The Glenstal Sunday Missal Hardcover – 5 Nov. 2012

I had the 1984 Australian edition before I recently purchased this one. The previous edition had a pliable cover compared with the present hardback and 1658 pages compared with 1287 in this edition. Both books are otherwise the same size, and size print although the earlier edition had finer paper thickness.The fact that the earlier edition included availability of an Australian/New Zealand version whereas the new edition is approved for use in Ireland is not a big deal for me. We all use the Jerusalem Bible text for the reading (unlike, for example, USA which uses Revised NAB version). The new edition has four as opposed to two silk ribbons and gold trim, both of which I consider big plusses - this is a sacred book.The new version is much simplified. The reduced number of pages is mainly attributable to the fact that the new version omits a beautiful section on The Sacraments from pages 1511 to 1601 and a section on Masses for special occasion. Also it omits useful introductions to each Mass, more lengthy list of related biblical readings and a beautiful reflection taken from Church Fathers, Bl John Henry Newman etc, usually about half a page.However, the new version has somewhat longer individual commentary prior to the readings than the earlier version and a relatively short meditation at the end, replacing the former reflection. The new version also omits scriptural index and index of authors of the reflections. Purchasers who have owned both must of course, make their own judgments. I have no doubt the compilers gave much thought to the revisions. The slightly shorter meditations certainly cannot be equated with spiritual impoverishment and so not necessarily a disadvantage. Indices of scripture references and authors of reflections are probably not much used by the majority of people. The same may well apply to the absence now of the sections on sacraments and special occasions. Perhaps most, and I may well be one of them, want a beautifully presented, simple Sunday missal with the essentials - including some spiritual comment on readings and meditations and a bit of recommended related biblical reading.So while tempted to give only four stars because of the omissions, I am persuaded by reflection otherwise. In a sacred book I want first to meet God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit and as in prayer, my 70 plus years suggest to me that simplicity is more efficacious than quantity.A beautiful daily missal by the Benedictines would be wonderful, but perhaps too ambitious. With great respect, the fine attempt at a daily missal missed the beauty of the Glenstal and in very bulky. It need not have been as I have a beautiful leather covered copy of the Saint Andrew Daily Missal which was published in 1956 with 2,141 pages on bible paper, which is about 4.5 in by 6 in! The catechetical, historical and liturgical depth of quality in the extensive commentary is truly worthy of this sacred book.

I bought this as a confirmation present for an adult i know, thinking it was the originl glenstal sunday bible missal. If you know that book, I own one, its older and has a very extended amount of meditation and scriptural explanation for every sunday. It has been a constant tool for me over the years personally and i think it is a great shame that the newer additions have lost all the hard work and treasure contained in the older version. I returned the item and bought an older version second hand instead. The older version had a page long meditation on the sunday readings , shorter ones before each reading and a medium sized excerpt from a spiritual writer or saint at the end of each sundays readings. The newer version simply has shorter reflections and a very short meditation at the end.

Lay out is very practical, unlike many other Missal offerings. Needed it for the new English translation. Well laid out for service and reference use (selecting hymns for Sunday services).

This missal was received in First Class condition and was everything that I had hoped for when I first heard about.

Great quality and very promt delivery. Highly recommended!

Great quality, beautiful book. Very pleased!