Praying with the Church

By Msgr. Robert Aucoin
HERALD Columnist
(From the issue of 2/7/02)

Every time we pray the Eucharist, we are praying with the Church. There is another common liturgical prayer called the Liturgy of the Hours, or, in its abbreviated form, Christian Prayer. This universal prayer is often referred to as the Hours, the Office or the Breviary. In this article, I will use these terms interchangeably. All members of the Church are encouraged to use this prayer, especially morning prayer and evening prayer. However, some may be reluctant because the form of the prayer seems very complicated. Several Web sites help all gain a greater appreciation of the Liturgy of the Hours. Links to these references are posted at www.wadhams.edu/breviary.

Our first stop is Universalis where readers can find the prayers for each day of the year. Praying in front of a computer screen is not convenient or even reverent. However, this site is a good introduction to the structure of the Breviary or to check if one has chosen the correct place in the printed volume.

Another excellent site is simply entitled "Liturgy of the Hours." This site has only morning and evening prayers, but these are the two primary hours that all are encouraged to pray. The unique feature of this site is that the prayers are downloaded to the local computer in "pdf" format. Users can then print them out or even copy them for use among several people. Again, this site is best used for those just beginning with the Office especially since the printed version has complete details for proper posture (stand, sit, kneel) and spells out everything in detail to remove those moments of confusion as one begins to pray the Breviary.

For those who would like to hear how the Office is prayed, I recommend visiting the Monks of Adoration’s site. Besides having their own excellent Web site, the monks provide a RealAudio version of their daily prayer of the Breviary. Most Web browsers will have the plug-in needed to hear them. If not, you will be directed to a site where you can download it.

Sisters of Charity Sister Janet Baxendale has published an excellent summary on the proper recitation of the Liturgy of the Hours. In very few words, Sister Baxendale is able to present the history, structure, nature, and value of this prayer form along with an adequate bibliography for those who wish more information. Her explanation is among the best that I have seen because it focuses on the value of this liturgical action as a prayer for all. In adopting this prayer, some may be overcome with the directives for praying rather than the prayer itself. Sister Baxendale helps readers to concentrate on the prayer rather than the form.

Cardinal Spellman once wrote about the importance of the Breviary. Although some of his comments about the structure may be out of date since his writing, his basic comments are still very valid. The Breviary is steeped in the Church’s liturgical year like no other prayer except for the Eucharist itself. In his own words: "It helps the seeking soul to realize that the Son of God actually lives in His Church and works through Her, continuing in Her and through Her the mission He initiated in and through the Body which His Virgin Mother gave to Him." In praying the Breviary we unite ourselves with Christ and His Church. What else could a devout Catholic hope to obtain?

Hopefully, these few resources will provide readers with a renewed interest in the Liturgy of the Hours. Since we are part of the Church and since the Breviary is the prayer of the Church, are we not a good match? Do I dare say even a match made in heaven?

Msgr. Aucoin is a priest of the Diocese of Ogdensburg, N.Y., and rector of Wadhams Hall Seminary – College in Ogdensburg.

Copyright ©2002 Arlington Catholic Herald.  All rights reserved.