Monday, October 25, 2004

Blessing the middle of the day

In addition to Morning and Evening Prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours also has Daytime Prayer, consisting of three "little" Hours: Midmorning Prayer, Midday Prayer, and Midafternoon Prayer.

Most people pray only one of these little Hours each day, depending on the time of day that is best for them. Contemplative communities generally pray all three hours.

Each hour is structured in the same way, which is very much like that of Morning and Evening Prayer.
  • The opening

    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 forever.
    Amen. Alleluia.

  • A hymn

  • Three psalms with antiphons

  • A short Scripture reading

  • A very short responsorial

  • A concluding prayer

  • Closing verses

    Let us praise the Lord
    And give him thanks.

The Daughters of St. Paul edition of Christian Prayer: the Liturgy of the Hours contains Daytime Prayer

Online, the Brothers and Sisters of Penance of St. Francis have posted complete examples of each of these hours.

http://www.bspenance.org/The_three_little_hours_of_the_Office.shtml

UPDATE - The complete texts for all of the Liturgy of the Hours for each day (U.S. edition) are available at www.liturgyhours.org.