10 Fun Facts About The Liturgy of the Hours
Ascension TeamAncient prayer. Real life. Surprisingly accessible. The Liturgy of the Hours is one of the Church’s most treasured prayers—and it’s not just for monks. Here are 10 fun facts that make the Liturgy of the Hours impossible not to love.
1. The Liturgy of the Hours Is Older Than the New Testament
The Psalms were already being prayed at fixed hours before Christianity existed. The Church didn’t invent this prayer—she inherited it from Old Testament worship. In the Liturgy of the Hours, you’re praying something ancient-ancient that remains timeless!
2. It’s the Official Prayer of the Church—Even More Than the Rosary
The Rosary is beloved. The Liturgy of the Hours is official: of all the most important Catholic ways of praying, it's the one with the blue verified badge. The Church herself prays the Liturgy of the Hours routinely every single day, whether anyone is watching or not.
3. It’s Why Church Bells Exist
Those bell towers with ringing bells in old towns? Not decorative. Not just for special occasions, either. They existed to constantly call people to the Hours. That noon bell that still chimes in some towns is actually a medieval push notification to pray.
4. The Psalms Repeat—On Purpose
You’ll pray the same psalms again…and again…and again. This isn’t laziness or monotony. It’s spiritual formation. Holy Mother Church assumes you need to hear the same truths many times, and she’s correct. Repeating helps us remember. The words of Scripture become your reflex when life hits hard. Rather than simply knowing the Psalms, you start reacting like someone who prays them.
5. Some Psalms Are… Intense
The Psalms capture every human emotion—anger, longing, despair, and confusion. In the Liturgy of the Hours, you get to know the relatability of Scripture. The Church welcomes all of it into prayer, teaching us to bring our whole selves to God.
6. You’re Praying With the Pope (Literally)
We talk about praying for the pope, but did you know we can also pray with the Pope? At any given Hour, the Pope, bishops, priests, missionaries, cloistered nuns, and exhausted parents are praying the same texts. Through the Liturgy of the Hours, you can join one of the most concrete experiences of the “communion of saints!"
7. It Used to Be Reserved Almost Entirely for Clergy and Religious
For centuries, most lay people couldn’t read—and books were rare—so the Hours were effectively clergy-only. Today, all Catholics get VIP access to the Liturgy of the Hours! It is easier than ever for you to participate ... it’s on our phones, in our homes, in our real lives!
8. Liturgy of the Hours Helps You Pray Through Your Whole Day
The Liturgy of the Hours gives your day a beautiful rhythm. It’s not meant to be an interruption—it’s an invitation to keep God at the center of your routine, from your first cup of coffee to bedtime. What better way to live a life that truly prays without ceasing?
9. Jesus Prayed It
The heart of the Liturgy of the Hours is the Psalms—and Jesus prayed them. As a faithful Jew, he observed set times of daily prayer, using the Psalms that later became the backbone of the Church’s prayer. In fact, the words Jesus cried from the Cross—“My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”—come straight from a psalm. When you pray the Liturgy of the Hours, you’re entering into the prayer rhythm of Christ himself!
10. A New Translation of the Liturgy of the Hours Is Around the Corner
Don't miss out on the opportunity to pray the Liturgy of the Hours in a beautiful, new, and improved way! The USCCB chose Ascension as one of the two publishers to roll out the second edition of the Liturgy of the Hours in 2027. This four-volume set of all the texts for the year will be created with magnificent original artwork and excellent quality materials to make these prayers clearer than ever before. Stay tuned for more reveals and preorder information!