Leather Books

This new missal published in 2008 is very high quality and should last a long time. It's list of moveable feasts goes out about 60 years, which is about how long I hope to have it. It includes Pope Benedict's motu propio, which is nice. So far, I've most enjoyed its collection of traditional Catholic prayers and devotions.

Having owned the previous edition, I bought the revised edition just after it came out recently, and certainly its been improved since the last edition. From the aesthetics point of view, the size is larger, but the book is now actually thinner, making it easier to handle and the corners are rounded.
Now there is the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum at the beginning aswell. It really is nice to see that the Missal is being updated with such important documents and the Imprimatur has been renewed.

This is a treasury of wisdom for life & career. Most S cripture quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Bible.

I received this as a graduation gift in 1992. I treasure it and have given copies twice as a gifts. I use it to quickly find scriptures to share with others, share words of inspiration at meetings, and to find encouragement...I rarely travel without it. You don't even have to be a Christian to enjoy the messages cantained within....I love it, love it, LOVE IT!

With such an amazing perception of human nature (complete with lumps and hard angles we all have but many authors ignore) George makes the characters live outside of the paper it is written on. There are times when you wish to reach through the pages of the novel and shake Hugh and yell "Don't you see? Watch out for the..." Of course you feel silly talking to the book but great ones will do that to a person, and assuredly, this is a great book. Full of truth (from one who was close to it) and unique and subtle twists, George touches on so many subjects and thoughts that the Victorian era seems alive to the modern reader. Keep a notepad handy to record all the wonderfully concise quotes in this gem.

David Elginbrod is a remarkable work in that it embodies the finest elements of style, characterization, plot and subplot development, and, of course, content or worth. Without appropriate content a book is a virtual wasteland after which the disillusioned reader feels as though he has sojourned in the desert, and, having encountered numerous mirages that promised but failed to provide relief, finds himself parched in spirit and soul with no oasis in sight.

This book will elicit the full gamut of emotions as well as provide a welcome array of spiritual and intellectual stimuli. The main character, Hugh Sutherland, is introduced as a congenial young man who wishes no more than to make his way in the world. After the death of his father he is forced by financial constraints to seek employment in order to complete his education. This employment is, of course, as a tutor on a small Scottish estate where he encounters the estate foreman or steward, David Elginbrod and his daughter, Margaret or Maggie.

Sutherland finds the Elginbrod family, although Christian in word and deed, to his liking when compared with the severe and mean manner of his employer. As a result, he finds himself at the Elginbrod cottage whenever time will permit, and begins tutoring both father and daughter. Although Hugh believes himself to be the educator, he will learn as he matures and discovers the various trials and tribulations that lie in his path that it was David, not he, who was, in fact, the real tutor.

MacDonald has excelled in the characters of David and Margaret Elginbrod, while providing a practical application of their teachings in the lives of Hugh Sutherland and those with whom he comes in contact.

Not only an exceptional spiritual work, David Elginbrod weaves a tale of ghosts, mysticism, the supernatural, and love in such a manner as to be both educational, spiritually-uplifting, and spellbinding. My sole regret was when I encountered the final page. I was prepared to begin anew.

I invite you to join Hugh Sutherland as he learns that it is not position, education, prominence, or power that makes a man, but the willingness to serve, with joy and humility, his fellowman thereby doing his Father's will.

My book is 9.5"h x 6-3/8"w x 1-7/8"d and this cover fits great. It looks to be extremely well made and it is very elegant.

The horizontal seam you see on the picture is actually a nice pocket for storing things. On the back there is a nice zippered pocket. There are two spots inside to store a pencil/pen -- one near the front cover and one near the back cover. The zipper that goes around the cover to close it up is well-made.

Good value for the money. It is a substantial cover. I'm impressed with it.

built remarkably...emaculate stitching compared to others in this price range ($19)
very sturdy, and i expect it to last a long while.
even more attractive in person.
the only improvement i'd make is adding a handle to the spine.
Great Buy! I'd recommend this one over the Marshall one.
Watch the dimensions though, be sure to add an inch or so to your bible measurements. This one is ideal for the large parallel bibles, or the archeological study bibles, etc.

