Do you pray The Liturgy of the Hours?

[whatevergirl]

*I would really like to start incorporating this into my daily life–I was hoping that you could share with me, how you include these…and what prayer materials are you using? (if any) We are so blessed and fortunate to have such a beautiful set of prayers to offer up to the Lord all day long, as part of our Catholic faith!

Look forward to your replies. *

 

[acadian]

I started praying Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer last summer and have been relatively faithful to it (though I’ve been kind of lazy this week, but it repeats the same thing every day for the Octave of Easter…).

I bought the Shorter Christian Prayer book. It is easy for beginners and I recommend it. After a while (because I often pray in the parking lot after I drop my kids off and before I start my work day), I found another copy on ebay for next to nothing that I keep in my car.

At this point, I’m starting to hunger for something a little “more” and I’m keeping my eyes open on ebay for “Christian Prayer”. But the $35 for a new one is not in my budget at the current time.

 

[whatevergirl]

*www.catholiccompany.com has a few texts…some are very pricey, but I think I’ll get the $31 one…I am excited. I didn’t know that this was something lay people could pray, also. *

 

[puzzleannie]

yes. as a Benedictine Oblate this is the foundation of our spirituality, along with lectio divina

I began, maybe 20 years ago, with a little prayerbook that was a gift from the Jesuits for a donation to their Indian missions. It had a sample morning and evening prayer for each day of the week, plus some addional readings, basic prayers etc. This was my prayerbook for several years and I loved the rhythm. I found the 1 volume Christian prayer but at that time could not learn to use it and the book languished on my shelf. Then I subscribed to Magnificat for several years, and used their shorter version of mp & ep, and it is still a great travel prayerbook, and with it in your purse or car, you are always ready when you get time for chapel or adoration, because it also has order of the Mass, daily readings, and an extra reading and saint.

When I joined the Oblates our formation used Shorter Christian Prayer, and that became my basic prayerbook. I typed some of my other favorite prayers and pasted them in the fly leaf. It is still my favorite prayerbook when I travel and in my chapel bag, along with Word Among Us for the Mass readings, and a daily gospel reflection.

When I wen to MACC a few years ago to learn pastoral Spanish, some seminarians taught me to use the CP, and invited me to pray with them so in 6 weeks I got a great training. My brother sent me his 4-volume set (he found a Latin breviary which is what he uses, with consent of his bishop). With help from some of our priest-oblate members and my pastor, that is what I use now, at least during the liturgical seasons. I still take SCP when I travel which is usually in the summer after the major feasts are over.

when pressed for time or when I have missed it or have left my book someplace, I go to Universalis. that is my recommendation for a first timer. Pray with Universalis for at least a month, until it becomes a habit and you see the rhythm. Then invest in Shorter Christian Prayer and spend a full year getting used to the psalter. Don’t even worry about the feasts until the daily rhythm becomes second nature, then start to “flip the ribbons” for Sundays and feasts. If money is short get the 1 Vol. Christian prayer after you have been praying LOTH for a year or so and has become a firm habit. If you are lucky enough to get a gift like I did, go for it. I needed help, you probably will to, so find a group near you that prays this way for guidance in “where to all these ribbons go?”

our pastor invested in 100 or so SCP a few years ago and tried to teach the parishioners but a committed group never developed. with his encouragement we incorporate LOTH when appropriate for anything with the youth such as the Advent and Lent youth services, retreats etc.

 

[KitSileya]

I’ve prayed evening prayer for a while, and did morning prayer all thru Lent. For the latter, I got up half an hour earlier than usual each morning - evening prayer I pray after dinner. I) am single, tho’, so much of my time is my own. I pray evening prayer before or after evening Mass when I go to one.

In the Sacred Triduum and Easter Sunday and Monday I did those two, the office of readings, night prayer, and one prayer during the day - but then, I had all those days off from work.

I’ve bought the three volume English set - exceedingly expensive for someone who doesn’t have a Norwegian salary (£120). And I’ve purchased 3 of the 4 volumes of the new Norwegian set for when I pray the hours together with others - again, exceedingly expensive unless one has the discretionary income of a single Norwgian with a secure job and no mortgage.

 

[Benedict108]

*I would really like to start incorporating this into my daily life–I was hoping that you could share with me, how you include these…and what prayer materials are you using? (if any) We are so blessed and fortunate to have such a beautiful set of prayers to offer up to the Lord all day long, as part of our Catholic faith!

Look forward to your replies. *

I try to encorporate Lauds, Vespers and Compline in my daily life, but I don’t always succeed. When I am able to participate in the Liturgy of Hours, I use the book of Christian Prayer, published by the Catholic Book Publishing Company and it is best used with the Saint Joseph Guide For Christian Prayer (Liturgy of Hours). You can check out their materials at catholicbookpublishing.com/ if you are interested.

