The canonical hours developed out of morning and evening prayers which used to be said in common in the early centuries of Christianity and are still said in common in monasteries, convents and many Catholic parishes. The liturgy of worship of the Catholic faith consists of the sacraments and these canonical hours. The Magnificat, or Mary's Canticle, is the climax, the great thanksgiving song of the Church.
Vespers also has a strong connection with the Holy Eucharist.
Vespers is said at the same hour of the day Christ was seated with his Apostles at the Last Supper. A great number of vesper psalms are Eucharistic songs. The faithful who celebrate the canonical hours are united to God and other faithful throughout the world by the prayer of the Psalms, meditation on the Word of God, and canticles and blessings at certain hours of the day, thus followings Christ's command to pray unceasingly. We are here together in this striking Cathedral Basilica to worship God and to let our prayer rise up to him like incense. In singing God's praises, we remember and acknowledge God's dominion over creation and over our lives .