[Exton, PA – March 9, 2026] As the Church prepares to receive the long-anticipated new translation of its daily prayer, Ascension is giving a first look at the original sacred artwork created exclusively for its new edition of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, available for preorder beginning July 1, 2026.
Interior mockup of Ascension’s Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition (sample images are not final and subject to change).
Created by Catholic artist Ruth Stricklin of New Jerusalem Studios in Phoenix, Arizona, the artwork for Ascension’s edition is entirely original and deeply rooted in the Church’s tradition. Known for her ability to blend tradition and innovation, Stricklin brings a gravitas to a liturgical book of this magnitude. The more than 60 illustrations—including full-page, black-and-white depictions that introduce the Proper of Time, Psalter, and more—were thoughtfully designed to visually reflect the mysteries being prayed. Additional, smaller icons are incorporated throughout the text to further draw the mind and heart into each hour. The result is artwork that helps those praying the Liturgy of the Hours focus on the beauty of the faith and enter more deeply into the rhythm of the Church’s daily prayer.
Stricklin, a convert to Catholicism, sees her art as a way to help people encounter Christ through sacramentally informed sacred art and design. “My goal as a sacred artist is to reveal the hidden realities of heaven,” says Stricklin. “Beauty in sacred art is sacramental. It reveals the truths of our faith and has a real purpose. To be asked to be the artist on this project felt incredible. The honor is beyond what I can describe.”
The Liturgy of the Hours is the Church’s official daily prayer and stands at the heart of priestly life while inviting the entire faithful into the sanctification of the day. Following the Vatican’s approval of a revised English translation—the first comprehensive update in more than fifty years—Ascension was selected by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops as one of two publishers for the new edition, which will begin being prayed on Ash Wednesday 2027. By commissioning original artwork, Ascension is creating a visually rich edition to help those praying enter more fully into the beauty of the Church’s daily prayer.
“For many clergy and religious, the Liturgy of the Hours becomes one of the most used books of their lives,” says Jonathan Strate, President and CEO of Ascension. “The sacred art in these volumes may be seen thousands of times over a lifetime of prayer, so it needs to be worthy of that encounter.”
Catholic artist Ruth Stricklin illustrating an image of Our Lady for the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition.
The Second Edition: A Historic Moment for the Church’s Daily Prayer
Beginning July 1, 2026, Ascension will open preorders for its complete four-volume set of the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition in multiple formats: Standard and Large Print. Both editions will feature clear, comfortable typography, durable cream paper, and Smyth-sewn, edge-lined binding built for decades of daily prayer. A Premium Edition will also be available, crafted with top-grain goatskin leather, gold foil stamping, raised spine hubs, gilded page edges, and multiple satin ribbons.
All editions include carefully designed typesetting developed in collaboration with the master typesetters at 2K/DENMARK, with optimized spacing and subtle navigational aids to maximize readability and ease of use. The page numbers of each format will be consistent for those praying in community. Group discounts will be offered to parishes, seminaries, and religious communities seeking matching sets for communal prayer and formation.
Ascension’s Liturgy of the Hours (Standard and Premium Editions)
For more information on the Liturgy of the Hours, Second Edition, visit www.AscensionPress.com/LOTH.
About Ruth Stricklin
Ruth Stricklin is a mural artist and designer from Phoenix, Arizona, who co-founded New Jerusalem Studios (NJS) alongside her husband, Geoff, in 2014. Her profound commitment to authentic liturgical renewal within the Catholic community is beautifully exemplified through her work. A convert to Catholicism, Ruth’s journey into the world of Catholic sacred art began with a transformative encounter with beauty in the liturgy, which she came to understand as an encounter with Christ himself. Learn more at www.NewJerusalemStudios.com.
About Ascension
Ascension is a multimedia network and the leader in Catholic faith formation and digital content. Over the past 25 years, Ascension has helped nurture the faith of over 20 million Catholics through award-winning books, the chart-topping Bible in a Year (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)® podcast, more than 50 unique faith formation programs, and the Ascension Presents YouTube channel and Ascension app.
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