Lenten Suggestions from CBB

Lent is just around the corner and it can be a remarkable season for us all if we only take the opportunity to allow it. There is the typical practice of “giving things up” but I suggest something more. Why not add something this Lent? Here are a few suggestions for faith building reading and study. Some I have reviewed and some I plan on featuring these next few weeks.

Donna-Marie Cooper O’Boyle has recently released the fourth addition to her Bringing Lent Home series from Ave Maria Press. These great daily readers focus on one holy person who will be your guide through your Lenten journey. So far in the series she has Brought Lent to readers with Bringing Lent Home with St. Therese of Lisieux; Mother Teresa ; St. Pope John Paul II and now Pope Francis. To see what these books are all about you can check out my review of the series and read our interview as well.

If you are the sort that enjoys something a little different than Father Dwight Longenecker’s Slubgrip Instructs: Fifty Days with the Devil is for you. Written in the style of C.S. Lewis and his famous Screwtape Letters, Father Dwight hits a home run. This is an entertaining read that educates at the same time. Learn more about the book and see what Father Dwight  has to say about the diabolical Slubgrip.

Catholic Scripture Study International ha a treasure trove of studies on varying topics. Jesus’ Passion: The Story of Redemptive Suffering is a five lesson study that was designed to be used with Mel Gibson’s The Passion of Christ. Lent: The Road to Redemption, Cycle C is a six lesson study based on the Sunday readings of Lent. This particular study has an accompanying DVD lecture by Father Mitch Pacwa. I reviewed the Jesus’ Passion study and last year’s Road to Redemption Cycle B study which will give you an outline on each.

Stations of the Cross with the Eucharistic Heart of Jesus by the Apostleship of Prayer is a neat little book from Ave Maria Press new for 2016. This is a book to use as a personal Way of the Cross and was written by Rev. Will Prospero. The included artwork comes from the Stations of the Cross located in the School Sisters of St. Francis St. Joseph Chapel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Sophia Institute Press has some pretty neat Meditation books and for Lent they have Meditations for Lent by Bishop Jacques-Benigne Bossuet. It’s a classic in a rugged leatherette format that is quite handy for reflection.

Pauline Books and Media has a handy guide that can be used year after year. Lenten Grace: Daily Gospel Reflections provides daily reflections on the applicable yearly cycle of readings. Modeled after lectio divina the book contains the reflections of 15 of the Daughters of St. Paul.

Do you like to garden? Break up the winter doldrums with the excellent Lenten reflection book Cultivating God’s Garden through Lent by Margaret Rose Realy. Her unique approach grabbed me from page one. You can check out my review and see for yourself.

Another nice meditation book on the Stations of the Cross is a classic brought back into print by Pauline Books and Media. The Way of the Passion: Forty Stations with Jesus takes you through each day of Lent with a daily reflection on a certain aspect of the Passion. Well worth the forty days spent with it you will come away with a deeper understanding of Christ’s suffering. You can see the complete list of forty meditations in my review.

I hope you take the opportunity to get at least one of these books this Lenten season. All are worthy of consideration and you will gain much from them.