Okay, enough about the technical stuff…LOL. I feel as you do that it is truly a blessing to have such prayers to offer up to the Lord to consecrate our day. I have found that saying the prayers has expanded my knowledge of scripture, especially the psalms. I have also found the website: universalis.com/ useful for the times when I don’t have a book or a guide to pray the hours. It is free and gives you the readings for Morning, Evening and Night Prayer, as well as the Mass readings for the day.

As far as praying the Divine Office, I try to pray it at the same time everyday and meditate on the words that I recite, sort of like when one recites the rosary. I know when I first started praying it, it was hard and I was very worried about form, but don’t let that be so much your focus. Try to master one set of prayers at a time. What I mean is try to really learn the Morning prayer and how to say it and continue on. Eventually, if you have time and are able then progress Office of Reading. -I hope I haven’t rambled on here. Sorry if I have.-

Pax tecum.

 

[AliciaCL]

I’ve been interested in liturgy of the hours too. I thought it sounded crazy that it wouldn’t be available online somewhere so I did a quick check. Here’s a link to the Litrygy of the Hours Apostolate which makes available the daily prayers online.

liturgyhours.org/

 

[puzzleannie]

I’ve been interested in liturgy of the hours too. I thought it sounded crazy that it wouldn’t be available online somewhere so I did a quick check. Here’s a link to the Litrygy of the Hours Apostolate which makes available the daily prayers online.

liturgyhours.org/

their link is to ebreviary, which you can view, in part, but must pay a subscription for. Before paying I would still work with universalis (I link it from catholicexchange.com, along with daily Mass readings) and get the habit and rhythm before spending money.

 

[Benedict108]

their link is to ebreviary, which you can view, in part, but must pay a subscription for. Before paying I would still work with universalis (I link it from catholicexchange.com, along with daily Mass readings) and get the habit and rhythm before spending money.

I agree with you. That was the reason why didn’t use ebreviary. I put a direct link to universalis in my earlier post. Give it a look.

 

[rotlex]

Came in here looking for some info, thanks for the links here already, but I’m wondering if there is a really, really simplified set of instructions out there on how to use the Shorter Christian Prayer version?

I have the book, and have been meaning to begin using it on a regular basis, but frankly, as simple as it may seem to some, I’m still having a tough time deciding on the proper days, as well as exactly WHAT to pray and recite. I’m guessing once I figure it out, I’ll smack myself in the head for not “getting it” sooner, but any pointers, or further links, would be much appreciated!

 

[puzzleannie]

Came in here looking for some info, thanks for the links here already, but I’m wondering if there is a really, really simplified set of instructions out there on how to use the Shorter Christian Prayer version?

I have the book, and have been meaning to begin using it on a regular basis, but frankly, as simple as it may seem to some, I’m still having a tough time deciding on the proper days, as well as exactly WHAT to pray and recite. I’m guessing once I figure it out, I’ll smack myself in the head for not “getting it” sooner, but any pointers, or further links, would be much appreciated!

my suggestion is don’t worry about the propers, or even the Sundays, at first until you get used to the 4 week psalm cycle. going to universalis can tell you “what page we are on, which week”
this whole week after Easter we do Sunday Week one.
Sunday, 2nd week of Easter, we begin week 2. you can use the Easter readings and propers at the back of the book if you want, but it will be easier if you just get used to the psalm cycle for several months.

 

[adowcday]

Came in here looking for some info, thanks for the links here already, but I’m wondering if there is a really, really simplified set of instructions out there on how to use the Shorter Christian Prayer version?

I have the book, and have been meaning to begin using it on a regular basis, but frankly, as simple as it may seem to some, I’m still having a tough time deciding on the proper days, as well as exactly WHAT to pray and recite. I’m guessing once I figure it out, I’ll smack myself in the head for not “getting it” sooner, but any pointers, or further links, would be much appreciated!

RUN…don’t walk…and buy a copy of the St. Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours. It is an annual guide giving the pages for each hour of the LOH. There are separate versions for the one volume and four-volume. Easy to use, cheap and very helpful.

 

[whatevergirl]

RUN…don’t walk…and buy a copy of the St. Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours. It is an annual guide giving the pages for each hour of the LOH. There are separate versions for the one volume and four-volume. Easy to use, cheap and very helpful.

oh thank you! do you have a link by chance…where to buy online?
I read through this thread, and I have much to take in…I’m so excited. You know the Catholic faith is like an endless gift. Everyday, I open up something new.

 

[nicolep]

I pray all hours (office of readings, morning prayer, daytime prayer, evening prayer and night prayer) using The Complete Liturgy of the Hours. I have been doing this for a little over a year. I love it, but the four volume version I use isn’t a good fit for some people. I’ve heard good things about Christian Prayer and Shorter Christian Prayer.

I think that it will be great for you, whichever version you decide is best.

