The Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition is beginning its rollout in the United States. The Deacon Store will carry both Ascension and Word on Fire editions, and we are tracking the details side by side so deacons, clergy, parishes, and formation groups can make a clear choice.

Quick answer

Both Ascension and Word on Fire are publishing the new Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition for use in the United States. Both publishers begin preorders July 1, 2026, and both are releasing Volume II, for Lent and Easter, first. The biggest difference is product strategy: Ascension is offering multiple cover and price tiers, while Word on Fire is offering one premium-level edition in standard and large print.

What is changing?

The Church in the United States is moving to a new English edition of the Liturgy of the Hours. For deacons, priests, religious, and many lay Catholics who pray the Hours, this is a major transition. It is not just a new cover or minor refresh. The new edition will eventually become the required edition for public use in the United States.

This is the first major English revision in more than 50 years. The new edition reflects updated liturgical texts, a more formal translation approach, newly added saints and feast days, and restored hymnody. It is also prompting publishers to rethink the physical books themselves: readability, page layout, paper, binding, ribbons, artwork, and long-term durability.

New Ascension reference book

Ascension has also released the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours as a standalone paperback. This is the official instruction on praying the Hours, approved in collaboration by the Vatican and USCCB, and it explains the importance, structure, elements, and celebrations of the Divine Office.

The same content is contained in Volume I of the full Liturgy of the Hours, but the separate book may be useful for classes, formation groups, clergy, and anyone who wants a convenient reference while learning the new edition.

View the General Instruction paperback

What applies to both editions?

  • Same liturgical transition: both are part of the U.S. rollout of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition.
  • Volume II comes first: both publishers are releasing the Lent and Easter volume before the rest of the set.
  • Standard and large print: both publishers are offering standard print and large print options.
  • Designed for regular prayer: both publishers are emphasizing daily use, readability, and long-term durability.
  • Same public-use timeline: the new edition first comes into use on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027, and becomes mandatory for public use on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2028.

Key dates

  • July 1, 2026: Ascension and Word on Fire preorders begin.
  • January 1, 2027: Word on Fire Volume II, for Lent and Easter, is expected to ship first.
  • January 10, 2027: Ascension Volume II, for Lent and Easter, is expected to ship first.
  • February 10, 2027: Ash Wednesday, the first-use date for the new edition.
  • April 1, 2027: Ascension Volume III, for Ordinary Time Weeks 1–17, is expected to be published.
  • July 1, 2027: Ascension Volume IV, for Ordinary Time Weeks 18–34, is expected to be published.
  • November 1, 2027: Ascension Volume I, for Advent and Christmas, is expected to be published.
  • December 3, 2028: First Sunday of Advent, when the new edition becomes mandatory for public use.

Word on Fire release timeline

Word on Fire's checkout page includes this delivery and billing timeline for its four-volume set. As each volume is finalized with the USCCB, Word on Fire expects to ship the volumes in time for their corresponding liturgical seasons.

Word on Fire Liturgy of the Hours delivery and billing timeline

Ascension vs. Word on Fire: quick side-by-side

The Deacon Store will carry both Ascension and Word on Fire editions. As details come out, the key question is not simply which publisher is "better." It is which edition best fits how you will pray, read, carry, and possibly use the books in a group setting.

Question Ascension Word on Fire
Will the Deacon Store carry it? Yes. Yes.
Best initial summary More choices: multiple cover materials, multiple price points, standard and large print. Simpler choice: one premium-level edition, standard or large print.
What ships first? Volume II, for Lent and Easter, ships first. Ascension has stated a January 10, 2027 ship date. Volume II, for Lent and Easter, ships first. Word on Fire is expected to ship Volume II on January 1, 2027.
Large print? Yes. Ascension lists 12.41 pt large print. Yes. Word on Fire lists 14 pt large print.
Group prayer angle Ascension says page numbers match across its Standard and Large Print editions, which may help classes, parishes, and formation groups. Word on Fire says every U.S. seminarian will receive a complimentary set, which may influence what future priests and formation communities are using.
Who may prefer it? Someone who wants to choose the price/material level, or a group that values matching page numbers across print sizes. Someone who wants a premium physical book, larger standard type, and a simpler standard-vs-large-print decision.

Version and quality comparison

The biggest difference so far is that Ascension is offering multiple material tiers, while Word on Fire is offering one premium-level edition in standard and large print. That makes the comparison a little different from a normal good-better-best choice.

