The Divine Office, also called the Liturgy of the Hours, is structured so that we assemble for prayer at fixed hours each day, thereby sanctifying the whole day through the interspersion of prayer amidst our other activities. Since the life of the canoness is centered around the celebration of the Liturgy, she even interrupts her sleep to sing the hour of the Office called Matins, also known as the Office of Readings. God is worthy of all praise, and getting up in the middle of the night to worship Him is a beautiful expression of the canoness' total dedication to Him. The Midnight Office, in addition to flowing from the tradition of our 900-year-old Order and indeed from the very beginnings of monasticism, includes elements of penance, reparation for the many sins committed during the night, keeping watch for the coming of the Bridegroom, and spiritual motherhood. The canoness  is privileged to be able to say that she wakes up in the middle of the night for the sole purpose of worshiping God. “In the silent hours of the night, bless the Lord!” (Compline antiphon for Saturday)