Definition

1. Noun:
   • A set of daily prayers prescribed for clergy: The Divine Office refers to the cycle of canonical prayers that priests, monks, and other religious figures are obligated to recite at specific hours throughout the day and night.
   • A liturgical book containing these prayers: It can also refer to the book itself, such as the Breviary in the Roman Catholic Church, which contains the texts for these prayers.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The monks gathered in the chapel to pray the Divine Office at dawn.
  • She studied the structure of the Divine Office as part of her theological training.

Advanced Usage

• "To recite/say the Divine Office": This is the standard phrase for performing this prayer duty.
  • The priest makes time each day to recite the Divine Office.
• "The Liturgy of the Hours": This is a modern term often used synonymously with the Divine Office, especially after the Second Vatican Council in the Catholic Church.
  • Many laypeople now participate in the Liturgy of the Hours, which evolved from the traditional Divine Office.

Variants and Related Words

• Breviary (n): The book containing the Divine Office.
  • He carried his breviary with him everywhere.
• Canonical Hours (n): The specific times of day (e.g., Matins, Lauds, Vespers) appointed for the prayers of the Divine Office.
  • The canonical hours structure the monastic day.

Synonyms

• Liturgy of the Hours: The official set of daily prayers.
• Canonical prayers: Prayers prescribed by church law.

Related Phrases

• "To keep the hours": An older phrase meaning to observe the prayer times of the Divine Office.
  • The community is dedicated to keeping the hours faithfully.

Noun

1. canonical prayers recited daily by priests (e.g. the breviary of the Roman Catholic Church)