The Abbey Psalter: The Book of Psalms Used by the Trappist Monks of Genesee Abbey

I have very fond memories of my silent retreat at the Abbey of the Genesee several years ago. It was a very moving experience....this psalter is beautifully printed and immediately brought back those memories of participating in the liturgical hours with the monks.The book came very quickly and is in excellent condition.Thanks.

This book is a thing of beauty, a true testiment to the psalms it contains.

THE ABBEY PSALTER is a large attractive burgundy cloth hard cover book with stylized gilded lettering on the front cover. It reads: The Abbey Psalter. I like it for two reasons. The first is the beautiful, large easy-to-read print and also its fresh translation. Both lend themselves to "praying the psalms." I find it to be "a text ... artfully copied out by hand ... as to suggest something of a personal character that suits the meditative recital of the psalms, and something too of the peace and silence that monks seek to bring to their common prayer" (Foreward). Each of the 150 psalms begins with a larger red letter; there are no verse numbers to interrupt worship, merely diamond-style bullets. In addition to the psalms, the book includes: The Song of Zechariah, The Song of Mary, The Song of Simeon, and Revelation 15, which ends with, "All nations will come and worship you/ for your judgments have been revealed." The second reason I enjoy this book is because of the short but informative Foreward by John Eudes Bamberger, Abbot of the Genesee. He begins: "The Psalter is the prayerbook of the people of God." Thereafter, he quickly and clearly traces the history of the use of the psalms in the Catholic tradition. Furthermore, the book contains, "A Note on Cistercian Art" to accompany nine black & white full page illustrations scattered throughout the text: "Their motifs fall into two categories: stylized flowers and vegetation, and geometric patterns and interlace." This is a beautful and touching book. (I think I just might buy another.)

I bought this for my wife for Christmas sight unseen. I was pleasantly surprised to discover how lovely a volume it was. The lettering is beautiful yet easy to read. One could meditate on the script in and of it's self. The Grail translation of the Psalms is fresh and attractive though I suspect that it may not be as inclusive as some wish given that this volume precedes the 2004 inclusive language Grail Psalter by over 20 years. Each of the Psalms begins with a large red letter and there are no verse numbers to detract the reader and they "pray" the Psalms. It is a beautiful volume, and my wife tells me that I can't have hers.

Liked condition. Personal use.

This is a beautiful Psalter! The print is large enough to comfortable read. I have been to the Abbey of the Genesee and this is the same Psalter they use. Worth the price!

In a world that grows more loud and vulgar by the minute, it is truly refreshing to find an item that can take us to a time when Silence was valued, and Speed was seen as more an Enemy than a requirement for success. But for those looking for more, then I cannot recommend to highly this splendid work of prayer and devotion. It does not matter if you are Orthodox, Roman, or Protestant, if you are trying to develop a daily Rule of Prayer, then this psalter is without parallel. It can easily become the cornerstone of a lifetime of meditation.

A large-format, hard cover Psalter, beautifully printed and bound. The text is entirely in caligraphy, and is printed large enough to be read from a few feet away -- as presumably the monks do as they stand and chant the Psalms, with the book on a stand in front of them. It is probably best used this way, and not held in the hands -- it can be held, but it is probably a little large and heavy to be held for long.This book would make a nice gift for someone whose love of, and use of, the Psalter you would like to honor.

Excellent a bit big in size but I have managed to find a place for the book to rest,while pray beautiful writing a treasure

Great calligraphy in a large easy-to-read format. Hard cover keeps it longer lasting.

Beautiful book.