- This article refers to the Liturgy of the Hours as a specific manifestation of the public prayer of the Catholic Church. For its application in other communions, see canonical hours.
The
Liturgy of the Hours or
Divine Office (
latin:
liturgia horarum) is the official set of daily prayers prescribed by the Catholic Church to be recited at the
canonical hours by the
clergy,
religious orders, and
laity. The Liturgy of the Hours consists primarily of
psalms supplemented by
hymns and readings. Together with the
Mass, it constitutes the official public prayer life of the Church. Upon
ordination to the Diaconate, the daily recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours becomes a canonical obligation. The Liturgy of the Hours also forms the basis of prayer within
Christian monasticism.
The Liturgy of the Hours, along with the
Eucharist, has formed part of the Catholic Church's public worship from the earliest times. Christians of both
Eastern and
Western traditions (including the
Catholic,
Eastern Orthodox,
Oriental Orthodox,
Anglican, and
Lutheran churches) celebrate the Liturgy of the Hours under various names. Within
Catholicism, the Liturgy of the Hours is contained within the
Roman Breviary.
Liturgia Horarum is given on the book cover. The title page has
Officium Divinum ex Decreto Sacrosancti Oecumenici Concilii Vaticani II Instauratum Auctoritate Pauli PP. VI Promulgatum,
Liturgia Horarum iuxta Ritum Romanum, Editio Typica Altera,...
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