Catholic Academy in Bavaria

The "Ökumenisches Stundengebet e. V." (ÖS) is a network for liturgical spirituality. It draws on the common tradition of the denominations and opens it up to new forms of language and singing. The network emerged from a joint action at the Munich Ecumenical Church Congress in 2010 and was formed in autumn 2014 as an association based at Rothenfels Castle. The non-profit association now has over 50 personal and around 20 institutional members. Donations and membership fees are tax deductible.

The concern of the ÖS is to revive the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours. Everyday life with God lives from prayer: from healing interruption, reassurance, gathering... Prayer in community strengthens. The traditional form connects with the world and the millennia. Public worship fills the churches with life. In times of deconstruction, the OES wants to promote the basic liturgy of the people of God. The concept is to find a good form for each assembly. There is no patent remedy; people are far too different for that. But there is experience of how to adapt the tradition to local circumstances, e.g. by using appropriate materials. A pool of liturgical building blocks is continually being expanded and made available to interested parties. The trademark is the specially developed liturgy booklets, which make it easy to celebrate with text and notes, stage directions and short explanations.