Users Rave About OCP’s Spanish Language Guide to Daily Prayer

Virginia Castro, a native of Costa Rica living in California, is just one of the many satisfied users of Palabra, Vida y Fe (Word, Life and Faith), OCP’s family-friendly guide to prayer and the Lectionary readings for Spanish speakers.

“Palabra, Vida y Fe is an outstanding resource,” says Virginia. “The easy-to-read narrative is very special because it is to the point and reaches the heart of the people. I have other books of prayers, but I prefer Palabra. I use it to teach my grandson.”

Virginia isn’t alone. Parish leaders are among those who are finding that Palabra, Vida y Fe is an excellent aid for daily prayer.

“Palabra, Vida y Fe is so valuable because it uses simple language to help people understand the Gospel in the daily walk of our lives,” says Father Alejandro Castillo of St. George Parish in Ontario, Calif. “I recommend this book to anyone wishing to feel the presence of Jesus and understand his words of Eternal Life. I offer my thanks for presenting the word of God in simple, easy-to-understand language.”

Developed by OCP, one of the leading publishers of worship resources in the U.S., the book offers Scripture readings, reflections, saint profiles and more for every day of the week. OCP publishes two editions each year. The first edition for 2008, covering January through June, is available now.

Palabra, Vida y Fe includes original reflections on each day’s Gospel reading by Miguel Arias. Well-known as a writer and as the Spanish editor and product manager at Loyola Press, Arias uses each reflection to lead the reader to a deeper understanding of how Jesus’ teachings can be lived out in a busy, modern world.

“It’s a unique and much-needed guide,” said Pedro Rubalcava, director of Hispanic Ministries at OCP. “Catholic bookstores are packed with missals and weekly devotionals in English, but very few such resources exist in Spanish. Of the few available, none covers half the year in one book, or contains extensive catechetical and prayer sections like the ones in Palabra, Vida y Fe.”

The book is an excellent way, Rubalcava explained, for Spanish speakers to experience the ancient, monastic practice of “lectio divina” or prayerful meditation on the Church’s daily Bible readings. Ideal for family and personal prayer, the book is also a good resource for small prayer groups, RCIA and catechetical groups.

The special prayer section contains many beloved, traditional prayers of the Church, such as morning, evening and night prayer, the rosary, the way of the cross, and the angelus. The catechetical section, listing the Ten Commandments, the beatitudes and more, is a great way for young people, catechumens and others to learn more about their faith and the Church.