Based on the publisher details available now, Word on Fire's edition is closest in material class to Ascension's top-tier Premium Natural Grain edition, but it is not identical. Word on Fire describes its cover as natural full-grain leather made from steer hide. Ascension's Premium Natural Grain edition uses full-grain goatskin.

Feature Ascension Word on Fire
Edition strategy Multiple choices by cover material and print size. One premium edition, offered in standard print and large print.
Cover options Standard Leather: red bonded leather. Premium Leather: genuine top-grain goatskin. Premium Natural Grain: full-grain goatskin. Natural full-grain leather. Word on Fire's video details describe it as full-grain steer-hide bookbinding leather.
Closest material comparison Ascension Premium Natural Grain is the closest Ascension comparison because it is full-grain leather. Closest to Ascension's top material tier, but not the same leather type or publisher specification.
Standard print size 10 pt font; page size 4.5" x 6.75". 11.4 pt font; page size 5" x 8".
Large print size 12.41 pt font; page size 5.5" x 8.375". 14 pt font; page size 6" x 9.25".
Layout and readability Line-matched text and layout by 2K/DENMARK, with a custom Ascension Serif typeface. Ascension says page numbers match across Standard and Large Print editions for group prayer. Less visual clutter, rubrics moved into the margins, Trinite typeface, and a layout Word on Fire says is up to 20% more readable than the current edition.
Paper Standard and Premium Leather: high-opacity light cream 36 gsm paper. Premium Natural Grain: 34 gsm Bollore Primapage Ivoire paper. Silky, acid-free thin-print paper from PDL in France; Word on Fire says it is 14% brighter than the current edition to reduce ghosting and improve low-light readability.
Binding and ribbons Durable Smyth-sewn binding; 8 satin ribbons in every edition. Sewn lay-flat binding, reinforced construction, and 7 secure ribbons with a custom ribbon attachment method.
Artwork Original commissioned artwork from New Jerusalem Studios in every edition. Sacred art by Gustave Dore printed in custom metallic gold ink throughout the volumes.
Group prayer consideration Matching page numbers across Ascension Standard and Large Print editions may be helpful for classes, parish groups, and communal prayer. Word on Fire says every U.S. seminarian will receive a complimentary set, which may matter for formation communities that want to match what future priests are using.
Current full-set pricing snapshot Full-set preorder prices currently run from $264.99 to $985.99, depending on cover material and print size. Full-set preorder prices are currently $359 standard print and $429 large print during Word on Fire's early-bird launch period.

Pricing snapshot

Prices can change, but this is the current Deacon Store preorder comparison for the main options customers are weighing.

Ascension full set

$264.99-$985.99. Standard Leather starts at $264.99 standard print and $299.99 large print. Premium Leather is $489.99-$529.99. Premium Natural Grain Leather is $909.99-$985.99.

Word on Fire full set

$359 standard print or $429 large print during the current early-bird period. Regular pricing is listed as $499.95 and $599.95.

Volume II only

Ascension Volume II is $69.99-$259.99 depending on material and print size. Word on Fire Volume II is $125 standard print or $150 large print.

What this means for buyers

If you want Ascension, the main decision is which cover material and font size fit your budget and reading needs. If you want Word on Fire, the decision is simpler: standard print or large print, with the same premium positioning.

The large price gap between Word on Fire and Ascension's Premium Natural Grain edition should not be read as proof that the books are identical. The better reading is that Word on Fire is offering one premium full-grain leather edition at a much lower launch price, while Ascension is offering a broader range from bonded leather through full-grain goatskin.

Publisher videos

Both publishers have released videos explaining their editions. We are linking them here as background resources, but the important buying details are summarized on this page so you do not have to jump back and forth between publisher sites.

What about Midwest Theological Forum?

Midwest Theological Forum has announced the Major Extracts of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition. This is not the complete four-volume edition. MTF is preparing a diurnal volume for the Hours throughout the day and remains in discussion with the USCCB about a second, Matins-only volume for the Office of Readings. MTF says the exact contents are still being finalized.

For customers familiar with the current one-volume Christian Prayer or the smaller Shorter Christian Prayer, this is the closest announced successor we have seen so far. MTF says its planned Major Extracts will replace and be more extensive than the existing Christian Prayer and Shorter Christian Prayer, but final contents, pricing, and release details have not yet been announced.

