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Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church (Breviary)

Divine Office – Liturgy of the Hours of the Roman Catholic Church (Breviary)

By: Divine Office (DivineOffice.org)
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 Daily scripture readings, psalms, and prayers that follow in the ancient traditions of the Church. Follow along using the session outlines at DivineOffice.org or by using the Divine Office iPhone, iPod, iPad app or Android app. From ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. In this way the Church fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world. For this expressed purpose, the recordings of the Hours presented here are intended to expand awareness of this Liturgy, introduce and practice the structure of this prayer, and to assist in the recitation of the Liturgy in small groups, domestic prayer and where common celebration is not possible.Copyright 2006-2025, Surgeworks Christianity Spirituality
Episodes
  • Jan 21, Night Prayer for Wednesday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time

    Jan 21, Night Prayer for Wednesday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time
    Jan 10 2026
    Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours: Vol I, Page 1180 Vol II, Page 1638 Vol III, Page 1280 Vol IV, Page 1244 Christian Prayer: Page 1047 General instruction: Please pray with us actively, especially by joining with us in saying antiphons and responses, most of which are indicated in this highlight. Consider an examination of your own conscience before beginning to best make use of our time together in prayer. Night Prayer for Wednesday God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. Examination of conscience: We are called to have a clear conscience toward God and toward men, in our hearts and in our minds, in our actions and inactions. To do so, it is vital that we examine our conscience daily and to ask for God’s mercy as we fall short and to ask for His strength to do better. I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, And, striking your breast, say: through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; Then continue: therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. With a priest present, this absolution will be given: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. The people reply: Amen HYMNBefore the ending of the day, Creator of the world we pray, that with your constant favor thou be our guard and keeper now. From harmful dreams defend our sight, from fears and terrors of the night; withhold from us our dark desires, Prevent us from eternal fire. O Father, this we ask be done, through Jesus Christ Your only Son: who, with the Holy Ghost and Thee, shall live and reign eternally. Amen. 𝄞"Before the Ending of the Day" by Johanna Montealto • Title: Before The Ending of The Day; Lyric: St. Ambrose; Translation: John Mason Neale (1818-1866), 1851; Music: Te lucis ante terminum (Plainsong Mode viii); Artist: Johanna Montealto; Copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 Lord God, be my refuge and my strength. Psalm 31:1-6 Trustful prayer in adversity Father, into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46). In you, O Lord, I take refuge. Let me never be put to shame. In your justice, set me free, hear me and speedily rescue me. Be a rock of refuge for me, a mighty stronghold to save me, for you are my rock, my stronghold. For your name’s sake, lead me and guide me. Release me from the snares they have hidden for you are my refuge, Lord. Into your hands I commend my spirit. It is you who will redeem me, Lord. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Lord God, be my refuge and my strength. Ant. 2 Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord. Psalm 130 A cry from the depths He will save his people from their sins (Matthew 1:21). Out of the depths I cry to you, O Lord, Lord, hear my voice! O let your ears be attentive to the voice of my pleading. If you, O Lord, should mark our guilt, Lord, who would survive? But with you is found forgiveness: for this we revere you. My soul is waiting for the Lord, I count on his word. My soul is longing for the Lord more than watchman for daybreak. Let the watchman count on daybreak and Israel on the Lord. Because with the Lord there is mercy and fullness of redemption, Israel indeed he will redeem from all its iniquity. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Out of the depths I cry to you, Lord. READING Ephesians 4:26-27 If you are angry, let it be without sin. The sun must not go down on your wrath; do not give the devil a chance to work on you. RESPONSORY Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. — Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth. — I commend my spirit. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, — Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit. Gospel Canticle Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may keep watch with Christ, and asleep, rest in his peace. Luke 2:29-32 Christ is the light of the nations and the glory of Israel Lord, now you let your servant go in peace; your word has been fulfilled: my own eyes have seen the salvation which you have prepared in the sight of every people: a light to reveal you to the nations and the glory of your people Israel. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep, that awake, we may ...
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    9 mins
  • Jan 21, Evening Prayer for Wednesday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time

