Liturgy of The Hours - Canonical Hours - Liturgy of The Hours of Paul VI

Liturgy of The Hours of Paul VI

After the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI promulgated a new Roman Breviary, commonly referred to as "Liturgy of the Hours." The structure of the offices, the distribution of psalms, and the prayers themselves were modified. Prime was suppressed entirely. In short, the burden was lessened. "Major" and "minor" hours were defined:

• The Officium lectionis, or Office of Readings, (formerly Matins) — major hour
• Lauds or Morning prayer — major hour
• Daytime prayer, which can be one or all of:
  • Terce or Mid-Morning Prayer
  • Sext or Midday Prayer
  • None or Mid-Afternoon Prayer
• Vespers or Evening Prayer — major hour
• Compline or Night Prayer

All hours, including the minor hours, start with the versicle from Ps 69(70) v. 2 (as do all offices in the traditional Breviary except Matins and Compline): "V. Deus in adjutorium meum intende. R. Domine ad adjuvandum me festina" (God come to my assistance, Lord make haste to help me), followed by the doxology. The verse is omitted if the hour begins with the Invitatory (Lauds or Office of Reading). The Invitatory is the introduction to the first hour said on the current day, whether it be the Office of Readings or Morning Prayer. The opening is followed by a hymn. The hymn is followed by psalmody. The psalmody is followed by a scripture reading. The reading is called a chapter (capitula) if it is short, or a lesson (lectio) if it is long. The reading is followed by a versicle. The hour is closed by an oration followed by a concluding versicle. Other components are included depending on the exact type of hour being celebrated. In each office, the psalms and canticle are framed by antiphons, and each concludes with the traditional Catholic doxology.