Ora et Labora/ THE DIVINE OFFICE

THE DIVINE OFFICE

MATINS or VIGIL

is the night-watch hour where we try to be “vigilant” in listening to the word of God and the teaching of the ancient writers and saints of the Church. We immerse ourselves in the chanting and singing of the Psalms.

LAUDS

takes us out of darkness into light as we recall the resurrection of Christ and “the loving-kindness of the heart of our God who visits us like the dawn from on high”. As we welcome the light of a new day, we pray that we may be light to others. Lauds simply means praise.

MIDDAY

is positioned in the middle of the day and provides us with a pause to rest and reflect on what has happened. The light of the Sun of Justice discloses our thoughts and actions. We ask for strength and assistance for what lies ahead.

VESPERS

enables us to give thanks for what has been and pray that God will accept the offering of our day with whatever it has brought – its joys and disappointments. The psalmist prays that God will receive our offering: “Let my prayer arise before you like incense, the raising of my hands like an evening oblation,” We join with Mary in her hymn of thanks, the Magnificat.

COMPLINE

allows us to briefly review our day, pray for God’s blessing as we enter the hours of darkness, and ask that he grant us “a quiet night and a perfect end.”