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The Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office or Opus Dei, is the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church. It is a set of prayers, hymns, psalms, readings, and other texts that mark the hours of each day and sanctify them with prayer. It’s essentially a structured way for the Church to pray throughout the day and night, offering praise, thanksgiving, and intercession to God.

Purpose:
The Liturgy of the Hours is designed to sanctify the day by immersing individuals in the mystery of Christ through scripture, prayer, and reflection. It fulfills the scriptural call to “pray without ceasing”.
Structure:
The Liturgy of the Hours is divided into specific times of prayer called “canonical hours”.

These include:
Office of Readings: Traditionally prayed at any time of the day.
Morning Prayer (Lauds): Welcomes the new day with praise.
Daytime Prayers: Mid-morning (Terce), noon (Sext), and mid-afternoon (None).
Evening Prayer (Vespers): Offers thanksgiving as the day ends.
Night Prayer (Compline): Said before bed.
Content:
Each hour typically includes psalms, hymns, scripture readings, intercessions, and prayers. The readings often include selections from the Church Fathers and spiritual masters.
Who prays it?:
While primarily prayed by priests, deacons, and religious communities, many laypeople and families also participate in praying the Liturgy of the Hours.
Historical Context:
The practice of praying at specific hours has roots in Jewish tradition and was formalized in monastic life by St. Benedict. The current form of the Roman Rite is found in the four-volume Liturgia Horarum