Christian Prayer Leather Bound – October 15, 2016

Description

Christian Prayer: The Liturgy of the Hours

Beautiful new printing of “Christian Prayer” with top-stitched, sewn *Duralux-leather cover and gold, gilt-edged pages.
*(Re: the cover material: while it’s described here as “Leather Bound“, the publisher’s website calls it “DuraLux”, which would indicate a synthetic leather. My opinion is that the bulk is indeed synthetic leather, aka: “PU Leather”, perhaps mixed with bonded leather? The feel is very similar to leather and I got a fleeting, but distinct whiff of a leather aroma upon opening the shrink wrap.)

While this is the same 4-week psalter, 1976 edition with music, the new binding is so impressive, I purchased a copy to replace the still-serviceable one I’ve prayed from daily for over a decade.

The new book is softer and feels so good to hold in one’s hands. Between the new, upgraded cover and gilt page-edges, the book’s presentation is that of a high-quality product, certainly befitting the Prayer of the Church. Yet, the price ($42 Prime, at the time of my purchase) is within reach of most.

“Christian Prayer” is the one-volume edition of the “Liturgy of The Hours” aka “Divine Office”/Daily Office.

It’s the main purpose is to supply the Morning (Lauds) and Evening (Vespers) prayers of the LoTH in a one-volume book.
“Lauds & Vespers are the two hinges on which the Daily Office turns hence they are to be considered the chief hours and are to be celebrated as such.” – Sacrosanctum Concilium (Vatican II document)

A few features included in the book:
Abbreviated versions of the other Hours.
Office for the Dead.
Grail version Psalms.
General Roman Calendar
Liturgical Calendar 1998-2025
General Instructions
The text is printed in black, with rubrics in red.
Scripture is the NAB version.
185 Hymns.
5 multi-colored ribbon markers.
…and ao much more!

This handy-sized volume is a rich source for prayer, public and private.
Aimed at the laity, it will prove to be a faithful companion on one’s spiritual journey, and provide one with a lifetime of material.

The aesthetics and tactile-friendly nature of this new edition have certainly encouraged me to pray more. That alone justifies the purchase in my opinion.

The shrink-wrapped package contains: “Christian Prayer”, the St. Joseph Guide for Christian Prayer (current year), frequently-used Common Texts and Invitatory Psalms on heavy, glossy, cardstock (to aid in minimizing page-flipping), and a re-order sheet with explanatory notes (please see my photos).

Very highly recommended!
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* What is the Daily of Divine Office, aka the Liturgy of The Hours?
“The Liturgy of the Hours (LoTH) is the prayer of the whole People of God. In it, Christ himself “continues his priestly work through his Church.” His members participate according to their own place in the Church and the circumstances of their lives. The laity, too, is encouraged to recite the divine office either with the priests, among themselves or individually.
The celebration of the LoTH demands not only harmonizing the voice with the praying heart, but also a deeper “understanding of the liturgy and of the Bible, especially of the Psalms.”
The hymns & litanies of the LoTH integrate the prayer of the psalms into the age of the Church, expressing the symbolism of the time of day, the liturgical season, or the feast being celebrated. Moreover, the reading from the Word of God at each Hour with the subsequent responses or troparia and readings from the Fathers and spiritual masters at certain Hours, reveal the deeper meanings of the mystery being celebrated, assist in understanding the psalms, and help one prepare for silent prayer. d in the liturgical celebration.
The LoTH, which is like an extension of the Eucharistic celebration, does not exclude but rather (in a complementary way) calls forth the various devotions of the People of God, especially adoration & worship of the Blessed Sacrament.”
-From: “Catechism of the Catholic Church” (Pt. 2, Section 1)

Thank you for reading,
-CC, Amazon Prime Member-Reviewer

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