Celtic Daily Prayer: Prayers and Readings from the Northumbria Community

Christian Century, April 24, 2002 by Richard A. Kauffman

By the Northumbria community, with an introduction by Richard J. Foster. HarperSanFrancisco, 827 pp., $29.95.

Northumbria is a place (in northern England near the island of Lindisfarne, which is considered holy in the Celtic tradition), a community (a group of people living at Northumbria who are committed to the practice of Christian contemplation) and a network (dispersed persons and groups throughout the world who share the Northumbria commitment to practicing the divine office or liturgy of hours each day). This book represents the rich heritage of this Celtic community: it is a collection of liturgies, prayers and meditations which can be used morning, mid-day and evening. In addition, there are liturgical resources which can be used by individuals or groups throughout the Christian year (for instance, a covenant service for the New Year and an Easter vigil). Although it draws from a wide range of sources, including the Jewish Shabbat heritage, Celtic Christian sources, both old and new, are prominent. There are two-year's worth of daily readings, which include suggested scripture readings and meditations. With this guide you need not go to a monastery to develop a rich daily practice of "praying without ceasing." (For more information about the Northumbria community's commitment to prayer see www.northumbriacommunity.org.)

--R. A. K.