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The Little Oratory: A Beginner's Guide to Praying in the Home Paperback – April 25, 2014

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 183 ratings

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Includes 8 full-color icons!

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.

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Editorial Reviews

Review

"This is one of the most beautiful books I have ever seen. How I wish I 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." - Scott Hahn

"This book is a rare treasure." - Thomas Howard

"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." - Daria Sockey, author of The Everyday Catholic s Guide to the Liturgy of the Hours

"An indispensable resource for anyone seeking to make their home a breeding ground for holiness." - Andreas Widmer, author of The Pope and the CEO

"A superb guide to making that encounter of thirsts a lived experience in the home." - Christopher West

"Leila Lawler and David Clayton offer wisdom and grace to Catholics seeking to make their homes a holy shelter." - Elizabeth Foss, Founder of In the Heart of My Home

"Wonderful, inspiring, and deeply practical." - Joseph Pearce, Editor of The Saint Austin Review

"A great blessing to Catholic families." - Stratford Caldecott, an editor of Magnificat UK

"A perfect guide for any family striving to make their home a place to experience the majesty and beauty of the Divine." - Father Robert Reed, CatholicTV Network --Personal Endorsements

About the Author

David Clayton is an internationally known artist, teacher, writer and broadcaster. He serves as Artist-in-Residence at the Thomas More College of Liberal Arts. His artistic training is both in the sacred art traditions of Byzantine iconography and as a portrait painter in the style of Western classical naturalism, which he studied in Florence, Italy.

Leila M. Lawler is a wife of one, mother of seven, and grandmother of five (and counting), living in central Massachusetts. Leila practices "kitchen-sink philosophy" at Like Mother, Like Daughter, a website offering practical and theoretical insight into all aspects of daily life.

Deirdre Folley contributed the illustrations for this book from her home in the Washington, DC, metro area. Primarily instructed in art by her grandmother, Elizabeth Edwards, Deirdre also studied art under John Schmitt, son of artist Carl Schmitt, as well as at the Catholic University of America, where she majored in philosophy.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Sophia Institute Press (April 25, 2014)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 224 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1622821769
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1622821761
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 1.3 pounds
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8 x 0.67 x 9.11 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars 183 ratings

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Customer reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars
183 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book encouraging and helpful for family prayer. They appreciate the beautiful illustrations and icons throughout. The writing quality is clear, concise, and thoughtful. Many consider it a great gift for Catholic families and parents. The liturgical content is presented in an engaging and fun way that keeps readers interested.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

60 customers mention "Family prayer"60 positive0 negative

Customers find the book helpful for family prayer. It provides new ideas and motivation for future times. The appendix includes information on different devotions and how to bring an oratory into homes. Readers appreciate the practical suggestions and insights into what family life and home life can mean in the Christian life.

"...around making a prayer corner in the home and then practical ways to pray with the family, especially the Liturgy of the Hours...." Read more

"...home, I own a lot of icons and very much like the charitable and practical idea that the authors had to put some icons in there that people can..." Read more

"...and confirmation for me as a Catholic mother as well as provided new ideas and motivation to keep going with this effort even when it gets tiring or..." Read more

"...authors continue with an extensive appendix with wonderful information on different devotions and how to bring an oratory into other places, like a..." Read more

51 customers mention "Beauty"51 positive0 negative

Customers find the book has beautiful illustrations and icons. They appreciate the simple, practical advice and gentle guidance on decorating a Catholic home altar. The writing style is easy to read and allows for enjoyable reading.

"...They are beautiful and as soon as I could go to the store and pick up some frames (I found a few 3-packs of 5x7's at Target for $5) I got to work...." Read more

"...Deidre Folley's illustrations are talented and homey though, and I liked those very much, and I thought they added a wonderful touch to the book...." Read more

"...The book unabashedly promotes beauty, truth, and goodness as something we can claim in our own homes as a reflection of the Divine yet in a very..." Read more

"...The book is a treasure trove and destined to become a "Catholic classic." But it shouldn't just sit on a shelf with others, but read and used often...." Read more

24 customers mention "Writing quality"24 positive0 negative

Customers find the book well-written and informative. They appreciate the thoughtful and practical suggestions for cultivating authentic prayer practices. The writing is clear and concise, with beautiful frameable icons included. Readers say the writers understand the challenges of trying to pray at all. The information is presented well and in a practical manner, inspiring readers to create a culture of prayer.

"...There are pearls of wisdom throughout the book and I could go on and on. Including what to do with spent matches! How clever!..." Read more

"...Some of my favorite aspects of this book were the specifics...." Read more

"...This is an incredibly practical, insightful, eloquent guide to bringing the life of the Church into your home and (re)discovering a Catholic family..." Read more

"...What is especially helpful about this book is that the writers know well the real challenges of trying to pray at all, let alone well, in the midst..." Read more

9 customers mention "Gift value"9 positive0 negative

Customers find the book a great gift for Catholic families and parents. They say it's a must-have for Catholic families, a great bridal shower or wedding gift, and fills a need in Catholic culture. The book helps new Catholics pray together and celebrate the liturgical year.

