The Liturgy of the Hours is an ancient, structured way of praying Scripture throughout the day, focusing especially on the Psalms. It is also known as the Divine Office. It goes back to the Jewish custom of praying at fixed hours, a practice that was continued by the early Church. Its purpose is to sanctify the day through prayers made throughout the day.

The word “hours” can be misleading. It doesn’t refer to the time it takes to complete each prayer, but to the hours of the day (morning, evening, etc.). In our parish, Office of Readings and Morning Prayer can take betweeen 10 to 15 minutes each. 

All priests and religious are required to pray it, and the Church encourages the lay faithful to also participate in these beautiful prayers of the Church. Pope St. Paul VI encouraged families to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, saying, “No avenue should be left unexplored to ensure that this clear and practical recommendation [of the Liturgy of the Hours] finds within Christian families growing and joyful acceptance.”

In our parish, we pray the Office of Readings and Morning Prayer.

• The Office of Readings is the longest, featuring lengthy readings from the Bible, Church Fathers, or other saints. This can be prayed at any point during the day, but in our common prayer as a parish, we will pray it in the morning before Morning Prayer. 
• Morning Prayer, also known as Lauds, is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning. This Hour, celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. It is considered one of the principal hours to be prayed. It is normally prayed first thing in the morning, but in our parish, we pray it immediately after the Office of Readings.