We invite you to join us online or in-person for our daily holy hour at 6:30 PM which begins with Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament, followed by the Rosary & Evening Prayer (Vespers), and concludes with silent meditation. To join us via livestream, Click on this website's Facebook link.

The Liturgy of the Hours—often called the Divine Office or “the Work of God”—is the Church’s daily rhythm of prayer. Its purpose is to sanctify each moment of the day by lifting it up to God through scripture, psalms, and prayer. The Hours form a contemplative conversation centered on the mystery of Christ. Sometimes this dialogue unfolds between God and the individual believer; at other moments it is shared among the members of the Church or even voiced on behalf of the Church in relation to the world.

The Church teaches that the Divine Office “is truly the voice of the Bride herself addressed to her Bridegroom. It is the very prayer which Christ himself together with his Body addresses to the Father.” (Sacrosanctum Concilium 84). No matter the hour or the form of the prayer, the dialogue always takes place in God’s presence and draws from God’s own words.

Each of the five canonical Hours includes selections from the Psalms and leads into a proclamation of scripture. Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) are considered the primary or “hinge” Hours of the day. Morning Prayer features the Canticle of Zechariah (Luke 1:68–79), known as the Benedictus, while Evening Prayer includes the Canticle of Mary (Luke 1:46–55), the Magnificat. These Gospel canticles deepen the meditation on the day’s scripture reading in light of Christ’s saving work. Both Morning and Evening Prayer also contain intercessions that naturally arise from the scriptural focus of each hour.

Through the Divine Office, the royal priesthood of all the baptized is exercised. This “sacrifice of praise” is intimately connected with the Eucharist—it prepares our hearts for the Mass and, in turn, flows from the grace received there.

The Church teaches that the hymns, psalms, and litanies of the Hours bring the prayer of Israel into the life of the Church today, reflecting the particular time of day, liturgical season, or feast being observed. The readings from scripture at each Hour—together with responses or troparia—and the selections from the Fathers and spiritual writers at certain Hours, reveal the meaning of the mystery being celebrated. They illuminate the psalms and lead naturally into moments of quiet prayer.

THE FIVE PRINCIPAL HOURS OF THE DIVINE OFFICE ARE

I. Office of Readings

“The office of readings seeks to provide God’s people, and in particular those consecrated to God in a special way, with a wider selection of passages from sacred Scripture for meditation, together with the finest excerpts from spiritual writers… the treasures of revelation and tradition… will also contribute greatly to the spiritual life.” (General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours, no. 55)

The Office of Readings offers extended biblical texts and writings from the saints and theologians to foster deeper meditation throughout the day.

II. Morning Prayer (Lauds)

Morning Prayer is structured to consecrate the beginning of the day. St. Basil described its character beautifully: “It is said in the morning in order that the first stirrings of our mind and will may be consecrated to God…” and that we may remember, “I was mindful of God and was glad.”

The Church also connects Morning Prayer with the dawn of Christ’s Resurrection. As St. Cyprian teaches: “There should be prayer in the morning so that the resurrection of the Lord may thus be celebrated.” (GILH, no. 38)

III. Daytime Prayer (Midmorning, Midday, or Midafternoon)

Christians have long paused during the day to pray, following the example of the early Church. Over time, this practice took on a liturgical form.

According to the Church: “Liturgical custom in both East and West has retained midmorning, midday, and midafternoon prayer…” because these hours recall moments in the Lord’s Passion and early apostolic preaching. (GILH, no. 74–75)

IV. Evening Prayer (Vespers)

Evening Prayer is celebrated as day draws to a close, allowing us to give thanks for God’s blessings throughout the day. As the Psalms express, our prayer rises “like incense in the Lord’s sight” and becomes “an evening sacrifice.” (Ps 141:2)

This hour also reflects on Christ’s redemptive work—His offering at the Last Supper and the sacrifice of His life for the salvation of the world. Evening Prayer directs our hope toward the “light that knows no setting,” and echoes the beautiful invocation of the Churches of the East, honoring the “joy-giving light… of the holy and blessed Jesus Christ.” (GILH, no. 39)

V. Night Prayer (Compline)

“Night prayer is the last prayer of the day, said before retiring, even if that is after midnight.” (GILH, no. 84)

Night Prayer uses psalms that express confidence in God’s protection and invite the soul to rest in His peace.