Pray with the whole Church
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Daily Oratory
Liturgy of the Hours
Pray with the Church Throughout the Day
Discover the Divine Office, the daily prayer of the Church, and join Catholics around the world in sanctifying the hours with psalms, Scripture, hymns, and prayer.
Daily Oratory links to DivineOffice.org for the current daily prayers. The actual prayer texts should be prayed from an approved source, app, book, or website.
Opens DivineOffice.org in a new tab
The liturgical texts and local celebrations of the Church follow approved books, calendars, and norms. Daily Oratory helps you learn and begin prayerfully, but the full office texts should be prayed from an approved source such as DivineOffice.org, a breviary, or another trusted Catholic resource.
World at prayer
The Church prays around the world
When you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, you are not praying alone. Priests, deacons, religious communities, seminarians, families, and lay Catholics across the world are praying the psalms and canticles of the Church throughout the day.
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Suggested prayer for this time
A suggested hour will appear here
Based on your local time, this page will suggest one approachable hour to begin with.
Helpful rhythm: loading
Many Catholics pray these hours daily around the world.
Join the prayer of the Church today.
You are joining the Church's daily rhythm of praise.
Illustrative regions
Rome
EuropeMorning Prayer rising
Jerusalem
Middle EastPsalms in the Holy Land
New York
North AmericaNight Prayer before rest
Mexico City
North AmericaMidday Prayer at work
Sao Paulo
South AmericaEvening Prayer at sunset
London
EuropeParishes and homes in praise
Lagos
AfricaCommunities in intercession
Manila
AsiaMorning prayer in homes
Seoul
AsiaScripture carried into the day
Sydney
OceaniaNight Prayer before sleep
Nairobi
AfricaPrayer from chapels and homes
Mumbai
AsiaMidday recollection
Begin here
What is the Liturgy of the Hours?
The Liturgy of the Hours, also called the Divine Office, is the daily prayer of the Church. It sanctifies the day by marking different hours with psalms, Scripture, hymns, intercessions, and prayers.
It is one of the Church's great schools of prayer. By praying the hours, Catholics learn to speak with God using the words of Scripture, especially the Psalms, and to place work, suffering, gratitude, and rest inside the Church's praise.
It is official liturgical prayer of the Church.
It is centered on the Psalms.
It joins personal prayer to the prayer of Christ and His Church.
Clergy and many religious are obliged to pray it.
Lay Catholics are also encouraged to pray it.
It can be prayed alone, with family, in parish groups, or in religious communities.
It teaches Catholics to pray with Scripture throughout the day.
You do not have to pray every hour to begin. Many lay Catholics start with Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, or Night Prayer.
Why it matters
Why pray the Liturgy of the Hours?
Sanctify the day
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Learn to pray the Psalms
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Enter the rhythm of Scripture
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Unite work, rest, and prayer
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Grow in discipline and peace
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Join the prayer of priests, religious, and lay faithful
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
Prepare for Mass and extend the grace of the liturgy into daily life
The hours train the heart to return to God through praise, Scripture, intercession, and a steady rhythm of recollection.
The hours of prayer
The hours explained
DivineOffice.org commonly offers daily links such as Invitatory, Office of Readings, Morning Prayer, Midmorning Prayer, Midday Prayer, Midafternoon Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer.
Invitatory3-5 minutes
Invitatory
Before the first hour of the day
The Church's opening call to praise, often prayed before the first hour you keep.
Office of Readings15-25 minutes
Office of Readings
Any suitable time
A fuller office with psalms, Scripture, and spiritual reading from the Church's tradition.
Lauds10-15 minutes
Morning Prayer
Early morning
A major hour of praise that consecrates the day to God.
Terce5-10 minutes
Midmorning Prayer
Midmorning
A brief pause that lifts the day's work back to God.
Sext5-10 minutes
Midday Prayer
Midday
A short office that sanctifies the middle of the day.
None5-10 minutes
Midafternoon Prayer
Midafternoon
A final daytime office that steadies the heart before evening.
Vespers10-15 minutes
Evening Prayer
Late afternoon or evening
A major hour of thanksgiving as the day comes to a close.
Compline5-10 minutes
Night Prayer
Before sleep
A peaceful final office that entrusts the night to God.
Structure
How the prayer is structured
Each hour has a rhythm. The exact structure varies by hour, but many include an opening verse, hymn, psalms, Scripture reading, response, Gospel canticle or prayer, intercessions, the Lord's Prayer, and a concluding prayer.
Step 1
Opening verse
Step 2
Hymn
Step 3
Psalmody
Step 4
Scripture reading
Step 5
Response
Step 6
Canticle or intercessions, depending on the hour
Step 7
Lord's Prayer
Step 8
Concluding prayer
Do not worry if the structure feels confusing at first. Follow along slowly using DivineOffice.org or an approved app or book. The rhythm becomes familiar with practice.
How to begin
Beginner path
Step 1
Start with Night Prayer
Night Prayer is short, peaceful, and easy to learn.
Step 2
Add Morning Prayer
Begin the day with praise and Scripture.
Step 3
Add Evening Prayer
End the workday with thanksgiving and intercession.
Step 4
Learn the Office of Readings
Add deeper Scripture and spiritual reading when you are ready.
Step 5
Pray with others
Invite a spouse, family member, parish group, or prayer room to pray together.
Suggested daily rhythms
Choose a prayer rhythm
Beginner: Night Prayer
Start simply with the quietest and shortest major hour.
Night Prayer
Best for: Beginners, tired parents, and anyone building a first steady habit.
Morning and Night
Begin the day with praise and end it with peace.
Morning PrayerNight Prayer
Best for: People who want a simple anchor at the edges of the day.
