Laity Praying The Liturgy Of The Hours

[Era Might]

When a lay person prays the Liturgy of the Hours, are they performing a Liturgical act in a technical sense, or is it only those who are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours that can be said to be performing a Liturgical act?

[Thy Geekdom Come]

I have a feeling that there is a further question behind this contingent on my reply (because it seems like an awfully random question), which makes me think that I may not be able to give a sufficient reply (not knowing where the reply might go). It also seems to me that I would need clarification on specifically how you're defining liturgical act.

That having been said, the Liturgy of the Hours is an extension of the Holy Mass meant to sanctify the day. To that end, it seems to me that when the laity prays the LOTH, they are participating in the liturgy in the same way they would at Mass. Their act is a participation in a liturgical act of the whole Church.

Not sure that's enough clarity, but it's a start.

God bless,

Micah