Liturgy of the Hours
“The Church desires that wherever possible at least the celebration of Morning Prayer and Evening prayer in public worship services should be encouraged.” - Shorter Christian Prayer
“Those taking part in the Liturgy of the Hours have access to holiness of the richest kind… Contact with the riches of this liturgical prayer… will give Christians authentic spiritual food.” – Shorter Christian Prayer
The heart of Catholic Communities of Prayer’s mission of establishing perpetual praise is the Liturgy of the Hours. CCOP will help parish communities respond to the call of the Church that “wherever possible at least the celebration of Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer should be encouraged.” The Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the Church, and it is time to awaken the laity to this great treasure. The Liturgy of the Hours is a simple and organized way for any local parish to pray corporately. The Liturgy of the Hours is “becoming once gain an unmistakable testimony to a community full of vigorous life.”
Song and Music with the Liturgy of the Hours:
Furthermore, it is CCOP’s desire to awaken the laity to the beauty of this prayer by encouraging and training all in utilizing song and music while praying the Liturgy of the Hours. CCOP is in one heart with the Church in that The Liturgy of the Hours is meant for music and song. “It is also preferable to sing the Office in choir and in community as opportunity offers… Many of these parts are lyrical in form and do not yield their fuller meaning unless they are sung: above all, the psalms, canticles, hymns and responsories… Indeed, it is no small contribution to the full appreciation of the psalms if they are sung, or at least are always seen in the perspective of poetry and music.”
Variety of Expression with the Liturgy of the Hours:
CCOP is also in agreement with the Church in that new ways and expressions of the Liturgy of the Hours are encouraged. “With this increased scope for variation, it will be possible for the public praise of the Church to be sung more frequently and be adapted in a variety of ways to different circumstances. There is great hope that new ways and expressions of public worship may be found for our own age, as has always happened in the life of the Church.”
