RSV-2CE Large-Print?

Thanks to Eric for the scoop!

For more: http://www.ignatius.com/IProducts/278853/ignatius-bible-rsv-2nd-edition-large-print--hardcover.aspx?bCategory=BIBLES

For a look inside:

http://www.ignatius.com/Content/Site107/FilesSamples/278853LargePrin_00000018382.pdf

The Revised Standard Version of the Bible is acclaimed by many as the clearest, most accurate and most beautiful modern translation of the Bible. This newly designed and typeset 2nd edition of the popular Ignatius RSV Catholic Bible is a contemporary English translation that revises archaic language of the first edition, but avoids dumbing-down the text. It retains the beauty of the RSV language that makes the Ignatius Bible such a joy to read. Now the only contemporary Catholic Bible translation in standard English is even more beautiful in word and design, and much easier to read with the large print!

This large print version, in three different versions – leather, hard and soft covers - makes this popular yet beautiful Bible translation more accessible and appealing to a wider reading audience.

The Large Print Edition is the perfect option for devotional reading for those who prefer larger print, have impaired vision, or are reading from a lectern. It features large, clear type and additional materials of interest to all readers.

Special Features: 

• Completely re-designed and newly typeset with large 14 point font size
• The RSV, second Catholic edition, is the only Bible translation that uses standard (non-feminist) English and is in conformity with the Church's translation guidelines found in the Vatican document, Liturgiam Authenticam
• 16 pages of color maps
• Large 7 x 10 trim size
• Handsome dark blue cover with gold icons

End of the Year

First off, I would like to thank you all for sticking with this blog through the years.  I must tell you that it remains a true labor of love.  The main reason for this is not anything I happen to post, but rather the interaction I am blessed to have with all of you.  A number of you have been generous enough to email me with fresh information on new bibles and other translational news, for which I am deeply appreciative.  With two jobs, two kids (as well as another one on the way), I am simply not able to devote as much time to searching the web for new products.  Again, thank you!

Also, thank you to all those who contributed guest posts and reviews during this past year.  All of you have added some great insights and perspectives to this blog.  In addition, a number of you have allowed me to post your Bible rebinds, which I think has tempted quire a few people to venture into that dangerous hobby!

Finally, I would love to hear from you, as 2015 comes to an end, what you most appreciated during this past year and what you most look forward to in 2016, in regards to Catholic Bibles. 

To get things started, during 2015 I enjoyed looking back at Dei Verbum.  I made a commitment to spend time with a number of the documents of Vatican II this past year, and it was well worth it.  Also, when I look back at 2015, the One Bible, One Year (OBOY) project proved to be a tad difficult at first, but ultimately helped me to remain focused on my use of th NRSV.  It was a good exercise, one which I encourage you to try!

What do I look forward to in 2016?  Here are a couple of things, in no particular order:

--I think we will see a Catholic bible given the Allan's treatment in 2016

--The Message:Catholic edition will be released in some new editions

--Will the USCCB continue to publish NABRE's?

--I think there will be something we don't expect announced at some point during he year

Once again, thank you for your readership, Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas

There were sheepherders camping in the neighborhood. They had set night watches over their sheep. Suddenly, God’s angel stood among them and God’s glory blazed around them. They were terrified. The angel said, “Don’t be afraid. I’m here to announce a great and joyful event that is meant for everybody, worldwide: A Savior has just been born in David’s town, a Savior who is Messiah and Master. This is what you’re to look for: a baby wrapped in a blanket and lying in a manger.” -Luke 2:8-12

More from The Saint John's Bible

Dei Verbum at 50 (Paragraph 26)

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, I will be posting twice a month, on Mondays, a paragraph from this important document.  There are a total of 26 paragraphs, so this will take us through to the Fall when we reach the anniversary of its promulgation by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965.  I look forward to our discussion.  May I suggest a helpful book by Fr. Ronald D. Witherup called The Word of God at Vatican II: Exploring Dei Verbum published by Liturgical Press.  This is the last in this series.  I hope it was fruitful for you, as much as it was for me, to go over this important document.  Merry Christmas!

