The Little Oratory

Book excerpt: Keeping a faithful prayer life with your family isn't easy. From herding distracted children to managing the seemingly endless litany of prayers and devotions, our spiritual life all too often feels frantic and burdensome. This isn't the way it should be. Our prayer life, our family life, and our work life should — and can! — be in harmony. When they are, our family is a powerhouse of grace, and Our Lord transforms our home into a little Eden — a little bit of heaven on earth. With simplicity and holy wisdom, authors David Clayton and Leila Marie Lawler show you how to bring peace to your home by integrating your family into the calm, truly joyful way of Mother Church. Her feasts and seasons, prayers and devotions are gifts that draw us closer to God and unfold before us His marvelous plan of salvation. To help you live the liturgical life of the Church more fully, David and Leila reclaim here an almost lost tradition that families used for centuries to build a beautiful bridge between home and church: the little oratory. Consisting of a modest table and icons, the little oratory is a visible sign of spiritual awareness and devotion. It extends the Eucharistic worship of the Mass into the heart of your home, spiritually nourishing your family and preparing them to transform the world through prayer and charity. Building your own little oratory is simple, and in these pages you'll discover just how easy it is. In fact, you likely have most of the pieces in your home already except, perhaps, the sacred art. That's why we've included here seven full-colored icons that are ready for framing, enabling you to get started right away! By following the wise advice in this book, you'll discover the peace and love that flows from a home that is focused on Christ. You'll also learn . . . How to use sacred art to strengthen your prayer life. How to extend Catholic beliefs and devotions into every room of the house. Why the Liturgy of the Hours is important and how it can make your family holy. How to pray the Rosary with children and keep the rowdiest of them calm and reverent. The active role children can and should play in the prayer life of the family. What to do when only one parent takes the spiritual life seriously. How to overcome the feeling that you're too busy to pray. Practical ways to extend the liturgical life into your workplace. And countless other tips to help you practice your faith in the heart of your home. Scott Hahn “This is one of the most beautiful books I've ever seen. How I wish I'd had it when I first became a Catholic, not just for myself, as a husband and father, but for my family, too. If one book has the potential to transform the Catholic family (and society), this is it.” Thomas Howard “This book is a rare treasure.” Christopher West “A superb guide to making that encounter of thirsts a lived experience in the home.” Daria Sockey, author of The Everyday Catholic’s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours “The Little Oratory will help you discover a pattern of daily prayer that truly fits your family life while creating a place of beauty in the heart of your home." Andreas Widmer, author of The Pope and the CEO “An indispensable resource for anyone seeking to make their home a breeding ground for holiness.” Elizabeth Foss, Founder, In the Heart of My Home “Leila Lawler and David Clayton offer wisdom and grace to Catholics seeking to make their homes a holy shelter.” Joseph Pearce, Editor of The St. Austin Review “Wonderful, inspiring, and deeply practical.” Stratford Caldecott, an Editor of Magnificat UK “A great blessing to Catholic families.” Father Robert Reed, President, CatholicTV Network “A perfect guide for any family who strives to make their home a place to experience the majesty and beauty of the Divine.”