No more teasing!
I can now reveal the project I’ve been working on for almost a year!
It’s called The Little Oratory: A Beginner’s Guide to Praying in the Home. An exciting book! In the sense of being about something old, not at all flashy, and very peaceful and accessible! Coming soon! (On the publisher’s website it says March 25, so hopefully that will be it.)
A little background: I’ve mentioned my friend David Clayton here before. David is an artist known for his gorgeous icons. He has a knack for bringing the sacred into the daily life of the ordinary person.
David in his studio.
He and I have been talking about such things for a couple of years now, and I had emailed him a list of goals I had for a workshop for helping the families of our parish make a little prayer table in their home — with the idea that this simple element can be the link between the family and the Church — a real help in the journey of faith. I wanted his opinion about my approach.
Here at Like Mother, Like Daughter, we’ve been talking bit by bit about this same thing — about order and wonder, about the rhythms of nature and the family and the Church (you can find all the categories on the sidebar) — how nourishing it all is — how peaceful-in-the-midst-of-turmoil-even. So you know what I mean.
David quickly replied to my email about the prayer table workshop — “I’m writing a book with a similar thrust — want to write it together?”
Why yes — yes I do!
So we did.
This is more scary than I thought it would be — telling you all about it.
I find that I only have enough energy for one creative thing at a time — if I talk too much about it, somehow I get drained. I didn’t want to hype things along the way, because I wanted my energy to go into working with David (and Deirdre!) to produce something that will last and be helpful. Whether we pulled that off, I don’t know. But we gave it our best shot.
I do want you to know that this book has amazingly turned out to be just that kind of book I personally would want to read. As I’ve been hinting a bit, it’s not the book I need to write (and would also like to read) — the one about the practical aspects of taking care of the home, devoting yourself to your family, cleaning and cooking with a right good and hearty will, managing your household, disciplining your kids, and in general being a woman. It’s not the “blog” book.
Yet, in many ways this book is a version of all that. I have come to see the value of having a physical center to the home. In the end, a certain quiet openness in our hearts is what will open the door to hearing God’s will for us. The Little Oratory is a simple way to make that possible.
It’s about the importance of the home as the “school” of prayer life, the domestic church that connects the faith to the universal Church. It’s about your role in making your home a sanctuary, including putting a physical manifestation of that idea in the form of a little prayer table — and the practical ways to make one.
It’s also very encouraging in what David is passionate about: the universal prayer of the Church — praying the Liturgy of the Hours. For me, having a million choices can be daunting. I always feel I’m forgetting something. It’s very consoling to know that I can pray along with the Church and be assured of not missing anything, ever. So this book is a way to allow Holy Mother Church to guide you in your own deepest prayer life.
And all that will build the culture, which I think we all see we need to do.
BUT– there’s more. This book is astonishingly affordable — under $20. It’s over 300 pages and it’s that nice almost-square quality paperback kind of book that will look great on a table.
It will be accessible to everyone. And in it you will, after all, find tips for getting your kids to pray along with you (including the Rosary), for hospitality, even for keeping things clean. LMLD stuff.
And — I hope you will be excited by something I think is unique — this book is actually a little kit for the little oratory!
David’s icons — seven of them in full color! — will be included in a form that you can take out and frame for your own prayer table. I have never heard of anything like that. His art is so beautiful that I can’t believe how accessible — literally — it will be. I’m thinking that it will be a fruitful gift for any family… just imagine having something to give a young family baptizing their first child or getting married or asking you how to live the liturgical year in a sane but rich way.
Image by David Clayton.
Sorry to go on and on, but I do have more to tell you. I guess I’ve been keeping this all hush-hush for so long that now it’s bursting out — so bear with me!
Our very own Deirdre has contributed many drawings in the text. Without the drawings, I think the writing wouldn’t come alive. With them, it’s so homey yet inspirational.
Drawing by Deirdre M. Folley from the new book, The Little Oratory
In fact, the cover is a combination of Deirdre’s art — the drawing of the prayer table –and David’s — the icon. It’s a little hint of the content within — lofty and accessible. There are even full-size black and white pages for your kids to color, from David.
I hope you like this book. It’s very much a combined effort of the two of us, David and I, with Deirdre’s wonderful drawings. You will recognize my voice, I think, in there — and you will hear his as well. I am so grateful to Sophia Institute Press for having the vision for this book.
