The Gospel canticle acts as a kind of meditative extension of the scriptural proclamation in light of the Christ event. These each include a Gospel canticle: the Canticle of Zechariah from Luke 1:68-79 for Morning Prayer (known as the Benedictus), and the Canticle of Mary from Luke 1:46-55 for Evening Prayer (known as the Magnificat). The two most important or hinge Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer. Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms that culminate in a scriptural proclamation. The dialogue is always held, however, in the presence of God and using the words and wisdom of God. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.' (SC 84). The Divine Office 'is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. At times the dialogue is between the Church or individual soul and God at times it is a dialogue among the members of the Church and at times it is even between the Church and the world. The Hours are a meditative dialogue on the mystery of Christ, using scripture and prayer. It is normally prayed first thing in the morning, but in our parish, we pray it immediately after the Office of Readings.The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or the Work of God (Opus Dei), is the daily prayer of the Church, marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer. It is considered one of the principal hours to be prayed. This Hour, celebrated as it is as the light of a new day is dawning, also recalls the resurrection of the Lord Jesus.

Morning Prayer, also known as Lauds, is intended and arranged to sanctify the morning.

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.

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

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 finds within Christian families growing and joyful acceptance.”

In our parish, Office of Readings and Morning Prayer can take betweeen 10 to 15 minutes each.Īll 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. It doesn’t refer to the time it takes to complete each prayer, but to the hours of the day (morning, evening, etc.). Its purpose is to sanctify the day through prayers made throughout the day. If you are unable to pray in community, but love the contentment of praying with others, a praised feature. 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. The Divine Office App is an opportunity for you to participate in the recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours, an ancient and meditative collection of psalms, hymns and scripture that represent the public prayer of the Christian community. The Liturgy of the Hours is an ancient, structured way of praying Scripture throughout the day, focusing especially on the Psalms.

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