- by foxnews
- 31 Mar 2025
Written by Mark Bradford, an advocate for persons with intellectual disabilities, the book - titled "Let Us Pray: Catholic Prayers for All Abilities" - features simplified traditional prayers, large print for readability, and an accessible font for those with dyslexia and other reading challenges.
There are an estimated 250,000 persons with Down syndrome in the United States, and millions more with other types of intellectual challenges.
Kurtz, who grew up with an older brother with Down syndrome, called the book a "beautiful gift" for those who desire to grow in their faith but have no means to do so.
Bradford told Fox News Digital that he was inspired to create the new book when he saw his 20-year-old son Thomas Augustine - who has Down syndrome - having to use a book with "horrible illustrations" designed for small children to pray the rosary.
"There are no resources like this for adults with intellectual disabilities," he explained. "I want this to be a resource that provides something beautiful to encourage adults with disabilities, and really anyone whose reading level is around the 3rd to 6th grade, to develop a habit of prayer using a book that was prepared just for them."
Fox News Digital obtained an exclusive copy of the book. Bradford explained that through the book's visually striking but not childish imagery, easy-to-read text, and engaging layout, it can help anyone, especially those with learning challenges, to form a habit of prayer.
According to Bradford, even the typeset chosen for the prayers is a unique font designed by a typographer in Holland specifically to assist dyslexic readers.
"Let Us Pray" includes four main sections: "Making a Habit of Prayer," "Getting More Involved at Sunday Mass," "Devotions" and "Prayers for Special Times," which includes "Prayers for Your Life's Purpose" and "Prayers When Someone You Love Has Died or Is Dying."
"When some women find out they are going to have a baby, they are very sad and afraid. They don't want their baby - sometimes especially if they find out the baby will have Down syndrome or another disability," the book reads. "They need us to pray for them every day so that they say yes, just like Mary did, and have their special baby to love."
There is also a section at the end of the book for the reader to write down their own prayers.
Despite the stigma often associated with Down syndrome and other learning disabilities, Bradford said that through "Let Us Pray," he wants to send the message that "EVERY human person made in God's image is called into a relationship with him."
"Those living with intellectual disabilities can have a rich and fruitful prayer life," he said. "That needs to be honored with resources that encourage prayer and the development of that relationship with their creator that happens through prayer."
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