International Commission on English in the LiturgyChristian Prayer [Paperback] International Commission on English in the Liturgy

This is a replacement for an older copy. I really enjoyed this book as it is made of imitation leather and should hold up much better than my previous paper covered one. My only wish is that they manufacturer include additional ribbons. The number of ribbons is insufficient for the number of sections in the book.

LOVE this is the large print edition of "Christian Prayer" or Liturgy of the Hours (the official daily prayer of the Church - "Hours" means time of day, not a full hour of reading!) which is the Divine Office of Catholic Church. It is primarily the readings/prayers for Morning, Mid-day, Evening, & Night, which contains daily Psalms, Hymns, Prayers, Canticles, Scripture Readings... This is the one-book laymen's edition or breviary (of the bulkier/expensive 4-set Liturgy of the Hours Priest use) and is an ideal devotion with its meditative readings and prayers for the various hours of the day, which can be made privately, with family, or a prayer group. Prayed at the key hours of the day so as to: "Pray without ceasing...", the Liturgy of the Hours has been used by priests and consecrated religious/monks through the centuries and is a means to saturate ourselves in prayer at key times of the day so that we "remain/abide in Christ" throughout the day. The Morning Prayer averages 15-18 mins; Mid-day averages 7 mins; Evening averages 18 mins; and Night Prayer averages 12 mins. Of course, you can read & pray it as slowly and meditatively as you wish! I SUGGEST PURCHASING THE "SAINT JOSEPH GUIDE FOR CHRISTIAN PRAYER" BY CATHOLIC BOOK PUBLISHING CORP. which is a consumable yearly guide that lists the day-to-day page to read by the date of the current year. It is an inexpensive paper booklet for the year's daily readings and a must-have for those new to reading the Christian Prayer/Liturgy of the Hours. THIS IS MY SECOND PURCHASE AFTER READING/PRAYING EVERY DAY FOR YEARS. Today, I can't imagine not using it daily, as it has deepened my prayer life and walk with Christ! This new copy is for others in the family for the Evening hour a few times a week - the Evening readings are prefect for a family devotion! It is a blessing to think how the Liturgy of the Hours is prayed by countless peoples, all over the world, at the same hours of the day - EVERY DAY! What a wonderful way to join the Body of Christ in daily prayer and praise!

I have been using the Large Type edition for several years and LOVE it! It is much easier to read for those of us visually handicapped, even if it is just from becomeing over 40! I actually have 2 copies, one for home and one I keep in my car. With the copy in my car I can do morning prayer at work, church, or where ever I am weekday mornings. And the second copy at home I use mainly for Evening Prayer.My wife recently bought the 4-volume set thinking that it would be easier to follow than this 1-volume edition. However, she found she was still having to go back and forth (like for Sunday Prayers at the end of Evening I & Evening II sections). So we are returning it and getting her her own copy of this Large Type version.There are a few typos but I don't find them nearly as irksome as another reviewer.This book has been a great cornerstone in my faith's growth and spiritual journey. And now my wife is taking it on. How awesome!

Best one-volume breviary on the market in my mind. Why? Firstly it gives you something to pray and read for each hour of the day. True it's not the complete hours for Daytime prayer and the office of readings but they do give you something. Many of the other condensed breviaries only give you Morning and Evening. This version of the LOTH gives you Morning, Evening, Night prayers-complete and selections from Daytime prayers and the office of readings. It takes some getting used to, you will be better at it within a week or so. If you follow the directions, you can expand the condensed hours of Daytime prayer and the office of readings to get it closer to the full prayer.The red imitation leather feels good and looks beautiful.In my opinion you should purchase a different ribbon bookmark that has a few more ribbons.Another idea is to supplement the LOTH with the Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

On Easter Sunday 1990, a friend from church gave me a one-volume Christian Prayer, thus starting my devotion to the Liturgy of the Hour that lasts through this day. But my old volume showed its 29 years of continued use in the torn pages that no amount of Scotch tape and masking tape could fix. And so it is time to say goodbye to the old one and hello to the new one. The moment I opened the beautiful packaging, turned the crisp new pages, and read the familiar words in the familiar font, I know a new chapter of my life devoted to the Liturgy of the Hour has begun.Just a side note - I have difficulty using the ribbons, having to move them from one page to the other. Instead, I use color-coded, inch-long, self-adhesive and removable labels available at Staples. It's pink for the Invitatory Prayer, Canticle of Zechariah, Canticle of Mary and Week I Evening Prayer (fixed); yellow for the changing daily morning and evening readings (moveable); blue for the Saturday Memorial of the Blessed Virgin Mary; and pink (fixed) to mark the Biblical and Non-Biblical Office of Readings. The moveable labels last for at least six months before they need to be replaced. These labels work better for me than the ribbons.

Just what I ordered

Having spent time in Catholic religious communities for men, I was familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours. About 10 years ago, something was missing in my prayer life. So I bought a copy of this book, which many religious communities use. I like to regularly pray morning prayer before Sunday Mass. Now, many years later, my original edition is worn and falling apart and it is time to order a new one. I highly recommend this to anyone who wants to depend their relationship with Christ. For newbies, I recommend the St. Joseph Guide to Christian Prayer as well as a book that describes how to do this and the history of this liturgical prayer. I also recommend the helps available in this book. If your church offers the Liturgy of the Hours I highly recommend it.

It is the book from the church for the Liturgy of the Hours, what more can be said. High quality publication, well made, love the artificial leather type cover. Goes everywhere with me and stands unto being carried everywhere.The images inside are 'different', not my choice of art but I am glad they are there and it is not all just text.Text is a very good size, easy to read etc.

Exactly the prayer book I was looking for.Side note: You'll find that the ribbons are glued together but not attached to the book. I don't think it's an error. It does not impact the use.

I was very happy with my purchase of the book, the type is clear and easily readable it is well put together. My only issue was that the ribbon markers were NOT secured into the back of the book and come out VERY easily. Apart from that, the book is worth investing in as an aid to prayer.

This book said Christian on the front but what's in it has Catholic stuff. looks a well made book still.

The popes have encouraged the lay faithful to pray the Divine Office - also known as the breviary. I think it is truly a beautiful thing for a husband and wife to pray this prayer daily - in the morning & in the evening. It really takes us back to our Hebrew roots and shows us deep insight into the spiritual aspect of our daily life. The Hebrew people's lives and experiences seem to be timeless in shedding light on our lives daily challenges.John Vianney - the patron Saint of all priests - says it is indeed a wonderful, an awesome privilege to pray this holy Office. It's really not all that hard to learn and it basically allows you to deeper appreciate the liturgical season.My hope is that everyone - black - white - asian - native - doesn't matter: that everyone spreads the love of Jesus to all. We must read the Bible and pray the Bible and love our bothers in this brief life as boldly as we can. But you can't give what you don't have: so we've got to pray and pray hard.