    Jan 21, Evening Prayer for Wednesday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time
    Jan 10 2026
    Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 668 All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week II, 909 Liturgy of the Hours Vol. IV: Ordinary: 632 All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week II, 873 Christian Prayer: Ordinary: 694 All from the Psalter: Wednesday, Week II, 818 Evening Prayer for Wednesday in Ordinary Time God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNAs sun declines and shadows fall, The sea and hills will fade from sight; Its fiery orb bids us farewell But promises tomorrow's light. And this, O God, creator wise, You regulate in wondrous way The laws of this great universe At which we marvel night and day. While darkness rides across the sky, And stars their silent watches keep, Your children leave their constant toil, Regaining strength by peaceful sleep. Made rich in hope, kept strong in faith, May we be blest throughout the night, By Christ, the Word, who timeless reigns, True splendor of the Father’s light. He is the sun that never sets, No dusk can make his lustre die, The kind Protector of the earth, The joys of all the saints on high. O Father, Son and Spirit blest Grant us at last that light to see, And full of joy your praises sing, Bathed in your love eternally. Amen. 𝄞"As Sun Declines and Shadows Fall" by Kathleen Lundquist • Title: As Sun Declines and Shadows Fall; Text: Sol, ecce, lentus occident, Novus; Translation: St. Cecilia's Abbey, Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK; Tune: Chant, Mode I; Lumen Christi Hymnal; Artist: Kathleen Lundquist; Recording copyright 2016 by Surgeworks, Inc. • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope, the glorious coming of our Savior. Psalm 62 Peace in God May God, the source of our hope, fill your hearts with peace as you believe in him (Romans 15:13). In God alone is my soul at rest; my help comes from him. He alone is my rock, my stronghold, my fortress: I stand firm. How long will you all attack one man to break him down, as though he were a tottering wall, or a tumbling fence? Their plan is only to destroy: they take pleasure in lies. With their mouth they utter blessing but in their heart they curse. In God alone be at rest, my soul; for my hope comes from him. He alone is my rock, my stronghold, my fortress: I stand firm. In God is my safety and glory, the rock of my strength. Take refuge in God, all you people. Trust him at all times. Pour out your hearts before him for God is our refuge. Common folk are only a breath, great men an illusion. Placed in the scales, they rise; they weigh less than a breath. Do not put your trust in oppression nor vain hopes on plunder. Do not set your heart on riches even when they increase. For God has said only one thing: only two do I know: that to God alone belongs power and to you, Lord, love; and that you repay each man according to his deeds. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Lord God, you reward each one according to his works. Hear us as we pour out our hearts to you seeking your grace and secure protection. We look to you for our stable hope in a constantly changing world. Ant. Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope, the glorious coming of our Savior. Ant. 2 May God turn his radiant face toward us and fill us with his blessings. Psalm 67 People of all nations will worship the Lord You must know that God is offering his salvation to all the world (Acts 28:28). O God, be gracious and bless us and let your face shed its light upon us. So will your ways be known upon earth and all nations learn your saving help. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Let the nations be glad and exult for you rule the world with justice. With fairness you rule the peoples, you guide the nations on earth. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. The earth has yielded its fruit for God, our God, has blessed us. May God still give us his blessing till the ends of the earth revere him. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Psalm-prayer Be gracious and bless us, Lord, and let your face shed its light on us, so that we can make you known with reverence: and bring forth a harvest of justice. Ant. May God turn his radiant face toward us and fill us with his blessings. Ant. 3 Through him all things were made; he holds all creation together in himself. Canticle – Colossians 1:12-20 Christ the first-born of all creation and the first-born from the dead Let us give thanks to the Father for having made you worthy to share the lot of the saints in light. He rescued us from the power of ...
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    16 mins
  • Jan 21, Midafternoon Prayer for Wednesday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time

