The Divine Office, also known as the Liturgy of the Hours, holds a special place in the heart of the Catholic Church. It’s more than a set of prayers; it’s a way to sanctify time itself, walking hand-in-hand with Christ throughout the day. By looking into what the Church teaches about the Divine Office, we find a practice that unites the faithful globally in the universal prayer of the Church.
What Is the Divine Office?
The Divine Office consists of prayers, hymns, psalms, and readings that are organized to be prayed at different times of the day. It’s a tradition that traces its origins to the early Christians and even further back to Jewish customs. It serves to make the whole day holy, consecrating it to God.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church emphasizes that the Liturgy of the Hours is intended to become the prayer of the whole People of God. It states, “In it Christ himself ‘continues his priestly work through his Church'” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1175). This illustrates the significance of this liturgical act, not just as an individual practice but as a communal one, directly participating in the work of Christ.
Who Is Called to Pray the Divine Office?
Clergy and religious are required to pray the Divine Office daily as part of their vows, but the laity is also invited to participate. This is a universal teaching of the Church. The Catechism states, “The laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office, either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1175).
Participating in the Divine Office is, therefore, a way to be in union with the universal Church. It’s not just the prayer of an isolated individual or a specific community but the prayer of the entire Body of Christ.
Scriptural Foundations
The Bible doesn’t explicitly describe the Liturgy of the Hours as we know it today, but the concept of fixed times of prayer can be found in both the Old and New Testaments. For example, the psalmist says, “Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous laws” (Psalm 119:164, NIV).
Jesus Himself observed Jewish traditions of prayer and extended them through His teachings and actions. In Acts, the Apostles and early Christians are described as gathering for prayer at set times: “Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour” (Acts 3:1, KJV).
Why It Matters: Unity in Diversity
The beauty of the Divine Office lies in its universal application. Regardless of cultural or geographical differences, Catholics around the world are united in this prayer. The Church becomes the Bride of Christ, praying in unison. We are reminded of St. Paul’s words: “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called” (Ephesians 4:4, NIV).
Theological Significance: Linking Time and Eternity
The Liturgy of the Hours provides a means to sanctify our daily lives, linking temporal activities with eternal realities. The prayers are often derived from Scripture, particularly the Psalms, which are timeless expressions of human emotion and divine truth.
How to Begin
If you’re interested in incorporating the Divine Office into your spiritual life, start small. You don’t have to pray all the hours immediately. Many laypeople begin with Morning and Evening Prayer, gradually adding other hours as they feel called.
The Divine Office can be prayed with physical breviaries or through various digital platforms that offer the complete texts for each day. While the format may vary, the essence remains the same: an offering of time and prayer to God, in union with the whole Church.
Conclusion: An Invitation to Universal Prayer
Praying the Divine Office is an invitation to step into the eternal, even amid the busyness of daily life. As part of the universal Church, we join together as one body to sanctify our days and nights, participating in Christ’s own prayer to the Father. Through these prayers, we are not only united with Catholics throughout the world but also with the heavenly liturgy that is eternally celebrated in the presence of God.
The Divine Office is not an obligation for the laity, but it is certainly an opportunity — an opportunity to deepen one’s relationship with God, to participate in the Church’s liturgical life, and to be in spiritual solidarity with believers across the globe. All are welcome to take part in this extraordinary form of prayer, in alignment with the Church’s teaching. As the Catechism beautifully puts it, “The Liturgy of the Hours is intended to become the prayer of the whole People of God” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1175).
So let’s embrace this gift from the Church, stepping into a rhythm of prayer that sanctifies our time and draws us closer to the eternal, making us truly universal in our faith and practice.