MTF is taking preorders for two smaller supporting volumes: The General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours and Compline from the Liturgy of the Hours. The larger Major Extracts project is still a future release, so we are not taking preorders for it yet.

The General Instruction

A standalone guide to the theology, structure, and celebration of the Divine Office. MTF currently lists it at $16.95, expected to ship in early 2027.

View the General Instruction

Compline

A dedicated Night Prayer volume with musical notation and a more substantial synthetic-leather format. MTF currently lists it at $34.95, expected to ship in early 2027.

View Compline

Get an alert when Major Extracts details are available

Sign up and we will let you know when we have confirmed Deacon Store availability, pricing, and ordering details for the Midwest Theological Forum Major Extracts edition.

How should I choose?

Choose Ascension if...

  • You want to choose from several material and price tiers.
  • You want Ascension's group-friendly matching page numbers across Standard and Large Print.
  • You prefer Ascension's commissioned artwork, design system, or existing product ecosystem.
  • You want the option of full-grain goatskin at the top tier.

Choose Word on Fire if...

  • You want one premium-level edition without choosing between several cover tiers.
  • You value the larger 11.4 pt standard print or 14 pt large print.
  • You are drawn to WOF's readability-first layout, margin rubrics, and sacred art approach.
  • You want full-grain leather at Word on Fire's early-bird launch price.

Should I preorder the full set or one volume at a time?

If you know you will want the full set, a full four-volume preorder is the simplest option. That decision is the same whether you choose Ascension or Word on Fire. A full-set preorder lets you reserve the complete edition now, with each volume shipping as it is released.

If you want to compare Ascension and Word on Fire before committing to a full set, or if you prefer to buy only the volumes you need as they become available, ordering one volume at a time may make more sense. Volume II, for Lent and Easter, is simply the first volume being released by both publishers.

Will my current protective case fit the new books?

Possibly, but we cannot guarantee fit yet. Ascension's standard-print page size matches the current page size, which suggests some existing cases may fit. However, book thickness, binding, cover material, and the exact case design can all affect fit.

Both publishers are selling covers made for the new edition. Word on Fire has indicated that it will offer one book cover designed to fit each volume in its new Liturgy of the Hours set, rather than separate covers for each volume. If an exact fit matters to you, we recommend waiting for publisher-specific covers or confirmed measurements before purchasing a new protective case.

What if I am ordering for a parish, deacon class, or formation group?

Please contact us before placing a group order. We can help you think through timing, format, large print needs, and whether everyone in the group should use the same publisher edition for page-number consistency.

Frequently asked questions

Open the frequently asked questions

Will there be a St. Joseph Guide or other annual guide for the Second Edition?

The familiar St. Joseph annual guides, red supplements, and laminated inserts currently available from Catholic Book Publishing are accessories for the existing First Edition. They should not be purchased with the expectation that their page references will match the new Ascension or Word on Fire Second Edition books.

We have not found an official announcement of a Second Edition annual page guide or replacement supplement. Ascension's Standard and Large Print editions share page numbers with each other, while Word on Fire uses different pagination, so any future guide will need to identify the publisher and edition it supports. We will update this FAQ if a compatible guide or supplement is announced.

Is large print available?

Yes. Large print options are expected from both Ascension and Word on Fire.

What are the book dimensions and font sizes?

Ascension has published both page dimensions and font sizes. Ascension Standard Print is 4.5" x 6.75" with 10 pt font. Ascension Large Print is 5.5" x 8.375" with 12.41 pt font. These dimensions apply across Ascension's cover options; the main size difference is Standard Print vs. Large Print.

Word on Fire Standard Print is 5" x 8" with 11.4 pt font. Word on Fire Large Print is 6" x 9.25" with 14 pt font.

Will there be a Spanish edition?

At this time, the USCCB has not announced or confirmed a Spanish-language edition of the new U.S. Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition. Existing Spanish editions lawfully approved by other conferences of bishops may still be used, but we do not yet have a release date for a new U.S. Spanish edition.

Can you ship the new edition to Canada or other countries?

Unfortunately, no. The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops has approved this edition for use in the United States only, so we are not able to distribute it internationally, including to Canada.

Will there be a one-volume Shorter Christian Prayer version?

As of now, we have not heard of a one-volume Shorter Christian Prayer version for the new Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition. The closest announced project is Midwest Theological Forum's Major Extracts of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition. MTF is preparing a diurnal volume and is still discussing a second, Matins-only volume with the USCCB.

