Similar to how the Roman Missal was re-translated from the original Latin into English in 2011, the Liturgy of the Hours has received the same treatment, but took much longer to complete.
After more than a decade of work translating the Liturgy of the Hours, the USCCB has selected both Ascension and Word on Fire to publish this "Second Edition."
Priests, religious, and deacons are obligated to pray daily the Liturgy of the Hours, also known as the Divine Office. It consists of praying the Psalms and a set of prayers each day at different times, from morning to night.
It is a prayer routine not only reserved for those consecrated to God, but also a common prayer practice for the laity.
In recent years especially, the Church has promoted this practice and has encouraged the laity to join in this Liturgy:
Pastors of souls should see to it that the chief hours, especially Vespers, are celebrated in common in church on Sundays and the more solemn feasts. And the laity, too, are encouraged to recite the Divine Office, either with the priests, or among themselves, or even individually” (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 100).
After the Second Vatican Council, the Liturgy of the Hours was reformed and initially translated in 1970. However, in the same way that the Roman Missal was initially translated, it needed to be updated in order to conform to new standards set forth by St. John Paul II and to seek a better translation.
Emphasis on beauty
Both companies have put an emphasis on the beauty of their editions. Ascension explains how, "The world’s finest artisans and designers — including the master typesetters at 2K/DENMARK — join together to ensure this new edition is as usable as it is beautiful. Artwork that is timeless in character and deeply rooted in Catholic tradition, enriching prayer without distraction. Typesetting designed to maximize readability with optimized spacing and subtle navigational tabs."
Bishop Robert Barron's Word on Fire similarly relates how their edition aims, "to bring these sacred volumes to life with an unprecedented level of beauty, clarity, and craftsmanship."
The precise date of the release from both publishers is currently unknown, as the USCCB submitted their translation of the Liturgy of the Hours to the Vatican for confirmation in May 2025.
Ascension explains that, "A release date for the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition will be announced after the completed manuscript receives confirmation from the Holy See."
