Praying the Liturgy of the Hours: A Personal Journey

by Timothy M. Gallagher

Father Timothy Gallagher, loved for his popular guides to Ignatian spirituality, shares in this informative, inspiring volume his own experiences and insights into the daily prayer of the Liturgy of the Hours, which he has prayed daily for the last 40 years. All around the world, everyday, for hundreds of years, Catholics pray the psalms, and readings from the bible and from tradition, in a formal way called the Liturgy of the Hours. And like in any meditative practice there are blissful days and others that are just a dry challenge. What does it all mean? Can the Liturgy of the Hours, with its hymns, psalms, readings, and intercessions, become the prayer of every Christian—priest, religious, and layperson? Can it bring new energy into our spiritual lives? Fr. Tim shares his experiences praying the Liturgy of the Hours for the last four decades and invites the reader into the beauty and possibilities of this simple way of praying.

Genres: Catholic, Religion, Theology, Prayer

112 pages, Paperback

First published September 1, 2014

Reviews

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A lovely book. I found Fr. Gallagher's account of his struggles with this prayer encouraging, because I have experienced (and still do struggle with) them myself. I have been praying the Liturgy of the Hours for most of my adult life, with breaks here and there, but I always return to it. Fr. Gallagher's book helps me to see the depth and richness of this form of prayer, and how much I have to learn, but I feel encouraged to go forth and learn, and a great sense of peace at returning, once more, to the Liturgy of the Hours. One great quote (of many): "Imagine, I am just now discovering the beauty of the psalms: they speak to us only of the mercy of God."

[Jonathan Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Father Gallagher has written a very personal reflection on praying the Liturgy of the Hours. While not getting too technical about the rubrics, he does provide a good overview. What is really important is that in sharing with us how valuable praying the Hours has been him, he inspires the rest of us to give the Liturgy of the Hours a serious try.

[Marvin Sanchez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spirit-inspired Content

Fr. Gallagher's many years of discovery on the beauty and richness of this universal prayer helped me see and discover it within a couple of weeks by reading this book. The psalms came alive after seeing Christ and the church in it. Praying the psalms attentively and with reverence led me to hear God more other than my Lectio Divina. Thanks to Fr. Gallagher for sharing his experiences and learnings.

Highly recommended to those who want to deepen their relationship with God.

[Allison · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a short and relatively easy-to-read book about one priest's experience with the practice of reading/praying the Liturgy of the Hours (also known as the Divine Office).

Fr. Gallagher is obviously writing to not only a Catholic audience, but that is not my biggest complaint about this book. He assumes a lot about his audience: he assumes that people know what the Liturgy of the Hours even IS. Yes, he reviews it in the prologue, but his entire explanation is filled with Church-y words and references: "the Liturgy of the Hours is liturgical prayer...the laity too...are encouraged to recite the Divine Office, either with priests, or individually... it's distributed over a four week cycle, with accompanying hymns, antiphons, biblical readings, intercessions, and texts for the Office of Readings..." (pp7-8). I know what this means, but suppose someone is looking for a book on prayer and just picked this up; what would that person think?!!

Secondly, while he makes plain this is an account of HIS experience with the Divine Office, I still felt as though 90% of the book skims over important points. I had hoped for more spiritual insight, more spiritual wisdom, and it seems void of it. He is open about how he didn't follow the advice of various spiritual mentors, and that for nearly 40 years he prayed the Hours with little spiritual fruit...but he doesn't give any deep explanation as to what he means by that: was he far from God those 40 years? Was his understanding all "head" knowledge? Did he finally have a spiritual "awakening?" He speaks of moments of "warmth," but again, no real details.

This book lacks an editor's (or spiritual director's) insight. The reader suffers for it.

[Concetta Kellough · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoy reading The Divine Hours, but I have a hard time sticking with it for more than a few months at a time. This book was written by a priest who has some of the same struggles being present mentally and spiritually every time he reads or participates with others in the daily readings. He helped me to look at it a different way, which I can see will help me in the future to engage more fully in the readings.

[antony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an enjoyable book to read. Honest and interesting, the author not only reveals his own journey but leaves us with a deeper understanding of the Liturgy of the Hours.

I am always interested to read about someone’s spiritual experience and the book is filled with that.

Well written, engaging and informative.

[Vikk Simmons]

I've had the idea of praying the liturgy of the hours for some time but haven't made any real progress, so I was definitely intrigued to read of the journey by someone who has gone on the journey for some 40 years. I learned a lot and definitely have a deeper perspective of what this daily practice can offer. I am more convinced than ever before that this is something I need to do. Thank you!

[Ben Daghir · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book has given me some very practical insights into praying the Liturgy of the Hours. These include studying the purpose, praying in different languages when appropriate, and slowing down the speed.

Perfect book at the perfect time.

[Piotr · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was expecting a more technical book on different aspects of the Liturgy of the Hours and how to pray, but in fact it is a book of personal reflections on this prayer. The key words: prepare, encounter and praise of God.

[George Bastedo IV · Rating 3 out of 5]

A decent guide to better understanding the Liturgy of the Hours, especially for those who are obligated to pray it. Although Fr. Gallagher does a great job of describing his struggles with praying the LOTH, which many of us can certainly relate to, as well as how he overcame some of those struggles, I do wish he had gone more in depth with regard to praying the LOTH well.

[Pete Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

This is a personal account of a Priest's struggle making the Liturgy of the Hours, a part of his life. As a beginner, I found it interesting to read about how someone else incorporated this form of prayer into their daily routine.

[Patricia · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was lopsided in so many ways: so much discussion about the challenges with the liturgies, and barely any attention to its mysteries and joys. Glad this book exists for someone struggling with these prayers, but felt that it didn't hit the marks for me.

[Francis · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great personal journey through praying the Liturgy of the Hours. I was very pleased by the personal and spiritual insights offered by Father Gallagher.

[Ada Pun · Rating 5 out of 5]

Now I underatand the Liturgy of hour is not just uttering some psalms mechanically. It can enrich you spiritually. I will read this book again.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful.

[Christian Deysson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful.

[Bobby Johansen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a super fast read that is well worth the few hours it will take to read. In this book, Fr. Gallagher simply shares his journey with the Liturgy of the Hours from seminary life all the way up to the present day. He shares both the struggles and the joys associated with the office. Throughout the book, he also gives advice on ways to improve one's devotion to the office and incorporate it into one's daily prayer. Altogether a very inspiring read that has motivated me to learn more about the psalms and the Liturgy of the Hours.

[Ted Leon · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great intro to the Divine Office. Motivating and gave decent background/history of the practice.

[Robert · Rating 4 out of 5]

A report not a guide book

[William Rabjohn · Rating 3 out of 5]

A priest's personal experience with the struggles of praying the Hours. He shares what was helpful to him to fulfill his vote to pray them.

[Tom Kopff · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is not a beginner's guide to the nuts and bolts of praying the the Liturgy of the Hours. Rather, it would be most useful to those who have been praying the LOTH for some time and may have find the practice growing stale. Fr. Gallagher uses his own experience to demonstrate ways to pray the Hours more deeply. There were some useful ideas in the book, but it was not as good as I hoped it would be after reading his book on discernment of spirits, which I would recommend to everyone trying to grow in their spiritual life.