The Divine Office

The Divine Office, now known as the Liturgy of the Hours, is the collection of psalms and readings that the faithful and clergy use to praise God daily. The church, through this liturgical prayer, sanctifies the day and orders it toward God. While priests and other religious are bound to pray The Office daily, laypeople are encouraged to participate in this prayer of the church. 

Included in the office are the introductory verse, the hymn, the psalmody, where certain psalms are prayed on a monthly basis, the reading (from scripture), the intercessions, where the Church prays to God for His will to be done, the Our Father, and a concluding prayer. 

Typically, the Office of Readings comes first. Contained within this hour are “passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers”  (USCCB). This is the longest prayer of the daily office, orienting one toward God for the day with insightful wisdom from past saints who have walked through this valley of tears.

 The next office one typically prays is Morning Prayer (in Latin, Lauds). One can pray this office, considered one of the “hinge” hours by the church, either combined with the Office of Readings in the morning or prayed separately. Enclosed within this hour is the Canticle of Zechariah (also known as the Benedictus). Together, the previous two offices sanctify the morning and enable us to have the graces desperately needed to survive the day. 

Next comes the three daytime prayers. Apostolic priests in the world are only obligated to pray Daytime prayer at one of three times: either midmorning prayer (Terce) noon prayer (Sext) or midafternoon prayer (None). Monastic priests pray the office at all three times during the day. This prayer is meant to correspond with events in Christ’s passion: when he was condemned to death (9:00 A.M.), when he mounted the cross (12:00 P.M.), and when he died (3:00 P.M.). By praying at these times, the individual continuously keeps the Lord’s passion in his or her mind as he or she works throughout the day. 

When the day is done, it is time for Evening Prayer (in Latin, Vespers). It, much like morning prayer, is a hinge hour. The individual Catholic, or a community of believers, expresses thanks for the day and prepares him or herself for tomorrow. Contained within this office is the Magnificat, or Mary’s words to Elizabeth when they greet each other.

And finally, at the end of the day, there is Night Prayer (In Latin, Compline). Here, the individual or the community ends the day with an examination of conscience. Furthermore, one expresses his or her total dependence on the Lord in the psalmody. In the Pre-Vatican II divine office, the day ended with a Marian Antiphon; just as one would wish their mother a good night before heading off to bed.  Altogether, the Divine Office is the church’s liturgical prayer for sanctifying the day. All are encouraged to participate in making the day holy and ordered toward God, for the whole of humanity’s flourishing. United by the psalms and the writings of the saints, mother church feeds her children throughout the day so they can go and love God in their lives.