Customer Reviews

Manual of Prayers

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is beautifully printed and bound and built to last a lifetime's pilgrimage in the faith: heavy cream paper with full gilt edging, black and red type, leatherette binding, and two ribbon markers, all inside a sturdy matching boxcover.

Its handsome exterior compliments the beauty of its substance--classic prayers that possess noble simplicity and quiet grandeur. Most of the prayers are given in Latin as well as English, and there are also some prayers in Spanish, French, German, and Italian.

Compiled for the priests of the North American College in Rome, the prestigious seminary for outstanding American clerics, it is just as valuable for the laity.

Its 400+ pages, fully indexed, hold these Contents:

Liturgical prayers; Prayers in Italian; Prayers in Spanish; Prayers before Mass; Prayers at Holy Communion; Prayers after Mass; The Sacrament of Penance; Morning Prayers; Prayers at Meditation or Study; Evening Prayers; Litanies; Devotional Prayers; Prayes to the Blessed Virgin Mary; Prayers to Saint Joseph; Occasional Prayers; Prayers for Various Persons; Prayers for Various Needs; Prayers of Various Saints; Various Novena Prayers; Selected Chants.

Every classic prayer of English-speaking Catholics is included, but there is a wealth of lesser-known prayers, especially those penned by the saints (both famous and obscure).

In form and content, this is the finest Catholic prayerbook available. In it, the mind of the Church reveals itself fully, while the Church's heart pulses in adoration, contrition, thanksgiving, and supplication.

After purchasing the Manual of Prayers, I found my prayer life had greatly improved. I have been greatly blessed by it. It comes leather bound in 2 colors, black and burgundy. It was such a blessing fort me that I had to get one for a friend. It is good for those who have a hard time praying. It makes it easier to start a prayer or gives one ideas on how to pray. It is a wonderful book that is nothing short of priceless.

My priest introduced me to this prayer book. As a cradle catholic of 40 plus years I am truly blessed to own a copy. It contains basic Catholic prayers, novenas, prayers for various needs and also has the Latin form of prayers. It is beautifully bound in black leather, gilded page edges, 2 ribbon markers, and a handy case to keep it in. It is truly heirloom quality. Will make a great gift for cradle catholics as well as converts. Originally written for the students of the Pontifical North American College. A must have for all Catholics.

I am happy that I purchased this prayerbook, for not only is it attractive with its leatherette cover and gilded pages, but it is also well bound with thick pages guaranteeing a lifetime of use. Its bold print makes for easy reading, and the prayers within are both simple and profound, earnest and powerful ... a must for any Catholic. I enjoy having available the Latin equivalent of the popular prayers. In the midst of all the daily distractions from prayer in this fast-paced world, one will find this attractive book a tempting invitation to spend time with God.

The Manual of Prayers in burgundy leather is a beautiful collection of prayers written in modern English. While written for seminarians, it provides the lay person with the opportunity to connect on a very spiritual level with God through a variety of prayers for most every occasion. The snap cover is a plus, allowing one to use prayer cards to mark special prayer locations without worrying about them falling out or being disrupted if one accidentally drops the book while carrying it. A fine choice for anyone wanting to get closer to God.

This is one of the finest collections of prayers available. Although it is aimed at providing a foundational comprehensive spirituality for Catholic Seminarians, it has practically everything a believer would need to learn how to enter into contemplation. I would recommend spending much time and reflection with the spiritual will and testament by Servant of God Frank Parater on page 300.

I've been collecting vintage and (some) new prayerbooks, mostly Catholic, for years and I used them all, usually having one or two favorites, and then rotating through my collection as the days passed. It worked for me. Well, this prayerbook is astoundingly full of useful prayers, most old favorites, but many newer (to me) written by the Saints, and they are reason enough to buy this book. A few bring tears to my eyes as I pray them, feeling the amount of power and sincere sentiment and truth written into them by their authors. Beautifully tailored, very well produced and meant to last at least a lifetime, I recommend it to all of my prayerful friends. A person could go for the rest of their lives using this prayerbook alone.
If I have one minor complaint, it is that the leatherette cover is too stiff. It folds back on the book and snaps shut. A nice feature, but it keeps flapping back across the page, necessitating holding it back with part of your right hand as you read and pray. It would have been fabulous in a supple genuine cowhide leather. But, you can't have everything. I still love the book. You will, too.
The Holybook Lover

The prayers in this book are such a beautiful selection that have been a true inspiration for my

faith. I really believe it will be the same for any Catholic.

I only have two issues with the book. While it is a very nicely bound and printed book that will

last for generations I did not like the tightness of the binding which springs the book closed when

two hands are not on it and the other thing is I do not prefer (personally) is the snap shut cover (burgundy leather edition)

This is because when I am praying the loop around leather with the snap is a bit irritating as

it has to be held out of the way with the back of my right hand and after awhile it can be distracting

especially when turning the pages. I suppose if I used it enough it will loosen up a bit.

However this is a small issue compared with the overall quality of material and content.

I ordered the black cover edition that is the standard book cover.

The snap cover should be fine for plenty of people and I give the black cover 4.5 stars (still a very tight binding)

I am no theologian, just an average person. I absolutely love this book! I like to have books that have different prayers to vary my worship. Manual of Prayers is the perfect book for me. This book contains just about as many different prayers as a person would ever want to have. This is a book that will last for years -- very well made. I wish that it came in large-print, as my eyes get tired reading small print. I would recommend this book to anyone! Now that I have the Manual of Prayers, I don't think that I will need to buy any more books of this kind. This is the perfect addition to anyone's spiritual library.

I absolutely love this book of prayers. It was originally intended for clergy, but laymen can use it as well. It even has a morning and evening prayer along with the seasonal antiphons. I highly recommend this book. I plan on keeping it with me at all times. It would also make for a good Christmas gift.