As the Church in the United States prepares to welcome the new English translation of the Liturgy of the Hours, Ascension is delighted to accept preorders for the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, beginning July 1, 2026.
Whether you have prayed the Divine Office faithfully for years or are just becoming familiar with this form of prayer, Ascension’s editions are designed for ease of navigation while their beauty draws the heart more deeply into prayer.
Take a Look at the Covers
The cover of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition features meaningful symbols stamped in gold foil. At the center is a lyre atop a laurel wreath, a reference to King David and his composition of the Psalms. On either side of the lyre are the Greek letters Alpha and Omega, proclaiming Christ as the beginning and the end of all time. It is he who stands at the center of every hour.
Every Ascension edition contains the same newly commissioned sacred artwork from New Jerusalem Studios, eight diagonal satin ribbons adhered to the book's spine, and text set in Ascension's custom typeface, Ascension Serif. The editions differ only in font size and cover material, resulting in six available variants.
Choose Your Font Size
Each edition is printed on carefully selected page dimensions designed to support comfortable daily prayer.
The Standard Edition features a 10-point font printed on pages measuring 4.5 × 6.75 inches. This size is comparable to the current first edition and is comfortably legible for most readers.
For those who prefer larger text, the Large Print Edition features a 12.41-point font printed on pages measuring 5.5 × 8.375 inches.
Although the physical page sizes differ, the page content corresponds exactly between the Standard and Large Print editions. This allows those using different font sizes to pray together seamlessly without losing their place.
Choose Your Cover Material
Each cover option contains the same interior content. The differences lie in the materials, construction, and finishing details.
Standard Leather
Designed for lasting daily use, the Standard Leather edition features a red Spanish Taratan II bonded leather cover with Smyth-sewn binding and gold-gilded page edges. The leather is durable yet flexible, making it well-suited for prayer at home or while traveling.
The text is printed on high-opacity, light cream, 36 gsm (grams per square meter) paper.
For those seeking a durable, accessible edition for everyday use, this variant offers an excellent balance of quality and value.
Premium Leather
The Premium Leather edition features black genuine top-grain goatskin leather with a black calfskin liner. It is printed on the same paper as the Standard Leather edition while incorporating additional binding and finishing features, including Smyth-sewn, edge-lined construction, perimeter stitching, raised spine hubs, and gold-gilded page edges.
These traditional bookmaking techniques provide both durability and an elevated presentation, creating an edition designed for years of daily prayer.
Premium Natural Grain Leather
The Premium Natural Grain Leather edition features a black full-grain goatskin leather cover lined with red calfskin. Printed by Jongbloed in the Netherlands, this edition will be produced in limited quantities.
It is printed on 34 gsm Bolloré Primapage Ivoire paper and includes gold foil stamping and blind embossing on the cover and spine. Additional craftsmanship features include Smyth-sewn, edge-lined binding, perimeter stitching, raised spine hubs, eight double-faced Berisford ribbons, and red-over-gold art-gilded page edges.
While fully suitable for everyday prayer, this edition is also designed to serve as a keepsake or family heirloom for generations to come.
Images to come
Six Variants, One Prayer
Every variant of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, contains the same translation, sacred artwork, page layout, and navigational system. The only differences are the font size and the materials used in the binding and cover.
Whether you choose the Standard Leather, Premium Leather, or Premium Natural Grain Leather edition—in either Standard or Large Print—you will receive a thoughtfully crafted set designed to accompany the Church's daily prayer for years to come.
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