Explanation of the Breviary
St. Paul tells us in his First Letter to the Thessalonians (5:17): “Pray without ceasing.” Throughout the centuries St. Paul’s command to “pray without ceasing” has been followed by the Church universal. All around the world, priests and religious pray at seven unique times each day, ensuring that at every moment, the Church is at prayer. This prayer of the Church goes by at least two names: “The Breviary,” or “The Liturgy of the Hours.”
Breviary from the late 15th century from the Diocese of Strangnas in Bavaria
Following the Second Vatican Council the Liturgy of the Hours was reformed and translated into the vernacular. This makes it much easier for a anyone pray in this way. Each period of prayer corresponds to a certain time of day. Hence one’s whole day can be marked by prayer. This ensures that one’s awareness and connection with our Lord grows day by day.
Two out of four volumes of the print edition of the breviary
“Lord, teach us to pray,” the disciples ask. Christ through his Church has given both laity and religious alike, a model of prayer in the Breviary. This process can start slowly; simply choose one hour a day (such as Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer) and gradually add additional hours each week. In this time of crisis we can rediscover and learn to pray this wonderful treasure of the Church.
Where to Pray It
There are several places one can go to find the breviary:
