Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings From the Northumbria Community

The Ancient Paths of Northumbria in northeastern England have been trod by generations of men and women who loved God and followed Jesus bringing faith hope and love to vast numbers of people. Today the Northumbria Community remains a living expression of this monastic contemplative stream of the faith and the perennial need to make that faith relevant to the world. Celtic Daily Prayer is the fruit of the spiritual life of a remarkable community. Its liturgies prayers and meditations are drawn from a deep well of spiritual experience that transcends fashion culture and denomination. Blending prayer and praise and building upon the ancient wisdom of traditional Celtic Christianity this prayer book is extraordinarily fresh. At the heart of the life of the Northumbria Community as well as this book lies the Daily Office — morning noon and evening prayers and a monthly cycle of meditations for individual or communal use each day. With words drawn from sources such as St. Patricks Breastplate Teresas Bookmark Columbas Blessing and the Psalms this cycle of daily prayers reflects the essential rhythms of life. With liturgies for communion and other special occasions as well as daffy readings this prayer book contains two complete years of scripture readings and a calendar of saints days and festivals. The Jewish tradition of family Shabbat adapted with prayers from the Celtic tradition also finds its place in this book. A section on rites of passage suggests prayers and rituals for the pivotal times of life: birth rebirth marriage midlife and bereavement as well as blessings and graces for all occasions. This traditionally grounded yet surprisingly modem prayer book will enrich the spiritual life of readers for years to come.