People's Companion to the Breviary With Seasonal Supplement (2 Volume Set)

Rating:
Summary: Theologically correct!
Review: After many years of praying the Liturgy of the Hours using the Roman breviary, I was delighted to discover the "People's Companion to the Breviary." It is a beautifully crafted re-working of the Hours using inclusive language and readings taken from some of the greatest saints and mystics of all times, including our own. The Carmelites of Indianapolis have suceeded in producing a fresh, new, Spirit-filled rendering of this universal prayer of the Church, while remaining faithful to it's ancient order and ritual. The use of inclusive language in this prayer, which is intended for all peoples of all times, now formally invites everyone to their proper place in, with, and as, the people of God. It is truly a masterpiece whose time has come. And in answer to critics of such inclusive-language endeavors: it is not simply politically correct...it is first and foremost theologically correct.

Rating:
Summary: This book cannot be used for reciting the Hours
Review: Caveat emptor! This book does not include the offical texts for the Liturgy of the Hours. It is a proposal for reform of the Hours which was not adopted by our bishops. To recite the Hours, you will need a book with the official texts, such as "Christian Prayer" or "Shorter Christian Prayer." The Hours, like the Mass, is a public liturgy of the Church, not a private devotion, even when I recite it alone, so it is very important to use the official texts, regardless of my personal preferences.

Rating:
Summary: People's Companion to the Breviary
Review: I have been using the Liturgy of the Hours to structure my daily prayer life for almost 40 years! I prayed it for 8 years in Latin!! I am indebted to the Carmelites of Indianapolis for this wonderful aid to praying the Liturgy of the Hours. I've begun using it in place of the "official" Liturgy of the Hours...much to my spiritual enrichment. As I continue my life-long study of the New Testament--yearning to learn more and more about Jesus and his message, I am deeply convinced of the need to pray in inclusive language and to focus our prayer to see it related to the needs of everyone around us, especially the poor and oppressed. The purpose of the Church's universal prayer is to pray each day in the name of the whole Church for the world in which we live. The Carmelites of Indianapolis have given us a wonderful way to do that by reminding us of that need to be inclusive and concerned for the world. Is this not the heart of Jesus' message?