The Canonical Hours

The canonical hours are the times of day that monks, nuns, and some hermits stop what they are doing to pray.

This is based on the Bible passage which says, “Seven times a day I praise you for your righteous ordinances” (Ps. 119:164). St. Benedict of Nursia added an eighth.

The eight canonical hours are the following:

1. Matins or Night Prayer (at or after midnight)
2. Lauds or Morning Prayer (at or before sunrise)
3. Prime or Early Morning Prayer (around 6 a.m.)
4. Terce or Mid-Morning Prayer (around 9 a.m.)
5. Sext or Midday Prayer (around noon)
6. None or Mid-Afternoon Prayer (around 3 p.m.)
7. Vespers or Evening Prayer (around 6 p.m.)
8. Compline or Bedtime Prayer (around 9 p.m.)

Hermits can observe these, but they don’t have to. In fact, I do not, because I work full-time. I observe morning prayer and bedtime prayer. I don’t recommend much more if you are working full-time. If you can, I would add Midday Prayer.