Earlier this year, I spent many weeks carefully reading The Little Oratory by David Clayton and Leila Lawler, and I promised that I would write an actual review when I finished. I find that those things most important to me, or that have the greatest impact, are the hardest to write about. The last few months have been an absolute blur, and I didn’t want to do a haphazard job of sharing my thoughts about The Little Oratory. Over the course of these months I did, however, take lots of pictures of our own little prayer table as we created it, as you can see!
I’ve long been a fan of Leila’s, having gotten to know her through her must-read blog, Like Mother, Like Daughter. The thought of an entire book written by Leila almost seemed too good to be true. But in fact, that wasn’t the case. It really is that good. As far as books written to encourage and instruct go, I find that they are often overwhelming. Rather than being encouraged, I find myself discouraged, knowing that there is no way that I will be able to make the author’s suggestions come to life in my very busy household. But Leila obviously understands that well, having raised her own large family. Reading The Little Oratory didn’t overwhelm me, it didn’t make me feel inadequate. I also didn’t walk away feeling like I needed to start a dozen new things. The simple act of creating a designated space in our home that focuses on our faith was very attainable for me.
In this book about building a prayer life with your family, Leila gently instructs. Every step of the way she is careful not to pressure, overwhelm, or even worse, cause the reader to feel ashamed of his or her own perceived inadequacies. She holds your hand. This topic, the sharing of our faith and prayer life with our children, I believe it’s a sensitive one. Attempting to hand down my faith and model it for my children is both my first priority, and the one that is easiest to neglect. I’m thankful for Leila’s practical advice, her gentle encouragement. My family’s prayer life is always evolving as we search for the rhythm that best suits our needs. I suspect that as our children grow and change, so will our prayer habits.
Elizabeth Foss and Leila Lawler recorded a wonderful series of podcasts covering some of the chapters in The Little Oratory. You can find the first in the series here, along with links to the others. I highly recommend listening to these as you read the book! My favorite chapter in the book is, “The Family and the Home.” It’s full of really lovely and practical advice for the home. My second favorite chapter is “The Liturgical Year.” The chapter opens with a discussion of the different types of time that God gives us. The fact that He didn’t just give us a day, but actually created other ways to mark time such as the changing seasons in many parts of the world. My favorite passage from that chapter speaks of the way that, “The rhythm of growth, bounty, fading glory, and cold death” mirror our spiritual life in nature. I found these words to be quite affirming as I find this especially true for myself. I have learned to expect my emotions to evolve and change with the seasons and the liturgical calendar. It’s not a coincidence that the forty days of Lent often line up with the last forty days of winter barrenness.
We placed our own little oratory next to our front door, thinking that a good place for it, but also not having many other choices in our small space. I loved that Leila gave plenty of tips for creating a prayer corner, without making me feel like I had to do things “just so.” We have done what works for us, and I am very pleased with it. I was given a small broken table a few years ago, and it has sat waiting for a leg ever since. As I began reading The Little Oratory, I knew that almost forgotten table’s purpose at last! Jonny fashioned a pine leg and attached it before repairing the doors, and I gave it a coat of paint. Inside, I now store all of my children’s Catholic books along with prayer cards and rosaries. I love having one place for all of these items to be gathered. I tried keeping candles on the table for a time, but they have since been put away until Job is older. While I waited to order icons for our table I framed some of David Clayton’s printed icons that are included at the back of The Little Oratory. They are really quite nice, especially considering the fact that they are a standard part of the book. Eventually though, I ordered icons from Legacy Icons and I am very pleased with them! They are very beautiful and well made and have held up to periodically finding themselves on the floor thanks to little ones. I ordered the “standard” icons, waiting until there was a sale advertised on Legacy Icons’ Facebook page. Our antique crucifix was found in this shop.
And finally, because I purchased my own, and was given an additional copy of The Little Oratory by the publisher, Sophia Institute Press, I have an extra copy to give to one of you! If you’d like to win, mention so in your comment, and I will randomly select a winner next week.
The winner is Adri, who commented, “I’ve followed LMLD and love them, thanks! Would love the book little oratory…”
I find a joyful peace in reading your blog. I would love a chance to read this book and create a space in our home for our children as well.
We would love this book!
I would love a chance to win this book. I love the color you painted the table.
I gave a copy of this book to two of my newly married nieces, but haven’t yet read it myself!
thank you for the chance.