26. In this way, therefore, through the reading and study of the sacred books "the word of God may spread rapidly and be glorified" (2 Thess. 3:1) and the treasure of revelation, entrusted to the Church, may more and more fill the hearts of men. Just as the life of the Church is strengthened through more frequent celebration of the Eucharistic mystery, similar we may hope for a new stimulus for the life of the Spirit from a growing reverence for the word of God, which "lasts forever" (Is. 40:8; see 1 Peter 1:23-25).

4th Sunday of Advent

But you, Bethlehem, David’s country,

    the runt of the litter—

From you will come the leader

    who will shepherd-rule Israel.

He’ll be no upstart, no pretender.

    His family tree is ancient and distinguished.

Meanwhile, Israel will be in foster homes

    until the birth pangs are over and the child is born,

And the scattered brothers come back

    home to the family of Israel.

He will stand tall in his shepherd-rule by God’s strength,

    centered in the majesty of God-Revealed.

And the people will have a good and safe home,

    for the whole world will hold him in respect—

    Peacemaker of the world!

-Micah 5:2-4 (The Message)

Weekly Knox: Laughter

"Laughter and love are everywhere; in healthy people there is no war between them." -Literary Distractions

New Lectionary in England and Wales?

Thank you to reader Mike for passing along this piece of news from England and Wales:

"The Bishops’ Conference agrees to seek the approval of the Holy See for the use of the Revised Standard Version (2nd Catholic edition 2010) and the Revised Grail Psalter (2010) in the preparation of a Lectionary for use in England and Wales."

Can any of my fine readers in England or Wales confirm this?

Guest Review: SPCK NRSV-CE

Thank you to my friend Owen for this review.  I am so excited that this edition is available, since it is sewn NRSV-CE with cross-references.  This may be a possibility for rebinding, or perhaps a publisher like Allan's might consider turning it into something even better.

This is a review of the Catholic Edition of the 2015 NRSV by SPCK, Society Promoting Christian Knowledge, "since 1698" - who knew? Not me.

Overall impression: a very good daily reader in a quality economy edition with bonuses; sewn, ribbons, and cross reference system all in a comfortable size that is easy to hold and not too heavy to take-with.

Things I think are self evident from the photos: ghosting (minimal), kerning & leading (both excellent), binding (again, sewn), margins, page settings.

Yes, Anglicized. Amen!

Publication page details: published in the UK / printed and bound in India, "produced on paper from sustainable resources" / carries the 1991 Imprimatur of the National Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington (as differentiated from the USCCB body) and of the Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops in the same year. Curiously, being produced in the UK there is no Imprimatur from other English language countries, like um, the UK.

Size = a good "personal" bible size / 14.8 x 3.5 x 24.5 cm / 5.8 x 1.3 x 8.6 inches

Weight = I haven't put it on a scale but it is very comfortable in the hand, no problem reading it in hand or carting it about.

Smyth sewn: opens beautifully flat from the word go. This one will stand up to extended use. *If* it had rounded page edges it would make a nice volume to have rebound.

Notes = none beyond translator notes. No concordance. No book introductions or other explanatory notes. With the exception of Esther

Ribbons = yes! Of pretty average quality, may fray (I have tips on how to prevent that if you like) but hey, there are two ribbons(!) and ribbons of any kind in an economy bible is a solid.

Paper = smooth, typical HC thickness, note-takers will find it takes pencil and pen well with minimal ghosting on the reverse side.

Font setting = style and size are not mentioned (nor found anywhere online by me to date). I'm going guess 10 for the main text, footnotes 8-ish and references 6 and 7.5 in a very clean, readable setting even for mid-life eyes.

Printing = very, very good. Consistent and dark text. I've had more expensive bibles with far less impressive print readability and consistency.

In terms of the reference system it appears to be one used earlier iterations. It is not comprehensive. It is not as detailed as I recall in the NRSV Cambridge Reference and I no longer have that edition to check (sold it at a give-away price to someone who needed it more than I though I do covet that lovely Moroccan leather - sigh). At a basic look-through, most references move "forward" but do not complete a detailed "backward" loop except in cases of very well known/generally accepted Christological passages. Deuterocanonical/Apocryphal are given a good treatment both "from" and "to" the overall canon including the N.T. Nice.

