The daily prayer of the universal Church — and the prayer every permanent deacon is called to offer faithfully each day, joining his voice to the unceasing praise of God.
The Liturgy of the Hours — also known as the Divine Office or the Breviary — is the daily prayer of the Catholic Church. It sanctifies the entire day by dedicating specific times to the praise of God through psalms, hymns, Scripture readings, and intercessions. It is the public prayer of the Church, not a private devotion — and those who pray it do so in the name of the whole Body of Christ.
The Second Vatican Council called the Liturgy of the Hours the prayer that extends the praise of God offered at the Eucharist “to the different hours of the day.” When a deacon opens his breviary at dawn or dusk, he joins his voice to an unbroken stream of prayer that rises from every continent, every monastery, every parish, every hospital chapel — a chorus that has never fallen silent since the earliest days of the Church.
For permanent deacons, the Liturgy of the Hours is not optional. Canon Law (Canon 276 §2, 3°) and the Directory for the Ministry and Life of Permanent Deacons require deacons to pray at least Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) each day. This obligation is not a burden but a privilege — it is the deacon’s daily participation in the prayer of the universal Church, offered on behalf of the people he serves.
The Church calls Morning and Evening Prayer the “two hinges” on which the entire Liturgy of the Hours turns. These are the hours every deacon is called to pray.
Morning Prayer consecrates the first moments of the day to God. It recalls the Resurrection — Christ rising from the tomb at dawn — and asks for grace to live the day faithfully. It includes a hymn, three psalms (or canticles), a short Scripture reading, the Benedictus (Canticle of Zechariah), intercessions, the Our Father, and a concluding prayer.
Evening Prayer gives thanks for the day that has passed and offers the coming night to God. It mirrors the evening sacrifice of the Old Testament and the gathering of the early Church for prayer. It includes a hymn, three psalms (or canticles), a short Scripture reading, the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary), intercessions, the Our Father, and a concluding prayer.
Whether you pray Morning or Evening Prayer, the structure follows a beautiful, ancient rhythm. Here is what to expect.
“O God, come to my assistance. O Lord, make haste to help me.” This ancient cry opens every hour, placing the one who prays in a posture of humble dependence on God.
A hymn appropriate to the hour and the liturgical season sets the tone for prayer. These hymns, many dating back centuries, orient the heart toward the mystery being celebrated.
Three psalms or canticles form the heart of each hour. The psalms are the prayer book of Christ himself — he prayed them, and when we pray them, we pray with his voice and in his Spirit.
A short passage of Scripture is proclaimed, followed by a moment of silence for reflection. Over the course of the year, the readings take the one who prays through the breadth of salvation history.
Morning Prayer features the Benedictus (Canticle of Zechariah, Luke 1:68–79); Evening Prayer features the Magnificat (Canticle of Mary, Luke 1:46–55). These are the high points of each hour.
Prayers of intercession are offered for the Church and the world, followed by the Lord’s Prayer. Morning Prayer dedicates the day to God; Evening Prayer offers thanks and asks for protection through the night.
A collect prayer gathers the themes of the hour, and the deacon (or priest) may offer a blessing. The hour ends as it began — in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
When a man is ordained a permanent deacon, he takes on a solemn obligation to pray the Liturgy of the Hours daily. This is not an afterthought or a suggestion — it is a constitutive part of his vocation. The Church entrusts the deacon with the prayer of the entire People of God, asking him to stand before the Father each morning and evening as a voice for all those who cannot pray, who have forgotten how to pray, or who do not yet know they are loved.
The deacon lives at the threshold between the Church and the world. The Liturgy of the Hours is where that threshold becomes most real. In the morning, the deacon consecrates his day — his commute, his meetings, his work, his family — to God. In the evening, he returns everything that happened to the One who gave it. Every joy, every struggle, every encounter becomes prayer.
When a deacon opens his breviary, he is not praying alone. He joins a choir that spans every time zone, every language, every monastery and parish and hospital chapel on earth. The same psalms, the same readings, the same intercessions rise from thousands of voices at the same hour. The Liturgy of the Hours is the one prayer that never stops.
Many men entering formation feel intimidated by the breviary. The ribbons, the page-turning, the four-week psalter — it can seem overwhelming at first. But like any prayer, it becomes second nature with practice. Many deacons find that within a few months, the Liturgy of the Hours becomes the most cherished part of their day — the anchor that holds everything else together. Start with Morning Prayer. Pray it imperfectly. God receives it with joy.
Everything you need to begin — or deepen — your practice of the Liturgy of the Hours.
The full, official Liturgy of the Hours used by clergy and religious throughout the English-speaking world. The four volumes cover the entire liturgical year with all psalms, readings, and prayers.
Shop on Amazon →A single-volume edition containing Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Night Prayer, and selected other hours. The most practical option for deacons who want one book for their daily obligation.
Shop on Amazon →An abridged edition with a four-week psalter for Morning and Evening Prayer. Ideal for those just beginning to pray the Hours or for travel. A perfect starting point for men in formation.
Shop on Amazon →Many deacons use apps like iBreviary or Universalis on their phones for the daily office. The text is always current, no ribbons to manage, and you always have it with you. A great complement to the printed breviary.
Learn More →If you’re feeling overwhelmed by ribbons and page numbers, these guides walk you step-by-step through how to pray the Hours. Many formation programs use guides like these to help candidates learn.
Shop on Amazon →A pocket-sized monthly publication with Morning and Evening Prayer texts, Mass readings, saint biographies, and spiritual reflections. Beautifully designed and easy to follow — many deacons carry it everywhere.
Shop on Amazon →As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Every purchase helps support this ministry.