Midwest Theological Forum has not yet published firm pricing or availability for the Major Extracts project, so we are not taking preorders for it yet. However, MTF is taking preorders for the standalone General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours and Compline, both expected to ship in early 2027. Use the Midwest Theological Forum alert form above if you would like to be notified when the larger Major Extracts edition is ready.

Do I have to stop using my current set right away?

No. The new edition first comes into use on Ash Wednesday, February 10, 2027, and becomes mandatory for public use on the First Sunday of Advent, December 3, 2028.

Will there be an online or digital version of the new Liturgy of the Hours?

Updated July 3, 2026: Divine Office has said that the USCCB has not yet decided when it will grant permission to publish the new translation online. In practical terms, that means online, app, podcast, and audio providers do not yet have a clear licensing path for the Second Edition text.

Printed books have priority right now. The current online version is expected to continue being maintained while providers wait for the USCCB to release a licensing model. Divine Office has also indicated that they hope a path for online publishing will be clear before December 3, 2028, when the Second Edition becomes mandatory for public use.

What should I do with my old Liturgy of the Hours volumes?

The proper way to dispose of a liturgical book is to bury it or burn it. The best first step is to check with your parish or church, since they may already have a process in place for respectfully disposing of old liturgical books.

Will the full set ship all at once?

No. The volumes are being released one at a time. For both Ascension and Word on Fire, Volume II, for Lent and Easter, ships first, with later volumes shipping as they are released.

Can the Deacon Store help me choose between Ascension and Word on Fire?

Yes. That is one reason we are maintaining this page. We are tracking format, cover material, readability, page-number considerations, release timing, and who each edition may be best for.

Are the page numbers the same between the Word on Fire and Ascension editions?

No. The page numbers are not the same between publishers. Ascension has confirmed that page numbers are the same between its standard print and large print options.

Updated July 2, 2026: Word on Fire response

pagination is absolutely on our mind as well! With that said, the only way we could have synced pages with Ascension's Liturgy of the Hours is to have the same page-template and the same design, which would mean that we would be essentially providing the same product. Rather, after years of perfecting the design providing the Liturgy of the Hours to tens of thousands of seminarians and religious and laity with our monthly Liturgy of the Hours books, we're confident our design brings out the beauty and the ease-of-use to help the faithful focus deeply on the prayers themselves. We are very proud and careful of our design, and to compromise on that for the sake of pagination sync with another publisher would sacrifice the beauty of this design. Rather, we hope that groups will see and all agree that Word on Fire's version is right for them. Or if there is a mix of books, since the texts are all diligently accurate and approved, you can all still be synced, just not by page numbers, but by the day's prescribed prayers.

Why order from the Deacon Store instead of directly from the publisher?

You can order from the publisher, and many people will. The reason to order from the Deacon Store is that you are getting the same publisher pricing while supporting a small store built specifically to serve deacons, clergy, parishes, and ministry families.

We are also doing the comparison work across both publishers, keeping this guide updated as details change, and helping customers think through format, timing, group orders, and practical use in ministry. If you value that kind of focused support, your preorder helps keep it going.

Is Word on Fire's edition the same as Ascension's Premium Natural Grain edition?

No. They appear closest in overall material class because both are full-grain leather premium editions, but they are not the same book. Word on Fire describes natural full-grain steer-hide leather. Ascension's Premium Natural Grain edition uses full-grain goatskin and has its own paper, binding, ribbons, artwork, and design system.

Why is Word on Fire's full set so much less expensive than Ascension's top edition?

Publisher pricing reflects more than just whether a cover is full-grain leather. Leather type, sourcing, manufacturing partners, launch strategy, order volume, and product lineup all matter. Word on Fire is offering one premium edition at an aggressive early-bird price. Ascension is offering multiple material tiers, including a top full-grain goatskin heirloom option.

How long will Word on Fire's early-bird price last?

Word on Fire has not announced a firm end date for its limited-time launch pricing. As of September 17, 2026, the early-bird prices remain $359 for Standard Print and $429 for Large Print, with free shipping. Word on Fire says the initial printing may sell out, so the offer should be treated as subject to change.

Have another question?

Send us your question about the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition and we will help as best we can.

Ready to preorder?

Ascension and Word on Fire preorders are open now. We will keep this guide updated as publisher details, pricing, and release timing change.