On Ash Wednesday 2027, the updated English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours will become the liturgical text in use in the United States. This marks the first new English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours in more than fifty years. But why was a new edition needed, and what has changed?
Why Is There a New Edition?
The current English translation is based on the editio typica (Latin for "typical edition") promulgated in 1971. In 1985, the Holy See published the Liturgia Horarum, editio typica altera, replacing the original Latin edition and establishing the new normative text for future translations.
In November 2012, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops voted to prepare a revised English translation corresponding to the editio typica altera. The work was carried out according to the translation principles outlined in the 2001 instruction Liturgiam authenticam and in continuity with the translation approach used for the Roman Missal, Third Edition.
Following years of translation, review, and approval, the bishops completed their work in November 2024. On May 29, 2025, the USCCB submitted the complete manuscript of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition to the Holy See for final confirmation.
What Has Changed?
The revisions extend throughout all four volumes of the Liturgy of the Hours. They include updates to Scripture passages, psalms and canticles, hymns, antiphons, intercessions, orations, instructional texts, calendar entries, and the Proper of Saints.
Some of the most significant changes include the following.
Scripture Readings
Scripture readings now use the most recent edition of the New American Bible, Revised Edition: the 2024 revised New Testament together with the 2010 Old Testament. This provides greater consistency across liturgical books used in the United States.
The Abbey Psalms and Canticles
The Abbey Psalms and Canticles, translated by the monks of Conception Abbey, are now used throughout the Divine Office. In addition, the antiphons for the Psalms, the Benedictus, and the Magnificat have been revised. The Gospel canticles for Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer now correspond to the three-year Sunday Lectionary cycle.
Hymns
The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition includes the first official English translations of nearly 300 Latin hymns prepared by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) in 2019. These translations preserve fidelity to the Latin texts while remaining suitable for singing.
Intercessions and Orations
The intercessions and concluding prayers (orations) have been revised for greater accuracy, consistency, and fidelity to the Latin originals. The revisions also seek to preserve more fully the biblical imagery found in the source texts.
Rubrics and Liturgical Texts
The Second Edition includes updated introductory material, revised rubrics (the red instructional text), versicles, responsories, and a standardized translation of the Gloria Patri. An additional option has also been included for the Marian antiphon at Compline (Sub tuum praesidium, "We fly to your patronage"), while retaining the Hail Mary and both the English and Latin texts of the seasonal Marian antiphons.
Proper of Saints
The Proper of Saints has been revised to reflect additions and changes to the liturgical calendar since the publication of the current English edition. These revisions include updates to hagiographical introductions and Second Readings in the Office of Readings.
The Second Edition also includes a new appendix of optional Second Readings for particular observances, including the Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (January 22), Independence Day (July 4), and Thanksgiving Day.
Ever Ancient, Ever New
Although the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, introduces substantial textual revisions, the prayer itself remains the same public prayer of the Church. Clergy, religious, and lay faithful will continue to sanctify the hours of each day through the Psalms, Scripture, hymns, and prayers that have shaped the Church's worship for centuries.
The translation has been renewed, but the Church's prayer remains unchanged in its essential character, uniting the faithful with Christ, who is "the same yesterday and today and for ever" (Hebrews 13:8).
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