St. Gregory's Prayer Book

Before joining the Ordinariate, I was an Anglican Postulant, Seminarian, Verger, and Master of Ceremonies. I've owned both editions of the Saint Augustine's Prayer Book, the St. Ambrose Prayer Book, numerous other devotional books. Most recently, I began using the little book put out by CTS in England (the people who put out the Ordinariate Missal) called A Simple Prayer Book, which is a rough analogue to the others, and it is my favorite devotional book in that format. If you are expecting something small that will fit in your back pocket, that's what I would recommend.The SGPB is larger, sized more along the lines of Christian Prayer and Blessed Be God (that pre-Vatican II classic). It is quite portable, but by no means a book to be carried in one's pocket.Another reviewer has been harshly critical of the paper quality. I see no issues, but use will tell. The same reviewer has been critical of the typesetting. I admit there are a few superfluous capitals and a few uncapitalized words that surprised me. Take this example, from the traditional close of Compline, included here at the end of the evening devotions: "Visit, we beseech thee, O Lord, this habitation: drive far from it all snares of the enemy; let thy holy Angels dwell herein to preserve us in peace, and let thy blessing be ever upon us; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." It surprises me that "Angels" is capitalized, but not "thy," when referring to our Lord. But this is a very minor complaint.My only other complaint- and it is also minor- is that the table of contents is minimal rather than maximal. I would have preferred a four or five page table with far more information, rather than one page with a mere directory of categories.This book does not have gilt pages, as the previous reviewer seemed to insinuate, although the wording in their review is a little unclear to me. I don't mind that, and the older editions of St. Augustine's Prayer Book, at least in my little grey hardcover, were also plain-edged.As for the binding, it is not extravagant, but neither is it excessively cheap. As with the paper quality, time will tell. I'll be sure to revise this update in a year or so with more on these issues. The cover art is not my preference, but you should know what it looks like before you order it, and to me that is a very minor issue.The contents of the book are quite good, and far exceed my expectations. It has every devotion or prayer I could ask for. It is nearly thorough enough in psalmody to allow one to pray a basic Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, and Compline without an additional book. It has many devotions and prayers in Latin and English, including most of the Ordinary of the Mass (in the Ordinariate Divine Worship form, but with only the parts for the laity, rather than the full mass). The devotional aids are more thorough than pocket editions usually include. For instance, the self-examination includes a section on the Decalogue, a section on the Summary of the Law, a section on the Beatitudes, a section on the seven deadly sins, and a section on the Precepts of the Church.In short, I could not be happier with this book. The quality issues are minor if they exist at all, and at $25 or less they're nothing to be concerned with whatsoever. I disagree almost entirely with the previous review with regard to typesetting issues other than the capitalization, which is nowhere near as significant as indicated. I have no complaints, and this book will henceforth serve as my default gift for confirmations, adult baptisms, and other such religious occasions. I have two friends presently in private instruction who are converting from Anglicanism and I am quite excited to order them copies of this wonderful little book. I even think most non-Ordinariate people would enjoy and benefit from its use.

Arrived on time great service and item in perfect shape...This prayer book is an item I use everyday now that I have it...It is useful for most every occasion that would come up...Very well put together and easy to use...I truly do recommend this prayer book...It does include to my surprise and grateful for a few of the prayers in Latin as well...Very beautiful and recommend...

