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It is hard at the beginning because you go back and forth. After the mass, it is the most powerful form of prayer, and then the rosary.

I would ask your friendly priest to sit down with you and show you how to do. Its better to learn by doing it then having someone explain.

you need to get you one with days of the week and propers for holy days and saints days you wish to observe.

Daughters of St Paul have one version which is nice. Has it ALL except....the music including service music that St Joseph edition has. St Joe's however lacks mid morning mid day and mid afternoon prayer.

DSP also has decent explanation. Word of warning: translations of psalms is not the best. (I think that applies to all versions)

I've been doing it for years with kids and there are still a few areas I don't quite follow but so what.

The one volume is complete except for the "readings" which differ each day.

Most people say only the morning and evening prayers.
First, you say the Introductory psalm. (come let us sing to the lord etc).

Then you say the morning prayer for the day. If it is a BIG feast day, usually you say the prayers from the first sunday of the first week.

Most days, even when there is a saint's day or feast, you say the usual day of the week. (when you get used to saying the day of the week, you can decide if you want to say the alternate saints day prayers instead. Usually I don't).

YOu can find the morning and evening prayers on EWTN web page on the left side for audio link. Pray it along with them.

There are small books with the feast days and options, which cost about 2 dollars. At Catholic book stores.
I "graduated" to the 4 volume book, but the only difference is the readings, which my husband enjoys reading. I usually don't have time to read and pray them.

You can meditate on the daily mass readings instead.

http://www.ewtn.com/

http://www.liturgyhours.org/

has the daily office in pdf format. YOu might want to use it to give you a hint on how to do it. And they have the readings. But the EWTN lets you pray along with them.

Hope this helps.

Is it mainly the Morning Prayer (Lauds) and Evening Prayer (Vespers) that you wish to say, or are you trying to plough straight into the whole thing?

Normally I would recommend starting with Lauds and Vespers, and then once you have got used to the flow for three weeks, bring in the other hours as well.

I've been very happy with the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary as a substitute for the full Breviary (now known as the "Liturgy of the Hours"). With the latter, there are frequently big problems in the translation from English, and there have been many changes (I'm being charitable) to the "hours" (some have been dropped altogether) and the prayers themselves.

Get a Latin-English copy of the Little Office published before 1965 or so (Ebay or a good Catholic bookstore are sources) with a ribbon (if possible). Start with Prime (morning prayers) and Compline (evening prayers) on most days, and do the other Hours on Marian feast days and other special days (e.g., First Saturdays or all Saturdays in honor of our Blessed Mother).

You won't be sorry going with the Little Office! Good Luck!

I am delighted to read of your new venture in your prayer life. If I remember correctly, several months ago you sought suggestions on how to structure a Retreat.

By delving into the Daily prayer of the Church, every day can become a "little retreat".

Moreover, the heart of the Daily prayer are the Psalms. When you pray the Psalms, you pray the prayers most beloved by Jesus, affording you instant communion with Him and with His body the Church united in that prayer. You will never pray the Daily prayer truly alone.