Ok, I really want to get into saying the Litergy Liturgy of the Hours ( like a nun-prep thing, ish ) is there a website or something that has a 'Litergy of the Hours for Dummies'? I have looked up a few but you need more then one person, is there a way to do it with only one?

mods: if this is in the wrong place, please move it, this isjust the board I go one most of the time

Thanks and God Bless!

Don't know of any website that has precisely what you're looking for, but if you're praying it alone, you just pray all the parts yourself instead of alternating between sides like you would in choir

I've been praying parts of the office for many months now. Its a great way to frame my day.

try this link to start with
http://www.universalis.com/20031201/readings.htm

blessings, linnie

Try the following just read the prayers yourself. The LOH is a community prayer but is often said by oneself

http://www.isi.edu/~chiang/personal/hours.html

I am still a bit confused at what time do you say each hour (these are the ones that are Martins, Lauds, Vespers, ect. right? or I am going crazy ?)

Office of Readings - anytime
Morning Prayer - around dawn
Daytime Prayer - midmorning, midday, or midafternoon, it's up to you
Evening Prayer - around sunset
Night Prayer - before going to bed

Heavenly Calling,

I would strongly suggest purchasing a copy for your use. The set can be a bit pricey but the one edition is fairly reasonable. (You can get one for less than $40, new.)

And MilesChristi, there are actually readings and such for midmorning, middday, and midafternoon.

I'll grab a retreat schedule to tell you how we did it then. It's probably not something you'll be able to do every day unless you're homeschooled or your classes work out really well to fit a similar schedule.

When I am very busy, morning prayer comes either when I first wake or shortly thereafter. I pray midday prayer while I eat lunch. Evening prayer comes after dinner and night prayer is said just before bed. That way I get it in four times a day! It sounds like a lot but really it's a breeze... and it helps so much with the formation of my days.

If you have any more questions, feel free to ask me. I may not know the answers but I know a few others who would.

hughey, could you pm me a place where I could get a book like that, if you know one off the top of your head? There weree some at a local Catholic bookstore but it was 5 books and about $150. Yipes! Too much ofr my budget!

There's a version of the liturgy of the hours that doesn't contain office of readings (I think its called Christian Prayer, not to be confused with the "Shorter Christian Prayer").

Someone chime in please ... but from memory:

Shorter Christian Prayer -- has the 4 week cycle, morning and evening prayer, night prayer(I think); and major feasts; but most of the offices (such as office of virgins, etc) are not included. This may be a good simple way to start; and this book is about $10-$20. Its a bit easier to handle than the full 4 volume set or Christian Prayer.

Christian Prayer -- has morning,daytime,evening, night prayer; plus the offices ... much more complete but is missing the office of readings. It runs about $40-50 (my spanish one was $60 or $70, but that's because I brought it here)

The full set is a 4 volume set that does run about $130-150


-- Carmen

amazon.com has Christian Prayer for $35 new. It is a really good book. I'd recommend getting it.

blessings, linnie

cmariadiaz explained the difference well. i'll pm you about the book.

Yes, I was in the same boat so what I did was ask priests and religious I know if they know if any religious who can no longer pray the Divine Office due to different reasons. For example, some may no longer to use the Divine Office because of their eyesight.

Eventually, I did get some second copies of the 4 volume set from my spiritual director as a graduation/birthday gift.

So just put the word out and you never know

You may have tried this already...
I found it helpful at first to hear the offices prayed. It gives an idea of the flow, and when to repeat antiphons, etc. Here are two sites with audio Offices:

1 ) Monks of Adoration

2 ) There's a link for Morning & Evening Prayer on the front page of ewtn.com

I agree. I asked for it for Christmas one year and my poor mom had no idea what I wanted so she asked one of the priests at our parish who told her but she decided it was too expensive. So he gave me his old 4 vol version for Christmas! (plus his Shorter Christian Prayer book...I guess he had a premonition that I'd be studying a lot so I can keep the shorter one in my locker at school! )

Okay, after hearing all the stories here I MUST get myself those books! I wouldn't mind and might even prefer used, but I have no idea where to look as there are no convents or monestaries near me.

You want me to send you the English shorter edition? However if you enter the Buffalo Carmelites it'll be chanted in Latin.