I’m not exactly sure when it will come out (probably not February 25, as the Amazon page says), but I needed to tell you about it! I can no longer keep still! You can pre-order it on Amazon.
Thank you, thank you for being my readers. I can’t tell you how it’s helped me understand how I — insofar as I am able –can express what the family needs to hear.
And now I can start working on that other book!
Well, I pre-ordered it before I even finished reading your post! So excited for you! I hope it is the first of MANY books. I can’t wait to read it.
Bless you!
Rain, what a gift of a first comment! Thank you!
Preordering here too! Thankyou so much for writing on this topic!
I am so excited for you and for me. Your blog has been such a blessing to my family. I’m preordering right now!!! Congrats!
Oh my! Congratulations!!! That looks like it could be destined to be one of those books that every Catholic home should have. Looks like I’ll have to start adding some pennies to the book allowance :)
This is the best Leila!! I cannot wait, I’m ordering one for myself and one to give away on the blog!
Kathy, you are so sweet! Please know that we will provide a book for giveaways!
Wonderful Leila, looking forward to this but mostly looking forward to the book!
Congratulations! This book sounds absolutely wonderful. Thank you Leila, Deidre, and David! I’m so excited to read it! This is going on my birthday wish list pronto. I am not Catholic; but, I am Christian. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (aka “Mormon”). As I’ve read your blog over the past few years, I have been impressed with the many similarities between our religious views, our homes, our personal faith, and our hopes (both personal and for the world at large). I’m very much looking forward to reading your book and incorporating it into my home. Thanks again!
This is perfect! I’m excited with and for you! God bless your efforts abundantly. May prayer become more a center of all of our homes.
Congratulations!
I just ordered a pile of books yesterday, but this one is definitely going on the list for next time.
I decided to throw caution to the wind and go ahead and pre-order. It won’t hit the account until March, right? :D
I’m so excited! My husband and I have been trying to cultivate a deeper spiritual life at home, and this book could not have come out at a better time for me!
Congrats for you and YIPPEE for ME!!! ;) I really REALLY want to pre-order now……I’ll just have to find some “occasion” for doing so……valentine’s gift, maybe? :) I’m so very excited for you and how very fitting that this book is a combined family effort. Much like what you do here at LMLD. Please don’t stop now though…..I’ll still be waiting for “that” book. :)
Oh congratulations to all of you! Pre-ordering now.
Gasps of joy! Hereby pre-ordered!
So very excited! Exactly what I need as I have been thinking of my little family’s mission in the world and concluded that prayer and sacrifice for the conversion of the world is what God is calling us to…right now. Can’t wait to read it and give it away to others!
I am so happy about this book that I am actually in tears!! Thank you thank you thank you! I will be ordering one for me and probably one for every mom gift I need for a long time!
Oooooh! Congratulations! It looks wonderful! I will have to track a copy down once it is released.
Looking forward to “the blog book” someday, too! ;)
Pre-ordering. I was hoping I was going to get to a link as I was reading your post. :-)
Congratulations! I can’t wait to get this, so I’m pre-ordering, two: one for me of course, and one for my newly married son and daughter-in-law. Thank you!
Now I know what to ask my husband to buy me for my April birthday!
I have an April birthday too. What a great idea! Leila and Deirdre, the book looks wonderful…I can’t wait to read it. We purchased a small piece of furniture (probably two years ago) to be a home altar and it has sat mostly unadorned. I am a visual person and need inspiration…maybe this book will help?
Do you follow Auntie Leila on Pinterest? She has a board dedicated to home altars that might give you some inspiration!
Yes, Kim, you will get detailed ideas on what to do!
Could someone help me find Aunt Leila on pinterest. I’ve tried several searches and come up empty.
TIA
Kelly, use the blue pinterest button (P) at the top of the sidebar (Follow LMLD). That’ll take you there!
What an awesome project! I look forward to having your book. I have such ADD when it comes to praying. I start one book, then switch to reading the bible, add in a rosary or chaplet, but nothing feels complete. I have tried praying the Liturgy of the Hours, but it never feels like praying. I have hope for your book!
Barbara, we address just this issue! I think you will find it helpful — please let me know!
