The Liturgy of the Hours
The Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office or the Breviary, provides liturgical prayer for various hours of the day. Rooted in the Temple Liturgy and fostered by Christian monks, the praises of God are celebrated throughout the day, in addition to the Liturgy of the Mass and the Sacraments.
There are five Divine Offices each day, for various times of the day.
- Office of Readings – also called Matins or Vigils
- Morning Prayer – also called Lauds
- Daytime Prayer – also called Terce, Sext, or None
- Evening Prayer – also called Vespers or Evensong
- Night Prayer – also called Compline
Divine Office.org makes the Liturgy of the Hours available to everyone. In the following section is a comparative overview of the five Divine Offices. There are official books and other websites and resources for these Liturgies. Please incorporate the Liturgy of the Hours in your daily prayer life. You will be blessed!
Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer (Lauds and Vespers) are the principal hours of prayer each day. For greater solemnity, incense could be used during the hymn and the gospel canticle, with the censer possibly remaining on the altar between these two liturgical incensations.
Office of Readings
Introduction and Hymn
Three Psalms
Scripture Reading
Spiritual Reading
(Vigil Prayers for Feasts)
Closing Prayers
Morning Prayer
Introduction and Hymn
Psalm – Canticle – Psalm
Reading and Response
Gospel Canticle
Petitions
Closing Prayers
Daytime Prayer
Introduction and Hymn
Three Psalms
Reading and Response
Closing Prayers
Evening Prayer
Introduction and Hymn
Psalm – Psalm – Canticle
Reading and Response
Gospel Canticle
Petitions
Closing Prayers
Night Prayer
Introduction and Hymn
Psalm(s)
Reading and Response
Gospel Canticle
Closing Prayers
Communion Rites. At times, it may be possible to include a Communion Rite after the Lord’s Prayer at Lauds and Vespers (Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer), and prior to the closing rites. Pastoral permission should be requested for this special option, when Mass may not be available.
Template for a Congregational Lauds and Vespers Handout
Introduction. Stand for the opening verses of the Liturgy of the Hours:
O God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit . . .
Opening Hymn. The hymn is printed out. Incense may be used during the singing of the hymn. The censer may then be placed upon the altar.
Psalmody. Sit for the two psalms and canticle, and join in the responsorial antiphonal refrains, but stand for the Glory Be at the end of each psalm or canticle. The three Antiphons are printed out in this format for the liturgy.
Reading. Followed sometimes by a homily. Then join in the response.
Response. Join in the response dialog as printed out.
Gospel Canticle. Stand and join in singing the entire canticle as printed out. The altar may be incensed during the Gospel Canticle.
Intercessions. Join in the given response as printed out.
Lord’s Prayer. Sometimes there is the Sign of Peace and Holy Communion.
Closing Rites. Final prayer, blessing, and dismissal, similar to a Mass.
Please click here for a sample of a congregational pamphlet for use at Vespers in a parish setting.
The Liturgy of the Hours is for everybody! Please check out DivineOffice.org or EBreviary.com. The four-volume Breviary is also available from Catholic bookstores as well. The first prayer of each day is “Lord, open my lips. And my mouth will proclaim your praise.” Please join in the Liturgy of the Hours which, in addition to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, sanctify the hours of the day and keep our eyes focused on Jesus throughout every day of our lives as well.
