Why Pray the Divine Office?
The Divine Office, also known as the Liturgy of the Hours or the Breviary, is one of the greatest treasures of the Catholic Church. While many people are familiar with the Holy Mass and the Rosary, fewer realize that the Divine Office is the official daily prayer of the Church, sanctifying each hour of the day through the praise of God.
Although bishops, priests, and many religious are obliged to pray it, the Church warmly invites the laity to join in this beautiful tradition. By praying the Divine Office, we unite our voices with Catholics around the world in a continuous hymn of praise to God.
The Prayer of the Whole Church
The Divine Office is not simply a private devotion. It is the public prayer of the Church.
When you pray Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or any of the Hours, you are joining priests, religious, monks, nuns, and lay faithful throughout the world in praising God with one voice.
It is a beautiful reminder that we never pray alone. We are united with the entire Mystical Body of Christ.
Praying with Sacred Scripture
One of the greatest gifts of the Divine Office is that it is deeply rooted in the Word of God.
Each day includes:
Psalms
Readings from Sacred Scripture
Canticles from the Old and New Testaments
Readings from the Church Fathers or the lives of the saints (depending on the Hour)
The Psalms, in particular, teach us how to pray. They express every human emotion—joy, sorrow, gratitude, repentance, fear, hope, and trust—helping us bring our whole lives before God.
Sanctifying the Day
St. Paul tells us to "pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:17). The Divine Office helps us live this command by turning different moments of the day into opportunities for prayer.
Traditionally, the Hours include:
Office of Readings
Morning Prayer (Lauds)
Midday Prayer
Evening Prayer (Vespers)
Night Prayer (Compline)
Even if you can only pray one Hour each day, you are offering that part of your day back to God.
Growing in Holiness
The Divine Office helps form our hearts according to God's will.
As we pray the same Psalms throughout the year, we begin to:
Grow in patience.
Trust God more deeply.
Learn gratitude.
Develop perseverance.
See our daily lives through the eyes of faith.
It teaches us to pray even when we do not know what to say.
A Prayer for the Needs of the Church
Every time we pray the Divine Office, we also pray for the intentions of the whole Church.
We intercede for:
The Holy Father.
Bishops and priests.
Religious.
Families.
The sick.
The suffering.
The conversion of sinners.
The souls in Purgatory.
Peace throughout the world.
Our personal prayer becomes part of the Church's unending prayer to God.
A Tradition Loved by the Saints
For centuries, the saints nourished their spiritual lives through the Divine Office.
St. Benedict built his monasteries around it.
St. Francis prayed it faithfully.
St. Thomas Aquinas treasured its prayers.
St. Thérèse of Lisieux joined her Carmelite community in praying it each day.
Generation after generation, it has helped countless souls grow closer to Christ.
How Can You Begin?
If you have never prayed the Divine Office before, don't be intimidated.
Start simply:
Pray Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer.
Read the Psalms slowly and prayerfully.
Don't worry if you don't understand every detail.
Be faithful rather than perfect.
Many people find that praying just one Hour each day becomes a source of peace and stability.
A Prayer Before the Divine Office
Heavenly Father,
Open my lips that I may praise You with a sincere heart. Help me to join my prayers with the prayer of Your Church throughout the world. Through the Psalms, teach me to love what You love, to trust You in every trial, and to glorify You in every moment of my day.
May every word I pray draw me closer to Jesus Christ and help me grow in holiness.
Through the intercession of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, may my prayer rise before You like incense.
Amen.
An Invitation
The Divine Office is a beautiful way to deepen your relationship with God and to pray with the universal Church. Whether you begin with Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Night Prayer, know that every Psalm and every prayer joins you to the praise that rises continually from the Church throughout the world.
At St. Catherine of Siena Chapel, we encourage everyone to discover this timeless tradition. Even a few minutes each day spent praying the Divine Office can transform your heart, bring peace to your soul, and help you grow in love for Our Lord.
"Seven times a day I praise You for Your righteous judgments." — Psalm 119:164
