The Precious Treasure of the Faithful
Beirut: Jesuit Fathers Press, 1926. First Thus. 64mo. 2.25 x 3.25 in. 256 pp. Original black leatherette, plain Roman cross embossed on upper cover and decorated in gilt; all edges red under gold. Lovely endpapers with repeating 'IHS' and Alpha & Omega monogram patterns. A miniature, yet rather comprehensive, Roman Catholic prayer book entirely in Arabic. Published by the Jesuit Fathers of Saint Joseph University of Beirut. Introduction by Fr. ANTOUN SALHANI, S.J. Includes the Morning Offering, Acts of Faith, Hope, and Charity, the Paternoster, the Ave Maria, the Nicene Creed, the Confiteor, Prayer to one's Guardian Angel, Consecration to Mary, Prayer to one's Patron Saint, Litany to the Most Holy Name of Jesus, Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Angelus, Prayers to be said while hearing Mass, Prayers before Communion, before Confession, before and after eating, etc. etc. Sparsely illustrated with black & white reproduction of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, plus two black & white vignettes. Text in Arabic. Imprimatur from Fransciscan Archbishop Frediano Giannini, Apostolic Delegate to Syria, Beirut, 6 Jan. 1924. Very good. Moderate rubbing to extremities, heavier to fore-corners and at crown & foot of spine. Previous ownership signature in Arabic, blue ink, to Imprimatur page. Binding square & tight, text otherwise clean & bright.
A rare prayer book and shining historical artifact from the educational and publishing activity of the French jesuits in Beirut, which began in the middle of the 19th century and culminated in the typographical prestige of the Imprimerie Catholique.
Price: $500.00