So there’s exciting news today out of a couple of our Liturgy of the Hours Second Edition publishers. One of the four-volume publishers, (Ascension Press) and one of the Major Extracts publishers (Midwest Theological Forum) have each announced a preorder for the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (GILH).

If you have ever picked up a Catholic breviary or prayed the Liturgy of the Hours using an app like iBreviary or Laudate, you know how powerful—and sometimes complex—the Church’s daily prayer can be. From flipping between ribbon markers to understanding why certain psalms are assigned to specific days, learning the Divine Office can feel like learning a whole new language.

Fortunately, the Church hasn’t left us to figure it out on our own.

Hidden behind the ribbon markers of every complete breviary is one of the Church’s greatest, yet least-read spiritual treasures: The General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours (GILH).

With the rollout of updated liturgical translations approved by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) and translated by the International Commission on English in the Liturgy (ICEL), Catholic publishers are now offering standalone editions of this foundational text.

Here is why every Catholic—clergy, religious, and lay faithful alike—should dive into the General Instruction.

What is the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours?

Think of the General Instruction as the master guide that explains the theology, harmony, and technique behind praying the divine office. This is not to be confused with the Saint Joseph’s guide that many of us might be used to; it explains the Liturgy of the Hours overall, not what page you need to turn to today.

Promulgated following the Second Vatican Council, the GILH is far more than a dry set of rubrics or rules. It is a rich spiritual document that explains why the Church prays the way she does, how Christ is present in every psalm and prayer, and what spiritual fruits flow from sanctifying the hours of the day.

Key Takeaways You’ll Gain from Reading the GILH

1. Praying the Psalms in a Christ-Centered Way

Have you ever prayed a psalm and wondered how its ancient words apply to your life today? The GILH teaches us how to read and pray the Psalms Christologically — seeing Christ either as the singer of the psalm, the subject of the psalm, or the answer to the psalmist’s cry.

2. A Deep-Dive into Every “Hour”

The GILH breaks down the spiritual and structural character of each specific part of the Office:

• Lauds (Morning Prayer): Consecrating the first hours of the day to the Resurrection of Christ.
• Vespers (Evening Prayer): Offering thanksgiving as light fades and commemorating Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross.
• Compline (Night Prayer): Surrendering the mind and heart into God’s hands before sleep.
• Office of Readings & Daytime Hours: Maintaining continuous awareness of God’s presence amid the business of daily life.

3. Understanding the “Art” of Liturgical Prayer

The instruction explains the meaning behind elements that are easy to overlook: the role of silence in prayer, the importance of communal singing, physical postures, and how the Church selects readings from the Church Fathers, Saints, and Sacred Scripture.

Which Edition Should You Get?

Two leading Catholic publishers have made the GILH available in beautiful, standalone formats designed for personal study, parish groups, and seminaries. We could expect another one from Word on Fire, and perhaps other Major Extract publishers (Magnificat, Liturgical Press, Catholic Book Publishing) will follow. It’s uncertain at this time.

Transform Your Prayer Life Today

Whether you are a seasoned pray-er of the Divine Office or just beginning your journey into the Church’s public prayer, reading the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours will transform your daily routine into a profound, intentional encounter with God.

We don’t know a ton about these two editions; we haven’t held them in our hands. But they are available for preorder now.

Ready to explore the depth of the Church’s daily prayer? Order your copy today through Ascension Press or Midwest Theological Forum!

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