 

[MadCow1024]

I try to pray Lauds and Vespers each day. I use the single volume Christian Prayer, which is under $30 if it is purchased from Amazon. The current year of the St. Joseph’s guide was included when I purchased it. I have not purchased the guide for this year. I use the guide at the St. Thomas More House of Prayer for current page numbers for those prayers when I need them.

liturgyofthehours.org/

This site also has a tutorial for praying vespers and has links to the SQPN Pray Station Portable if you want to hear the morning and evening prayers for a day.

I’m will PM you a link to an online source for the St. Joseph’s Guide for Christian Prayer for 2009.

 

[tobinatorstark]

I just started praying the Liturgy of the Hours last month. I need this for Secular Franciscans, in which I hope to become a member of. I attend my first Secular Franciscans meeting on Sunday. The only things I have concern on is Psalmody and Non-Biblical reading in the office of the readings. I am unsure what Psalmody to use for which occasion and Non-Biblical readings I am a just a bit confused on what reading to read on which day of the week unless specifically stated. I love Te Deum and I love the Antiphons of Mary. I usually pray them in Latin. I have Christian Prayer and a nice cover to go along. I finally got to pray the liturgy of the hours at Adoration this morning.

 

[Jenny_Z]

This thread has convinced me to try it… think I’ll go run down to the Catholic bookstore

 

[whatevergirl]

*Great Jenny!

I am so excited too! I am going to also look at amazon, they have surprised me in the past, when I’ve been looking for religious things. *

 

[whatevergirl]

yes. as a Benedictine Oblate this is the foundation of our spirituality, along with lectio divina

I began, maybe 20 years ago, with a little prayerbook that was a gift from the Jesuits for a donation to their Indian missions. It had a sample morning and evening prayer for each day of the week, plus some addional readings, basic prayers etc. This was my prayerbook for several years and I loved the rhythm. I found the 1 volume Christian prayer but at that time could not learn to use it and the book languished on my shelf. Then I subscribed to Magnificat for several years, and used their shorter version of mp & ep, and it is still a great travel prayerbook, and with it in your purse or car, you are always ready when you get time for chapel or adoration, because it also has order of the Mass, daily readings, and an extra reading and saint.

When I joined the Oblates our formation used Shorter Christian Prayer, and that became my basic prayerbook. I typed some of my other favorite prayers and pasted them in the fly leaf. It is still my favorite prayerbook when I travel and in my chapel bag, along with Word Among Us for the Mass readings, and a daily gospel reflection.

When I wen to MACC a few years ago to learn pastoral Spanish, some seminarians taught me to use the CP, and invited me to pray with them so in 6 weeks I got a great training. My brother sent me his 4-volume set (he found a Latin breviary which is what he uses, with consent of his bishop). With help from some of our priest-oblate members and my pastor, that is what I use now, at least during the liturgical seasons. I still take SCP when I travel which is usually in the summer after the major feasts are over.

when pressed for time or when I have missed it or have left my book someplace, I go to Universalis. that is my recommendation for a first timer. Pray with Universalis for at least a month, until it becomes a habit and you see the rhythm. Then invest in Shorter Christian Prayer and spend a full year getting used to the psalter. Don’t even worry about the feasts until the daily rhythm becomes second nature, then start to “flip the ribbons” for Sundays and feasts. If money is short get the 1 Vol. Christian prayer after you have been praying LOTH for a year or so and has become a firm habit. If you are lucky enough to get a gift like I did, go for it. I needed help, you probably will to, so find a group near you that prays this way for guidance in “where to all these ribbons go?”

our pastor invested in 100 or so SCP a few years ago and tried to teach the parishioners but a committed group never developed. with his encouragement we incorporate LOTH when appropriate for anything with the youth such as the Advent and Lent youth services, retreats etc.

What did you think of the magnificat? I went to magnificat conferences in pittsburgh, and they were very moving, but something about them…something, i can’t put my finger on.

I appreciate your reply, annie…you’ve given me much to go on…thank you!*

 

[whatevergirl]

I just started praying the Liturgy of the Hours last month. I need this for Secular Franciscans, in which I hope to become a member of. I attend my first Secular Franciscans meeting on Sunday. The only things I have concern on is Psalmody and Non-Biblical reading in the office of the readings. I am unsure what Psalmody to use for which occasion and Non-Biblical readings I am a just a bit confused on what reading to read on which day of the week unless specifically stated. I love Te Deum and I love the Antiphons of Mary. I usually pray them in Latin. I have Christian Prayer and a nice cover to go along. I finally got to pray the liturgy of the hours at Adoration this morning.

There are prayer study books that accompany the liturgy prayer books for beginners. If I don’t see anything on amazon, I’m planning to buy it from www.catholiccompany.com

Secular Franciscans, what would you be doing in this group? That sounds interesting.