Liturgy of the Hours

The Liturgy of the Hours or the Divine Office (often referred to as the Breviary) is the official set of prayers “marking the hours of each day and sanctifying the day with prayer”. It consists primarily of psalms supplemented by hymns, readings and other prayers and antiphons. Together with the Mass, it constitutes the official public prayer life of the Church. The Liturgy of the Hours forms the basis of prayer within Christian monasticism and since the Second Vatican Council has been encouraged to form part of the prayer of the whole church.