The Liturgy of the Hours. In a stunning new edition.

For the first time in more than half a century, the Church in the U.S. will pray the Liturgy of the Hours in a new English translation. It's not just another edition—it's a chance to engage this prayer again... as if for the first time.

Liturgy of the Hours

A historic moment.

For centuries, the Church has sanctified every hour of the day with psalms, hymns, and readings—the prayer we call the Liturgy of the Hours.

Now, after half a century, the new English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours is almost here—and Ascension was selected by the USCCB to be among the first to offer a beautiful new edition.

This is more than a book.

This is a once-in-a-generation moment to re-engage with the beautiful prayer of the Church.

Ascension's New four-volume Set for Liturgy of the Hours

What awaits you.

Set of books titled 'The Liturgy of the Hours' with colorful markers inside, arranged in a box.

Perfect for Everyday Use

Standard & Large Print Editions

Beautifully bound editions designed for everyday use.

  • Covers that speak of dignity and devotion
  • Clear, comfortable font sizes
  • Smyth-sewn binding designed to last through decades of prayer

Stunning, Heirloom Quality

Premium Edition

An heirloom-quality edition created with the finest materials and craftsmanship.

  • Premium top-grain goatskin leather cover with gold foil stamping and raised spine hubs
  • Gilded page edges and multiple satin ribbons, diagonally cut and adhered to the spine
  • Smyth-sewn binding for durability through years of daily prayer

Designed with Reverence

Typesetting & Artwork

The world’s finest artisans and designers—including the master typesetters at 2K/DENMARK—join together to ensure this new edition is as usable as it is beautiful.

  • Typesetting designed to maximize readability with optimized spacing and subtle navigational tabs
  • Artwork that is timeless in character and deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, enriching prayer without distraction

Flexible Options for your Needs

Group Discounts

By ordering together as a community, you can save while investing in a resource that will serve for years of daily prayer.

  • Provide your community with matching editions for shared prayer.
  • Support formation and study by outfitting seminarians and novices with editions they will carry into a lifetime of prayer.
1 6

Frequently Asked Questions

Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition

What is the Liturgy of the Hours?

Liturgy of the Hours is the daily prayer of the Church. Rooted in Scripture, it sanctifies the hours of the day with prayer, readings, and hymns. Clergy and religious often pray it together, and the laity are encouraged to join in as they are able, whether individually, with family, or in parish groups.

How is the Liturgy of the Hours different from devotional booklets?

Many monthly booklets that include morning prayers, daily readings, and evening prayers are devotional aids. The Liturgy of the Hours, however, is the Church’s official prayer, prayed around the world each day. It includes the full psalms, hymns, readings, and prayers that make up the daily cadence of the Church’s prayer life.

Why is there a new edition?

The English translation currently in use is based on the editio typica of 1971 and was published in 1975 and 1976. In 1985, the Vatican issued the editio typica altera, replacing the 1971 edition. This English Second Edition is a translation of the editio typica altera, prepared according to the norms of the 2001 Vatican document Liturgiam authenticam and the Roman Missal, Third Edition.

What is changing with the Second Edition?

The USCCB has been sharing detailed progress of development. In short:

  • Scripture – Psalms and Canticles now from The Abbey Psalms and Canticles; readings from the forthcoming revision of the New American Bible.
  • Antiphons – Gospel Canticle antiphons aligned with the three-year Lectionary; revised psalm antiphons.
  • Hymns – Nearly 300 Latin hymns translated into English for the first time with hymn tunes available in the Divine Office Hymnal.
  • Intercessions & Orations – Newly revised translations for accuracy and consistency.
  • Other Texts – Updated responsories, rubrics, versicles, introductions, and hagiographical introductions for the Proper of Saints.
  • U.S. Propers – Updated U.S. adaptations and a new appendix of optional Second Readings.

When will the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition be available?

The USCCB submitted the completed manuscript of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition to the Holy See for confirmation on May 29, 2025. Once the completed manuscript receives confirmation from the Holy See, the USCCB will work with the publishers to prepare the files for printing and announce a date for publication.

Can I still use my current four-volume set of the Liturgy of the Hours?

Yes. You may continue praying with your current volumes until the USCCB announces a date when use of the new edition becomes required for those who are required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours.

If I am required to pray the Liturgy of the Hours now, when will I be required to use the new edition?

The USCCB has not yet announced a date and will provide guidance when more information is available.

Will there be new extracted editions like the current Christian Prayer and Shorter Christian Prayer?

The USCCB will determine a timeframe of availability for the new translation in extracted editions such as Christian Prayer and Shorter Christian Prayer at a later date. Information about these editions will be shared when it is available.

