A Short Guide to Praying as a Family: Growing Together in Faith and Love Each Day
By the Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia (The Nashville Dominicans) · Published by TAN Books
Overview
The modern world is filled with endless noise, chaotic schedules, and digital distractions that quietly pull families apart. In the midst of this busyness, Catholic parents face their greatest and most daunting responsibility: fulfilling their vow to raise their children in the Faith and building a "domestic church." But how do you establish a consistent, meaningful prayer life when your days are already overflowing? Where do you even begin with toddlers, distracted children, or busy teenagers?
A Short Guide to Praying as a Family is the ultimate, highly accessible lifeline for parents striving to anchor their home in Christ. Crafted by the acclaimed Dominican Sisters of Saint Cecilia (famously known as the Nashville Dominicans), this practical, beautifully illustrated handbook takes the guesswork out of family devotion. Written with the gentle wisdom of experienced educators and religious sisters, this book provides realistic, step-by-step strategies to introduce traditional Catholic prayers, scripture meditation, and liturgical devotions into your daily routine. Rather than demanding hours of silent contemplation, it meets your family exactly where you are, showing you how even a few minutes of focused, shared prayer can radically transform your home into a sanctuary of deep peace, mutual love, and lasting faith.
- Practical Blueprint for Busy Homes: Discover flexible, realistic prayer rhythms that easily fit into morning routines, meal times, car rides, and evening bedtimes.
- Expert Spiritual Guidance: Benefit from the pedagogical and spiritual mastery of the Nashville Dominican Sisters, who have spent generations teaching and forming Catholic youth.
- Engage Children of All Ages: Learn how to introduce everything from basic vocal prayers to the Holy Rosary, Lectio Divina, and the Examen in ways that captivate toddlers and challenge teenagers.
- Unshakeable Family Unity: Cultivate a household culture where children learn that God is a loving, central participant in their daily triumphs, struggles, and relationships.
What Makes This Family Guide Unique:
- Visually Stunning Layout: Filled with rich, classic Catholic imagery and clear typography that makes reading together an inviting, sensory experience.
- Step-by-Step Explanations: Breaks down the "why" and "how" behind traditional Catholic devotions so parents can confidently lead and answer their children’s questions.
- Liturgical Year Integration: Includes beautiful ideas to celebrate feast days, Advent, Lent, and the natural seasons of the Church within your home.
Intended Audience
This guide is an essential addition to the bookshelf of any Catholic parent, grandparent, or godparent seeking to pass on the treasure of the Faith. It is a phenomenal tool for newly married couples looking to build holy habits early, homeschool families integrating prayer into their curriculum, and parishes searching for the perfect baptismal, first communion, or wedding gift for young families.
FAQs
My children are very young and can't sit still. Will this book still help me?
Absolutely. The Sisters specifically address the realities of small children. The book provides short, engaging, and kinetic prayer practices that help little ones participate without forcing them into unrealistic expectations of silent meditation.
Is this book just a collection of standard prayers?
No. While it includes the text of traditional Catholic prayers for easy reference, its primary purpose is to serve as a guide. It teaches you how to structure prayer time, how to read Scripture together as a family, and how to foster authentic conversation with God.
Can this be used by single parents or families where only one parent is practicing?
Yes, seamlessly. The guide is incredibly encouraging and adaptable, allowing a single leader or parent to initiate small, beautiful habits of prayer that will deeply impact the hearts of the children, regardless of the family structure.
Key Themes
- The Domestic Church: Transforming the family home into the primary place where holiness is learned and lived.
- Liturgical Living: Syncing your household schedule with the beautiful, ancient rhythms of the Catholic Church calendar.
- Generational Faith: Creating joyful, unforced memories of family prayer that children will carry into their own future adult lives.
- Photographer:
- Fr. Lawrence Lew, , O.P.
- Pages:
- 176
- Imprint:
- Saint Benedict Press
- Publication Date:
- 3/1/2015
- Product Format:
- Paperbound
- Height:
- 8.25
- Width:
- 8.25
1 Review
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Excellent gift for Catholic families especially those that are new to the Church
Praying As A Family is an easy to read book with pictures of many beautiful Catholic works of art. …
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