"...book contains thoughtful, practical suggestions for cultivating authentic Catholic devotion within the family...." Read more

"...to all abs where we gather to pray as a family and celebrate the liturgical year and celebrations...." Read more

"...reading a familiar "voice." This book really fills a need in Catholic culture." Read more

"This book is an absolute gem! Great gift for a bridal shower or wedding." Read more

7 customers mention "Liturgical content"7 positive0 negative

Customers find the book's liturgical content engaging and thorough. They appreciate the introduction to prayer life in the home, sacred art, and liturgy. The book draws from rich Catholic tradition and offers simple, lovely ideas to make any home more holy. The art throughout inspires and offers many ways in which to create an oratory.

"...and intelligent way the relationship between the formal, liturgical action of the Church and the private, lived prayer of the family...." Read more

"...for what she's addresses here - the child's role in prayer, liturgy of the hours, sacred art and liturgy - to change the culture in the heart of the..." Read more

"...The art throughout inspires and offers so many "ways" in which to make an oratory...." Read more

"...The Little Oratory, pulling from rich Catholic tradition, tells us to start with a little "prayer corner" in the home...." Read more

5 customers mention "Enjoyment"5 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging and fun for teaching children about prayer. They find it exciting and practical, making it easy to create a sacred space. The subject is presented in an accessible way that keeps them interested.

"...emphasis on the Liturgy of the Hours which I found intriguing and exciting, giving me great hope for families and the Church as a whole...." Read more

"...and guilt, but will find the subject is presented in a joyful practical manner...." Read more

"...authors' suggestions, it becomes totally accessible and fun to put together a sacred space to gather for prayer...." Read more

"A beautiful introduction to prayer life in the home. Captivating and thorough. Go ahead and buy a copy- you won't regret it!" Read more

4 customers mention "Accessibility"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book accessible and approachable.

"...In a way that is approachable and doesn't make you feel as if you could never, ever do any of that in a million years?..." Read more

"...homes as a reflection of the Divine yet in a very practical and accessible way...." Read more

"...It is written informatively and intelligently - but is still accessible to those who might be short on sleep...." Read more

"...By following the authors' suggestions, it becomes totally accessible and fun to put together a sacred space to gather for prayer...." Read more

3 customers mention "Icon content"3 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the icon content.

"...And it comes with icons!! We have St. Michael and the Visitation on our wall." Read more

"...beautiful throughout the book and I especially loved the icons in the back of the book that can be pulled out and framed for our prayer corner." Read more

"...version as it is such a beautiful book with wonderful sketches and icons." Read more

Beautiful, Practical Book
5 out of 5 stars
Beautiful, Practical Book
I loved this book. There are 3 main things that I got out of it.First, I made my own home altar. I've attached 2 early versions of my home altar. At the time, I was renting a room in a house, so the only room I had was a bedside table. I recently moved into my own 2-bedroom condo, and now that I have more room, I built a larger, nicer home altar. But both got the job done haha.Second, I started praying the Divine Office, specifically the Ordinariate version known as the "Daily Office", which can be found at prayer.covert.org. For people unfamiliar with the Ordinariate, Pope Benedict XVI made a special section of the Catholic Church for some returning Anglicans who wanted to keep some of their traditions. The Daily Office is different in that it has fewer, longer offices (mainly Morning and Evening Prayer, with optional Midday Prayer and Compline), since it was built around a layman's schedule rather than a monk's schedule.This was a big change, since it's the 1st time I've ever consistently stuck with a daily prayer routine. I've been doing this pretty much daily since last September, I think.Third, I started emphasizing beauty in my home more. I keep things organized, I get "honest" materials (real wool, real cotton, real silver, etc. instead of polyester, acrylic, etc.), I keep fresh flowers, and I accentuate my prayer with things like art, incense, and chant. I think the beauty of these things is very powerful. It also encouraged me to donate specific things to make my church more beautiful, such as buying a traditional brass missal stand and a set of traditional Marian vestments.I think my daily life is more beautiful, peaceful, and richer after having read this book.My favorite parts of the book were the parts dealing with specifics (how to make the altar, different seasonal devotions, etc.) and the parts dealing with beauty.I have also corresponded with Mr. Clayton and he's a very nice man.I've recommended this book to 2 other people and they both really enjoyed it and found it useful. I know at least one of them made his own home altar after reading the book.
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Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on May 19, 2014
    I have long since been a fan of Auntie Leila and her blog Like Mother, Like Daughter. As a convert and an only child, I often find lost navigating the waters of largish (by today's standards, but really smallish) family life and trying to "build the culture" as Auntie Leila calls it. So often I feel as if I am reinventing the wheel. And that's where Like Mother, Like Daughter comes in. I have found encouragement AND practical help there. Where else can you read about Taking a Shower, Menu Planning and Grocery Shopping, Laundry 101 (and 202), Homeschooling, Child Discipline, Thrifting, and Crafting all in one place? In a way that is approachable and doesn't make you feel as if you could never, ever do any of that in a million years? I know of only one place.

