Prayers for the Domestic Church: A Handbook for Worship in the Home

My family and I have for many, many years used and enjoyed Fr. Ed Hay's book, Prayers for the Domestic Church and have gifted many, many couples with a copy as a wedding present for engaged couples that we sponsor for Marriage Preparation. As Director for our Diocesan Family Life Office, we also advocate for families using this prayer book. Just yesterday I recieved a phone message from a newly married couple saying how much this prayer book has touched their lives and thanking my husband and I for it. I have to say that I really miss the format of the original way the book was published and presently do not like the reformating of the book; maybe I'll get used to it. Is there a chance that you would be publishing the book in both formats? I am assuming that the change of format is to keep the cost of the book at a reasonable price. Either way, it is a DEFINITE all time favorite and will continue to be for many generations.

Prayers for the domestic Church is a wonderful resource for those who wish to pray, but struggle. I found when I would start with one of the prayers, I was able to express myself in my own words and found when I couldn't, it was because the prayer spoke for me. I found this to be helpful is bringing my family together and in seeing the world in a different way.

This is a prayer book for families today: it has prayers for real situations and celebrates the domestic milestones, not just the church's sacramental ones. (Although there are prayers for those, too.) i don't know if there is anyone that cannot relate to this book, whether they are into organized religion or not.

This book has been a part of our family for eight years now, and it has been a blessing in itself. It has been a great source of prayer and has brought my family closer together in the sharing of its multiple prayers and blessings. This book seems to have a blessing for everything and every occassion. I highly recommend this to families, especially those with children in their formative years.

I started using the seven day-of-the-week prayers a year and a half ago, and I have not missed more than one morning in all that time. I can hardly believe it myself. No other prayer book I have used in my adult life has been so effective or so stimulating. One reason: the call to silence built into the middle of each prayer. Another: the open segment inviting me to pick a short passage to add for that day. If I don't have anything else to hand the many blessing prayers in the book are a great resource. Another reason: these prayers are deeply rooted in the Catholic tradition, but not aggressively so. Their tenor opposes all sectarianism. Whenever possible Hays avoids language that might alienate or exclude non-Catholic Christians or believers in non-Christian traditions. Those praying are invited to join their prayers with those of all who seek truth "with a pure heart." Another reason and not a small one: Hays' spirituality grows out of the ancient Judeo- Christian tradition of the centrality of blessing: God blesses us, we return the blessing, and we bless and rejoice in God's ongoing creation of the universe and us. -Mark Infusino