1. The Liturgy of the Hours
The Sacraments
Notes: Ask two students to participate as prayer leader and reader. Divide the class into two groups, side 1 and side 2, for the recitation of Psalm 91. Explain to the class that it is traditional, especially in monasteries, to read Psalms in choir fashion, alternating from one side to the other. Feel free to add recorded music (John Michael Talbot has some wonderful music that follows this perfectly) or to adapt the prayer service for the needs of a particular group of students.
Document #: TX002086

2. JOURNAL QUESTION:
Make a list of as many “milestones” or important events that take place throughout your high school years. Which one of these events, in your opinion, should be celebrated more than it is?

3. LITURGY OF THE HOURS
Originated from the Jewish practice or meeting several times a day to pray.
It has similar elements to a Sunday Mass: opening hymn, psalms, Scripture readings and the Our Father
In monasteries and convents, the monks and nuns pray this throughout the day (and night)
Priests & deacons are required to pray it daily; laypeople are encouraged to pray it

4. PRAYING AROUND THE CLOCK…
INVITATORY 3AM
LAUDS 6AM
TERCE 9AM
SEXT 12PM
NONE 3PM
VESPERS 6PM
COMPLINE 9PM

5. Leader:
God, come to my assistance.
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6. All: Lord, make haste to help me. Glory to the Father, and to the Son,
and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.
Alternate Image Option: a decorative symbol of the Trinity (intertwining circles, etc.)
© Morphart/shutterstock.com

7. Leader: As we come together in the name of Jesus,
let us ask forgiveness for our sins and failings, trusting in God’s love and compassion.

8. All: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters,
that I have greatly sinned,
in my thoughts and in my words,
(Roman Missal)

9. All: (continued) in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do;
(and, striking their breast, they say:)
through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault;
(Then they continue:)
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
(Roman Missal)

10. All: (continued) and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.
Leader: May almighty God have mercy on us, redeem us from our sins
and bring us to everlasting life.
All: Amen.
(Roman Missal)

11. Psalmody
Antiphon
All: Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
Notes: Tell the students that they will now share the readings, dividing into two groups: side 1 and side 2. Remind the students that when this psalm was translated, the “universal” he (meaning both male and female genders) was used.
© Cheryl E. Davis/shutterstock.com

12. Psalm 91
Side 1:
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High and abides in the shade of the Almighty
says to the Lord: “My refuge,
my stronghold, my God in whom I trust!”
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© matthi/shutterstock.com

13. Side 2:
It is he who will free you from the snare of the fowler who seeks to destroy you; he will conceal you with his pinions and under his wings you will find refuge.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© chungking/shutterstock.com

14. Side 1:
You will not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the plague that prowls in the darkness,
nor the scourge that lays waste at noon.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
©Krivosheev Vitaly/shutterstock.com

15. Side 2:
A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand fall at your right, you, it will never approach; his faithfulness is buckler and shield.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© Feliks Kogan/shutterstock.com

16. Side 1:
They shall bear you upon their hands lest you strike your foot against a stone. On the lion and the viper you will tread
and trample the young lion and the dragon.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© Memo Angeles/shutterstock.com

17. Side 2:
Since he clings to me in love, I will free him; protect him for he knows my name.
When he calls I shall answer: “I am with you.” I will save him in distress and give him glory.
With length of life I will content him;
I shall let him see my saving power.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© Pavelk/shutterstock.com

18. All: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit;
as it was in the beginning, is now,
and will be forever. Amen.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© Image in Public Domain

19. Antiphon
All: Night holds no terrors for me sleeping under God’s wings.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
© Cheryl E. Davis/shutterstock.com

20. Responsory Leader: Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
Image in shutterstock.com

21. All: Into your hands, Lord, I commend my spirit.
(Liturgy of the Hours)
Image in shutterstock.com

22. Leader: You have redeemed us, Lord God of truth.
(Liturgy of the Hours)

23. All: I commend my spirit. (Liturgy of the Hours)
Image in shutterstock.com

24. Gospel Canticle Antiphon
All: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake; watch over us as we sleep,
that awake, we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in his peace.
(Liturgy of the Hours)

