Editions of the Little office of the Blessed Virgin Mary

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Does anyone have any comments or opinions on the different editions? Baronius Press, st. Bonaventure press and catholic book publishing are some of the ones I’ve come across on the internet and was wondering what the differences are and if any are not considered valid. 🤷

There was a thread on here a while ago that I can’t find where a number of posters were very critical of one of the editions, but I don’t remember which one.

Thanks in advance for any help.

-AJ
 
I own both Baronius Press and Catholic Book Publishing versions.

The Baronius Press version is beautifully produced and even has chant notation if you are into it and has Latin and English side by side. It is the older version and more liturgically complex as compared to the newer Catholic Book Publishing version. It has propers for Advent and Christmas. There are various instructions for when to say Alleluia, when to recite the Te Deum and such things throughout the liturgical seasons of the year (Paschal time, Christmastide, etc.). It uses the idea of nocturnes; variation of the content depending on the day of the week similar to the rosary.

My own opinion is the different variations in how/when to recite the prayers combined with the archaic language make it very tedious. I prayed Lauds for six months straight and was the complexity simply annoyed me. I spent most of my time concentrating on the language instead of actually praying. Someone who wants Gregorian Chant, Latin or has to have the older version should really enjoy it. I didn’t and it has sat unused for a long time. Send me a PM. I might be interested in selling it. It is blessed.

The Catholic Book Publishing version is much simpler and in modern English. The presentation is not as nice and it has no chant or Latin. It is just a simple weekly rotation. You will pray the same thing week after week. I found that I was actually praying this instead of struggling through the language and complexity as I was with the Baronius version. If you are new to praying any type of liturgical prayer like the Little Office or the Divine Office then the Catholic Book Publishing version is a great way to get into it, a great way to develop the daily rhythm.

Unfortunately, I left my Catholic Book Publishing version in the adoration chapel but I do have the Baronius Press version with me. A few pictures are below. I have added two additional ribbons.



http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office2.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office3.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office4.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office5.JPG

-Tim-
 
I own the one from Baronius Press too, its wonderful! If your going to buy one, go with the one from Baronius press, when prayed( in Latin) its actually liturgical, the other ‘offices’ are just devotional, (and another plus, the copy of the Little Office from Baronius press has a article that discusses the importance of liturgical prayer). I find praying in Latin helps me to contemplate well I pray, it gives a sense of the sacred. This site has Prime and Compline audio online. God bless!

boston-catholic-journal.com/little-office-of-the-blessed-virgin-mary.htm
 
I have the Catholic Book Publishing edition. It is a weekly rotation, has morning and evening prayers for 7 days, then repeats. It also has the Liturgical hours prayers, which are generally shorter and some additional prayers and some lessons from the ancient Fathers. I find it easy to follow, and am able to concentrate on the prayers. I often alternate it with the Marian Prayers Book, which I have used for about 17 years, and find most helpful. I also have two small Catholic Prayer Books, vinyl covered, not paperback, and like to use them in specific circumstances, or when I need a prayer for a particular occasion. The Little Office of the Virgin Mary can be combined with the Rosary for an excellent means of daily prayers, and is very rich in meditation for me. Good luck in getting a copy. Mine is a vinyl covered edition which I got from Barnes & Noble Co., and I believe both the Catholic Book Store and Amazon have them as well. I carry mine with me to Mass sometimes when I go early, and use it for meditation and prayer for a half hour before people begin coming in to get ready for Mass. I’m very pleased with this edition of the Little Office of the Blessed Virgin.
 
TimothyH said:
I own both Baronius Press and Catholic Book Publishing versions.

The Baronius Press version is beautifully produced and even has chant notation if you are into it and has Latin and English side by side. It is the older version and more liturgically complex as compared to the newer Catholic Book Publishing version. It has propers for Advent and Christmas. There are various instructions for when to say Alleluia, when to recite the Te Deum and such things throughout the liturgical seasons of the year (Paschal time, Christmastide, etc.). It uses the idea of nocturnes; variation of the content depending on the day of the week similar to the rosary.

