Liturgy of the Hours

We are expected to engage in the Hours by our Rule, “Lay Dominicans draw their strength from…celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours.” (Rule 10: d) “Each member is expected to say some portions of the Liturgy of the Hours daily, especially the two principal components: Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer.” (Guidelines 10: d) Finally Professed Lay Dominicans are encouraged to say the entire Office each day. Once this is practiced for thirty days, it becomes a habit and you do not say “if” but “when.” Others in the Order usually work up to this at their own pace. Praying the Office becomes an aid in living the evangelical life by turning our minds to God throughout the day; we are never long from praying to and with Him and thinking of Him, our Master, our Friend.

CURRENT NAMES AND TIMES OF THE HOURS (WITH TRADITIONAL NAMES AND TIMES GIVEN IN PARENTHESES) AND MINUTES TO PRAY:

Office of Readings (Vigils or Matins) 15-20 min.; Anytime (Midnight)
Morning Prayer (Lauds) 10-14 min.; 6-11 a.m. (Dawn)
(Prime- No longer prayed 6 a.m.)
Midmorning Prayer (Terce) 5 min.; About 9 a.m. (9 a.m.)
Midday Prayer (Sext) 5 min.; About noon (Noon)
Midafternoon Prayer (None) 5 min.; About 3 p.m. (3 p.m.)
Evening Prayer (Vespers) 10-14 min.; Between 4 and 11 p.m. (3-6 p.m.)
Night Prayer (Compline) 7-10 min.; Bedtime (Bedtime)

NOTE: “Outside Choir…it is permitted to choose from the three *Daytime+ hours the one most appropriate to the time of day.” (L.C. #77)

–Lay Dominican Central Province

 

Resources:

“Christian Prayer” 1 vol. An excellent book to get started with the Hours.

“The Liturgy of the Hours” 4 vol. For more advanced Dominicans.

“General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours” USCCB PUB. # 5-528. This also appears abridged in “Christian Prayer” pp. 8-19 and unabridged in “The Liturgy of the Hours” vol.1, pp. 21-98.

“The Divine Office for DODOS” (Devout, Obedient Disciples of our Savior) by Madeline Pecora Nugent 2008 Catholic Book Publishing Corp. This 272 page volume answers all questions as a step-by-step guide.

Universalis.com provides the Office for a fee.

‘iBreviaryPro’ is an app for the iphone for free.

Laudate is a free Catholic app for both iOS and Android with links to the Liturgy of the hours, daily readings, the Catechism, the Bible and more.