The Office of Readings is a unique part of the Liturgy of the Hours that invites you into deeper reflection through Scripture and the writings of the saints. Though traditionally prayed during the night or early morning—when monks and religious would rise before dawn to sanctify the quiet hours with study and prayer—it may be prayed at any time of the day. More than any other hour, the Office of Readings focuses on extended spiritual reading, nourishing the mind and soul. It is both a prayer and a time of meditation, helping you grow in knowledge of God and love for the Church.
1. Begin with the opening verse
Start by turning to the Ordinary section of your breviary, which gives the fixed prayers that introduce each hour. Begin by praying, “O God, come to my assistance. Lord, make haste to help me.” Then say the Glory Be to the Father. During most of the year, you may add “Alleluia” after the Glory Be, except during Lent and on certain penitential days. These opening words help you turn your attention away from the world and toward God, who is the source and goal of your prayer.
2. Sing or recite the hymn
After the opening verse, continue with the hymn. This may be found in the Ordinary, the Psalter, the Proper of Seasons, or the Proper of Saints. The hymn often reflects the mood or theme of the day or liturgical season. If no hymn is clearly assigned, you may choose one that fits the spirit of the day. It is ideal to sing the hymn when possible, but if you are praying alone, it is perfectly good to recite it slowly and thoughtfully.
3. Pray the three psalms with their antiphons
Next, move to the psalmody, which includes three psalms or sections of psalms. Each psalm is introduced and concluded with an antiphon. These antiphons highlight a spiritual theme and help you reflect on what you are praying. The psalms are taken from the four-week Psalter cycle, and each day has a specific set. If the day is a feast or solemnity, you may be directed to use psalms from the Proper of Saints or from the Commons, depending on the celebration. Read each psalm slowly and prayerfully, allowing the words of Scripture to speak to your heart.
4. Read the first reading from Scripture
After the psalms, continue with the first reading. This reading is taken from the Bible and is usually longer than the short readings found in Morning or Evening Prayer. On ordinary days, it may be part of a continuous reading that moves through a biblical book over several days. On feast days, it may be a special reading chosen for the occasion. This is a time for deep listening. Read the Scripture carefully, and after finishing, pause for a moment to reflect.
5. Pray the responsory after the first reading
Following the first reading, you will find a responsory. This is a short, prayerful exchange of lines that reflects on the reading and invites you to respond in praise, faith, or contemplation. It may be repeated or alternating, depending on the day’s text. The responsory gives you a moment to digest what you’ve read before continuing.
6. Read the second reading from the Church’s tradition
Now read the second reading. This is one of the greatest treasures of the Office of Readings. It is almost always taken from the writings of a saint, a Church Father, a pope, or a key Church document. It may be a passage from the Catechism, a letter of St. Ignatius, a homily by St. John Chrysostom, or a meditation by St. Augustine. These readings provide wisdom from the Church’s past and spiritual guidance for the present. Like the first, this reading is also followed by a responsory to help you absorb what you have heard.
7. Recite the Te Deum on Sundays and solemnities
If today is a Sunday, a solemnity, or a major feast, then after the second responsory, pray the Te Deum. This is a joyful and ancient hymn of praise, beginning with the words, “You are God: we praise you.” It praises the Trinity, honors the apostles and martyrs, and affirms our trust in God. It is not prayed during ordinary weekdays or in Lent. When it is used, it adds a note of celebration to your prayer and reminds you of the greatness of the mysteries you are remembering.
8. Pray the concluding prayer
After the readings and any responsory or hymn, turn to the concluding prayer. This will usually be found in the Proper of Seasons or Proper of Saints, depending on the calendar. If there is no special occasion, the concluding prayer will be found in the Psalter. This prayer gathers the thoughts of the day’s Office and offers them to God, asking for His guidance and grace.
9. Finish with the final blessing or dismissal
Finally, close the Office with the standard dismissal. If you are praying alone and are not ordained, say, “May the Lord bless us, protect us from all evil, and bring us to everlasting life.” If a priest or deacon is leading the prayer, he may give a formal blessing. With this, the Office of Readings comes to a peaceful and reverent end.
10. Prepare your breviary for prayer
To pray the Office of Readings smoothly, it helps to mark your breviary ahead of time. Use ribbons or markers to hold your place in the Ordinary for the structure, the Psalter for the day’s psalms, the Proper of Seasons for the current liturgical time, and the Proper of Saints for any feast being observed. You may also need to consult the Commons if no unique texts are assigned for the saint of the day. With practice, flipping between these sections becomes second nature.
Praying the Office of Readings is a rich and rewarding habit. It offers time not just for reciting prayers, but for truly meditating on God’s Word and the teachings of His Church. Some pray it first thing in the morning, others just before Morning Prayer, and still others use it later in the day as part of spiritual reading. It is a flexible hour that fits into many different schedules, but it always invites thoughtful attention and reflection.
In the end, praying the Office of Readings draws you into the Church’s deep tradition of contemplation and study. Through Scripture, psalms, and the wisdom of the saints, you join in the ancient rhythm of prayer that spans centuries and cultures. Though it may seem unfamiliar at first, it soon becomes a well-loved part of the spiritual life. With practice and intention, it becomes a daily meeting with God through the words of His saints and the living Word of Scripture.
Mr. William C. Michael, O.P.
Headmaster
Classical Liberal Arts Academy
