The Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary (English and Latin Edition) Leather Bound – October 1, 2014

I first bought this at a bookstore. This purchase was to give it as a gift.As someone who loves liturgical prayer, this is amazing. It's a great introduction to praying the traditional Divine Office.This basically takes the Sunday readings from the traditional Divine Office, changes out the Te Lucis from the DO Compline for the Memento Rerum Conditor. Slightly more Marian emphasis in the Little Office. This travels great.If you've ever used the online traditional websites, this translation for the Little Office will be more traditional, which I very much prefer.While I generally pray the Divine Office now, this is the Office that I travel with. It's fantastic and I highly recommend. I would suggest watching a video of someone praying this for the season you're in and following along in your own book to learn it. It's fairly straightforward, but there's one part that could be better labeled that seems as though the Office ends when instead it goes on to the Marian Antiphon.

This is a beautiful edition of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary by Baronius Press. In my recent purchase I received the 4th edition, published in 2013. I am delighted to describe some of the wonderful features of this book. The size seems "just right" to fit into a handbag, purse, perhaps even into a coat pocket - but at the same time its large enough that one can read it clearly and it fits perfectly in the hands. The leather cover feels durable, the pages are crisp and firm with a clear and legible typeset. Gold leaf edging and 2 ribbons to mark your prayers through out the day. English with Latin side-by-side, and about 40 pages of Gregorian chat at the back of the book makes for a nice addition to anyone musically inclined. For any Catholic who wishes to start praying the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin Mary (either to fulfill your requirements for the brown scapular or to further your devotion to the Blessed Mother) - or for Catholics who are familiar with the Office and are looking to buy a new copy, this would be my recommendation for you.

I don't typically write reviews, but this prayer book is just wonderful in every way. If you are someone who appreciates aesthetic beauty and tradition, this is the version of The Little Office for you. Baronius Press produces high quality, lovely books with attention to detail. The cover is beautiful blue leather and smells good. The stitching is durable and I can tell this book will hold up for many years. The font choice is lovely and the paper is a nice cream color. The translation is classic, from the Douay-Rheims Bible (beautiful language). I like how this version of the office includes the Latin and English side by side, and how it includes Gregorian Chant notation (which I am starting to learn a little bit)! I also like how this version has the same prayers every day so I can become more familiar with them, and it's a small little book I can carry around in a purse easily. I also have "Christian Prayer" but at this point in my life as a mother/wife I am not able to keep up with it, as it was a bit overwhelming, constantly changing every day, big heavy book, just too much! Also that book is sadly not aesthetically pleasing and has a less beautiful, modern translation of scripture. I still love the Divine Office but this Little Office is wonderful in different ways. Also I have a special devotion to Our Lady and so I love praying this in her honor.

The physical quality of this little book is excellent. The pages are firm without being thick and the typeface is very attractive and easy to read. The two ribbons -- one blue, one yellow -- bear up well to frequent use. The leatherette cover is sturdy and the sewing appears very strong. Most importantly, all typos seem to have been corrected for the third edition, so anyone buying the latest edition need not worry in the least about that.There are many attractive features of this Baronius Press edition of the Little Office. Very short meditations are provided for each hour of the Office, some of which are quite beautiful. I also greatly appreciate the quite informative appendices: the Little Office explained; indulgences associated with the Little Office; a short liturgy for commemorations; a calendar of major feasts; the Angelus; and the Litany of Our Lady of Loreto. Needless to say, the inclusion of 44 pages of Gregorian chant makes this volume unique and greatly encourages reverence and solemnity in prayer.

Never having read any office before I set out to find a book to draw me closer to the Blessed Virgin Mary. This book is recommended by Pope Benedict XVI. When I first bought the book I found it overwhelming to figure it out. I looked on line for proper instructions on how to pray the Office. That was quite a bit of help. I finally figured it out and have fallen in love with this book. I am sorry I don't remember enough Latin to read the Latin parts but the English side is wonderful. My favorite part is Matins. I would like to sing the hymns but cannot find the music for it or the chants. All in all this is the best edition to have. Shortly after starting the Office I found out I have cancer and this book is seeing me through this difficult time of my life. I have found such peace and grace through it. I highly recommend this book. You will come to love the Blessed Mother and her church. If I find there is something in the scripture I don't understand I look it up on line at the NAB bible website and that has really helped me. I especially love that the book is leather bound and has two ribbons to keep your places.Thank you Blessed Mother for coming into my life more deeply and for the blessings you have granted to me. I love you!