The gold-edged pages and hand-painted illustrations sparkle like jewelry in a Tiffany & Co. showcase. The lighting is dim, and the silent buzz of the lights mutes any distractions. Beyond the circulation desk at SMU’s Bridwell Library, in The Elizabeth Perkins Prothro Galleries, a new exhibit awaits the curious.

Whether you have a literary fetish, a spiritual calling, a history craving or just need a break from your studies, “Books for Devotion: Private Prayer and Piety Through Eight Centuries” is worth 30 minutes of your time. The exhibition features 60 books that were written to direct the soul heavenward in prayer and spiritual contemplation.

Each book in the collection is an “X” on a treasure map. Each reveals a devotional intimacy that uncovers the meaning of daily prayer and piety of the past. Dating from the 13th through the 20th centuries, the compact books vary in purpose, language and religion.

“The exhibition will be of primary interest to the theology school, but it will also excite those who are interested in the history of books and the people who owned them,” Curator of Special Events Dr. Eric White said.

All of the books were pulled from Bridwell Library’s own collection that has been gathered from donors and auctions. The three-room display chronologically portrays the evolution of prayer books. The diverse collection ranges from an Ethiopian prayer book to a modern art interpretation of the Psalms of David by Marc Chagall.

White predicts the room holding the Books of Hours will be the most popular section of the collection. Respectfully spotlighted, these one-of-a-kind, hand-painted books are among the earliest preserved in America. It is argued that the Book of Hours was the most popular book of the Middle Ages. The custom made prayer books are richly illuminated with captivating depictions.

“I’d like to see more students come through here,” said White, who encourages art history gurus and medieval history buffs to visit the gallery.

For once, go to the library not to study. No touching, just looking. Add your name to the fresh pages of the guestbook and enjoy the beauty and mystery of history.

Similar collections from past exhibits can be found on the Bridwell Library homepage under the Special Collections tab in the bottom left corner; however, the Books of Devotion collection will not be posted online until the actual display leaves the floor.