It all began with noticing a handsome set of leatherbound books on the bookshelf in a spare room at Amistad Catholic Worker House. I was staying there for spring break my freshman year of college and (as is my wont) had been making my way through the bookshelves, a habit which introduced me for the first time to Gustavo Gutierrez and Thomas Merton. And then I found these lovely-looking volumes. I asked Mark, one of the husband-and-wife team of lay Catholics who ran the house, about the books, and he told me that they were the books for Catholic daily prayer, the Liturgy of the Hours. I was quite curious about it, and he was glad to show me, so we started praying an office a day together. And now, some thirteen years later, the daily office has transformed my life. In all those years, I can count on one hand the times I have failed to pray at least a quick compline – which I say not to demonstrate my piety but to demonstrate how utterly central Christian liturgical prayer has become to me. I cannot imagine my relationship with God or indeed my life broadly without it.
Excellent reflection, Ben, and your experience feels very similar to my own--Lauren Winner's book Girl Meets God piqued my interest in the Daily Office when I was in late high school and once I finally got a BCP in my 20s the practice has changed my prayer life. Like you write, prayer is not so much about my own emotions or ability but about the God who meets us where we are.
Thanks Ben. I've been praying the Daily Offices regularly for some months now and the habit seems to be sticking. The Prayer Book Society of Canada app has proven helpful in this regard, though I prefer the books when time and space permit. Your post notes one of the benefits I've started to experience, that the words of the psalms are starting to set deeper roots in my consciousness. Also, who needs to rewatch Game of Thrones when the BCP lectionary takes one through Second Kings!
At the parish I serve (All Saints Collingwood) we've introduced the offices on several days a week and it is a very new experiment so I'm hoping and praying that i will stick.
Thanks so much, Michael! Yes - I am so appreciative of the Common Prayer Canada app but also prefer books when I can. Glad to hear you are starting public offices! Will certainly pray for you all, and would love to hear how it goes!
Thank you for sharing this testimony, Ben! I have also found the Daily Office, particularly Morning Prayer to be a lovely “scaffold” for the rest of my prayer life! I wonder about how to share this joy with others and I appreciate your doing this through your Substack.
What a wonderful reflection, Ben! As a young Canadian who is hungry for a church that emphasizes a robust prayer life and discipleship, it's encouraging to see folks like you boldly sharing this as well! May the Lord bless and keep you!
A beautiful testimony, Fr. Ben. Thank you! I have had a similar experience with the nourishment of the office as a layman. Having spent years praying it, and the bible every year, it strikes me as obvious now that Protestant Christianity in the West has degraded so far in its biblical mindset--when clergy and laity don't swim in the waters of the word twice daily, we are of course going to lose our sea legs, so to speak.
Excellent reflection, Ben, and your experience feels very similar to my own--Lauren Winner's book Girl Meets God piqued my interest in the Daily Office when I was in late high school and once I finally got a BCP in my 20s the practice has changed my prayer life. Like you write, prayer is not so much about my own emotions or ability but about the God who meets us where we are.
Thank you so much!! Yes -- that's a good way of putting it!
Thanks Ben. I've been praying the Daily Offices regularly for some months now and the habit seems to be sticking. The Prayer Book Society of Canada app has proven helpful in this regard, though I prefer the books when time and space permit. Your post notes one of the benefits I've started to experience, that the words of the psalms are starting to set deeper roots in my consciousness. Also, who needs to rewatch Game of Thrones when the BCP lectionary takes one through Second Kings!
At the parish I serve (All Saints Collingwood) we've introduced the offices on several days a week and it is a very new experiment so I'm hoping and praying that i will stick.
Cheers and blessings, Michael
Thanks so much, Michael! Yes - I am so appreciative of the Common Prayer Canada app but also prefer books when I can. Glad to hear you are starting public offices! Will certainly pray for you all, and would love to hear how it goes!
Thank you for sharing this testimony, Ben! I have also found the Daily Office, particularly Morning Prayer to be a lovely “scaffold” for the rest of my prayer life! I wonder about how to share this joy with others and I appreciate your doing this through your Substack.
What a wonderful reflection, Ben! As a young Canadian who is hungry for a church that emphasizes a robust prayer life and discipleship, it's encouraging to see folks like you boldly sharing this as well! May the Lord bless and keep you!
Thank you so much, Kate!
A beautiful testimony, Fr. Ben. Thank you! I have had a similar experience with the nourishment of the office as a layman. Having spent years praying it, and the bible every year, it strikes me as obvious now that Protestant Christianity in the West has degraded so far in its biblical mindset--when clergy and laity don't swim in the waters of the word twice daily, we are of course going to lose our sea legs, so to speak.
Yes -- I think that's exactly right!