Congratulations to you and David! This looks fantastic! We are currently going through the RCIA process and our two older children have been a bit hesitant. I have wanted some guidance on how to introduce them to more of the beauty of the church’s prayer’s besides the rosary, so what impeccable timing! Thank you for the time, effort, and thought that I am sure went into creating this book. I will be eagerly awaiting it’s release!
I ordered my copy and can’t wait until it ships. I’m really looking forward to this book. Congratulations on the finished project.
Squee! Just pre-ordered!
I’m so happy for you, and for the rest of us, that I have tears in my eyes! I already want to buy one for everyone in my family…and I’m off to pre-order with NO pennies in the book budget. God will make sure they’re there when it’s time!
Yay, yay , yay, yay!!!! Soo excited. It sounds delightful.
so excited!!! what a blessing for us all!
I am a rare commenter (though a loyal reader), but I am just so darn excited by your announcement that I had to say something! I was hoping that your earlier hints indicated something along the lines of a “blog” book, but the true project honestly sounds even better (not that I would complain if you ever did write that blog book). Thank you, Leila and Deirdre, for all of the work you put into this project. I often share your posts with my husband, so he and I are both big fans of LMLD, and also very impressed by David Clayton and his work. I have never pre-ordered a book before, but I am going to do that right now!
I’m so very happy for you! And me because I just ordered it! Really, congratulations and thank you for being so generous with your wisdom and talent.
Congratulations! It looks like an astonishingly beautiful book, and delightfully down to earth at the same time (classic ‘Leila’!). To have all of that combined in one volume, with artwork and everything for such an accessible, reasonable price = Amazing!
Hurrah! I am so excited {book pre-ordered} that I can hardly wait….
Truth be told: I think it’s a far better thing to write about the *heart and soul* of the home–{as this book will do} -and THEN the book about how to clean it all to come soon after…
Thank you to all who made this a reality!
God bless you
Wonderful! I can’t wait to read it! It sounds like just the sort of thing I’ve been looking for — without even realizing it. Congratulations on the book’s publication.
I’ve pre-ordered!! I can’t wait to hold it in my hands. You’re right though. It’s time to get going on that other book!! Such an exciting time. I love it!!
I So just died and went to heaven.
Preordered.
Preordered before I even got to the end of the post, and I’m not even Catholic (catholic/confessional Lutheran married to a Catholic; we share so much theology and tradition). Looking forward to the “other” book! Thank you for all you do for us!
This is JUST what I need. I’ve been wanting to start a women’s bible study/ book club/ social group and this book will be a great starter. I’m going to go preorder a bunch of copies!
ooooo good idea! I’ve pre-ordered three (I said I ordered two…but then I went back and bought another)- this (I have a feeling) will be a perfect book to start a women’s study at church
Just what I need. I’m preordered! I love everything from Sophia Institute Press.
So exciting! Have pre-ordered from Amazon uk.
Congratulations! I can’t wait to have it! I found it on Amazon Italia and put it on my wish list, it will go in my next Amazon order!
Congratulations! What a thrilling project! Preordering now.
This sounds amazing! Congratulations!
Congratulations! It looks like a wonderful book!
this is so exciting! I have pre-ordered two so far (Faith- if you are reading this- one is a present for you….)
What fun!! I’m not Catholic but this book will certainly have a place of honor on our coffee table. And I get bragging rights that I “know” the author!! Well done and congratulations!
I’ve joined the preorder party. I recently purchased a new icon of Our Lady for our foyer and seeing the children’s awestruck reaction meant so much. They are going to have to fight harder to keep their Faith as they grow older and I want to help them every way I can. Thanks so much for the gift of this book!
What a delight! As mothers, we’re so privileged to be able to keep company with so many small and quiet moments – this book seems such an ideal companion for along the way! I’m eager to read and enjoy!
I just emailed my husband and told him I would love to have this. I love the illustrations as well. They are lovely and simply glorious. Praise God. And Thank You.
This is all so interesting! First, congratulations – I forgot who said that writing a book is almost like having a child? Well, now you can compare the experiences :-)
I love the work of the Sophia Institute Press – I now have so many wonderful books full of the old wisdom thanks to them! I also heard Mr. Clayton speak at the Institute of Catholic Culture here in Northern Virginia – he urged everyone to sing the Liturgy of the Hours!