    So imagine how thrilled I was when I heard that Auntie Leila had written a book? On prayer? In the home? Of course I pre-ordered it as soon as I could and the day I received it in the mail turned out to be a pretty awesome day.

    Just as I suspected the book is just like having Leila here to chat with. Now I don't have to stalk her blog waiting for a new post! I can just open the book! (That doesn't mean I'm not still stalking the blog, or going back and reading the archives, I totally am). I'm not even all the way through the book, but I have read enough to know that this book is a treasure. The Little Oratory is centered around making a prayer corner in the home and then practical ways to pray with the family, especially the Liturgy of the Hours. But, true to Auntie Leila's style, it is really so much more. There is a little section about stain removal (for the cloth for the prayer table of course) that I am going to copy and hang in my laundry room for reference. There are pearls of wisdom throughout the book and I could go on and on. Including what to do with spent matches! How clever!

    The Little Oratory was co-written by David Clayton and it includes icons he created that you can pull out and frame for your prayer table. They are beautiful and as soon as I could go to the store and pick up some frames (I found a few 3-packs of 5x7's at Target for $5) I got to work. I hung two of the icons at the foot of our bed (we already had a little shelf and crucifix up), and I love how finished they seem to make this spot.

    We already had a little "altar" of sorts set up in our front room, but after reading all the possibilities and ideas, I realized that I really could do better than that. With just a little thought, I moved a few tables around and voila we have a beautiful and functional prayer table.

    And there you have it. If you haven't picked up your own copy of The Little Oratory, maybe because...well, I can't think of a reason why you wouldn't have it! But if you don't have one, I can only tell you that this book is one that should be on every Catholic family's book shelf.
    8 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on May 14, 2014
    My disclaimer: I am not Catholic. I am a currently convert Orthodox Christian, from a formerly charismatic/pentecostal Christian background of faith.

    With that out of the way--

    I liked this book. I do not like the icons in the back, which saddens me a bit as Mr. Clayton seems a lovely man in all other respects, but I personally do not like that art. For icons, I prefer things like the Theotokos of Vladmir or the Jesus icon from St. Catherine's Monastery. Deidre Folley's illustrations are talented and homey though, and I liked those very much, and I thought they added a wonderful touch to the book. Further, even though I personally do not like the icons in the back for my own home, I own a lot of icons and very much like the charitable and practical idea that the authors had to put some icons in there that people can immediately use to get started on their own in-home practice. After all, as they say, there is no accounting for taste, and I am sure there will be many who will love those icons. Perhaps I am not a fan of the more Catholic/Western style of icon?

    I bought this book for two main reasons: 1) I read "Like Mother, Like Daughter" which is the blog Mrs. Fowler refers to and I pretty much want Leila to be MY Auntie Leila. :) 2) I am a sucker for any book that might help me implement the beauty of prayer and the liturgy in my own home with my own family.

    Some of my favorite aspects of this book were the specifics. They go through considerations that my husband would find tiresome, but that I always like in these matters. What sorts of fabric? Where to get it? etc. Far from being too strict or fussy in attention to detail, the book seeks to calm the reader's anxieties and questions and to eliminate aspects of practicality that could keep one from implementing these ideas. These are areas the book really shines, but then I also liked the "theory" parts as well! I greatly benefited from the discussion in the book about seven as the number of completion, eight the number of the new covenant, etc. The thought about time and how it is marked was one that I am still mulling over in my spiritual thoughts.

    As a non-Catholic, but as an Orthodox Christian, I found it refreshing how that there was not any hint of animosity toward other groups, like Orthodox or Protestants, even though this seems to be a book focused on a largely Catholic audience. The acknowledgment of different iconographic styles and preferences, and the mention of the Jesus Prayer was something I appreciated. There is a lot that carries back and forth between the two traditions, and I found I could make helpful connections with my own faith by translating some of this into Orthodoxy.

    Again, as a non-Catholic, I learned a lot about some basic Catholic practices such as saying the rosary, which I found very interesting to get a good explanation of this. In my hometown, there were not many Catholics, and the ones who were, I found did not know a lot about such things and did not practice them at home.

    I liked this book a lot. If you are looking for a book that will help you to continue your life as a Christian into your home, this is an excellent addition to your library. I would go get your own icons, but otherwise, I loved this book.
    36 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Emily
    5.0 out of 5 stars beautiful book, well priced!
    Reviewed in Italy on February 20, 2016
    I am a LMLD blog reader, and this book is a more concentrated resource along the same lines. In addition to the wonderfully practical advice, it has lovely drawings and icons to remove and frame. Very inspirational!
  • Ellie Fitzpatrick
    5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful!
    Reviewed in Canada on June 2, 2014
    I was so happy to receive this books. It is filled with great information and the icons in the back are beautiful.
  • Mrs. Margerat Thom
    5.0 out of 5 stars excellent book for any young catholic family trying to build ...
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on August 29, 2014
    excellent book for any young catholic family trying to build the culture of catholic family life. fantastic value. very informative.
  • Rosemary Swords
    4.0 out of 5 stars though the content is good.
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on March 4, 2017
    Could have been said more quickly and more simply, though the content is good.