The cover art is bold, clearly visible to those near and far. It bears the traditional images of the four evangelists in colorful foil: the angel, Matthew; the lion, Mark; the ox, Luke; the eagle, John.
A two-column page design makes it easy to find the identification of the reading and the rubrics, thus preventing mistakes in proclamation.
The gospel texts are printed in large 17-point type, arranged in sense lines. Page turns have been eliminated wherever possible.
Feasts and many Sundays are illuminated with full-color art. There are more than 30 original pieces of art in the interior of the book.
Included are all Gospel readings for Sundays, solemnities, feasts of the Lord, and all ritual Masses.
The edges of the pages are gilded, and a wide ribbon marker is bound into the book.
The artist, Laura James, lives and works in Brooklyn, New York. She paints Biblical themes in the iconographic tradition of Ethiopian Christian art. Her work, with its bright colors and intricate patterns displays a unique style, and vision.
The proclaimed text is set in 17 pt. Adobe Jensen.
The translation used in the Book of the Gospels is the RNAB.
As of February 2016, the Book of the Gospels is now 10-5/8″ x 14″. The new, smaller size allows for the functionality of the book to fit on the ambo and still remain dignified and noble.