The Daily Office
The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Daily Office, is the Church’s official public prayer. It serves as an extension of the Eucharistic celebration. Through its observance, the mystery of Christ fills and transforms every moment of the day. In keeping with the apostolic call to “pray without ceasing,” this practice is arranged so that the entire rhythm of day and night is sanctified by the praise of God.
The Liturgy of the Hours is meant to become the prayer of the entire People of God. Each member of the Church is invited to take part according to their vocation and the circumstances of their life: priests engaged in pastoral ministry, who are called to persevere in prayer and the service of the word; religious, through the grace of their consecrated life; and all the faithful to the extent that they are able. Laypeople, in particular, are encouraged to pray the Divine Office.
Those who pray the Liturgy of the Hours are joined to Christ, our High Priest, through the Psalms, the meditation on Scripture, and the various canticles and blessings. In doing so, they unite themselves to his continual and universal prayer, which glorifies the Father and begs for the gift of the Holy Spirit for the entire world. (cf. Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1174–1177, 1196)
The Daily Office consists of seven parts, traditionally called the “Hours.” Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) serve as the day’s two hinges and are regarded as the primary Hours. Morning Prayer is offered as daylight begins to break, recalling the Lord’s resurrection. Evening Prayer is celebrated when the day is drawing to a close, as a spiritual offering of gratitude for the gifts received and the good accomplished throughout the day.
The Daytime Hours are divided into three shorter periods of prayer, Midmorning, Midday, and Midafternoon Prayer. These brief pauses in our daily work sanctify the various moments of the day and are associated with remembering the Lord’s Passion and the earliest preaching of the Gospel.
Night Prayer is the final prayer of the day, said before going to rest. It includes an examination of conscience and concludes with a hymn in honor of Mary, the Mother of God. The seventh Hour, the Office of Readings, may be prayed at any point during the day (in our community, it is prayed together with Mid morning Prayer). It features two extended readings: one from Scripture and another from the writings of the Church Fathers or other esteemed spiritual authors. Its purpose is to present the faithful with the riches of revelation and tradition, nourishing and deepening their spiritual life.
