What is the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office, is the public daily prayer of the Catholic Church. Through Psalms, Scripture, hymns, and intercessions, the Church consecrates the hours of each day to God.

What it includes. The Hours follow a cycle tied to the liturgical calendar. The principal Hours are Morning Prayer, called Lauds, and Evening Prayer, called Vespers. The complete form also includes the Office of Readings, one or more periods of Daytime Prayer, and Night Prayer, called Compline. Each Hour normally contains a hymn, Psalms and biblical canticles, a Scripture reading, responses, intercessions, and a concluding prayer. Morning and Evening Prayer include the Gospel canticles of Zechariah and Mary.

Why the Church prays it. Scripture repeatedly connects prayer with the rhythm of the day: “Seven times a day I praise you” (Ps 119:164). The apostles also prayed at appointed hours (Acts 3:1). The Liturgy of the Hours continues Christ’s own prayer through His Body, the Church. It extends the praise and thanksgiving of the Eucharist into daily life and helps sanctify time itself (CCC 1174, 1178). Its Psalms give words for joy, sorrow, repentance, fear, hope, and worship.

Who prays it. Bishops, priests, deacons, and many religious are bound to pray the Hours according to Church law and their particular obligations (CCC 1175; Canon 1174). Lay Catholics are strongly encouraged to pray it, especially Morning and Evening Prayer. When prayed by one person, it remains the prayer of the whole Church, not merely a private devotion. When possible, it is fitting to celebrate it with others, since it is liturgical prayer (CCC 1176).

How to begin. You do not need to start with every Hour. Begin with Morning Prayer or Night Prayer and follow the text in an approved book or app. The four volume Liturgy of the Hours contains the full office, while Christian Prayer provides a shorter selection. The changing pages can seem complicated, but repetition quickly makes the pattern familiar.

In daily life. Pray slowly rather than trying to finish quickly. Let one Psalm verse remain with you during the day. If you miss an Hour, simply resume at the next one. Start with Night Prayer for one week. It usually takes less than ten minutes and gives the day a peaceful, Christ-centered ending.