Welcome to our first column of Singing with the Saints!  Each week we’ll dive into a different topics, from Music & Liturgy to Theology & History, things that may help you grow week by week.  Sometimes, we’ll explore narrow a topic, and at other times we’ll speak broadly so as to not lose the big picture.  Since we’re commencing the Liturgy of the Hours soon, we’ll examine it first!

Part 1: What is the Liturgy of the Hours?

The Liturgy of the Hours are a set of prayers prayed at stated times throughout the day.  This set of prayers is built heavily on our most ancient hymn book: no, not Gather or Worship, but the Book of Psalms! These psalms are augmented by other hymns, readings, canticles, and responses.  Some people pray the prayers in private.  Others pray them communally and antiphonally (with one side of the room responding to the other side of the room). Usually they are recited, but they can be chanted too!

Learning alone to pray the Liturgy of the Hours can be daunting!  The prayer cycles are complex and can change depending on the Mass of the Day (e.g. Feast, Solemnity, Ordinary Time, etc.)  And how you navigate the prayers can differ based on the type of book (Four Volumes? Christian Prayer? Online?) Fortunately, there is a supportive community willing to teach those who are eager to learn.

The general structure divides the day into seven parts:

1. Lauds (Frequently referred to as Morning Prayer): prayed at sunrise and is a joyful prayer of praise and thanksgiving, often focused on the resurrection of Christ.
2. Terce (Mid-Morning Prayer): prayed around mid-morning (third hour of the day) and is a brief prayer focused on the Holy Spirit and the gift of wisdom.
3. Sext (Midday Prayer): prayed around noon (the sixth hour of the day) and is a prayer for guidance and strength as the day progresses.
4. None (Mid-Afternoon Prayer): prayed in the mid-afternoon (ninth hour of the day) and serves as a moment of reflection and surrender to God.
5. Vespers (Evening Prayer): prayed at sunset and is a prayer of thanksgiving for the day and a reflection on God's mercy.
6. Compline (Night Prayer): prayed before bedtime and is a prayer of trust and surrender to God's protection during the night.
7. Office of Readings (Matins or Vigils): traditionally prayed in the early morning but now can be prayed at any point throughout the day. It includes substantial scripture readings, often with commentary, psalms, and intercessions.

Many laity who pray the Liturgy of the Hours frequently choose one or two of the full seven, (i.e. Morning Prayer and Night Prayer).  All seven might be a little heroic, especially if you’re a mother with several young ones or a working adult, with the former already being heroic.  :-)