onastic iurnal

The Monastic Diurnal

A republication of the 1963 edition of the Benedictine hours of Prime, Lauds, Terce, Sext, None, Vespers and Compline, in Latin and English in parallel columns for all the feasts and seasons in the traditional Benedictine calendar, with an updated table of movable feasts and a Benedictus/Magnificat card. The Latin text is the traditional Vulgate psalter. Ideal for novices, monks and nuns when travelling, Benedictine oblates, guests at monasteries, and all who wish to draw upon the riches of the ancient and traditional Benedictine office. Printed in black and red throughout and bound in real Moroccan leather with a flexible cover, gilt edges and six marker ribbons, this is a truly beautiful book.

The Dictum and prophecy of the first Epistle of Peter that we, the Church, are 'a people set apart to sing the praises of God' (1 Peter 2:9), is realised today not only in those who offer the sacrificium laudis in lives passed in the cloister, but also by an increasing number of the faithful who, desiring to fulfil their baptismal duty of thanksgiving, punctuate their days spent labouring in the vineyard, in the market place, in the din of the modern-day desert, by lifting heart and mind to God in the prayerful recitation of all or part of the Prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours.

In this prayer, the Church, the Bride of Christ, whispers words of love to her spouse and, schooled in the mystery of Christ's life, death and resurrection, fulfils the very purpose of His Incarnation, taught as she is by Christ, the Unique Cantor, the arts of perfect sacrifice and praise.

The gentle daily rhythm and round of the monastic Liturgy is a timeless treasure which we monks are ever glad to share. The monastic life, the spiritual life, indeed human life itself, find in the praise of God their only useful purpose.

We live in a time in which the thirst of novelty and fo a superficial spontaneity in the Liturgy have run their course, a time in which neglected treasures are prized anew. The present reawakening to the riches of the Latin Liturgy and Gregorian chant renders timely indeed the republication of this Diurnal. It is offered by the monks of Saint Michael's Abbey as a humble tool for sanctification, a vademecum to help us on our way, as we hasten to our true and heavenly homeland. Ut in omnibus glorificetur Deus.

Dom Cuthbert Brogan OSB, Conventual Prior, Corpus Christi 2004.

Association for Latin Liturgy: "This is an exquisite little book which will come to be treasured by all who are attracted by the beauty of the Divine Office in its traditional form...This work is a beautifully executed reprint...As we implied at the outset, the quality of this production is of the highest standard, in keeping with Farnborough's fine traditions." - Michelmas 2005 issue 125 of the Newsletter of the Association for Latin Liturgy (www.latin-liturgy.org)

 

For further information or comments please contact info@farnboroughabbey.org