Priests and religious are expected to participate in daily Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours.  The laity are invited and encouraged to do so as well.  The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith.  The Liturgy of the Hours is the second best prayer and helps to sanctify the day.

     Are you trying to fit God into your day?  Maybe we should put God first and then fit other things into our day.  Attending daily Mass and praying the Liturgy of the Hours help us to do just that.  If we put God first, then we can actually do more of those other activities and skip what should be skipped.  Our whole day becomes centered around God and oriented toward Him.  He helps us to better love our neighbor.

     In the video above, Brandon Vogt offers reasons for praying the Liturgy of the Hours.  He's also advertising Word on Fire's monthly book containing three of the five hours:  Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Night Prayer.  Fr. Charles Fox writes about praying LOH during Lent.

     You could purchase the four volume set for the Liturgy of the Hours and learn how to use the ribbons.  Much easier is Word on Fire's monthly book.  Just as easy is using an app.  Catholic Apptitude looks at various apps offering the LOH.  I usually use iBreviary on my phone or tablet computer.  My back-up is Divine Office.  Beginners might do better with Divine Office because they offer an audio version.  That is, you could pray along with those who have done the recording.

     We can start the day by offering it to Jesus with the Morning Offering.  Follow it up with the Prayer to Your Guardian Angel.

     At breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner, we can pray the Angelus which focuses us on the Incarnation.

     Below is a short video about the daily examen.  Fr. Mark-Mary gives an easy way to do it around lunch time.  You could do it again before going to bed.  The basic idea is to do a three minute daily examination of conscience for the whole day or the half day since you did it last.  Thank God the Father for the good things.  Ask Jesus for forgiveness or help with the bad things.  Ask the Holy Spirit for inspiration for things coming up in the near future.

     There are plenty of other little prayers that can help us sanctify the day.  We can ask the Blessed Virgin Mary for help with The Memorare.  Something like Morning Prayer is St. Patrick's Breastplate.  For mercy, consider The Divine Mercy Chaplet, especially during the 3 o'clock hour.

     In order to avoid taking the name of the Lord in vain, the Irish will invoke, "Jesus, Mary, and Joseph," asking them to help when something trying occurs.

     Making these kinds of prayers a regular part of every day, we will find ourselves focusing on God more often.  We'll be more likely to talk with Him in between these official prayers.  Our whole day is better oriented.  We put Him first, do what He inspires us to do, and experience greater love.

God love you,

Fr. Jim