This book is a treasure. The full title is "Divine Intimacy: meditations on the interior life for every day of the liturgical year" and the author is Fr. Gabriel of St. Mary Magdalen, O.C.D., an Italian Carmelite priest. This version corresponds to the traditional Mass and was written in the early 50s. Apparently there's a newer version which corresponds to the New Mass, also available from Amazon.com, although I'm not familiar with this revision.

For those who are serious about really getting to know God (and I don't mean in a purely intellectual sense) this is the book for you. As the title says, there are meditations for every day of the liturgical year. The first part deals with the Temporal cycle and the second part has the major feasts and holy days (e.g., the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, the Sacred Heart, etc.)

The real genius of this book is the way the author penetrates to the heart of each Sunday and feast day using quotations from the popes, doctors of the Church, saints and blesseds. The author being a Carmelite, he definitely favors the saints of that order, like St. Theresa of Jesus, St. John of the Cross, St. Thérèse of the Infant Jesus and the Holy Face, etc., but there are many wonderful quotes from other giants like St. Augustine of Hippo, St. Francis of Assisi, St. Catherine of Siena, the Curé of Ars and many more.

Each day's reading begins with a one sentence prayer under the heading "Presence of God", which is designed, as it suggests, to bring your mind and heart into the presence of the One with Whom you are about to commune. Next is the "Meditation" section, which is divided into two parts. The meditations for the Sundays and Holy Days are based on the readings from the Liturgy of that day. The Meditations throughout the week usually continue the theme of the Sunday and/or the particular liturgical season (Advent, Lent, Pascaltide, etc.)

As you go through the book, the author guides you one by one to the consideration of the Virtues, the Gifts of the Holy Spirit, etc. and gives you reflections which lead you to make a greater and more detailed examination of conscience. Don't lose heart! It can be daunting when you first start using this book. You are tempted to give up, thinking that there is no way you could measure up to the standards so beautifully expressed by the author and the spiritual masters he quotes. It's essential to remember that the author is outlining and bringing into ever sharper focus the goal, which ultimately, is Jesus Christ. Saints are not made in a day! Persevere, as the author continually reminds us, and the reward will be great. Finally, at the end of each entry is a "colloquy" or prayer, which is almost entirely made up of prayers of one or more of the saints whose writings were quoted in the meditation. These are often astonishing in their beauty and depth.

Another great thing about this book is that it avoids the excessive negativity of some books of meditation. Although stern reminders and warnings are not absent, and are very helpful, the emphasis here is on the love of the Holy Trinity and preparing ourselves to spend Eternity with Him by coming as close to Him as we can here below, recognizing our own radical insufficiency and relying entirely on His Mercy, Grace and Love to draw us up to Him.

It's important to remember that these readings should not take the place of meditation or prayer but should be used as a springboard for it. It may even be beneficial to contemplate part one in the morning and part two in the evening. Nevertheless, if you find you don't have time, at least continue to read the entries (often we think that but when we look at what we do, we realize we clutter our days with things far less important). It's always possible to come back in your mind to these reflections throughout the day - on a break, on the way to or from work, whenever. Ideally we should devote some time each day (at least 15 mins.) to reflection where there as few outside distractions as possible but it's still better to have several brief moments of contemplation than nothing at all. Don't allow your perfectionism to get in the way. Thinking about and conversing with God is the main thing and this can and should be done many times throughout the day, even if you can't spend 30 minutes or an hour continuously, although this would of course be the ideal.

After each quotation, the author and source are given in abbreviated form. There's a key at the front to tell you what the abbreviations stand for. For example it might say "TCJ, St 6" which means Thérèse of the Child Jesus, Story of a Soul, chapter 6. You will frequently find yourself wanting more and this is a good way to find excellent books for your spiritual reading.

In short I can't recommend this book highly enough! If you're serious about improving your interior life and walk with Our Lord, you could not do much better than to start here.

