If you have ever wondered how Catholics pray throughout the day, you may have encountered something called the Liturgy of the Hours. 

Also known as the Divine Office, the Liturgy of the Hours is the official daily prayer of the Catholic Church. Priests, deacons, religious sisters and brothers pray it regularly, but it is not reserved for clergy or religious. The Catechism of the Catholic Church explains that the laity are also encouraged to pray the Divine Office. 

The Liturgy of the Hours has received renewed attention recently. During his August 5, 2026 General Audience, Pope Leo XIV encouraged the faithful to embrace the Liturgy of the Hours more fully, describing it as the Church’s daily public prayer and a way to sanctify the different moments of everyday life. 

But what exactly is the Liturgy of the Hours? How do you pray it? And where should a beginner start? 

What Is the Liturgy of the Hours? 

The Liturgy of the Hours is the daily prayer of the Catholic Church, structured around different times—or “hours”—of the day. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops describes it as the daily prayer of the Church, marking and sanctifying the hours of each day with prayer. 

Its purpose is simple but profound: to sanctify the day through prayer. 

Rather than limiting prayer to Sunday Mass or a few minutes before bed, the Liturgy of the Hours invites Christians to continually return their attention to God from morning until night. 

The prayers include: 

• Psalms 

• Scripture readings 

• Hymns 

• Canticles 

• Intercessions 

• Prayers connected to the liturgical season or feast day 

That means when you pray the Liturgy of the Hours—even alone in your kitchen before work—you are not really praying alone. You are joining Catholics around the world in the prayer of the Church. 

Why Is It Called the “Liturgy of the Hours”? 

The word liturgy is important. The Liturgy of the Hours is not simply another private Catholic devotion like a novena or chaplet. It is part of the Church’s official liturgical prayer. 

If you are interested in other ways Catholics incorporate prayer into everyday life, explore Catholic Radio Network’s guide to 5 Popular Catholic Devotions and What They Mean. 

The “Hours” refer to different periods of the day that are set apart for prayer. 

Office of Readings 

The Office of Readings contains longer passages from Sacred Scripture as well as writings from saints, Church Fathers, popes and other important Christian teachers. 

Morning Prayer — Lauds 

Morning Prayer is traditionally prayed at the beginning of the day. It helps us offer our work, responsibilities, joys and difficulties to God before the busyness of the day begins. 

Daytime Prayer 

Daytime Prayer may be prayed during the morning, midday or afternoon. It provides an opportunity to turn back toward God in the middle of work and daily responsibilities. 

Evening Prayer — Vespers 

Evening Prayer is one of the principal Hours. As the day comes to a close, Catholics give thanks to God, reflect on His goodness and entrust the evening to Him. 

Night Prayer — Compline 

Night Prayer is prayed before going to sleep. It is brief, peaceful and particularly accessible for beginners. It includes an examination of conscience and prayers placing ourselves into God’s care for the night. 

Is the Liturgy of the Hours Only for Priests? 

No. 

Certain clergy and religious have an obligation to pray the Liturgy of the Hours according to the requirements of their vocation, but lay Catholics are also encouraged to pray it. The USCCB specifically notes that lay people are encouraged to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, especially Morning and Evening Prayer. 

For more information about Catholic beliefs and practices, read Catholic Radio Network’s guide, What Do Catholics Believe? 10 Key Facts About the Catholic Faith. 

You do not need to be a priest, religious sister, theologian or expert in Catholic spirituality to begin. You simply need to pray. 

Why Do Catholics Pray the Psalms? 

Open the Liturgy of the Hours and you will quickly notice that much of it comes from the Book of Psalms. 

That is because the Psalms give us words for nearly every human experience: joy, fear, grief, gratitude, confusion, repentance, hope and praise. 

Even when we do not know what to say to God, Scripture gives us words to pray. The Psalms also unite our prayer with generations of believers who prayed them before us. Jesus Himself prayed the Psalms. 

When Catholics pray the Liturgy of the Hours, they are therefore learning to pray with the words of Sacred Scripture and allowing those words to gradually shape their hearts. 

Pope Leo XIV and the Liturgy of the Hours 

Pope Leo XIV brought new attention to this ancient Catholic practice during his August 5, 2026 General Audience on the prayer of the Church. He explained that the Liturgy of the Hours needs to be more fully embraced in the daily lives of the baptized and can offer those learning to pray a path and school of Christian prayer. 

The Holy Father also explained how the Hours can sanctify the natural rhythm of the day: beginning the morning with faith and gratitude, seeking strength during work, praying Vespers as the day closes and entrusting ourselves to God at night. 

In other words, the Liturgy of the Hours can help transform an ordinary schedule into a life continually oriented toward God. 

How to Start Praying the Liturgy of the Hours 

Seeing the complete Liturgy of the Hours for the first time can feel intimidating. There are multiple books, liturgical seasons, feast days, Psalms, readings and ribbons. 

You do not have to learn everything at once. Instead, begin with one Hour. 

Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer are traditionally considered the two principal Hours, so either makes a wonderful starting point. If evenings are quieter for you, begin with Evening Prayer. If you want to begin your day with Scripture, try Morning Prayer. If you want the simplest introduction possible, Night Prayer is short and easy to incorporate into a bedtime routine. 

Try praying one Hour consistently for a few weeks before adding another. The goal is not to complete as many prayers as possible. The goal is to encounter God. 

How Long Does the Liturgy of the Hours Take? 

For many people, Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer can be prayed in about 10 to 15 minutes, depending on pace and whether it is prayed individually or with others. Night Prayer is often even shorter. 

That makes the Liturgy of the Hours surprisingly accessible for Catholics who want a more consistent prayer life but struggle to know what to pray. Instead of wondering, “What should I say to God today?” the Church places Scripture and prayer directly into your hands. 

The Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass 

The Liturgy of the Hours does not replace the Mass. Instead, it extends the Church’s liturgical prayer throughout the rest of the day. 

At Mass, Catholics encounter Christ in a unique way, especially in the Holy Eucharist. Through the Liturgy of the Hours, the rhythms of prayer begun in the Church’s liturgy continue into our mornings, workdays, evenings and nights. The Catechism describes the Liturgy of the Hours as an extension of the Eucharistic celebration. 

This is one reason the Liturgy of the Hours can be particularly powerful for Catholics who want their faith to become part of everyday life—not simply something reserved for Sunday. 

A Simple Catholic Prayer Routine to Begin Today 

If you want to try the Liturgy of the Hours, start small. Choose either Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer or Night Prayer. Set aside a consistent time. Find a quiet place. Put away distractions. Then simply pray what the Church gives you. 

Some days you may feel deeply moved. Other days you may be distracted or tired. Keep praying. 

One of the great gifts of the Liturgy of the Hours is that our prayer does not depend entirely on how we happen to feel that day. We enter into something larger than ourselves: the continual prayer of the Church. 

Make Catholic Prayer Part of Your Day 

Developing a daily prayer life does not require escaping from your responsibilities. Often, it means inviting God more intentionally into the responsibilities you already have. 

The Liturgy of the Hours gives Catholics a beautiful way to do exactly that. Catholic Radio Network can accompany you throughout the rest of your day with faithful Catholic teaching, prayer, Scripture, conversation and encouragement. 

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