Complaints:
At point of manufacture: 1] page crimping (minor partial fold) in certain signatures from top center down to nearly a quarter of the page both left and right. 2] Rough edging, poor page cut at top third of the pages from Exodus 30 through Lamentations. 3] Genesis opening pages are poorly aligned with more space at the bottom of gutter to text than at the top. Quality control anyone?

Post point of manufacture: Dog-ear dents at top corner through most of the first three gospels. Frustrating, even when paying "economy" pricing.

3rd Sunday of Advent

So sing, Daughter Zion!

    Raise the rafters, Israel!

Daughter Jerusalem,

    be happy! celebrate!

God has reversed his judgments against you

    and sent your enemies off chasing their tails.

From now on, God is Israel’s king,

    in charge at the center.

There’s nothing to fear from evil

    ever again!

Jerusalem will be told:

    “Don’t be afraid.

Dear Zion,

    don’t despair.

Your God is present among you,

    a strong Warrior there to save you.

Happy to have you back, he’ll calm you with his love

    and delight you with his songs.

-Zephaniah 3:14-17 (The Message)

Weekly Knox: Christmas

"The child who was born in Bethlehem had, for nine months, been carried in the womb at Nazareth, just like any other child; this is our guarantee that, although God, he was truly man.  God did not deceive us by taking on the mere appearance of humanity...he became man; that was the leverage, if we may put it in very crude terms, through which the work of our redemption was effected.  And, very curiously, this is one of the lessons which the Church found in particularly hard to teach.  The early heretics were not people who denied out Lord's Godhead...they were people who denied his manhood." -The Pastoral Sermons

Saint John's Bible

Pope Francis, the Bible, and Mercy

Prayer of Pope Francis for the Jubilee

Lord Jesus Christ,

you have taught us to be merciful like the heavenly Father,

and have told us that whoever sees you sees Him.

Show us your face and we will be saved.

Your loving gaze freed Zacchaeus and Matthew from being enslaved by money;

the adulteress and Magdalene from seeking happiness only in created things;

made Peter weep after his betrayal,

and assured Paradise to the repentant thief.

Let us hear, as if addressed to each one of us, the words that you spoke to the Samaritan woman:

“If you knew the gift of God!”

You are the visible face of the invisible Father,

of the God who manifests his power above all by forgiveness and mercy:

let the Church be your visible face in the world, its Lord risen and glorified.

You willed that your ministers would also be clothed in weakness

in order that they may feel compassion for those in ignorance and error:

let everyone who approaches them feel sought after, loved, and forgiven by God.

Send your Spirit and consecrate every one of us with its anointing,

so that the Jubilee of Mercy may be a year of grace from the Lord,

and your Church, with renewed enthusiasm, may bring good news to the poor,

proclaim liberty to captives and the oppressed,

and restore sight to the blind.  

We ask this of you, Lord Jesus, through the intercession of Mary, Mother of

Mercy; you who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit for ever and

ever.

Amen.

Advent Contest Winner

Via an online random number generator, the winner of the 3 CD set from Now You Know Media is Mikel del Rosario (?).  If you could send me an email, mccorm45(at)yahoo(dot)com by the end of the week I will make sure to get your prize out to you.  Thanks to all who participated.  Have a blessed Advent!

Dei Verbum at 50 (Paragraph 25)

In celebration of the 50th Anniversary of Vatican II's Dogmatic Constitution on Divine Revelation, I will be posting twice a month, on Mondays, a paragraph from this important document.  There are a total of 26 paragraphs, so this will take us through to the Fall when we reach the anniversary of its promulgation by Pope Paul VI on November 18, 1965.  I look forward to our discussion.  May I suggest a helpful book by Fr. Ronald D. Witherup called The Word of God at Vatican II: Exploring Dei Verbum published by Liturgical Press.

