If you’re not already doing it as part of your daily spiritual routine (you do have a daily spiritual routine, right?), spiritual reading during Lent is another great practice that allows us to be drawn into the graces of the season. For this reason, many publishers produce booklets with daily readings, reflections, and prayers that take just a few minutes every day. One Lenten booklet I particularly like, and even ordered as a hand-out to parishioners, is Magnificat‘s Lenten Companion. Sadly, they’ve sold out completely on this year’s edition, so keep it on your list to remember for future years. Magnificat also produces an Advent Companion, which is similarly worth ordering as soon as it’s available.
Along with the daily reflection booklets, Lent is a great time to avail yourself of the many great books on spirituality and Church teaching out there. You can choose from classics like Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales and The Imitation of Christ by Thomas a Kempis to more recent spiritual writing by Archbishop Fulton Sheen and Dr. Scott Hahn, among many other spiritually enriching options.
This Lent, join me in turning off the computer and TV, and picking up a good spiritual book or two. My choice is Pope Benedict’s Jesus of Nazareth and Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week: From the Entrance Into Jerusalem To The Resurrection. What are you reading this Lent?
Hi Father,
I’m so glad I found your site, loved your vocation story! There are so many great websites that have libraries if great Catholic Classics. I’m reading from this one now. http://www.catholictreasury.info/library.php Right now I’m reading this one http://www.catholictreasury.info/books/spiritual_maxims/index.php and using if for my blog posts. Theres a ton a great info in that little book, so practical.
God love you Fr!
In the Sorrowful Heart,
Catherine Beier
Catherine, thank you for your comments, and wonderful links! God’s blessing upon you!
I love to read at night, it helps me calm my racing mind. I’ve completed the Biography on Padre Pio, It was awesome. It isn’t one of those books that you glance through each paragraph for the gist of it. You need to read it word for word.
I also have finished ‘Heaven in Your Hands” by Fr. Benedict Groeschel, it’s all about living the Beatitudes. I know this is one I’ll read again, it says so much, that 1 time through isn’t enough.
I’m on my second time through on ‘7 Secrets of the Eucharist’ by Vinny Flynn. So much great information concerning the Eucharist and the true Living Christ.
At the same time I’m reading ‘Praying in the Presence of Our Lord with St. Padre Pio, this book is about praying in the presence of The Most Blessed Sacrament. It really speaks to me about the Eucharistic Adoration we’ve started to do.