The Divine Office of readings is actually scripture and is also referred to as the Liturgy of the Hours.
As a Deacon, the subject of the article likely prayed over 3 Psalms, read a substantial section of Hebrews Chapter 1 and studied a letter from an early church Father earlier today... and he will go into scripture in a similar way tomorrow seeking the will of God and a relationship with Christ.
Many other devout Catholics, and especially the clergy, engage in this same practice multiple times a day. You know nothing of this man’s prayer life.
“From ancient times the Church has had the custom of celebrating each day the liturgy of the hours. In this way the Church fulfills the Lord’s precept to pray without ceasing, at once offering its praise to God the Father and interceding for the salvation of the world.” — Office of the Sacred Congregation for Divine Worship.
http://divineoffice.org/liturgy-of-the-hours/
I know if he is Roman Catholic, he is likely repeating the same empty words, in the hopes that eventually Mary or somebody else dead will hear him...
Our prayer life is directed toward God, not some subsititiute! He is the ONLY one able to answer!
Matthew 6: 5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you. 7 And when you pray, do not keep on babbling like pagans, for they think they will be heard because of their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.
I didn’t ask where it was found in the catechism of the Catholic Cult. I asked where it was found in scripture.