The Augustinian community at Our Mother of Good Counsel gathers for Common Prayer twice a day. In the Mornings, before Mass, they are joined by parishioners who have become familiar with this form of prayer called the Liturgy of the Hours. Consider this an opportunity to learn about, and perhaps even join those gathered for daily Morning Prayer.

Our Catholic Faith tradition has evolved a variety of forms of prayer, including meditation, contemplation, spontaneous prayers, and Liturgy. Liturgy is always meant as a public prayer, and the Liturgy of the Hours is the only prayer, outside of the Mass that is prescribed by the Church. Sometimes it is referred to as the Divine Office, for being an official prayer of the Church. The Liturgy of the Hours follows the same Liturgical Cycle of Seasons, Weeks and Days as the Mass, and for many Catholics, becomes a way to deepen their experience of communal faith and their relationship with Christ. Although the Augustinians, as well as priests, sisters, friars and some lay-people have a commitment to reciting the Liturgy of the Hours, the Church does not obligate you to do so.

Morning Prayer gives Christians the opportunity to Praise God for the wonderful gift of life, a new day, and in particular the gift of Christ’s Resurrection. Evening Prayer, likewise provides an opportunity for Christians to Thank God for graces of each day and Christ’s gift of Redemption. The celebrations of Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and the other great Feasts and Saints all factor into the celebration of Morning and Evening Prayer. When praying these words from the Scriptures and Tradition of the Church, they join with Christ who intercedes for humanity before the Father, they join the Cloud of Witnesses of Saints before, and the Church throughout the world gathered for Liturgy.

There are apps and websites to explore the Liturgy of the Hours (or sometimes called the Divine Office). The gathered community for Morning Prayer at Our Mother of Good Counsel uses the Christian Prayer book. Many Augustinian Parishes and Chapels will pray Morning Prayer immediately before the Morning Mass. If you live near a community of Augustinians, or a community of Friars or Monks, be sure to check if they have scheduled times for Common Recitation of the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours.

Written by Fr Mark Menegatti in September, 2018