25. Reading
Reader:
A reading from the Gospel of John (14:1–4,18–19,25–27, NRSV)
Alternate Image Option: an illuminated (decorated) page of the Gospels

26. Reader: (continued)
[Jesus said to his disciples,] “Do not let your hearts be troubled.
Believe in God, believe also in me. In my Father’s house, there are many dwelling places.
If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?
© Elenamiv/shutterstock.com

27. Reader: (continued)
And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and will take you to myself, so that where I am, there you may be also. And you know the way to the place I am going.
© Igor Zh./shutterstock.com

28. Reader: (continued) I will not leave you orphaned; I am coming to you.
In a little while, the
world will no longer see me,
but you will see me; because I live,
you also will live.
Alternate Image Option: Christ’s Ascension (fine-art photo)
© Igor Zh./shutterstock.com

29. Reader: (continued)
© T.W. van Urk/shutterstock.com
I have said these things to you while I am still with you.
But the Advocate, the Holy Spirit,
whom the Father will send in my name,
will teach you everything,
Alternate Image Option: Pentecost (fine-art photo)

30. Reader: (continued) and remind you of all that I have said to you.
© Image in Public Domain
and remind you of all that I have said to you.
Peace I leave with you;
my peace I give to you.

31. Reader: (continued) I do not give to you as the world gives.
Do not let your hearts be troubled,
and do not let them be afraid.”
© Noam Armonn/shutterstock.com

32. Reader: The Word of the Lord
All: Thanks be to God.

33. All: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;
Antiphon
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All: Protect us, Lord, as we stay awake;
watch over us as we sleep, that awake,
we may keep watch with Christ,
and asleep, rest in his peace.
(Liturgy of the Hours)

34. we rise to new life in Christ. We thank you for the gift
Concluding Prayer
All: Lord,
Each and every day
we rise to new life in Christ.
We thank you for the gift
of your redeeming love,
peace in our hearts,
and the presence of your Holy Spirit among us.
© unknown1861/shutterstock.com
Alternate Image Option: a Paschal Candle

35. All: (continued) May we share your gift of peace with all we meet.
We ask this
in the name of Christ,
our Lord and Redeemer.
Amen.
© Travis Klein/shutterstock.com

36. Leader: May Jesus Christ, who made God’s redemptive love visible,
Blessing
Leader: May Jesus Christ,
who made God’s
redemptive love visible,
give us the strength to love
as Christ loves us.
Notes: After the prayer service has ended, if time permits, ask the students to name the form or expressions of prayer involved in this prayer service. The students may suggest the forms of intercession, praise, thanksgiving, or petition; they may suggest “vocal prayer” as the expression of prayer used.
Alternate Image Option: Christ raising his hand in blessing (stained-glass or mosaic)
(The excerpts labeled Roman Missal are from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation [ICEL]. All rights reserved. Used with permission of the ICEL.
The excerpts labeled Liturgy of the Hours are from Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours, English translation prepared by the ICEL [Boston: Daughters of St. Paul, 1976], pages 1011–1012. Copyright © 1976 by the Daughters of St. Paul. Used with permission of the ICEL. Excerpts from Psalm 91 are copyright © 1963 The Grail, and used with permission of GIA Publications for The Grail [England].
The Scripture verses are from the New Revised Standard Version Bible, Catholic Edition. Copyright © 1993 and 1989 by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. All rights reserved.)
All: Amen.
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37. WAYS TO PRAY
MEDITATION CONTEMPLATION JOURNAL PRAYER LECTIO DIVINA VOCAL PRAYER PRAYING WITH OUR BODIES PRAYING THROUGH SONG LITURGY OF THE HOURS