A Very Little Office of Compline: Night Prayer for Children
By B.G. ‘Odo’ Bonner · Published by TAN Books
Overview
Teach your children the timeless rhythm of prayer with this charming adaptation of Compline, the night office of the Divine Office, made accessible for young hearts through elegant illustration and simple language. Adapted by Bo Bonner and beautifully illustrated by Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs, this little book fosters a gentle bedtime routine that unites children with the Church’s ancient tradition.
- Introduces young children to the Liturgy of the Hours in a simple, age-appropriate form
- Includes psalms and hymns that invoke God’s protection through the night
- Faithful adaptation that points toward the full Divine Office
- Delightful illustrations by Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs to engage little ones
- Compact 40-page size is perfect for nightly family prayer
Intended Audience
This book is suited for Catholic families and parents who desire to cultivate in their children a reverent, consistent prayer habit rooted in the Church’s liturgical tradition.
Key Themes
- Night prayer as a spiritual rhythm
- Trust in God’s protection while sleeping
- Introduction to the Divine Office
- Formation of children in liturgical spirituality
- Author:
- Bo Bonner
- Illustrator:
- Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs
- Publish Date:
- 9/30/2025
- Page Count:
- 40
- Preview Link:
- https://tanbooks.com/content/3339_Preview.pdf
- Height:
- 6.00
- Width:
- 4.00
3 Reviews
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Every Aspect is Appealing
The small size of this book, the sturdy binding, the easy text and, most of all, the beautiful illustrations, work together to make it appealing to children. The simplified verses are true to the ancient office of Compline, and the illustrations complement the text while also being evocative enough to hold the attention of children not yet reading on their own.
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Sure to be loved by children.
I received a digital copy of this book as a surprise gift. I did not know anything about it before I started looking at it. I read it through and then reread it again the next day. It is a wonderful volume for families and for little ones. I really wish it had been available when my own children were younger. I have given my children several prayer books over the years and this is one I would have picked up a copy for each of my kids. The description of this volume states: “Visit we beseech thee Lord This house in which we dwell, Let Angels who abide herein The devil’s snares dispel, In peace, please keep our weary heads, And your blessings always as well. Through Christ our Lord, Amen. Teach your children the timeless rhythm of prayer with A Very Little Office of Compline. When praying the psalms and hymns of the Divine Office in the given hours of the day, we truly “pray without ceasing.” This gift of prayer that orients us always toward God can be enjoyed by even the littlest of souls. Compline, prayed in the last hour, is especially enriching for children because it sets a nighttime prayer routine. Compline includes psalms and hymns that ask God for His protection while we sleep. A Very Little Office of Compline can be used to pray the Liturgy of the Hours as well. These prayers, complete with elegant illustrations, were faithfully adapted by Bo Bonner so that your children are introduced to the beauty and depth of the Divine Office in an approachable way.” About the author we are informed: “B.G. ‘Odo’ Bonner, Obl. O.S.B., is an Oblate at Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma, and took his oblate name after St. Odo of Cluny. He and his wife have been married for over two decades, and have five children. He converted to Catholicism during Protestant seminary, and beyond writing poetry, also teaches and speaks on philosophy, theology, and literature. He was born on the feast of St. Blaise, patron of throats, and has not stopped talking ever since.” About the Illustrator: “Gwyneth Thompson-Briggs is a contemporary sacred artist in the perennial Western tradition. Her art decorates churches, schools, and private homes throughout the Americas and Europe. She lives in St. Louis with her husband and four children.” The sections in this volume are: The Very Little Hours A Very Little Compline Incipit Lectio Brevis Confiteor Psalm 4 Psalm 90 Psalm 133 Hymn Little Chapter and Verse Chapter Verse Versicle Kyrie/Our Father Nunc Dimittis Antiphon Collect Final Blessing Marian Antiphons Alma Redemptoris Mater Ave Regina Caelorum Regina Caeli Salve Regina There is a sample prayer in the description above a couple other samples are: “The Very Little Hours Matins speaks from silence deep as Lauds, the dawning harvests reap Prime, our labors, girds with strength as Terce prepares our votive’s length Sext bears the Cross on which Christ hung ’til “it is finished” by None be sung Then Vespers lights the lamps of praise and Compline rests our pilgrim days Seven-a-Day I bow my chin and once at night to conquer sin. Amen.” “Lectio Brevis May our passions be never inflamed nor our souls by the devil be maimed who like a lion may roar while we slumber and snore but our help’s in the name of the Lord!” “Hymn Before the day is done Creator of earth and sun Your favor please endow both guard and keep us now From nightmares and their fear defend mind, eye, and ear tread underfoot the fiend and keep our conscience clean To the Father and the Son, and the Spirit, Three-in-One be all glory now and ever Who live and reign forever! Amen.” The prayers are wonderfully adapted for children. The illustrations are excellent. This volume is a little treasure. This would be an excellent addition to any home, school, or church library. I encourage you to pick up copies for little ones in your own life, for your children, nieces and nephews, grandkids … I am certain kids will love the prayers and the illustrations.
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So sweet!
Will definitely be praying this over our children each night! Short and sweet, but so powerful