For those who want to compliment their interior and prayer life with spiritual reflections that incorporate both the ancient teachings of the Church, especially Thomism, and the modern mysticism of the Carmelite theology will find this tome a treasure for daily use before, after, or during Mass, the Divine Office, and/or other spiritual activities. I've used the two-part reading and prayerful meditation assigned for each day with the Liturgy of the Hours to great avail. Even though some of the reflections and meditations no longer correspond to the scriptural readings assigned by Lectionary after Vatican II (this applies only to Sunday lections), the reflections are wholly self-contained and no less relevant. This book would be an excellent addition to any Christian desiring to deepen one's faith and pair it with the works of faith.

It sometimes is not easy to begin on your own, so this book will be an ideal way to help you to start.
The readings can also offer a wonderful beginning to prayer and contemplation.
Once you get into using this aid on a daily basis, you will realize that this is the book you have been looking for.
The right gift for priests and religious, but for all a superb assistance for those wanting to get closer to God. If you are serious about your spiritual life and want to walk in the path of the Saints, this is a divine gift.

I bought this book last year and have grown so attached to its depth of wisdom and spiritual insight that, when I finish it at the end of the month, I will start all over and read it again. My prayer time is not complete without it, as this masterful book always speaks to my heart, as well as my head. If you a serious student of the "science of love" and appreciate the great Carmelite saints St. John of the Cross and St. Teresa of Avila, as well as St. Theresa and many others, I believe you will hold this book as dear as I do.

In addition, at the end of each day's one or two-page teaching (which follows the Church year, although one can pick it up at any time and find it edifying), there are two prayers and/or reflections, either taken directly from one of the great Carmelite saints, and/or from the author of this book, himself a Carmelite priest and teacher of the highest insight and caliber.

I originally purchased this book at a Carmelite Retreat House and, at what comes to about $.15 a day for the first year of use (assuming the book costs about $52.00), it's without a doubt one of the wisest purchases I have made.

In fact, I am ordering this spiritual classic for others for Christmas.

I bought this book in order to fill in gaps that are in the Bible. Of course, these visions are not compulsory to believe, but they do give us a possible insight into the sufferings of Jesus undertook to save us. Included are the Agony in the Garden, His Arrest, the Scourging and crowning of thorns, the trial by Pilate, the Carrying of the Cross, the Crucifixion and the Dying on the Cross and the Resurrection.
This edition is a great addition to my library and I use it when meditating on the sufferings of Jesus.

Sister Anne Catherine Emmerich (1774-1824) was a mystic, an ecstatic, and a lot more. "The Dolorous Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ" was written with the help of a poet. If you have never heard of this book, then know that sister Emmerich had visions, stigmas, and other supernatural gifts. She was given the ability to see the past, and, for this book, the Passion of Christ, as well as other related events. While this may seem highly dubious to many, even the CIA and others have used psychics and mediums to "see" in the past, and that with faultless result. It is not the place here to argue in favour of these things, however.

Mel Gibson used this book for his famous movie, and reading it, you understand why. The book is surprisingly full of details and things that were afterwards confirmed by scientists and historians. I don't know which things exactly as I haven't done research on that, but there is so much in the book that could be confirmed/proved wrong that were a historian to work on the book, he'd find a lot of material.

The Gospels don't contain very much about the Passion, by which I mean that details aren't given and that they're all fairly concise about this episode. With Emmerich's account of the Passion, you can flesh it out with this stupendous writings. Reading this, you will have a fresher, and certainly more accurate (in that it's much richer), sense of the ordeal that the Passion was.

I strongly recommend it to anyone who is interested in the Passion, and to any Christian who'd like to know more about his Saviour's sufferings. The book is absolutely splendid, with a hardcover with beautiful leather, a ribbon to mark your page, etc. This is to be expected with Baronius, and I wasn't disappointed.

There are a few typos throughout the book, but that shall be corrected in the next editions, so no big deal.

Definitely one of the most fascinating books I read regarding the Passion. The book itself is worthy of extended study, for it is seriously impressive and a good case for supernatural matters, and the subject of it is equally significant, especially if you're a Christian yourself.

Hi,
This is a great literal catholic translation of the bible. It is leather bound and has some excellent maps on the back to help with visualization of locations. Baronius Press did a great job.

The bible itself is writtent in 19th century english so be ready for some differences from modern english especially in spelling (example: Shew, Shewing, Shewed = Show, Showing, Showed), no paragraphs arrangement, and at time the verbs and nouns are reversed (example: Said he = He said.)

