Did you know that the same council that issued the Baltimore Catechism also issued a manual of prayers? In beautiful exposition, The Manual of Prayers for the Laity will be the constant reference for any Catholic seeking to pray along with the entire Church throughout the day through personal prayer and most especially, liturgical prayer. In this manual, you will find the beliefs of the Catholic Faith reflected in the traditional prayers and treasured devotions that will guide your soul to both an increase in devotion to God and his Church along with the cultivation of a deeper prayer life better disposed to receive the Sacraments.
In this manual, you will find: 1. Short exposition on the Christian Doctrine, Faith, and Practice 2. Prayers in both Latin and English 3. Includes both the traditional (old) and the new liturgical calendars 4. Instructions on the Sacraments, the Rites, and Supplemental Prayers for the celebration of each Sacrament 5. Traditional Devotions: The Forty Hours Devotion, The Seven Last Words of Christ, Sacred Heart, etc. 6. Hymns and Sequences for the Church’s Seasons in Latin and English 7. The Proper of the Mass for Sundays and Feast Days 8. Responses and Instructions for Serving a Priest at the Tridentine Mass
The Manual of Prayers for the Laity will remain by your side throughout your day so that your mind and heart stay focused on God and holiness becomes your daily goal!
All of the most important prayers are here compiled in one beautiful, convenient, deluxe volume. Following the directives of the Council of Baltimore, the The Manual of Prayers for the Laity is the prayer book you can carry with you for the rest of your life, knowing that it includes the most essential prayers and devotions for a Catholic, as arranged by the same formidable bastion of tradition that produced the Baltimore Catechism and The Little Office of Baltimore to promote, facilitate, and enhance the spiritual lives of the laity by the traditional teachings and prayers of the Church.
From a thorough examination of conscience to prayers for before and after Mass, from preparation for Baptism to prayers for the dying, the The Manual of Prayers for the Laity is intended to give a solid spiritual support to accompany anyone for his entire life. This work was constructed for the Mystical Body of Christ so that one might be able to open just one book every day for the rest of one's life and continue to grow in grace, wisdom, and holiness before God and men with an organized body of prayers. It's all here for you in this one beautiful book; don't pass it by.
This is a wonderful new edition of this book from TAN Books released in 2024, it was revised and completely new typesetting. They released a new imitation leather and eBook editions at the same time. It was originally published in 1888 as A Manual of Prayers for the Use of the Catholic Laity by Clarence Woodman and later republished in a new edition in 1930 by John Murphy Company
The description of this book is:
“From the same council that issued the Baltimore Catechism, Manual of Prayers: For the Use of the Catholic Laity will be the constant reference for any Catholic seeking to increase his devotion to God and to cultivate a deeper prayer life. This latest leatherette edition has a new typeset to provide editorial notes, increase readability, and maintain the traditional aspects of the original. You will also find:
1. Prayers and Psalms in both Latin and English, 2. Both the traditional (old) and the new liturgical calendars, 3. Traditional Devotions: The Forty Hours Devotion, The Seven Last Words of Christ, Sacred Heart, etc., 4. Hymns and sequences for the Church's seasons in Latin and English, and 5. The Proper of the Mass for Sundays and Feast Days. Manual of Prayers offers the pious soul a beautiful companion of prayers and sacred truths that have been the source of daily sanctity for Catholics in the United States since its first release in 1888. This new edition will lead future generations of Catholics deeper in love and adoration to the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost.”