Is there an edition available in Spanish?

The USCCB has not confirmed a Spanish edition of the Liturgy of the Hours. Therefore, any Spanish translation lawfully approved by another Conference of Bishops may be used. Ascension offers for sale the edition approved by the Bishops’ Conferences of Colombia, Chile, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Argentine Republic, and the Dominican Republic.

Will the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition be available digitally?

The USCCB will determine the availability of alternative formats at a later date and information about these formats will be shared when it is available.

How many volumes will the Second Edition include?

There will be four volumes, arranged similarly to the First Edition.

Will all four volumes be available at the same time? Which volume will be available first?

Volumes will be available one by one until all four volumes have been released. Which volume is available first will be determined once the completed manuscript receives confirmation from the Holy See.

For the First Edition of the Liturgy of the Hours, Volume III was published on May 30, 1975, and the other volumes followed in sequence.

Will the four volumes contain the Supplementum to the Liturgia Horarum, notably the biennial Office of Readings?

The Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments announced in a letter dated January 6, 2025, that Pope Francis has approved the promulgation of the Supplementum to the Liturgia Horarum. With this text now available, the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL) will undertake its translation in the coming years.

The Supplementum contains a biennial cycle of Scripture and ecclesiastical/patristic (“Second”) readings for the Office of Readings, as well as an optional lectionary of substitute Second Readings aligned with the Sunday Mass Gospels. It also includes readings on a wide variety of themes and a series of psalm-prayers and canticle-prayers for the Invitatory, Four-Week Psalter, and Night Prayer.

Therefore, the Supplementum will not be included in the four-volume Second Edition of the Liturgy of the Hours. Specifically, the biennial Office of Readings will not appear, and the annual cycle as currently prayed will continue in the new edition.

For further details on the Supplementum to the Liturgia Horarum see the March 2025 Newsletter from the Committee on Divine Worship of the USCCB.

The Four-Volume Set from Ascension

What can I expect from Ascension’s editions of the Liturgy of the Hours?

Ascension’s editions of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition are crafted for beauty, durability, and ease of prayer. Each volume features expert typesetting by 2K/DENMARK for exceptional readability, timeless sacred artwork, and high-quality materials. Available in Standard, Large Print, and Premium formats, these editions combine reverent design and lasting craftsmanship to serve the Church’s daily prayer for years to come.

What formats will Ascension offer?

Ascension will offer Standard Leather, Large Print Leather, and Premium Leather editions.

How will Ascension’s edition be typeset?

Ascension is partnering with 2K/DENMARK, the world’s leading biblical typesetter, and the typesetter for the latest edition of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible. Their work ensures clarity, reverence, and beauty on every page.

Will the artwork be updated in Ascension’s edition?

Yes. Ascension has commissioned brand-new artwork that is timeless, beautiful, and rooted in Catholic tradition—designed to elevate prayer without distraction.

What will Ascension’s Premium Edition include?

An heirloom-quality edition with goatskin leather covers and calfskin liners, similar to the Premium Edition of The Great Adventure Catholic Bible.

What will be the price of Ascension’s editions?

Pricing has not yet been announced.

Where will Ascension's editions be available?

Ascension's editions of Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition will be available in English in the areas represented by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB). This includes the United States, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the areas under the jurisdiction of the Archdiocese for Military Services worldwide.

When will Ascension’s editions be available?

The USCCB submitted the completed manuscript of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition to the Holy See for confirmation on May 29, 2025. Once the completed manuscript receives confirmation from the Holy See, the USCCB will announce a release date to the public. Sign up to be notified as soon as details are announced!

What will be the dimensions of each volume of Ascension’s editions? Will the accessories I’ve purchased for the First Edition fit Ascension’s editions?

The final size and dimensions have not yet been finalized and are determined, in part, by the page count in each volume once the completed manuscript is confirmed by the Holy See. It is not expected that accessories designed for the First Edition will fit Ascension’s editions.

Will a box set be available?

Yes. A box set including all four volumes will be available once all volumes are released.

Will bulk discounts be available for groups who order together?

Yes. Bulk discounts will be available for those ordering on behalf of parishes, seminaries, dioceses, or other communities.

Will Ascension’s editions be available to resellers?

Yes, Ascension’s editions will be available to resellers.

Whom may I contact if I have further questions regarding Ascension’s editions of the Liturgy of the Hours?

Please e-mail us at support@ascensionpress.com or call our support team at (800) 376-0520.

Product photography is of prototype editions and is not final. Features are subject to change.

Learn More

Resources

Beautiful editions and practical resources and accessories that support clergy, religious, and laity in praying the Liturgy of the Hours.

1 4
View all