The Liturgy of the Hours

Something that I remembered recently from my childhood and that I have returned to is praying the Liturgy of the Hour. Most Catholics are familiar with Mass, Rosary, and Eucharistic Adoration. But there is also prayer called Liturgy of the Hour that is ancient, rhythmic and deeply transformative.

When you pray the Liturgy of the Hour, you are praying with the entire Church, sanctifying time and every moment of the day.

This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. - Psalm 118:24

The Liturgy of the Hours is the Church’s official daily prayer, consisting of psalms, hymns, readings, and intercessions arranged across different times or hours of the day. The purpose of it is to make the whole day holy.

Every few hours, the Church pauses from the daily motions and focus on God. Morning, midday, evening, and night — each hour has its own set of prayers.

Office of Readings (Matins) - time for Scripture and reflection

Morning Prayer (Lauds) - giving thanks at the start of the day

Daytime Prayer (Terce, Sext, None) - offers work and daily life to God

Evening Prayer (Vespers) - gratitude and reflection as day fades

Night Prayer (Compline) - resting in God’s peace before sleep.

These hours follow the ancient rhythm of the Psalms from Jesus’ own prayer book and has been prayed by Christians since the earliest centuries. Something I love about Catholicism is how it is steeped in tradition and rich history. Through rituals, we glorify God and time itself.

Time belongs to God. It is precious, a gift from above, and must not be wasted but offered and transformed by prayer. Ordinary time becomes sanctified and sacred. God is present throughout our day and night.

To start praying Liturgy of the Hour, begin with Morning or Night Prayer. These are the most accessible and meaningful bookends to your day. There are apps such as iBreviary, Divine Office, or Universalis that make navigating the prayers easy. Pray slowly and sing the psalmodies. Find a community, many parishes or monasteries pray the Hours publicly. Joining others adds richness and accountability. I started off with praying with my parish’s priests every day for a week for Evening Prayer. Now I pray it on my own, and it is becoming a routine that I enjoy and look forward to.

And praying the Liturgy of the Hours will transform your life. You and your time will never be the same again. God bless.