Lord grant us absolution..."). These words are properly reserved to a priest.

When the officiant is a layperson, the salutation:

V. The Lord be with you.

R. And with thy spirit.

is replace by:

V. O Lord, hear our prayer.

R. And let our cry come unto thee.