All Christians are called to service in the community of faith. Sacrament Schedule EUCHARIST Saturday Morning: 9:00AM Saturday Vigil: 5:00PM Sunday:   10:30AM & 5:00PM Weekdays: 12:05PM Mon-Fri CONFESSIONS: Tue & Thur: 11AM- 12PM      Saturday Morning: 9:00AM SaturdayVigil: 5:00PM : 3:30PM-4:30PM Also by appointment

Today's Mass Readings Back Home         What is the Liturgy of the Hours? Morning and Evening Prayer-AUDIO The Liturgy of the Hours has a very ancient history, stemming from the days of the first Christians. In fact, it is very similar to the way in which Jesus would have prayed. During the Middle Ages, it was very popular, and elaborately illuminated books were produced for people to pray the Liturgy of the Hours, called "Hours," or "Books of Hours." The rosary developed as a popular adaptation of the Liturgy of the Hours, with its 150 beads representing the 150 psalms used in the Liturgy of the Hours. Later, the Liturgy of the Hours was called the Divine Office, and it became the exclusive duty of priests and members of religious orders, who prayed it from books called breviaries. The reforms of the Second Vatican Council restored the Liturgy of the Hours to all God's people, and encouraged all Christians to avail themselves of this beautiful treasure of the Church. Many other Christian Churches, most notably the Anglicans (Episcopalians) kept the tradition of the Liturgy of the Hours through services called "vespers" or "evensong." The Liturgy of the Hours has the following parts: The Liturgy of the Hours is the daily prayer of the Church which is prayed at certain significant times of the day. It includes the Invitatory and a number of "hours". Invitatory ~ This is the opening prayer of the Office and is prayed at the beginning of the day before the first hour of the Office. Morning Prayer (Lauds ) ~ This hour is prayed at sunrise or in the early morning. It is one of the two most important (hinge) hours of the Office and, if possible, should be prayed in common. Daytime Prayer (Terce, Sext, None) ~ In the post-Vatican II reform of the office, it is suggested that one of these hours, that which is most convenient for the individual, be prayed. The daytime hours are ~Midmorning ~Midday ~Midafternoon Evening Prayer (Vespers) ~ This hour is prayed at sunset, i.e. late afternoon or early evening. It is the second of the hinge hours and, like Morning Prayer, should be prayed in common if possible. Night Prayer (Compline) ~ This is the "bedtime" hour of the Church's daily prayer and is ordinarily prayed just before retiring. Office of Readings (Matins, Vigils) ~ This is the only hour which does not have a designated time. In the reforms of the Second Vatican Council it was determined that, because of the varied schedules of people today it would be better to leave to the the group or individual praying, the ability to establish the time for the praying of this meditative hour of reflection on Scripture and the writings of the great spiritual authors. To pray the Liturgy of the Hours please visit this site: Universalis

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