A Collection of Beautiful Concepts within Praying the Divine Hours (7 Times a Day)

From The Divine Office by Edward J. Quigley.

“At Matins bound; at Prime reviled; Condemned to death at Tierce; Nailed to the Cross at Sext; at None His blessed Side they pierce. They take him down at Vesper-tide; In grave at Compline lay, Who thenceforth bids His Church observe The sevenfold hours alway.”

“_Matins_, the night office, typifies the pre-natal stage of life. _Lauds_, the office of dawn, seems to resemble the beginnings of childhood. _Prime_ recalls to him youth. _Terce_, recited when the sun is high in the heavens shedding brilliant light, symbolises early manhood with its strength and glory. _Sext_ typifies mature age. _None_, recited when the sun is declining, suggests man in his middle age. _Vespers_ reminds all of decrepit age gliding gently down to the grave. _Compline_, night prayer said before sleep, should remind us of the great night.”