The chapters in the volume are:
Calendar Christian Doctrine Christian Faith and Practice Morning Prayers Litany of the Most Holy Name of Jesus Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto) Evening Prayers Instructions for Hearing Mass Devotions at Mass Responses and Instructions for Serving a Priest at the Tridentine Mass The Ordinary of the Holy Mass Special Prayers Occasional Prayers Vespers Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament The Blessing of Children The Seven Penitential Psalms The Litany of the Saints Instructions and Devotions for Confession Instruction for Holy Communion The Forty Hour’s Adoration Devotions to the Sacred Heart of Jesus The Stations of the Cross The Devotion of the Seven Words upon the Cross The Rosary of the Blessed Virgin Mary The Scapular of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Devotions to Saint Joseph Devotions to Saint Thérèse of the Child Jesus Instruction on the Sacraments in General The Sacrament of Baptism The Sacrament of Confirmation The Sacrament of Matrimony Blessing of Women after Childbirth Blessing of Throats Devotions for the Sick The Holy Viaticum The Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick The Visitation of the Sick The Last Blessing and Plenary Indulgence Prayers for the Sick and the Dying The Burial of the Dead Hymns and Sequences for the Church’s Seasons The Proper of the Mass Index
One of the bests parts is the Calendar section at the beginning of the volume. It first contains info on the moveable feasts. And then It has the feasts for the year but contains both the New and old versions of the feasts days. For example January:
New Calendar 1. ✠ SOLEMNITY OF MARY, THE HOLY MOTHER OF GOD 2. Saints Basil the Great and Gregory Nazianzen, B.D. 3. The Most Holy Name of Jesus (opt.) 4. Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton, R. (USA) 5. Saint John Neumann, B. (USA) 6. a) ✠ THE EPIPHANY OF THE LORD – SOLEMNITY* b) Saint Andre Bessette, R. (USA) (opt.) Sunday after 6 January: The Baptism of the Lord – feast 7. Saint Raymond of Penyafort, Pr. (opt.) 8. Of the Season 9. Of the Season 10. Of the Season 11. Of the Season 12. Of the Season 13. Saint Hilary, B.D. (opt.) 14. Of the Season 15. Of the Season 16. Of the Season 17. Saint Anthony, Abb. 18. Of the Season 19. Of the Season 20. Saint Fabian I, P.M. (opt.) 20. Saint Sebastian, M. (opt.) 21. Saint Agnes, V.M. 22. Day of Prayer for the Legal Protection of Unborn Children (USA) 23. Saint Vincent, Dc.M. (USA) Saint Marianne Cope, V. (USA) 24. Saint Francis de Sales, B.D. 25. The Conversion of Saint Paul the Apostle – feast 26. Saints Timothy and Titus, B. 27. Saint Angela Merici, V. (opt.) 28. Saint Thomas Aquinas, Pr.D. 29. Of the Season 30. Of the Season 31. Saint John Bosco, Pr.
Old Calendar 1. ✠CIRCUMCISION OF OUR LORD. 2. The Most Holy Name of Jesus 3. Of the Season 4. Of the Season 5. Saint Telesphorus, P.M. (comm.) 6. ✠EPIPHANY OF OUR LORD Sunday after the Epiphany: Feast of the Holy Family 7. Of the Season 8. Of the Season 9. Of the Season 10. Of the Season 11. Saint Hyginus, P.M. (comm.) 12. Of the Season 13. Baptism of the Lord 14. Saint Hilary, B.C.D. Saint Felix, Pr. M. (comm.) 15. Saint Paul, the First Hermit, C. Saint Maurus, Abb. (comm.) 16. Saint Marcellus I, P.M. 17. Saint Anthony, Abb. 18. Saint Prisca, V.M. 19. Saints Marius and his Companions, M. (comm.) Saint Canute, K. (comm.) 20. Saints Fabian and Sebastian, M. 21. Saint Agnes, V.M. 22. Saints Vincent and Anastasius, M. 23. Saint Raymond of Pennafort, C. Saint Emerentiana, V.M. (comm.) 24. Saint Timothy, B.M. 25. Conversion of Saint Paul, Ap. (Comm. of Saint Peter) 26. Saint Polycarp, B.M. 27. Saint John Chrysostom, B.C.D. 28. Saint Peter Nolasco, C. Saint Agnes, V.M. (comm.) 29. Saint Francis de Sales, B.C.D. 30. Saint Martina, V.M. 31. Saint John Bosco, C.
Also many section that contain prayers have both the Latin and English version. Normally I am an eBook guy. I love having all the prayer books with me all the time. But this is such an excellent volume I plan to pick up the physical copy as well and have it with my small stash of prayers books.
This is a wonderful volume. It would be an excellent addition to any home library. I am typically an eBook guy buy as mentioned this on one I am going to have both versions of. I can easily recommend this volume.