M
Melodeonist
Guest
I keep reading posts on here, and I find that many of them mention the “Liturgy of the Hours.” What is this prayer, and why have I never heard of it before? 
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S
Stephen_says
Guest
Easy definition:
It is a set series of prayers, psalms, and scripture readings that nuns, monks, priests, and other religious types are required to pray throughout the day at different hours, (every 3 or so, as in 3am, 6am, 9am, noon, etc.). They are different every day, and as the seasons change.
Some lay people also pray them as a spiritual exercise.
It is also called the Divine Office
They come in large books, or cellphone apps.
It is a set series of prayers, psalms, and scripture readings that nuns, monks, priests, and other religious types are required to pray throughout the day at different hours, (every 3 or so, as in 3am, 6am, 9am, noon, etc.). They are different every day, and as the seasons change.
Some lay people also pray them as a spiritual exercise.
It is also called the Divine Office
They come in large books, or cellphone apps.
R
RPRPsych
Guest
In a nutshell: it’s the daily prayer of the Church.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours/
I’m sure those of our forum members who are priests or religious will have much more to say on the topic.
Here’s a more detailed explanation:
usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/liturgy-of-the-hours/
I’m sure those of our forum members who are priests or religious will have much more to say on the topic.
M
Melodeonist
Guest
Thanks for the replies! 
I knew that religious had to pray it, but I got a bit confused when I saw an old post that seemed to suggest that laypeople are obliged to pray it as well. That clears it up quite a bit. I figured that laypeople didn’t need to pray it.
I knew that religious had to pray it, but I got a bit confused when I saw an old post that seemed to suggest that laypeople are obliged to pray it as well. That clears it up quite a bit. I figured that laypeople didn’t need to pray it.
U
Usige
Guest
Only clergy and religious are obliged to pray it, but many lay people will pray the morning and evening offices (major hours) and also add night prayer before going to bed. Like the Mass it forms part of the public prayers of the Church.
There are generally 3 versions of books one can get. The 4 volume set with prayers for all hours. The 1 volume Christian Prayer that has the invitatory, morning, evening, night prayer and a subset of day time prayer and the office of readigs. The smallest volume is Shorter Christian Prayer with the invitatory, mornig, evening, and night prayer.
The question might be why a laymen might pray the office. Like daily Mass it let’s you join the Church in public prayer everyday. It also sets a rhythm to your days and the liturgical year.
There are generally 3 versions of books one can get. The 4 volume set with prayers for all hours. The 1 volume Christian Prayer that has the invitatory, morning, evening, night prayer and a subset of day time prayer and the office of readigs. The smallest volume is Shorter Christian Prayer with the invitatory, mornig, evening, and night prayer.
The question might be why a laymen might pray the office. Like daily Mass it let’s you join the Church in public prayer everyday. It also sets a rhythm to your days and the liturgical year.
A
adowcday
Guest
The LOTH is not only a set of readings from scripture and prayers but also an entire liturgy built around those readings with songs, candles, incense, etc. The readings and prayers are the centerpiece, however. Note too that some or all of the readings and prayers are sung. It can be quite beautiful, as anyone who has visited a monastery can attest.
If you’d like to learn more about LOTH, you can find information and examples on Youtube. Search for “Liturgy of the Hours” or the names of individual hours, including the chief hours of morning prayer (“matins”) and evening prayer (“vespers”).
If you’d like to learn more about LOTH, you can find information and examples on Youtube. Search for “Liturgy of the Hours” or the names of individual hours, including the chief hours of morning prayer (“matins”) and evening prayer (“vespers”).
O
office
Guest
Some parishes have Morning Prayer (MP) immediately before weekday Mass. That way you can learn as part of group rather than trying to learn on your own.
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