Morning and Evening
Keep the two classic hinges of the day.
Morning PrayerEvening Prayer
Best for: A steady lay rhythm shaped around work and family life.
Classic Lay Rhythm
Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer.
Morning PrayerEvening PrayerNight Prayer
Best for: Lay Catholics ready for a richer daily office rhythm.
Fuller Daily Rhythm
A fuller pattern of psalms, Scripture, and pauses across the day.
Office of ReadingsMorning PrayerMidday PrayerEvening PrayerNight Prayer
Best for: Those ready for a deeper rule of prayer or structured discernment.
Family Rhythm
Keep it short and shared, with one morning touchpoint and Night Prayer together.
Morning PrayerNight Prayer
Best for: Families and households who want a simple domestic Church practice.
Workday Rhythm
Morning Prayer, a midday pause, and Night Prayer.
Morning PrayerMidday PrayerNight Prayer
Best for: Busy workdays that still need recollection and peace.
Choose a rhythm that helps you pray faithfully, not anxiously.
Pray today
Pray today's office
Daily Oratory sends you to DivineOffice.org for the current text and audio of the hours.
External prayer link
Today's Prayers
Open DivineOffice.org for the current day's office texts and audio.
External prayer link
Invitatory
Open Invitatory on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Office of Readings
Open Office of Readings on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Morning Prayer
Open Morning Prayer on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Midmorning Prayer
Open Midmorning Prayer on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Midday Prayer
Open Midday Prayer on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Midafternoon Prayer
Open Midafternoon Prayer on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Evening Prayer
Open Evening Prayer on DivineOffice.org
External prayer link
Night Prayer
Open Night Prayer on DivineOffice.org
Reading or listening
Pray by reading or listening
Many people learn the Liturgy of the Hours by listening first. Audio can help beginners follow the rhythm, pronunciation, pauses, hymns, and responses.
DivineOffice.org provides text and audio options where available. Listening prayerfully can be a real help, especially when the structure still feels unfamiliar.
Listen and follow along
Pray aloud if possible
Pause for silence
Do not rush
Return daily and let the rhythm teach you
Common questions
Questions beginners often ask
Do lay Catholics have to pray the Liturgy of the Hours?
No. Lay Catholics are encouraged to pray it, but they are not generally bound in the same way that many clergy and religious are.
What is the difference between the Divine Office and the Liturgy of the Hours?
They refer to the same prayer of the Church. 'Divine Office' is the older common name, while 'Liturgy of the Hours' is the usual postconciliar title.
What is a breviary?
A breviary is the book that contains the texts and calendar structure used to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.
Which hour should a beginner start with?
Night Prayer is often the easiest place to begin because it is short, peaceful, and easier to learn by repetition.
Do I need a book?
Not necessarily. Many people begin with an approved app or website before deciding whether to buy a breviary.
Can I pray with an app or website?
Yes. Many beginners learn by following an approved app, website, or audio guide such as DivineOffice.org.
What if I miss an hour?
Do not become discouraged. Simply return at the next reasonable time. The goal is faithful prayer, not anxiety.
Can families pray it together?
Yes. Families often begin with a simplified Morning Prayer or Night Prayer and let the rhythm grow naturally over time.
Why are the Psalms used so much?
The Psalms are the Church's ancient prayer book. They give words for praise, lament, thanksgiving, repentance, and trust in every season of life.
What are Lauds, Vespers, and Compline?
They are the traditional names for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer.
Can I pray it while traveling?
Yes. The Liturgy of the Hours travels well because it can be prayed from a small book, phone, or audio guide wherever you are.
How does it relate to Mass?
The Mass remains central. The Liturgy of the Hours extends the Church's praise and intercession through the day and helps the faithful live what they receive in the liturgy.
Is it okay to listen instead of reading?
Yes. Listening can help beginners learn the rhythm and responses, especially when following prayerfully and attentively.
How long does each hour take?
Night Prayer may take only a few minutes, while Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer often take around ten to fifteen. The Office of Readings is usually longer.
Liturgy and sacrament
How it connects to the Mass
The Mass is the source and summit of Christian life. The Liturgy of the Hours extends the prayer of the Church through the day, helping the faithful carry Scripture, praise, thanksgiving, intercession, and conversion into ordinary time.
Daily life
Sanctify the day
Before work
Morning Prayer places the whole day under God's praise and providence.
At lunch
Midday Prayer helps you pause, recollect, and begin again.
After work
Evening Prayer gathers the day into thanksgiving and intercession.
Before sleep
Night Prayer hands the heart and the night back to God.
In suffering
The Psalms teach us how to pray honestly when the heart is heavy.
In gratitude
The Church gives words of praise when joy is easier than explanation.
In confusion
When you have no words, the Church lends you her own.
Prayer rooms
Pray the hours together
Daily Oratory can later host group prayer rooms for Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer. Until then, this page helps you begin personally and points toward shared prayer when those rooms are available.
Related Daily Oratory tools
Keep this prayer rooted in the rest of Catholic life
Trusted sources
Where to learn and pray
DivineOffice.org
DivineOffice.org
Primary external source for the current text and audio of the daily hours.
Open external sourceDivineOffice.org
What is the Liturgy of the Hours?
Introductory guide to the Church's daily prayer.
Open external sourceDivineOffice.org
How to Pray the Liturgy of the Hours
Practical help for learning the structure and rhythm of the hours.
Open external sourceDivineOffice.org
General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours
The governing instruction for understanding the prayer more deeply.
Open external sourceSource and copyright note
Daily Oratory provides guidance and links for learning the Liturgy of the Hours. It does not reproduce the full daily office texts. Pray the current office using an approved breviary, app, parish resource, or DivineOffice.org.