Morning Prayer: Explaining the Invitatory
The Invitatory is the Church’s formal call to prayer at the beginning of the day. It is not simply a psalm; it is a ritual moment that opens the entire daily cycle of the Liturgy of the Hours. It consists of: The opening verse ( “Lord, open my lips…” ) The Invitatory Psalm (usually Psalm 95, but 100, 67, or 24 may be used) The antiphon of the day or season Its purpose is theological. Before the Church prays anything else, she “invites” herself to listen, to praise, and to enter the rhythm of the day with God. Invitatory: “To be used in the first hour of the day”: What that actually means In the Liturgy of the Hours, “the first hour of the day” does not mean 6 a.m. or sunrise. It means: The first Hour you personally pray on that calendar day. If the first Hour you pray is: Office of Readings → the Invitatory goes there Morning Prayer (Lauds) → the Invitatory goes there Midmorning Prayer (if you overslept or your schedule is unusual) → the Invitatory goes there The Church is ...