I must say the book cover is truly beautiful – what a great job with the fonts, colors, and art: it’s a sweet book begging to be read.
And I am eager to learn – funny how this is a topic that has been mulling in my head for a long long time… I have been collecting sacred images for a home altar, and even have in mind a spot – but I feel so awkward about it! So there is nothing formal for now, with just holy images on the walls here and there, and specific things displayed on the dining table on specific feast days.
Anyway, a good book needs a good book tour – just let us know when you’re about to visit your D.C. area daughters, and I’ll start pestering our pastor to invite you and Mr. Clayton to speak at our parish! Seriously!
Great job everyone! Thank you for sharing your wisdom with us :-)
Congratulations Leila! SO exciting!! I just pre-ordered it and truly am looking forward to reading it.
Wow! How exciting! May the Lord use this book to touch the hearts of many!
This sounds lovely! I’m so happy, we’re always trying to bring in more prayer and faith integrated into our home life. How generous to have the Icon prints we can tear out and use, that is perfect! My husband and I were just talking about how we needed to get some iconography, even just some inexpensive prints, up in our home. I am definitely pre-ordering ASAP!
Leila, I am so proud of you! We’re thrilled to order a copy for our family!
This is so great; two of my favorite blogs joining forces to create a book! I’ll mention this to my husband for my birthday.
This is amazing and I just preordered! Our newest grandson will be baptized in a month and I plan to give this to my daughter and son in law.
You and your words are true gifts!
AWE-SOME! So excited to use this book. Beautiful and practical, could it get better than that?
How very exciting!!! I pre-ordered immediately! I can’t wait to see this beautiful book! Did you know that your book is already listed as “#1 Best Seller in Ritual Religious Practices?” :)
Congratulations! What an exciting announcement-I was on tenterhooks wondering what the news would be!
I am also delighted to find the book listed on Amazon UK so I can purchase it here. It gives 25th March as the release date- what a lovely day to have the book come out, being the Annunciation.
I love the liturgy of the hours too, though I don’t say the prayers regularly. I use Universalis on my iPad for the daily readings and then link to the Navarre commentary sometimes for further reflection and thought. Often around 5pm when there’s a ‘lull’ in activities, before I prepare dinner, I feel drawn to sit quietly and reflect and ‘regroup’ before the next round of work. This is the time of vespers I believe. I love the quiet reflection of evening prayers.
So exciting!
Oh, well done Leila! It will be a favorite gift to give from now on to young housewives and mothers.
Congratulations and thank you for all your hard work to you, David and Dierdre!
Wuhoo! This is great. Congratulations on the book. I’m looking forward to reading it. I have learnt so much through this blog. All of which I hope to one day bring with me to my own future marriage, distant though that is right now.
yay! In my cart! Can’t wait for it to come. :)
I just knew you would be published. Congratulations. Not at all surprised, but immensely excited. For you and me!
Just preordered it. Can’t wait to see it! Congratulations on completing such a big project. Your blog inspires me and reassures me, so I can’t wait to read your book. Many blessings upon you and your family!
Oh Leila – how I would have loved to have a book like this when I first begain learning the faith. It sounds so wonderful – and any book focusing on prayer in this specific, imminently helpful way and using icons (!) is just wonderful. So happy for you and Deirdre and you friend David – I am on my way to pre-order right now.
Congratulations! And bless you all for this gift to the Church.
I am so thrilled! Congratulations and thank you for the bottom of my heart. I was just on David’s site yesterday rereading his post about home altars. I am rearranging some things here and needed the reminder (or maybe more like encouragement) to place our faith first. Can’t wait to read this book over and over through the years!
What good news! You have so much wisdom to share. I’m glad for this new medium.
Wow, this is so exciting! I had a feeling there was a book under wraps somewhere! And I hope you’re not joking about the next one, either. Congratulations!
How exciting! I’ve been hunting for a book to help us develop our family prayer life, and this looks like exactly the kind of thing I was hoping to find. Your blog has been such a blessing in my life and has helped and encouraged me in countless ways with my young little family. Words seem inadequate, but I’ve been wanting to thank you and your daughters for this site for a long time :) And if you ever write that blog book, I will be one of those lined up for a copy!
Congratulations!! It looks wonderful! This has been a topic I’ve really been thinking about lately, so I know I am going to enjoy your thoughts on the matter. And I love that the book itself is a thing of beauty.
