Officium Divinum
The Roman Breviary, hour by hour
Friday
- MatinsThe night officeThe night vigil: the Church keeps watch, praising God in the psalms while the world sleeps.
- LaudsMorningMorning praise at the break of day, offered to Christ the light who rose from the dead.
- PrimeThe first hourThe first hour: the day and its work are placed in God’s hands before it begins.
- TerceThe third hour, 9 a.m.The third hour: the hour the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles at Pentecost.
- SextThe sixth hour, noonThe sixth hour: the hour Christ was nailed to the cross, a pause at the height of the day.
- NoneThe ninth hour, 3 p.m.The ninth hour: the hour of Christ’s death, remembered in the midst of the afternoon.
- VespersEveningEvening thanksgiving: the day is offered back to God, with the Magnificat of Our Lady.
- ComplineNight prayerNight prayer: the soul is commended to God before sleep.