25. Therefore, all the clergy must hold fast to the Sacred Scriptures through diligent sacred reading and careful study, especially the priests of Christ and others, such as deacons and catechists who are legitimately active in the ministry of the word. This is to be done so that none of them will become "an empty preacher of the word of God outwardly, who is not a listener to it inwardly" (4) since they must share the abundant wealth of the divine word with the faithful committed to them, especially in the sacred liturgy. The sacred synod also earnestly and especially urges all the Christian faithful, especially Religious, to learn by frequent reading of the divine Scriptures the "excellent knowledge of Jesus Christ" (Phil. 3:8). "For ignorance of the Scriptures is ignorance of Christ."(5) Therefore, they should gladly put themselves in touch with the sacred text itself, whether it be through the liturgy, rich in the divine word, or through devotional reading, or through instructions suitable for the purpose and other aids which, in our time, with approval and active support of the shepherds of the Church, are commendably spread everywhere. And let them remember that prayer should accompany the reading of Sacred Scripture, so that God and man may talk together; for "we speak to Him when we pray; we hear Him when we read the divine saying." (6)

It devolves on sacred bishops "who have the apostolic teaching"(7) to give the faithful entrusted to them suitable instruction in the right use of the divine books, especially the New Testament and above all the Gospels. This can be done through translations of the sacred texts, which are to be provided with the necessary and really adequate explanations so that the children of the Church may safely and profitably become conversant with the Sacred Scriptures and be penetrated with their spirit.

Furthermore, editions of the Sacred Scriptures, provided with suitable footnotes, should be prepared also for the use of non-Christians and adapted to their situation. Both pastors of souls and Christians generally should see to the wise distribution of these in one way or another.

2nd Sunday of Advent

John, Zachariah’s son, out in the desert at the time, received a message from God. He went all through the country around the Jordan River preaching a baptism of life-change leading to forgiveness of sins, as described in the words of Isaiah the prophet:

Thunder in the desert!

“Prepare God’s arrival!

Make the road smooth and straight!

Every ditch will be filled in,

Every bump smoothed out,

The detours straightened out,

All the ruts paved over.

Everyone will be there to see

The parade of God’s salvation.”

-Luke 3:3-6 (The Message)

Pope Francis Receives Book of Gospels for the Jubilee

(Vatican Radio) Pope Francis on Thursday received the Book of Gospels which will be used for the liturgies of the upcoming Jubilee.

The Book was presented by Archbishop Rino Fisichella, the President of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of the New Evangelisation.

The book – which contains the Gospel readings for the Sundays and Feast Days during the Year of Mercy – is illustrated by Jesuit artist Marko Rupnik.

The Jubilee of Mercy begins on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, on 8 December, when Pope Francis opens the Holy Door in St. Peter’s Basilica.

Advent Contest

The fine folks at Now You Know Media have given me three fantastic CD sets from Fr. Felix Just S.J. for this special Advent Contest.  These three, brand new, recrodings are retreats with the Gospels of Matthew, Luke, and John.  I have a number of different audio courses from Now You Know Media, and I have always been impressed by their content and the quality of the audio recordings.  

Fr. Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D., is Executive Director of the Loyola Institute for Spirituality in Orange, California. After receiving his Doctorate in New Testament Studies from Yale University, he taught at Loyola Marymount University (Los Angeles), the University of San Francisco, and Santa Clara University. He was also director of the Center for Religion and Spirituality at LMU, and dean of the Lay Ecclesial Ministry and Deacon Formation Programs for the Diocese of Las Vegas. He regularly teaches courses, gives public lectures, and leads biblically-based days of prayer, parish missions, and weekend or weeklong retreats. He maintains a large internationally recognized website of “Catholic Resources”.  Fr. Felix is also on the board of editors for the upcoming revision of the NABRE New Testament.  


Rules for the contest:

1) If you have an active Facebook or Twitter account, please announce this contest. If you don't, that is OK. You can still enter the contest.

 2) Please enter your name in the comment section of this blog post. I (or my wife) will randomly draw one winner at the conclusion of the contest, which will be on Sunday December 6th at 11:59 PM.

 3) I will announce the winner on Monday December 7th. The winner must contact me, via email, within a week with their full name and address.  I will ship the the books free of charge.

 4) One entry per person.

 5) Contest is only available to those who live in North America.