A well known refrain from the cycle is Timor mortis conturbat me, 'The fear of death disturbs me' or, more colloquially, 'I am scared to death of dying'. The editor is not known, but the office as it existed before the alternative was no older than from 7th or 8th century. This office, as it exists in the Roman Liturgy up to and including the current 1960 Roman Breviary, is composed of First Vespers, Mass, Matins, and Lauds. The hour of Night Prayer ( Compline) is taken from Sunday after Evening Prayer II (Second Vespers). This is followed by a short reading, a responsory, the Canticle of Mary ( Magnificat), and the intercessions (preces).

Evening Prayer ( Vespers) includes Psalms 121, 130, and a canticle from Philippians, known sometimes as the Kenotic Hymn (Phil 2:6-11). These are followed by a short reading and a versicle which vary depending on which of the little hours are being used for Daytime Prayer. Daytime Prayer consists of Psalms 70, 85, and 86. These are followed by a short reading, a responsory, the Canticle of Zechariah ( Benedictus) and the intercessions (preces). Morning Prayer ( Lauds) includes Psalm 51, the Canticle of Hezekiah ( Isaiah 38:10-14, 17-20), and either Psalm 146 or 150. These psalms are followed by two longer readings which are variable and come from one of multiple options. The Office of Readings includes Psalms 40 : 2-14, 17-18 (this psalm selection is split between verses 9 and 10 into two sections, to keep the character of threefold cycle of Psalms for the hour) and 42. The final hour, Night Prayer ( Compline), is taken from Sunday.

The current office, according to the 2000 Liturgia Horarum ( Liturgy of the Hours) editio typica altera (second typical edition) includes the normal cycle of a typical ferial office, namely an Office of Readings ( Matins), Morning Prayer ( Lauds), Daytime Prayer (Midmorning Prayer ( Terce), Midday Prayer ( Sext), or Midafternoon Prayer ( None)), and Evening Prayer ( Vespers).

Divine office books