“This liturgy of the hours or divine office, enriched by readings, is principally a prayer of praise and petition. Indeed, it is the prayer of the Church with Christ and to Christ.” (GILH, 1:2)

The Liturgy of the Hours is the official prayer of the canonical hours by which a day is consecrated to God. The Liturgy of the Hours of the Latin Rite is also called the Divine Office.
The hours at which the Liturgy of the Hours is celebrated are known as the Canonical hours. The inspiration to do this may have been fulfillment of David's words, "Seven times a day I praise you" (Ps. 119:164), as well as, "the just man mediates on the law day and night" (Ps. 1:2). By the end of the fifth century, the Liturgy of the Hours was formed. These evolved to seven hours know as:

• 1. Matins(during the night), sometimes referred to as Vigils or Nocturns; it is now called the Office of Readings.
• 2. Lauds or Dawn Prayer
  (at Dawn)
• 3. Terce or Mid-Morning Prayer
  (Third Hour=9a.m.)
• 4. Sext or Midday Prayer
  (Sixth Hour=12 noon)
• 5. None or Mid-Afternoon Prayer
  (Ninth Hour=3p.m.)
• 6. Vespers or Evening Prayer
  ("at the lighting of the lamps")
• 7. Compline or Night Prayer
  (before retiring)

The liturgy of the hours, like other liturgical services, is not a private matter but belongs to the whole Body of the Church, whose life it both expresses and affects. Wherever possible, other groups of the faithful should celebrate the liturgy of the hours communally in church. This especially applies to parishes - the cells of the diocese, established under their pastors, taking the place of the bishop; they "represent in some degree the visible Church established throughout the world."

Liturgy of the Hours and the Eucharist
To the different hours of the day the liturgy of the hours extends the praise and thanksgiving, the memorial of the mysteries of salvation, the petitions and the foretaste of heavenly glory that are present in the eucharistic mystery, "the center and high point in the whole life of the Christian community."
The liturgy of the hours is in turn an excellent preparation for the celebration of the eucharist itself, for it inspires and deepens in a fitting way the dispositions necessary for the fruitful celebration of the eucharist: faith, hope, love, devotion, and the spirit of self-denial.

Is the Liturgy of the Hours for everyone?
Yes, all should pray the Liturgy of the Hours. In the last millennium, the Liturgy of the Hours was prayed mostly by the clergy and religious. But this was not so in the first millennium. In the early Church, all Catholics frequently prayed Lauds (Morning Prayer) and Vespers (Evening Prayer) besides going to Holy Mass. In this new millennium, Pope John Paul II was trying to get all of us, with due regard to our personal state in life, back to that original, daily practice of praying the Liturgy of the Hours with the Church, in addition to Holy Mass.
The Second Vatican Council devoted a whole chapter of the Dogmatic Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy to promoting the Liturgy of the Hours.

• 1. the splendor of praying the Liturgy of the Hours
• 2. that certain aspects of the text of the Liturgy of the Hours in the Roman Rite need to be restored
• 3. that the two " chief hours " of the Liturgy of the Hours are Morning and Evening Prayer
• 4. that there needs to be a more diligent catechesis of what the Liturgy of the Hours is, especially opening up the treasures of the Psalms
• 5. that priests should offer Evening Prayer in the parish on Sundays
• 6. that the laity are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours

The Catechism of the Catholic Church does not say anything new on the Liturgy of the Hours; it simply reechoes what the Fathers of the Second Vatican Council said.

• 1. the splendor of praying the Liturgy of the Hours
• 2. that the Liturgy of the Hours is the "prayer of the whole People of God " --- priests, religious, and laity
• 3. that the Psalms need to be better understood
• 4. that the Liturgy of the Hours is an extension of the Mass and is harmonious with other forms of liturgical and private prayer

What does Pope John Paul II say?
Our late Holy Father, Pope John Paul II, made the Liturgy of the Hours a key part of renewing the Church in the Third Millennium. Fulfilling the wishes of the document on the Sacred Liturgy from Vatican II, he has spent the last few years teaching on the Psalms and has warmly invited the laity to join in the praying of the Liturgy of the Hours. He also granted a plenary indulgence to those who pray Evening or Night Prayer before the Blessed Sacrament. His Holiness stressed key aspects of this prayer in: his Apostolic Letter Novo Millenio Inuente #34 and General Audience Wednesday 28 March 2001 #1.

How can I learn how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours?
We soon hope to have an online tutorial on how to praye the Liturgy of the Hours. The easiest way to learn how to pray it, is to pray it with someone who knows how. The next best thing is to read a book on it or use some other form of media.
The four-volume set is the complete version of the Liturgy of the Hours in English. It has the complete prayers for the Office of Readings and the day Hours, which Christian Prayer lacks. Yet, the Church teaches that the chief hours of prayer are Morning and Evening Prayer; thus, Christian Prayer does provide all of the essentials. It is for these reasons that we encourage beginners to use Christian Prayer.

What's the difference between liturgical prayer and private prayer?
Liturgical prayer is the official prayer of the Church. Examples of liturgical prayer are the Mass, the Liturgy of the Hours, the other sacraments, such as Baptism and Penance, and other liturgical rites, such as funerals. In order for these prayers to be classified as liturgical, they need to be approved of as such by the bishop or conference of bishops. They are the prayer of the whole Church, the very voice of Jesus Christ praying to the Father. Where ever you are, when you pray the Liturgy of the Hours and say "O God come to my assistance," you are transported before the throne of the Father and are placed in communion with all of the saints and angels and your own lips give voice to the voice of the whole Church and to Jesus Christ praying to the Father.
Private prayer, though absolutely vital to the spiritual life, does not have this status. The role of private prayer is important because it makes our faith personal. Ultimately, though, it is to support and lead to liturgical prayer. Both are to work in harmony, always remembering that, according to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, liturgical prayer is "far superior" and should not be replaced by private devotions:

Catechism of the Catholic Church
1675 These expressions of piety extend the liturgical life of the Church, but do not replace it. They "should be so drawn up that they harmonize with the liturgical seasons, accord with the sacred liturgy, are in some way derived from it and lead the people to it, since in fact the liturgy by its very nature is far superior to any of them."[179]

A Word In Season
With selections from Clement of Rome to John Paul II, A Word in Season is a eight volume readings supplement to The Liturgy of the Hours. Each volume contains selected readings from 2000 years of Catholic Luminaries. This seven volume set is arranged by Liturgical Seasons. A Word in Season offers excellent alternative first readings for the different times of day and provides a second reading from Saints, Mystics, Theologians and Doctors of the Church from Eramus to Karl Rahner. Used by the clergy, religious orders and the laity worldwide, this is the perfect companion set for anyone who uses the Liturgy of the Hours either for communal or personal prayer.