Liturgy of the Hours

Did you know that the Catholic Church has two official, public prayers? While we are all familiar with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the Church also breathes through a second, foundational prayer: The Divine Office, also known as the Liturgy of the Hours (LOTH) or Breviary. Together, they form the heartbeat of the Church's daily worship.

What ARE the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours is a beautiful tapestry of psalms, hymns, scripture readings, and prayers structured around specific times of the day (such as Morning and Evening Prayer). While it is a requirement of Canon Law that priests, deacons, and religious pray the Office daily, the Church deeply desires and encourages the laity to join in this universal prayer.

As the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours states:

"The Liturgy of the Hours... is truly the prayer of the whole people of God." (GILOTH #22)

By praying the LOTH, you are not praying alone; you are joining your voice with millions of Catholics worldwide, sanctifying time and praying in perfect union with Christ.

Deep Roots: Jewish Tradition and St. Benedict

The Liturgy of the Hours is built upon ancient foundations that are incredibly close to our hearts here at St. Benedict Parish.

• Jewish Prayer Foundations: The practice of praying at fixed intervals inherits the ancient traditions of the Jewish people. King David famously sang in the Old Testament: "Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws" (Psalm 119:164). Jesus himself and the Apostles participated in these structured times of prayer.

• The Rule of St. Benedict: Our patron saint took this biblical tradition and structured it into a rhythm of life for his monks, famously declaring that "Nothing is to be preferred to the Work of God (Opus Dei)." The Benedictine tradition heavily shaped how the Church organizes the Hours today, ensuring that our daily labor is always paused to reorient our minds toward God.

Why the Laity Should Pray the Hours

In our busy, modern lives, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the noise of the world. The Liturgy of the Hours fulfills the biblical exhortation of St. Paul to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Vatican II’s landmark document on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, explicitly invites you to take up this prayer:

"The laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office, either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually." (Sacrosanctum Concilium, #100)

When you pray the LOTH, you transform your day. It provides a sanctuary of peace, deepens your understanding of Sacred Scripture, and allows you to offer up the joys and sufferings of your day for the salvation of the world.

Pray with St. Benedict Parish

There are many ways to weave this beautiful tradition into your life right here in our parish community:

• Community Prayer: We pray the LOTH together as a parish family for Morning Prayer on the Feast of St. Benedict, during the Sacred Triduum, and at other times throughout the year as announced in the bulletin.

• In the Adoration Chapel: Looking for a quiet space to pray the Hours? There is a physical copy of the LOTH available for your use inside our Perpetual Adoration Chapel.

• On Your Phone: You don't need a heavy book to get started! Like many of our clergy, you can easily pray on your smartphone using the iBreviary or Divine Office apps.

Listen and Learn: Want to dive deeper into the ancient, shared roots of this prayer? Check out a recent episode of the Faithful Friends: Inter-Religious Dialogues on Faith, Tradition, and Community podcast—hosted by our own Deacon Anthony Cullen alongside Rabbi Chaim Edelstein from Temple Beth Ahm in Aberdeen. In their episode, "Service of the Heart: Prayer Practices and Liturgy," they share an inspiring, friendly conversation about how the Catholic Liturgy of the Hours and the Jewish daily prayer cycle connect us in faith.

Exciting News: A New Translation is Coming!

Change is on the horizon! Starting on Ash Wednesday 2027, the Church in the United States will officially begin using a brand-new, eagerly anticipated translation of the Liturgy of the Hours. Our parish clergy are incredibly excited for these new texts and pre-ordered our parish's new books from Ascension Press on July 1, 2026. Stay tuned for more updates and workshops as we prepare to welcome this beautiful new translation together!