The Baltimore Comeback

A prayer book of yesterday is a prayer book of today.

I recently received the Manual of Prayers: For The Use of the Catholic Laity.

This book perfectly compliments the Baltimore Catechism and the Little Office of Baltimore.

This is a prayer book whose history goes back to 1888. There was a new edition in 1930 and of course, this new one from TAN Books in 2024.

This prayer book has many cherished prayers from long ago as well as various devotions, new and old liturgical calendar, instructions, and so much more.

Some of the prayers and devotions as found in this book wouldn't be found in modern books of today.

Unfortunately though, there have been various errors found in this new book. In my opinion, for a book that cost what it did, the publisher should've put more effort into this. Don't get me wrong, it's a great book. I do highly recommend it. I just feel like it might have been rushed.

I have never seen the original Manual of Prayers from 1888 or the edition that followed in 1930. I feel like some content in this edition from TAN Books wasn't necessary.

For example: new liturgical calendar and a reference to the CCC (Catechism of the Catholic Church). I am sure there are other things but those two specifically came to mind. I feel in regards to the Catechism, it would've been best to refer to an older Catholic Catechism.

I think what I am trying to get at is that if this prayer book is based on the editions previously, it should be more Traditional and not have bits of modernism throughout the book. As the saying goes, don't fix what isn't broken.

Get yourself a copy at TAN Books or wherever books are sold.

I know another Catholic publisher is coming out with the Manual of Prayers as well but it'll be under the title, Baltimore Book of Prayers. The release dates of both the Manual of Prayers and Baltimore Book of Prayers were just two weeks apart.

I will be reviewing the Baltimore Book of Prayers once received.