AFRICA/KENYA - Liturgy of the Hours is the prayer of the whole Family of God, Kenyan Bishops’ Conference prepares special Ordo 2005-2006 for celebrations of Mass and the Liturgy of the Hours

Nairobi (Fides Service)- Catholics in Kenya and English-speaking Africa can now join in the daily prayer of the Church, called the Liturgy of the Hours, following publication of a special edition of the ORDER for 2005-2006 Liturgical Year. The book, prepared by the Liturgical Commission of Kenya Episcopal Conference, is published by Paulines Publications Africa.
Paulines has also published a pocket-size Diary 2006 which features the inauguration homily of Pope Benedict XVI on April 24, 2005, Catholic common prayers, the saint of the day and daily readings. Diary 2006 covers the period Advent 2005, which commences on Sunday, November 27, 2005, to December 31, 2006.
In the introduction to the ORDER, Bishop Peter Kihara of Murang'a, chairman of the Liturgical Commission, says it "gives all the necessary indications and norms for the celebrations of the Liturgy of the Hours and the Mass".
The Liturgy of the Hours is important, says Bishop Kihara, because Christians are called to become a praying community not only on Sunday but on everyday of the week. "This can be achieved in a special way as we pray the prayer of the church, namely, the Liturgy of the Hours," he says. "This prayer is not only the prayer of the clergy and the religious, but rather the prayer of the whole family of God”. (L.M.) (Agenzia Fides 3/11/2005 righe 26 parole 262)