What is the Liturgy Of The Hours?
The Liturgy of the Hours (also called the Divine Office or Breviary) is the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church. It sanctifies different parts of the day with prayer, primarily consisting of psalms, scripture readings, hymns, and prayers. Clergy, religious, and many laypeople pray it daily as a way to unite themselves with the universal Church and offer praise to God.
What Does the Liturgy of the Hours Contain?
The Liturgy of the Hours is divided into canonical hours, each designed for different times of the day. The major hours include:
Office of Readings (Matins) – Can be prayed at any time; includes extended scripture readings and writings from saints or Church Fathers.
Morning Prayer (Lauds) – Prayed at dawn to give thanks and offer the day to God.
Daytime Prayer (Terce, Sext, None) – Prayed at mid-morning (Terce), midday (Sext), or mid-afternoon (None), focusing on dependence on God throughout the workday.
Evening Prayer (Vespers) – Prayed at sunset, giving thanks for the day and reflecting on God’s mercy.
Night Prayer (Compline) – Prayed before bed, asking for God’s protection during the night.
Each hour consists of:
Opening verse (e.g., "O God, come to my assistance…")
Hymn (specific to the time of day or feast)
Psalms and Canticles (from the Book of Psalms and other scriptures)
Scripture Reading (a short passage from the Bible)
Responsory (a short prayer response)
Gospel Canticles (Benedictus for Morning, Magnificat for Evening, Nunc Dimittis for Night)
Intercessions (prayers for the Church and the world)
Concluding prayer and blessing. How to Use the Liturgy of the Hours?
Choose the Right Version
The full version is in the 4-volume Breviary.
A shorter version is Christian Prayer (1-volume).
Apps like iBreviary, Universalis, or Divine Office provide digital versions.
Follow the Liturgical Calendar
The prayers change based on the liturgical season (Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time).
Feast days and solemnities have their own special prayers.
Pray at the Appointed Times
Laypeople can pray as much as they can. Morning and Evening Prayer are the most encouraged.
It can be prayed alone or in a group.
Use It as an Offering to God
The Liturgy of the Hours is not just personal devotion but an extension of the Church’s prayer.
It connects you to the worldwide Church in a rhythm of praise.