The Glenstal Book of Prayer is a rich, nourishing resource on the
dark, mysterious, but exciting journey that is prayer. It draws on
things both old and new: on the wisdom of the Bible, enshrined in
Benedictine liturgy, on the experience of modern monks, and on the
wisdom of the Christian Church throughout her long and varied
history. Coming as it does from an Irish monastery, it reflects in
a special way the Celtic tradition with its earthy, popular and
devotional prayers. Beautifully bound and designed, it is both
prayer and inspiration. The first section is a simplified Liturgy
of the Hours to dedicate and bless those two great moments of the
day that bear witness to Christ: morning, when we celebrate his
rising as the light of the world, and evening, when we acclaim him
as the unquenchable light that never sets. Through psalms,
canticles, and other words of scripture, through invocations and
concluding prayers, the day is hallowed and the presence of the
risen Christ is gratefully remembered. In addition, elements have
been included stemming from the ancient custom of consecrating
special moments to the Lord in the bustle of the daily round. These
"prayer-stops" are the modern equivalent to monastic ?Little Hours,
? recalling as they do the coming of the Holy Spirit and the
dramatic events of Christ's passion. They are an invitation and an
opportunity to pause in the midst of work and turn our hearts to
God. Night prayer (Compline), the last monastic office of the day,
is included as the prayer before sleep. Its haunting psalms and
canticles, its prayers for protection, its calling upon Mary are
some of the most beautiful treasures from the storehouse of
monastic prayer. They lead us gently across the bridge of sleep,
from the glaring light of day to the dark cradle of the night and
the world of dreams. This liturgical section includes a seasonal
element so that the great festivals of the Christian year may be
incorporated in our prayer, and a calendar of saints? days so that
they can be commemorated. A selection of prayers for that purpose
is also provided. These can be used in place of the prayer at the
end of morning and evening prayer. The second section consists of
familiar prayers, those tried and tested prayer texts stretching
back through the centuries: the Lord's Prayer, the Apostles? Creed,
the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, and many others. The third
section, ritual prayers, provides prayer forms for various needs
and occasions as they arise in every life, and a series of
blessings. It will be a valuable and useful resource for the many
times when spoken or formal prayers are looked for in situations of
necessity, sorrow, joy, or grief. The Celtic element is
particularly marked in this part of the book. There is also a
special prayer for Benedictine Oblates. The fourth and final part
includes psalms (to supplement the liturgical section or for
meditation) and a series of quotations from the Rule of Saint
Benedict. The latter, encapsulating the wisdom of this great
foundational text of Christian civilization, can be read as part of
night prayer (Compline) or simply meditated or ruminated upon as a
source of inspiration in one's spiritual life. Thus, The Glenstal
Book of Prayer provides for the whole sweep of prayer. It captures
that movement of the Holy Spirit in the human heart that is prayer
and through which God reaches out and embraces us. Includes
two-color printing throughout and a ribbon marker.
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