    Jan 21, Midafternoon Prayer for Wednesday of the 2nd week of Ordinary Time
    Jan 10 2026
    Ribbon Placement: Liturgy of the Hours Vol. III: Ordinary: 659 Complementary Psalmody: 1295 (Midafternoon) Psalter: Wednesday, Week II, 908 (Midafternoon) Midafternoon Prayer for Wednesday in Ordinary Time using the Complementary Psalmody God, come to my assistance. — Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Alleluia. HYMNO God, creation’s secret force, Thyself unmoved, all motion’s source, Who from the morn till evening's ray Through all its changes guid’st the day: Grant us, when this short life is past, The glorious evening that shall last; That, by a holy death attained, Eternal glory may be gained. O Father, that we ask be done, Through Jesus Christ, Thine only Son; With the Holy Spirit and Thee, Shall live and reign eternally. 𝄞"O God, Creation's Secret Force" by Johanna Montealto • Musical Score • Title: O God, Creation's Secret Force; Words: At­trib­ut­ed to St. Am­brose of Mi­lan, 4th Cen­tu­ry; Trans­lat­ion from La­tin to Eng­lish by John M. Neale, 1852; Recording copyright 2016 Surgeworks • Albums that contain this Hymn: Divine Office PSALMODY Ant. 1 The Lord has done great things for us; he is the source of all our joy. Psalm 126 Joyful hope in God Companions with him in suffering, you will share his over-flowing happiness (2 Corinthians 1:7) When the Lord delivered Zion from bondage, it seemed like a dream. Then was our mouth filled with laughter, on our lips there were songs. The heathens themselves said: “What marvels the Lord worked for them!” What marvels the Lord worked for us! Indeed we were glad. Deliver us, O Lord, from our bondage as streams in dry land. Those who are sowing in tears will sing when they reap. They go out, they go out, full of tears, carrying seed for the sowing: they come back, they come back, full of song, carrying their sheaves Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. The Lord has done great things for us; he is the source of all our joy. Ant. 2 May the Lord build our house and watch over our city. Psalm 127 Apart from God our labors are worthless You are God’s building (1 Corinthians 3:9) If the Lord does not build the house, in vain do its builders labor; if the Lord does not watch over the city, in vain does the watchman keep vigil. In vain is your earlier rising, your going later to rest, you who toil for the bread you eat, when he pours gifts on his beloved while they slumber. Truly sons are a gift from the Lord, a blessing, the fruit of the womb. Indeed the sons of youth are like arrows in the hand of a warrior. O the happiness of the man who has filled his quiver with these arrows! He will have no cause for shame when he disputes with his foes in the gateways. Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. May the Lord build our house and watch over our city. Ant. 3 Blessed are those who fear the Lord. Psalm 128 Happiness of family life rooted in God “May the Lord bless you from Zion,” that is, from the Church (Arnobius) O blessed are those who fear the Lord and walk in his ways! By the labor of your hands you shall eat. You will be happy and prosper; your wife like a fruitful vine in the heart of your house; Your children like shoots of the olive, around your table. Indeed thus shall be blessed the man who fears the Lord. May the Lord bless you from Zion all the days of your life! May you see your children’s children in a happy Jerusalem! On Israel, peace! Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit: — as it was in the beginning, is now, and will be for ever. Amen. Ant. Blessed are those who fear the Lord. READING 1 Samuel 16:7b Not as man sees does God see, because man sees the appearance but the Lord looks into the heart. Sacred Silence (indicated by a bell) A moment to reflect and receive in our hearts the full resonance of the voice of the Holy Spirit and to unite our personal prayer more closely with the word of God and public voice of the Church. O God, search my heart and know me. — Lead me along the path to endless life. CONCLUDING PRAYER Lord Jesus Christ, to save all mankind you streched out your arms on the cross. Let our work be pleasing to you: may it proclaim your salvation to the world, for you live and reign forever and ever. — Amen. ACCLAMATION (only added when praying in community) Let us praise the Lord. — And give him thanks.
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    8 mins
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