Complete Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours: Second Edition
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If you’ve been wondering about the upcoming Second Edition of the Liturgy of the Hours, you aren't alone. With a new English translation approved by the Vatican, transitioning to the new breviary involves a few key milestones. This simple guide breaks down the essential dates, what changes, and how it impacts your prayer life.
Official First-Use Date: You can begin using the Second Edition starting Ash Wednesday (February 10, 2027), when Volume II is released.
Mandatory Transition Date: The new edition becomes obligatory for clergy and religious on the First Sunday of Advent (December 3, 2028).
Transition Period: Current breviaries remain valid through late 2028, giving you plenty of time to adopt the updated translations at your own pace.
The Reason for the Changes
The current English translation is from the original 1971 Latin text. However, in 1985, the Vatican issued an updated Latin master text (editio typica altera). The Second Edition updates the English text to match this official standard. In 2012, the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) voted to begin a complete revision using the translation principles established in the 2001 Liturgiam authenticam. After years of carefully translating and revising the text, the Second Edition is almost here.
What Changes Can I Expect in the Text?
The Second Edition touches every part of the four-volume set, updating the text to make it clearer and more unified:
- Scripture passages now match the latest New American Bible translations, creating seamless consistency.
- Additionally, all daily psalms and canticles feature The Abbey Psalms and Canticles, translated by the monks of Conception Abbey, alongside updated antiphons and Gospel canticles that line up with the Sunday Mass cycle.
- For the first time, English breviaries will include official translations of nearly 300 classic Latin hymns, designed to keep their original poetic meaning while remaining easy to sing.
- The intercessions and concluding prayers have also been re-translated directly from the Latin originals to restore rich biblical imagery that was simplified in earlier editions.
"The publication of the second edition thus represents a great opportunity for the Church in the United States to deepen the liturgical reform in this regard. To that end, the USCCB will provide catechesis on the Divine Office, and publishers and other parties will also contribute to promoting the use of the Liturgy of the Hours among clergy and laity alike."
Do I Need to Buy the New Edition Immediately?
Nope! Between February 10, 2027, and December 3, 2028, your current four-volume set remains completely valid. If you are a layperson praying the hours out of personal devotion, you can transition at your own pace. However, it is required for all clergy and religious to use the new edition on December 3, 2028 (the First Sunday of Advent).
The Heart of the Liturgy Remains
If all these updates sound overwhelming, we're here to remind you that the essential way you pray the Divine Office is not changing.
The four-volume rhythm, the daily flow of psalms, canticles, intercessions, and the ancient practice of sanctifying the hours of the day remain as they have always been. In the meantime, you can still use your current edition as usual. What is changing is simply the English translation, refining the words so they are more accurate, consistent, readable, and beautifully unified across the Church. Happy praying!
"The value of the Liturgy of the Hours is enormous. Through it all the faithful, but especially the clergy and religious, fulfill a role of prime importance: Christ's prayer goes on in the world..."
Resource:
https://www.usccb.org/resources/newsletter-2025-11-and-12.pdf
