Traditional Catholic Prayers for Life In the Country

Sanctifying the Rural

Alban J. Dachauer, S. J., Rural Life Prayer Book (Des Moines, IA: The National Catholic Rural Life Conference, 1956, 1956 imprimatur).

The disruptions of our times have prompted some Catholics to return to the land. It is not a new impetus: Fr. Vincent McNabb and others propounded it a century ago as England was growing ever more urban. Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker tried founding rural Catholic houses or settlements. In our era, this effort has broadly been called the Catholic Land Movement (CLM), usually traditional in liturgical and moral outlook.

There is both a body of existing literature on this subject, as well as a number of newer works presenting ideas and practices for those seeking the rural Catholic life. But unique among the existing books is the Rural Life Prayer Book. Measuring just 6” x 4” x 1”, it contains over 400 pages, including a useful index. It is an attractive black hardcover with red edging; there are two colored ribbons and it contains a number if woodcut illustrations. Published in 1956, it has an imprimatur. It is pegged to the traditional calendar and the seasons of the year, with a special emphasis on saints and prayers for agricultural life and farm families.

For example, there is a section on St. Isidore the Farmer. It contains a novena to the saint with extensive reflections, a Litany to St. Isidore, and prayers. There are also texts for the Votive Masses to Isidore and other saints. Other features are the Stations of the Cross with some inspiring meditations; blessings for many aspects of rural life; and selected psalms.

There are many prayer books available for the praying Catholic. This one is perhaps a “niche” item, but it doesn’t have to be seen as solely useful to farmers who happen to be Catholic. This book stems from the truth that the land, the earth, and the seasons and weather are gifts of a loving God, Who is the ultimate owner of it all. We, as stewards of the earth, need to not only seek answers through science, but always remember that God is at the root of all successful agriculture. Scripture and liturgy are full of farming imagery. Christ used farming in His parables. Those two facts should be enough to realize the importance God gives to this subject. As humans beholden to technologies seemingly far-removed from soil, seed, and weather, this prayer book may help bring us back to dirt and incarnation. In short: Truth.

Therefore, I recommend this handy book for Catholics, especially those living in rural areas. But even if you don’t live in but only yearn for the country, or have taken the plunge into backyard gardening, this book can inspire. Not only are the prayers and devotions great aids in individual and family prayer life, the illustrations are delightful sources of meditative material.

Link: https://app.etapestry.com/cart/CatholicRuralLife/default/item.php?ref=981.0.414797