Appreciating the Divine Office, the church’s daily prayer

I have the privilege of writing this article because of the grace God gave me to answer the call to a vocation in the Permanent Diaconate for the Diocese of Camden. During formation we consistently prayed the Liturgy of the Hours. Also known as the Divine Office, the Liturgy of the Hours is the church’s daily prayer.

This prayer consists of five “hours” of prayer. They are not five literal hours, but five different times throughout our day, from morning to night, when we take a few moments to sanctify and make holy our day.

Initially the Liturgy of the Hours appeared to be challenging. Depending on when our class was, we would either pray Morning Prayer or Evening Prayer together. Over time we learned about the structure and importance of the prayers we said each day.

Early on in my formation, I also learned from the example of the men in classes ahead of me. One Saturday early on in my formation, I was sitting next to one of the men who had been in formation for several years. During Morning Prayer I got lost on the wrong page and was immediately helped by one of my brothers and finished it by following him in his prayer book. I am certain that kind act helped to show the value of this community prayer.

The more I grasped the Liturgy of the Hours the more I appreciated it. I even knew that this had become a part of my life. I also wanted others to experience and appreciate this too.  The Catechism of the Catholic Church states: “The Liturgy of the Hours is intended to become the prayer of the whole People of God. In it Christ himself continues his priestly work through his Church. …The Laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office, either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually” (CCC 1175).

Saint Paul tells us: “Pray without ceasing” (1Thes 5:17). We can accomplish this as a church by our participation in the Liturgy of the Hours.

My assignment at Infant Jesus Parish has given me the opportunity to fulfill that mission and to spread this treasure of the church to help others pray without ceasing. Since October, there are two Friday nights a month where all are welcome to come and pray with us. We start with some simple instructions and then pray Evening Prayer together. The response and participation has been positive and spirit lifting.

I must note this is nothing I have done by myself. The Holy Spirit is guiding this mission.  The Office of the Diaconate and my pastor, Father Joe Pham, have also been a great help with my mission. A bonus has been being able to share this ministry with one of our transitional deacons, John March, who will be ordained a priest this June.I am very grateful for the participants who “come together in unity of heart and voice, they show forth the church in its celebration of the mystery of Christ” (GILOH 22).

Until we can gather again, please remember what Saint Paul tells us in Romans 12:12 “Rejoice in hope, endure in affliction, persevere in prayer.” 

Deacon Joseph Farro is a Permanent Deacon at Infant Jesus Parish in Woodbury Heights, and he also serves at the Salem County Correctional Facility.