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).
11 comentarios
Is there an APP version planned?
If your a lay person you do not need to purchase the new LOH. You are under no obligation as are priests and religious. Even if you are a 3rd order Camelite your under no obligation to buy the new LOH. So cool it for those who are panicking about the cost of the new LOH. Relax. It’s okay to continue to use the 1970 edition.
Please respond ascension. What are we to do for those who bought the precious 4 volume? Is it now no longer relevant and we must buy the new 4 volume set? Will there be a one volume later? Do we have to transition to the new edition?
The publishers seem to be leading with the full and most expensive editions of the new LH. Eventually, there will likely be more choices. For those obligated to pray only morning and evening prayer, there should be a one-volume “diurnal.” For those who must or want to pray the Office of Readings, there will probably be imitation leather or hardcover editions of the four volumes that will still have the same interior content. Also, I would imagine that there would be some kind of transition period to allow for everyone to obtain new books.
As a convert, I find the Office of Readings invaluable in learning the deeper thoughts of the Church. Ten years ago when I began praying that office, I read the introductory sections in Volume I.
Paragraph 6 in “Apostolic Constitution, referring to the daily reading from the works of the Fathers and Church writers states, “Besides this, an optional lectionary will be prepared with a fuller selection…of these writers…”
Paragraph 161 in the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours states, “Besides the readings assigned to each day…there is an optional lectionary with a larger selection of readings. Everyone has permission to take the second reading either from the Liturgy of the Hours or from the optional lectionary.”
Does this optional lectionary exist in English? Or is it even being worked on? Thank you.
sounds like we have the makings of a special Christmas list or Birthday Present for all of us in Third Order of Carmel Family. Can also be a good idea for a fundraiser with the proceed to purchase some books, let us all use our time, treasure, and talent in the acquisition of the new Prayer of the Church Books.
I completely understand the comments from those individuals regarding the cost of the new LOTH. However, let me remind everyone that the official start date for using the new second edition is not until Advent 2028. So that gives us 2 1/2 years to save. I also am on a pension and that is how I plan on purchasing the second edition.
I also have a set of books that is about 5 years old and I cannot afford to purchase a new set of books. I am retired and also a lay Carmelite so I have promised to pray the office daily. Our profession into the Carmel of the Immaculate Heart of Mary will take place in October. What are we to do?
Hello
The cost of the new set of LOH is astronomical and out of reach for many!
I was looking forward to purchasing a New set but will have to wait until I win the Lottery.
Very sad, as you would think Ascension Press would want to assist with evangelizing and being able skip the marginal profit and allow people to purchase the set at minimal profit.
Especially if someone is in ministry.
Shame! Greed!
1) How long will it until we will to buy the new version?
2) Will you be publishing a guidebook like the one that exists now?
Dominic