Liturgy of the Hours

The Liturgy of the Hours: Daily Catholic Prayer Rooted in Scripture

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The Liturgy of the Hours—also known as the Divine Office or Opus Dei ("Work of God")—is the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church. This sacred tradition sanctifies each part of the day through structured prayer, scripture, and psalms. As a form of liturgical prayer, it offers a continuous meditative dialogue centered on the mystery of Christ.

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What Is the Liturgy of the Hours?

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The Divine Office is prayed by clergy, religious, and lay faithful throughout the world, marking specific canonical hours. Each Hour invites the Church or the individual to enter into conversation with God through the Psalms, scripture readings, hymns, and intercessions.

This prayer is not just individual devotion—it is the voice of the Church, the Bride of Christ, praying to her Bridegroom. As Sacrosanctum Concilium teaches, "It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father" (SC 84).

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Key Hours of the Divine Office

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Among the five principal Hours, Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) are most central:

• Morning Prayer includes the Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79), also known as the Benedictus.

• Evening Prayer features the Canticle of Mary (Luke 1:46–55), called the Magnificat.

These Gospel canticles serve as profound meditations on the life of Christ and highlight the day’s scriptural message.

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Structure and Spiritual Meaning

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Each Hour includes:

• Psalms: forming the heart of the prayer and preparing the soul for the day’s readings.

• Readings from Scripture: bringing the voice of God into daily life.

• Writings from the Church Fathers and spiritual masters: deepening the theological understanding.

• Intercessions and litanies: lifting up the needs of the Church and the world.

As taught in the Catechism of the Catholic Church:

 

“The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours weave the prayer of the psalms into the life of the Church... [they] deepen the understanding of the mystery being celebrated... and prepare for silent prayer.” (CCC 1177)

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The Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist

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The Divine Office is closely connected to the Eucharist. Through this daily sacrifice of praise, the baptized exercise their royal priesthood, uniting liturgical prayer with the celebration of the Mass. It both prepares the heart for the Eucharist and flows from its grace.