The council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy noted that Christ continues his priestly work through his Church. This includes all the baptized “interceding for the salvation of the whole world. The Church does this not only by celebrating the Eucharist, but also in other ways, especially by praying the Divine Office.” (CSL, 83)

Calling for the revision of the Divine Office, the council identified its purpose to sanctify the day. Therefore, the traditional sequence of the hours was to be restored. Those who prayed the office were encouraged to pray each hour at or near the time of day to which it was related. This included: the Office of Readings (Matins), Morning Prayer (Lauds), Midmorning Prayer (Terce), Midday Prayer (Sext), Midafternoon Prayer (None), Evening Prayer (Vespers) and Night Prayer (Compline).

The council hoped that the Divine Office would become a significant “source of devotion and nourishment for personal prayer,” (CSL, 90) precisely because it is the Church’s liturgical prayer. The bishops called upon all those who pray the Hours “to attune their minds to their voices when praying it.” (CSL, 90) In this way, their vocal prayer would move their hearts and souls to meditation and contemplative prayer, leading to encountering the Risen Christ in his paschal mystery. Without hesitation, the council declared: “The laity, too, are encouraged to recite the Divine Office either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually.” (CSL, 99)

After all, “… the Divine Office is the voice of the Church, that is, of the whole Mystical Body publicly praising God.” (CSL, 99)

What to expect in the new Liturgy of the Hours

Based on the translation of the Vatican’s second Latin typical edition, the new edition will include four volumes of the office covering the complete liturgical year:

• Volume I — The seasons of Advent and Christmas.
• Volume II — The seasons of Lent and Easter.
• Volume III — Weeks 1-17 of Ordinary Time.
• Volume IV — Weeks 18-34 of Ordinary Time.