As for me, I’m going to the Office
By Kathleen Setina-Herbert
As mentioned in a previous article, a few years ago, I decided it was high time that I get back on the path of praying regularly. Downloading the recitation of the rosary to my iPod, having several Catholic New Media apps on my iTouch or perusing iTunes’ Religion/Spirituality categories had become second nature to me. And somewhere along the way, in 2009, I learned that priests, religious and some laity prayed the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as Divine Office or simply the Office. A little research and I found my starting point with the 1-volume Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours, which is an abbreviated version of a 4-volume set.
The LoH consists of psalms, hymns and readings and, together with the Mass, is the official public prayer of the Church. With the internet at your fingertips, do your own research to see if this is for you. No need to get all crazy with it at first. Start slowly, perhaps with Morning and Evening Prayer, and then build from there.
But be forewarned: praying the Liturgy of the Hours is addicting. Once you get into the rhythm of the LoH, there is a craving to pick up your device and download a week’s worth of recording or arrange the ribbons in your book. Your morning will not seem complete without saying the words “God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.” You’ll find familiarity and comfort in the words of the psalm–a poetic guide for worship, examples of emotion and honesty before God and a demonstration of the importance of meditation and prayer.
With the New Media available to us nowadays, we can join in praying the Office with either hard copy, electronic copy or audio for your devices. To help you get started, here is a short list of references:
http://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/sqpn-praystation-portable/id74072857
Our Lord taught us to “pray without ceasing” and, though realistically, this may be humanly impossible, The Liturgy of the Hours can help sanctify your day and turn your thoughts to God. I think he would like that.
Kathy Herbert, and 
Tina Lewis are discussing. 
Sean are discussing. 
Cristina Duarte Ferreira is discussing. 
Tina Lewis 10:05 am on March 31, 2011 Permalink |
Bravo! This is the best mini-introduction to the LOTH that I’ve seen and I’m with you 100%. God bless!
Kathy Herbert 3:30 pm on April 5, 2011 Permalink |
Thank you, Tina! When you find something good, it’s hard not to share it. My hope in writing about the Liturgy of the Hours is that others may look into it, pray it and love it as much as I do.