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Rating: 
Summary: Should you consider Christian Prayer Instead?
Review: I usually recommend that people who have not really prayed Office before, and who live an essentially active life start with the one volume Christian Prayer, and become accustomed to saying any of the hours before moving to the four volume version (if they move to it at all). Also, I recommend that people begin saying one of the the "hours" daily (usually night or morning prayer, i.e.,Compline or Lauds) until the hour becomes a really indispensible part of their day. Then add another hour. The four volume set COULD be used this way, but it is an expensive (and for some, intimidating) way to begin, and unnecessary when Christian Prayer is available.
For those who are used to saying the hours, and who wish to add the Office of readings, or minor hours to the other three main hours, this 4 volume set is indispensible. It is foundational to a more monastic type of prayer life, and though obviously not for everyone,is an excellent resource for Patristic readings, as well as providing the comprehensive texts for the Liturgy of the Hours.
Rating: 
Summary: The official text - four volumes total
Review: This set contains the official English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours for the Roman Rite Catholics. This includes Morning Prayer and Evening Prayer which are to be encouraged as communal prayer in our parishes; the Office of Readings; Mid-morning, mid-day and midafternoon prayers; night prayer and a series of optional extensions to these hours. Each year a pamphlet is printed to guide the user to the correct prayers, psalms and readings for the day.These volumes are excellent for those familiar with the Liturgy of the Hours but are intimidating for those less familiar. To obtain the right units you must look at the section of unchanging prayers; at the section of the 4 week Psalter; perhaps at the propers for the season or feast; and finally, at the units specific to the day and hour. The volumes come equiped with ribbons to help keep your place. For someone unfamiliar with the liturgy, I would recommend a simplified version. For others, this is the best edition currently available.
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