My own opinion is the different variations in how/when to recite the prayers combined with the archaic language make it very tedious. I prayed Lauds for six months straight and was the complexity simply annoyed me. I spent most of my time concentrating on the language instead of actually praying. Someone who wants Gregorian Chant, Latin or has to have the older version should really enjoy it. I didn’t and it has sat unused for a long time. Send me a PM.** I might be interested in selling it. It is blessed.**

The Catholic Book Publishing version is much simpler and in modern English. The presentation is not as nice and it has no chant or Latin. It is just a simple weekly rotation. You will pray the same thing week after week. I found that I was actually praying this instead of struggling through the language and complexity as I was with the Baronius version. If you are new to praying any type of liturgical prayer like the Little Office or the Divine Office then the Catholic Book Publishing version is a great way to get into it, a great way to develop the daily rhythm.

Unfortunately, I left my Catholic Book Publishing version in the adoration chapel but I do have the Baronius Press version with me. A few pictures are below. I have added two additional ribbons.

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office1.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office2.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office3.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office4.JPG

http://timhollingworth.webs.com/img/Little.office5.JPG

-Tim-
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I thought blessed items could not be sold…
 
CountrySteve said:
when prayed( in Latin) its actually liturgical, the other ‘offices’ are just devotional,l]
Click to expand...
Why is the Catholic Book Publishing edition not liturgical? The praying of official Breviary’s (LOTH, Roman Breviary, ect.) is considered liturgical prayer.
 
Both the Baronius Press and Catholic Book Publishing Company editions are liturgical. The contain morning and evening prayers, aniphons, psalmody, responsorials, final blessing, etc.

All approved versions of the Little Office are part of the official public prayer of the Church. The Liturgy of the Hours more fully enters into the public prayer of the Church than does the Little Office. The Little Office is a great way to start.

The Baronius Press version is according to the 1961 Breviary. It is complex.I recommend it for those who want Latin or chant, or those who insist on the 1961 Breviary. I do not recommend it for beginners. The language was distracting to me, as were all of the daily variations. In many ways it was more complex than the current version of Christian Prayer.

-Tim-
 
I’ve got both the Baronius and the Catholic Book Publishing versions. I have to say that CBP is easier to use.

The Baronius is fascinating, and if I had access to an instructor in Gregorian chant, I wouldn’t hesitate to use it. But it is VERY complex, and can be frustrating.
 
I own 3 copies of the LOBVM. My favorite is from St. Bonaventure Press. Its the 1904 edition (actually I bought 2 copies of this edition). I also purchased, from the FSSP Bookstore the Baronius press edition. I could not resist buying a reprint of the Carmel Press edition of the 1914 LOBVM.

The Latin in all three (4) copies are identical; the English translations vary quite a bit.
As said before, my favorite is the St. Bonaventure Press edition.
 
AJB328 said:
There was a thread on here a while ago that I can’t find where a number of posters were very critical of one of the editions, but I don’t remember which one.
Click to expand...
I remember the thread. They were critical of the Baronius Press 2008 edition. (Wouldn’t you know it, it’s the edition I own. 😦 ) Either the Latin is bad, or the translation is bad. I can’t remember which one or if it was both.
 
Thanks for all the replies. I actually own (or used to own) the Baronius Press version. I bought it in preparation for being enrolled in the Brown Scapular, but the priest who enrolled me told me it would take a while to learn and that saying a Rosary would be an acceptable alternative.

2 years later my interest has been re-piqued, only now I can’t find my copy.

The 2008 edition sounds familiar as the one people had problems with. I wish I could remember what year mine was.

-AJ
 
alwayslooking said:
Why is the Catholic Book Publishing edition not liturgical? The praying of official Breviary’s (LOTH, Roman Breviary, ect.) is considered liturgical prayer.
Click to expand...
Because its not approved for liturgical use, its extracts from the Commons of Our Lady from the Liturgy of the Hours (as is the one from baronius press too, but its approved for liturgical use) If I’m wrong, someone please correct me, God bless!
 
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