I own a New American Bible (NAB) and Revised Standard Version CE (RSV CE) and this bible is the one that is most literal. You will not only understand what our Lord said but HOW he said it as well. When the Lord Jesus is trying to emphasize his teaching (Example: Douay Rheim "Amen, amen I say to thee", RSV CE "Truly, truly I say to you", and NAB ("I solemly assure you.") In the Douay Rheim we see that the Lord is using repetition to emphasize what he is saying and this is seen in the DR Bible and RSV CE but not the NAB. Also, the actual words used by our Lord "Amen, amen = "So be it, so be it" are only in the Douay Rheim Bible.

So if you want to learn not just what was said but how it was said buy a Douay Rheim bible. It does the best job of showing this.


God Bless,
Ernie

This edition of the Bible is one of my favorites. Such a beautiful Text. It is very different to other bibles, and I think it makes things a lot more clearer.
The Bible has been redone from a late 19th century printing. Same pagination, but the type is so clear & crisp. Good quality paper, that you aren't reading both sides of the paper at once, because somebody tried to save money on paper.
A point to bear in mind is that in this edition, the text size is a bit on the small size - fine if your eyesight is ok, but if not, you'll need the larger edition. I use this one to carry around, and the larger one for use at home.

This really is one of the best Bibles available. It is beautifully bound which for the cost is extraordinary.

It does not have anything like the rosary, or other "specials". What it does have, is 3 different papal encyclicals on the Scriptures. These give a fantastic explanation of the inspiration of Scripture and why we should be reading & believing Scripture that I have ever had.
There are a number of art prints in the center in the style of old family Bibles.
I can't say enough good about this Bible. The main thing that I see in it, that is different from other Douays, (in addition to the above) is that the quality is much better. They have used the best of everything, to make this an heirloom quality edition.
There are many points which can be illuminated by reading this Bible. One example which I found interesting is that the garden of eden (which isn't even called that in this translation, Eden the word is translated in this version to "paradise") is mentioned to have been the area between Ethiopia and Mesopotamia rather than just the later. This is very interesting as this really eradicates the conflict between the bible and the current evidence we have of the earliest existing human beings which were possibly African. If the gestation period for the human race was this expansive fruitful area, Moses knew that the first human beings were African in origin. How did he know this?
That cannot be explained by science how he knew this information. This is a beautiful, stunning bible, which sheds light on the beautiful stunning bible it is a perfect translation of (the Latin Vulgate).

At the outset one must protest that this review does not set out to consider the contents of the Holy Bible (!) but simply this edition of it. And an impressive edition it is indeed -- newly and clearly typeset, freshly drawn maps, bound in real leather, gilt edged with silk marker ribbons, and including the three great encyclical letters on Sacred Scripture by Popes Leo XIII, Benedict XV and Pius XII, etc., rendering it most probably the best edition of the Douay Rhiems to appear in modern times.

But why, in an age marked by numerous modern translations drawing on recent scripture scholarship, publish a new edition of the Douay Rheims translation? Perhaps it is because of the particular affection with which its expressions are held by Catholics, originating as they did, in the centuries of Catholic Recusancy. Or perhaps it is because many are simply not satisfied by popular modern translations, no matter how justifiable their rendition, and seek a more sacral English version. Whatever the reason, those who own this edition of the Holy Bible shall possess a worthy and beautiful edition of a venerable Catholic translation of Sacred Scripture.

Loreto's version of the authoritative Douay-Rheims Bible is both well designed and affordable. Compared to Baronius Press version it is less ornate and more down-to-earth (black and white maps as opposed to colored maps, only one encyclical letter as opposed to several, plain edges as opposed to gilt edges). The paper used is strong though not clumsy, very suitable for the size. In other words, it contains all the essentials while costs less. Though in terms of typesetting the Baronius version may be more crisp and clean and more modern. A very durable edition and definitely worth what it costs.

The print is perfect, the pages are perfect, the binding is perfect and the cover is perfect, what else can i say. Lovers of the "old version" will find this volume a joy to read just as i have.