I know all about the PAIN of learning the Office, but it is like riding a bicycle... they say.

Here is a book that might help you:
http://www.amazon.com/o/asin/0974464406/mo...ybird/ref=nosim

"Discovering Prayer" is also a download-able tutorial about the LOTH
http://prayer.rosaryshop.com/

Good luck!

Make sure to invest in a good set of bible ribbons. They are WAY more practical than a bundle of holy cards for marking your spot! lol.

HC...I'm with you! I'm still trying to figure it out! I was able to pick up on some of the patterns while listening to the Buffalo Dominicans...But I do get confused when the DO offers different options to use this Psalm or that one...I'm gonna have to check up on some of these suggestions...

Brandee:

It just takes a bit of practice ... I'm going to see what I can dig up. I do think the shorter christian prayer may be a simple way to get started (do "high school" first, then move up to "college level" with Christian Prayer, then "pro" with the full deal). Once you get used to the cycle its a bit simpler to then throw in the twists.

Finally for the brave pholks -- the 1st volume of the Liturgy of the Hours (the blue one) has the full explanation on how it is to be prayed, including variations, options, etc. Its a bit extensive, but it is worth a read (we read it in formation, and it does help put it all in perspective).

-- Carmen

Christian Prayer has a section dedicated to a step-by-step instruction on how the office is to be prayed. It has EVERYTHING.


Check with your local Catholic bookstore for the Christian Prayer or for the four volume set. If you can't find it at yours, I have it at mine and will ship it to you free of shipping cost. Otherwise, I'm sure you can find it at Amazon or a number of Catholic retailers on the web (i.e. Aquinas and More).

Hughey, I think I am going to take up your offer, as I am having I really hard time finding some for a reasonable/sane price, I've pmed you.

One other option is online bookshops run by an order.

here is my fav-

http://jamberooabbey.org.au

These nuns have a craft and bookshop just follow the links.
Taking the exchange rate into account you could most likely pay less by dealing with them. I know its quite far away....but I hope it helps.

Belinda

I would reccomend "Christian Prayer". I found a copy that has a zipper so it travels nicely as well. I think it was about $50 but, it came with a little pamplet that tells what pages to use on which days. You can find it here at Aquinas and More

I have the 1 volume edition, Christian Prayer. I bought it when i was 13 and it only cost me $23.50 then. I've noticed that its price has almost doubled since then. I'm 30 now. I know that Christian Prayer has a 4 week office of readings that is like the Psalter.

Thanks. I think my plea was answered...I have this longing now to pray the Divine Office after witnessing it at the SMME retreat.

Follow along here : http://www.universalis.com/ til you get the hang of it.

it's weird that this post is here. i've wanted to get the book of Christian Prayer to start praying the Liturgy of the Hours, too. I think I'm putting it on my Christmast list.

Here's some information for everyone:

The Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) is awesome! Everyone should pray it at least for Lauds (morning prayer) and Vespers (evening prayer).

I tried to pray it online for months using various websites. I tried to use Universalis, but I don't recommend it at all. It is an Anglican NOT a Catholic website!

The cheapest and easiest way is to purchase "Christian Prayer", which has all of the prayers. If you want cheaper, try buying "Shorter Christian Prayer". And if you want the most specific, but expensive one, buy the 4-volume set.

There is information in the book how to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.

http://www.amazon.com/Christian-Prayer-Cat...TF8&s=books

Our liturgical calendars are nearly (note I did say nearly) the same. What's wrong with using that website, particularly if you're on a budget?

True, it is nearly the same, but the Anglican Church is protestant - not Catholic. Protestantism is a heresy. That is why I urge all Catholics not to use such websites.

I base my analysis of this website off of the review by Catholic Culture:

http://catholicculture.org/sites/site_view.cfm?recnum=172

I'm glad that you've "informed" yourself of the "orthodoxy" of the site.

I find it beneficial as it highlights the prayer life of the church that unites denominations. Additionally, it's useful for my budget.

from Universalis FAQs:

Is this site Catholic or Anglican or what?
Catholic. The Mass readings and the Liturgy of the Hours are those of the Catholic Church and their content is the same as in the Latin edition of the Liturgy of the Hours published by the Vatican. The calendar used is the General Calendar, with local calendars included where we have details of them. About Universalis Publishing tells you more about us.