I would really enjoy having a copy of this book. I think it would be something to help structure my family’s prayer life at home.
I love your little prayer corner Ginny! Beautiful. I would love to be part of the drawing. Thanks!
Of course I would like to win this book, but I am also encouraged that so many other people want, and would use such a book. God bless you Ginny.
I created a prayer space several years ago. All of our religious books are there, a beeswax candle, a sea shell with a rosary, a statue of the Blessed Virgin and several other things. It’s in an old dry sink next to a plant stand in the window.
What a wonderful piece of furniture you have there…..a creation made by both of you. Your family is so special.
Balisha
I have been wanting to read this book since Elizabeth recorded the podcasts this summer!
Oh I would dearly love to read that book! I have met David Clayton; he spoke at one of our Diocesan Advent Days. I hope I win! Thank you for the chance.
Sincerely,
Dana
I would love to have this book. Your area looks beautiful . I have been reading your blog for years and love knowing there is a another catholic mama out there with a large family.
i would love this book, and would definitely pass it on to friends when i finished!!
Thank you. I have much to learn and would be grateful to win this book!
Thank you for offering a chance to win this book. Reading your blog has pushed me back towards Catholicism, the faith of my upbringing, and I appreciate that.
I’ve had this one on my wishlist! I’d love to win.
The sacrifices we need to make in décor because of small children. I had a child that loved to play with our candles and called them “Charlela.” Thank you for the chance to win this lovely book!
wonderful .
Well, I’m definitely a beginner 🙂
I would love to win this book. It’s been on my wishlist for some time. And I love how you salvaged that cabinet. Lovely work.
This is so beautiful. I’ve been lomging to read “The Little Oratory.”
I’ve been wanting to read this book for awhile now, I would love to win a copy!
I like .This is beautiful
What a lovely space you have created! I would love to win the book.
This is so lovely and thank you thank thank you being honest about the candles and icons on the floor! My first thought when I saw the table was: oh, so nice but it would never work for us with the kids, I just don’t understand how people with little kids do that, I must be doing something wrong! It would have been so easy to just show the first picture of the finished table. But then again, that is why I love your blog, you would not do that to us 🙂
This sounds great! Thank you.
Would love to give this book a go. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Please enter me into the drawing. This sounds like a good thing to try and incorporate into our household.
Would love to read this!
I would like to win – I like the idea of creating a small alcove for shrine and have created one in my own home.
I would like to be entered to win. This book sounds like something I need to read.
We would love to read this beautiful book!
Thank you Ginny. You inspire me daily. ( Mom-of-seven)
Thanks for the links to icon sources, that’s been on my list for quite a while. So has this book – I’d love to win! Your table is lovely – I like the idea of using a cabinet so you can store some of the paraphenalia. I’d finally have a place for all of those little bottles of holy water and blessed palms lying around everywhere.
I’d love to win the book! I love how your oratory took on the personality of your home. Beautiful!
We have a family shrine. I would love to make this spot be a more welcoming place for my family. I would love to read the book. Thank you for the offer. Sincerely, Suzanne
I would love to read that book. Thank you for sharing.
I keep seeing this book, but I haven’t ordered a copy for myself yet. I’d love to win one from you!
Your space is quite lovely. Would love to read & gain inspiration for something similar in our home!
I would really like to read that book. Thanks for the chance to win it!
Love the color of the piece! Would also love to read the book…thank you.
Beautiful! I’d love to win a copy!
What a lovely space. We have been intending to create such a space as well. I’d love a copy of the book.
So beautiful!
Would love to have this for our new little family! My husband and I are definitely making faith a priority for our family, and the little prayer corner is something I’ve wanted to do since before I got married.
This is beautiful. I kept thinking to myself that, “I just don’t have the space for that,” in my apartment – but that’s silliness. I didn’t get to read the book this summer, but I REALLY want to. My husband and I are making a greater effort to recognize where we do (or don’t) make room for God in our lives and in our childrens’ lives, and creating a little oratory at home would be an excellent next step for us! Thank for the encouragement that this really is possible, despite small spaces… 🙂
Would love to win it!
Dear Ginny, we are just making this at home – our eldest boy is preparing for first communion. Thank you for you tips!
Great project! The colour is beautiful! Funnily I saw the brand posted on Pinterest a few times lately.
beautiful!