Book Reviews2 Catholic Household Blessings and Prayers

Nov 9, 2007

This book is a revision of the 1988 edition with 70% new prayers and blessings for many of the most important moments in the life of a family and of an individual.  This book consists of ten parts:  1. Basic prayers.  2. Daily prayers.  3. Days of seasons.  4. Family prayers from birth to death.  5. Prayers for Catholic living.  6. Prayers for the Church and the world.  7. Litanies.  8. God’s Word in times of need.  9. Stations of the Cross.  10. Calendar of the Saints.

Part one has familiar prayers like the Our Father, the Hail Mary, the Confiteor, the Rosaryand other prayers--in English and in Latin.

Part two has morning, midday, evening, night prayers, the morning offering, grace before and after meals and other such traditional prayers. 

Part three has seasonal prayers of the Church year and prayers for national holidays like Mothers’ Day and others. 

Part four has prayers and blessings for a person or family’s life or events such as births, birthdays, illness, moving to a new home, blessing of a new home, blessing of a marriage, prayers for death and grieving, and prayers for funerals.

Part five has novenas, blessings for travel, prayers for work and school, meeting prayers, farm prayers and prayers for athletic events.  It also has blessings for objects, prayers for the weather and for other occasions. 

Part six has prayers for the Church, leaders of the Church and of the world.  It also has prayers for peace, social justice and other causes. 

Part seven is litanies:  Holy Name of Jesus, Sacred Heart, Most Precious Blood, Blessed Virgin Mary (Loreto), St. Joseph, Saints, and the Holy Eucharist. 

Part eight is made up of scripture readings on various topics like anger, forgiveness, sickness, loss and grief, love and loneliness. 

Part nine has two versions of the Stations of the Cross.  The first is the traditional one and the second is a scripture-based one. 

Part ten is a calendar of the saints.

Many of these prayers and blessings come various sources like The Book of Blessings, the Sacramentary, and other traditional sources.  There is a scripture index and an index of first lines and common titles.  There is an introduction by Bishop Donald W. Trautman of Erie, Pennsylvania, who is also the chairman of the Committee on Divine Worship of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. 

This book is highly recommended for those wanting prayer and blessings in their family life and home. 

Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., St. Gregory's University, Shawnee, Oklahoma.

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