The Latin word Officium, like the Greek word Liturgia, means duty or service; hence ‘Office’. Both these words describe what we know as Divine Worship—that which is the prime duty of man and the purpose of his creation.

The supreme form of worship is the Sacrifice the Mass. That is the central gem, and it has' a setting—the Divine Office. This setting is further elaborated by the Little Office and all the ceremonies which go to make up the official public worship of the Church, the Mystical Body of Christ. This is all known as 'The Liturgy'—the public, official and universal worship of God.