The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home

I have been hoping for a book like this for such a long time! Not only is it groundbreaking, but every Catholic should read and refer to it often. The authors provide principles and guidance to establish prayer in the home in union with the Church's Liturgy. And as the the authors are both converts, they adroitly sift through the myriad of Catholic devotions to show clearly how to lay the foundation of the family prayer life. Their central focus is on the oratory in the home, which can be an icon corner or prayer table, home altar or dining room table.The book provides guidelines of beauty, order and simplicity to set up, maintain, and use the oratory regularly for individual and family prayer. After establishing the prayer space, the authors continue with ways to pray with the Universal Church through the Liturgy of the Hours. They also discuss other devotions, such as the liturgical year, rosary, dedication of days and months and more.Each author brings their expertise and their combined thoughts are wonderful. David Clayton shares aspects from the Byzantine or Eastern tradition. As an icon painter, he shares the spirituality and symbolism of icons and how they relate to prayer. The book contains several of his beautiful color icons to frame and use, or line drawings that can be colored.Leila Lawler shares her experience as a wife, mother of seven and grandmother living her Faith with her practical "kitchen sink philosophy."Her daughter, Deirdre Folley, has wonderful line drawings throughout which really relate a peaceful domesticity.This does not need to be read straight through, but each chapter can stand alone. After reading the rich content of the chapters, the authors continue with an extensive appendix with wonderful information on different devotions and how to bring an oratory into other places, like a Veteran's home.The reader is not weighed down with obligations and guilt, but will find the subject is presented in a joyful practical manner. The authors take into account the different stages of life and needs of a family, and share some practical advice on implementing their ideas.This book is not just directed at families of all ages and sizes, but also single parents and singles and especially helpful for converts. (There are even suggestions on how to bring prayer into the office.)The book is a treasure trove and destined to become a "Catholic classic." But it shouldn't just sit on a shelf with others, but read and used often. Setting aside a place in the home and heart for prayer and establishing a prayer life in union with the Liturgy is a universal essential.

"The home, you might say, ought to be a little Eden on earth; or better, because we are now redeemed, a little bit of heaven."I've been a reader of Leila's blog for years now and was excited when she announced plans to co-author a book. I bought it right after it was released having only a vague idea of what it was about but knowing somewhere deep down that I was supposed to read it. I'm so glad I got it. This book is a treasure. I see it as an "I'm Catholic...now what?" sort of book. This is an incredibly practical, insightful, eloquent guide to bringing the life of the Church into your home and (re)discovering a Catholic family culture. What a great book it would be for newly engaged couples! I especially loved the first chapter of the "why" of the book and the broad picture treatment they give to Christianity as a whole. The book unabashedly promotes beauty, truth, and goodness as something we can claim in our own homes as a reflection of the Divine yet in a very practical and accessible way.While many of the concepts are not new to me (we already have what I now know is a "Little Oratory"!) it brought the idea new life and was a huge encouragement and confirmation for me as a Catholic mother as well as provided new ideas and motivation to keep going with this effort even when it gets tiring or I am tempted to novelty for its own sake. There is a tremendous emphasis on the Liturgy of the Hours which I found intriguing and exciting, giving me great hope for families and the Church as a whole. I've been praying some of the Divine Office for a few years now and David and Leila were able to put into words what I've experienced just through my own little excursion into this devotion. I hope and pray this book motivates many individuals and families to take up this practice, transforming their own domestic church and the culture as a whole in the process. I do believe that if this book is taken to heart and its ideas put into practice in your own home in your own individual way, you and your family can be transformed.

I am a LMLD blog reader, and this book is a more concentrated resource along the same lines. In addition to the wonderfully practical advice, it has lovely drawings and icons to remove and frame. Very inspirational!

I was so happy to receive this books. It is filled with great information and the icons in the back are beautiful.

excellent book for any young catholic family trying to build the culture of catholic family life. fantastic value. very informative.

Could have been said more quickly and more simply, though the content is good.