Books for the Liturgy of the Hours

Christian Prayer. This is the one-volume edition of the Liturgy of the Hours. What makes it different from the four-volume edition? It has only selections from Office of Readings and Daytime Prayer, but everything else is in here. This will be fine for our parish celebrations. It is beautifully bound and will be a treasured companion for years to come. Click on the image to order.

Need a large print version of this book? It's available.

The Liturgy of the Hours: Four-Volume Edition. This has everything! If you like, you can also purchase the volumes separately:

Vol. I: Advent and Christmas Seasons.

Vol. II: Lent and Easter Seasons.

Vol. III: Ordinary Time, Weeks 1-17.

Vol. IV: Ordinary Time, Weeks 18-34.

Together in Prayer: Learning to Love the Liturgy of the Hours, by Charles Miller, C.M. Learn about the history, structure and theology behind the Liturgy of the Hours, as well as tips on how to pray it and the various kinds of psalms. Click on the image to order.

What is the Liturgy of the Hours?

We are all familiar with the liturgy we celebrate together every Sunday, the Mass, or Eucharist. But did you know there is another liturgy of the Church, sometimes called "the official prayer of the Church?" It is the Liturgy of the Hours, by which we sanctify every part of the day in union with people all over the world.

Every Wednesday at 7 p.m., we celebrate evening prayer together at St. Victor's. This is part of the Liturgy of the Hours. We also celebrate evening prayer on the first Sunday of every month (with the choir) as we conclude eucharistic adoration.

The Liturgy of the Hours has a very ancient history, stemming from the days of the first Christians. In fact, it is very similar to the way in which Jesus would have prayed. During the Middle Ages, it was very popular, and elaborately illuminated books were produced for people to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, called "Hours," or "Books of Hours." The rosary developed as a popular adaptation of the Liturgy of the Hours, with its 150 beads representing the 150 psalms used in the Liturgy of the Hours. Later, the Liturgy of the Hours was called the Divine Office, and it became the exclusive duty of priests and members of religious orders, who prayed it from books called breviaries.

The reforms of the Second Vatican Council restored the Liturgy of the Hours to all God's people, and encouraged all Christians to avail themselves of this beautiful treasure of the Church. Many other Christian Churches, most notably the Anglicans (Episcopalians) kept the tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours through services called "vespers" or "evensong."

The Liturgy of the Hours has the following parts:

Office of Readings. Previously called Matins, this was often prayed in monastic settings early in the dark hours of the morning. Today, Office of Readings is prayed at any time of the day.

Morning Prayer. Previously called Lauds, this is the first set of prayers for the beginning of the day. Along with Evening Prayer, it is one of the two most important hours of the day.

Daytime Prayer. Previously the separate hours of Terce, Sext and None, Daytime Prayer is now a single hour to be prayed whenever it fits into one's schedule.

Evening Prayer. Previously called Vespers, this is the most popular of the hours, when we begin to wind down our day.

Night Prayer. Previously called Compline, this is the prayer we say before we retire to bed.

Receive a weekly e-mail reminder and background on evening prayer.

Q. Does each hour really last an hour?

A. No. The "hour" refers to the time of day. The prayer usually lasts between 10 and 20 minutes, depending upon how it is prayed.

Q. What does an hour consist of?

A. The main part of each hour is a selection of three psalms (or parts of psalms or canticles from the New Testament). Office of Readings includes two readings (from scripture and the writings of saints or other documents).

Q. What is included in the evening prayer at St. Victors?

A. Evening prayer has the following structure:

1. An invitation to prayer
2. A hymn
3. The three psalms
4. A brief scriptural reading
5. A short responsory, similar to the responsoirial psalm at Mass
6. The Canticle of Mary, also called the Magnificat
7. Intercessions for various needs
8. The Lord's Prayer
9. A concluding prayer
10. Blessing and dismissal

Q. How do I learn how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours?

A. Come to evening prayer on Wednesday at 7 p.m. You will learn how to use the book and you can use what you learn to pray the other hours in private. After evening prayer on Wednesdays, you can learn about how to pray the other hours, and get help on how to navigate the book on your own. Guides are distributed before evening prayer to help you follow along.

Q. Do I need a book?

A. Buy one of the versions provided on this page, or just come and borrow a book for evening prayer; we have a few extras, or you can share with someone else. That way you can "try before you buy."

Q. How can I learn more online?

A. There is a Web site that provides background on the Liturgy of the Hours and the complete text of all the hours for each day of the year.