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
http://ibreviary.com/new/
http://www.universalis.com/
http://divineoffice.org/
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.
I came across this wonderfully creative website with lots of photos of Kermit the Frog, including one of Kermit in Church.
Chris, 
Kr_herbert, and 
Medic02093 are discussing. 
Tina Lewis are discussing. 
Angela 1:52 am on December 10, 2011 Permalink |
Kermit is a simple soul, so he would pray in the way of St. Therese – he would simply show the great God what was in his little green heart, and our God would always understand him (because we know He speaks frog.
Chris 6:47 pm on December 6, 2011 Permalink |
Thank you for my many blessings especially the gift card to my favorite restaurant: IHOP.
Mary Soukup 1:25 pm on December 3, 2011 Permalink |
Lord help me I have no thumbs
John 12:06 pm on December 2, 2011 Permalink |
” Please forgive me Lord, I called my wife a pig “
Naomi Young 10:55 am on December 2, 2011 Permalink |
“And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from alligators. Amen.”
Jordan 1:51 am on December 2, 2011 Permalink |
Its not easy being green Lord!
David Handlos 8:56 pm on December 1, 2011 Permalink |
Lord, please help me learn how to blink.
Darren 11:18 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink |
“Is it I, Lord, who will slowly boil to death?”
Steve M 8:15 am on December 1, 2011 Permalink |
“Ord-Lay, ear–hay y-may rayer-Pay.” Pig Latin, of course!
Nick Senger 11:01 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
“Hi-ho, Kermit the Frog here,
Why are there so many songs about rainbows? And what’s on the other side?”
Jo Joyce 10:36 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
Lord, still need that rainbow connection…
Beth 9:43 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
More Grover, less Elmo.
MARY JOAN ROURKE 9:29 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
Dear God,
i’m waiting in joyful hope for you
Jen 9:19 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
For an aveternal soul ?
Fr. Roderick 8:21 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
“Lord, give me a hand, I’m swamped”
Eileen 7:58 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
Thank-you, Lord for making me green.
Quentin Lewis 7:34 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
Pray, pray? Oh yes, I always pray……but right now I am planning my dive into the Baptismal Font!
Michael Kuypers 7:19 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
“O Lord, please don’t let me mess up with this new Mass Translation.”
Lee 6:40 pm on November 30, 2011 Permalink |
Dear God: Please change the hearts of mankind, to love you and your commandments. Thank you. Amen.”