The Structure of Each of the Hours

It might be helpful to read this section while referring to the Ordinary (center section) in one of the editions of the Liturgy of the Hours.

INVITATORY

·         Introductory verse

·         Seasonal Antiphon repeated after each verse of the psalm

·         Psalm 95 (psalm 100, psalm 67 or psalm 24 may be substituted)

THE HINGE HOURS
(Morning and Evening Prayer)

Unique to Morning Prayer	Common to Both	Unique to Evening Prayer
	Introductory Verse
	Hymn
Psalmody		Psalmody
Morning Psalm		Evening Psalm
O.T. Canticle		Evening Psalm
Psalm of Praise		N.T. Canticle
	Reading
	Responsory
Canticle of Zachary		Canticle of Mary
Benedictus		Magnificat
	Intercessory Prayers
	Our Father
	Concluding Prayer and Dismissal

OFFICE OF READINGS

·         Introduction

·         Hymn

·         Psalmody (3 psalms or portions of psalms)

·         Readings

·         Scriptural Reading

·         Response

·         Patristic Reading

·         Response

·         Concluding Prayer

·         Conclusion

DAYTIME PRAYER

·         Introduction

·         Hymn

·         Psalmody (3 Psalms or portions of psalms)

·         Reading

·         Concluding Prayer

·         Conclusion

NIGHT PRAYER

·         Introduction

·         Hymn

·         Examination of Conscience (optional)

·         Psalmody (2 psalms)

·         Reading

·         Canticle (Nunc Dimittis)

·         Concluding Prayer

·         Conclusion

·         Antiphon of Our Lady

©  Sister Janet Baxendale, S.C.
Composed for the Archdiocese of New York Liturgical Commission.


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