How it Works?
On Sunday evenings from 5 pm – 6 pm, the seminary community gathers, in the main chapel, for Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament, Solemn Evening Prayer of the Church and Benediction. On some occasions, such as when oaths of fidelity are being made, the Blessed Sacrament will not be exposed. Our recent celebrations of Evening Prayer have been enhanced by short reflections given by the fifth-year seminarians who are preparing for ordination to the Sacred Diaconate. All are welcome to join us for this hour of prayer and reflection with Our Lord. Please Note: Booklets are provided.
What is the Divine Office?
“From ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. In this way the Church fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering its praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world.” — Office of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship.
What is the Liturgy of the Hours?
The Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the whole People of God. In it, Christ himself “continues his priestly work through his Church.” His members participate according to their own place in the Church and the circumstances of their lives. The laity, too, are encouraged to recite the divine office either with the priests, among themselves, or individually.
The celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours demands not only harmonizing the voice with the praying heart, but also a deeper “understanding of the liturgy and of the Bible, especially of the Psalms.”
The hymns and litanies of the Liturgy of the Hours integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour with the subsequent responses or troparia and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal the deeper meanings of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, and help one prepare for silent prayer.