I am very pleased with this new Catholic resource, even though I already am attached to praying the Daily Office in the proposed Ordinariate form. (If you're interested in the Divine Office, search amazon for "Ordo 2019 for the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of the Southern Cross", and you'll get a product by "Nigel McBain" of the Ordinariate in Australia. Even though they only call it an Ordo, it includes the full Daily Office text awaiting final approval from Rome. If you're in the US or Canada, you can supplement it with Ordo from the US Ordinariate web site--that really is only an Ordo but will give you the proper calendar for US-Canadian purposes.)Back to this book, which as another reviewer notes, is not meant to replace the Divine Office and the Mass, but to flow from them and into them. In the tradition of "primers" and similar texts, this book is designed as a link between private devotion and liturgical prayer. Many of the prayers have been hallowed by belonging to the liturgy in some manner. This book expresses an appropriately inclusive view of what Pope Benedict XVI called "the Anglican Patrimony," by including prayers from throughout the history of English (and English-speaking) Catholic and Anglican Christianity.Here are some of the things I am excited about in this book: 1) a treasury of prayers for use in the home, according to liturgical season or according to particular needs; 2) a collection of suggested "arrow prayers"--short (mostly biblical) texts for use throughout daily life; 3) a robust examination of conscience with prayers to aid the process; 4) the people's parts of the Order of Mass; 5) "prayer book English" forms of many prayers familiar to me in my many years being in full communion with Rome - this helps make for a common sacral language for use in the Ordinariates.Speaking to critiques made of the layout, etc. I agree that there were some missed opportunities. It could be thinner and made to fit in a pocket (bible paper and some prayers edited out). Ignatius really has a lot to learn--I used to own their ridiculously large RSV-2CE blue-cover "New Testament and Psalms." Someone needs to show them the measurements of the inside pocket of a sportcoat. I also noticed a title header printed on the bottom of a page, with the prayer at the top of the next page. That said, I don't believe these deficiencies destroy the value of the book. I will use it frequently, and, should they come out with a second edition that is truly pocket-sized, I will buy it.This lovely book is not the be-all and end-all of prayer for English-speaking Catholics (Divine Office! Divine Office! Divine Office!), but its another sign of the Anglican patrimony blossoming in the heart of the universal Church. As Benedict wrote, the treasures of the patrimony are to be shared with the whole Church. The SGPB is one of the means by which that sharing will happen, because it is universal enough to be of use to cradle Catholics while being particular enough to show the long tradition of English contributions to Christian life and prayer. It will be one of my go-to confirmation gifts, even for cradle Catholics unconnected with the Ordinariate.

I am a recent convert from Anglo-Catholicism to Roman Catholicism and I absolutely love this prayer book. It is very much like the Book of Common Prayer (1928) but very Catholic as opposed to Protestant. The KJV-style English is excellent and there is a prayer for every occasion in here. I especially enjoy the Marian devotions/novenas and the morning/evening/compline prayer liturgies. It even has a section for following along in the mass, which is very helpful. And I use the penitential prayers and form for the sacrament of reconciliation often.Overall I couldn't be happier. It is very good quality as well. Not thin Bible-paper like I was expecting, which I think is a positive. I like the look of the cover and I don't mind at all that its faux-leather. If this was $80 I'd probably still buy it because I enjoy it that much. Would be great to see a more expensive genuine-leather version in the future. Would recommend it to all Catholics. I will definitely be gifting this to people in the future.

Absolutely invaluable prayer book deep in the traditions of Catholic England. Very pleasant to be immersed in.

St Gregory's Prayer book is a very usable set of prayers, especially for catholics and members of the Ordinariate. I've been using the morning/evening/compline prayers for a few months and I appreciate the variety of collects and daily prayers. It also has an outline of the Ordinariate mass, including translations of the hymns that are sometimes sung in latin (Agnus Dei, Gloria, Sanctus). The mass section is marked in red so it's easy to access without a bookmark.My one complaint is that it doesn't have more ribbons! I use sticky tabs to help navigate, but 2-3 more ribbons would make this book much more useable; the dream would be for it to have indented & labelled tabs for each section like some bibles do.

Great.

An indispensable devotional-prayer book. This was primarily designed for those who attend or are members of the Personal Ordinariates, so the prayers are in what might be described as “sacral English”, that is they are beautiful translations, using an older style of English - more poetic, more crafted for delighting the ear as well as the tongue. The collection is brilliant. Highlights are the Devotions to the Five Wounds, the old Sarum prayers before and after Mass, useful things like the rite of Confession - with the act of Contrition - this book is all I take in with me to Confession, and it is wonderful to use at Mass. It also has an Order of Compline. For your average Catholic, it can really become your go-to prayer book.

This prayer book would be great for any Catholic. All the prayers within are useful, helpful and relevant. Pages are thick and lettering is clear, though I did find a couple of possible typos. The book is a perfect size that is great for home and travel use.

Beautiful book, great size to carry everywhere. Nice paper and cover, a pleasure to hold and to read.