I ordered one. :-)
This is so exciting!!! It sounds like a beautiful book! Can’t wait to see it. Blessings–xoxo
So looking forward to reading and implementing!
Leila, I was so excited to read this yesterday and also David’s description on his page today. I’ve not yet pre-ordered but will very soon. And I’m sure you know, but I just was looking at it and here are the rankings: #1 in Books – Religion- Ritual, #2 in Catholicism, and # 6 in Books – Christian – Christian Denominations and Sects. Wow and Congratulations and I can’t wait to read it!!!
Oh, I am so excited. Budget precludes pre-ordering, but by the time it’s out in March I hope to have the spare change to buy one for every household in my extended family.
Congratulations! I can’t wait for those coloring sheets!
I’ve been looking forward to finding out all about your secret project for so long now, and it’s so different from what I had expected! I’m so excited, and have already pre-ordered. It looks just beautiful – of course I love your writing, but David’s icons are stunning, and Deirdre’s lovely illustrations seem like they will bring the topic alive beautifully. And we finally get to see some of her artwork! Anyway, enough gushing; I just can’t wait!
I’m so excited about this, I called my husband while he was at work. ;) I can’t wait to get it! And I will be looking forward to THE book as well.
I’m so excited about this. I have ordered one, and will probably end up ordering a couple more as gifts. My husband and I are in RCIA now, and I’m so grateful for finding the Catholic Church. There is incredible beauty in the liturgy, prayers, and sacraments, and that is such a joy after a lifetime in a nonliturgical, non-sacramental church.
I’ve been using the Divine Office app on my iPad to pray during the week, but I am a paper and print person at heart, and I have been wanting to learn more so I can share with my children and grandchildren. Thank you, Leila, for writing.
I’ve read through the comments. So many non-Catholics getting this book–how fantastic that this can be a bridge! Thankful that you have used your gifts in such a beautiful way and that it is so attractive and accessible to all.
Congratulations, Aunt Leila! This is wonderful news!
I pre-ordered the book. I am really looking forward to reading it!
Thanks for writing it!
Oh my goodness, I’m thrilled! And pre-ordered:) That darned ice storm, I am just finding out about the big reveal late! What a treat! God bless!
I just found one of my Lenten books for this year. It looks and sounds incredible and I can’t wait to read it!
God Bless.
Back with a question – Is the book primarily geared towards families with children or would it be appropriate for an adult convert? (I’m thinking gift for someone coming into the Church at Easter) Thanks!
Kimberlee, the book will be fruitful for anyone at any stage of their spiritual journey. We talk about how the single person can benefit from having a little oratory in the home as well.
Mainly, the book explains how the liturgical life and the personal, interior life intersect. This is our aim. So I think that it will be helpful especially for a convert to begin to understand the relationship between church and home and heart, and how to connect them in practice.
What can I say? I think this book is good for everyone ;)
Thank you so much, Leila! Sounds like the perfect gift (and the person is an artist, too!). Can’t wait to read it!
Pre-ordered! So excited, so thankful… it’s just right. Praising God for your obedience in a sometimes scary step of faith!
OHMYGOSH!!! How on earth did I miss this post? I am so excited about your new book I can barely stand it! And once you have that “other” book written, I’ll be first in line for it!
I just pre-ordered my copy on amazon Canada! Looking forward to reading it and then passing along to all my friends.
Slightly off topic, but would I be correct in thinking that the picture of the David Clayton crucifix is from Pluscarden Abbey outside Elgin – it looks mighty familiar.
I’ve read lots of books on the living our Catholic faith and living it as a family that spans publishing dates across of nearly 200 years, but I can tell you, I am enjoying this book the most. You concisely bring together many elements of the faith in an approachable way to both understand and practice. Bravo to you. My husband will be reading this book next and all my many Godchildren can expect their parents to receive copies of this as well. Thank you!
I’ve read lots of books on the living of our Catholic faith and living it as a family. An a sundry that spans publishing dates across nearly 200 years! But I can tell you this, I am enjoying this book the most. You concisely bring together many elements of the Faith in an approachable way to both understand and practice. Bravo to you. My husband will be reading this book next and all my many Godchildren can expect their parents to receive copies of this as well. Thank you!