Catholic Lenten Books
Lenten Resources
Ash Wednesday begins the penitential season of Lent, the period of time during which the Church recalls the events leading up to Christ’s passion, and finally the Passion itself. The 40 days of Lent (Sundays, which always call to mind the joy of the resurrection, are not counted in the 40 days of Lent) are a reminder of the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert, and the 40 years the Israelites wandered in the desert. Similarly, for 40 days the Church prepares for and anticipates the ultimate gift of Christ’s Passion. Aquinas and More carries many Lenten books to aid in making this season prayerful and penitential.
Daily Lenten Prayer/Mediations
A favorite among Catholic Lenten resources are the various daily Lenten prayer and reflection guides. Especially in this modern society, where so much of our time becomes wrapped up in the day-to-day duties of our life, it is ever important to take time for prayer. There are many Catholic prayer guides, both general and for specific liturgical seasons, of course including Lent. Aquinas and More has several Lenten prayer guides available.
Always a favorite is the annual Magnificat Lenten Companion – this book is small, but thoroughly filled with prayers and daily reflections. This inspiring guide is a favorite every year and often sells out – get your copy early for this Lenten season.
Lifelong faith and prayer are nurtured within the family, the domestic church. As Lent is a season of prayer and penance, it is the ideal time to begin or expand family prayer time. A Family Journey with Jesus Through Lent provides stories, prayers, and activities for families to use throughout the season of Lent year after year.
Other intriguing Lenten prayer guides include the popular Lent and Easter Wisdom from Pope John Paul II, Lent and Easter Wisdom from Fulton J Sheen, and In Conversation With God Volume 2, which covers Lent and Eastertide. Also available is the timeless Meditations for Lent, compiled from the sermons of St. Thomas Aquinas.
Or, if you are looking for a Bible Study this Lenten season to help you delve deeper into the Word of God, The Seven Last Words of Christ is a Bible Study which focuses on Christ’s Passion. For Easter, The Words of the Risen Christ is a Bible Study which explores the Resurrection of Christ.
Stations of the Cross
For both parish and personal use, Aquinas and More offers several Stations of the Cross guides, for reflecting and praying upon the steps of Christ’s Passion.
The classic and inspiring St. Alphonsus Liguori’s Way of the Cross is always a favorite. This is also available in large print and on an inspirational CD, combining the prayer of St. Alphonsus with Lenten hymns. Another beloved favorite is The Way of the Cross According to the Method of St. Francis of Assisi. Bulk packages, such as The Way of the Cross with Text From the Scriptures (50 booklets) are ideal for parish and group use. Books for children are also available, including The Way of the Cross for Children and The Way of the Cross for Young Christians.
View all of our Way of the Cross products by clicking here.
Confession
As mentioned above, Lent is a penitential season. Since the earliest centuries of the Catholic Church, this period of preparation for Christ’s Passion has been kept as a time of penance and fasting in order to bring one’s self closer to God. With that in mind, Lent is a good time to focus on the penitential sacrament of Confession.
If you’d like to learn more about why Catholics go to Confession, Why Go to Confession or Confession Quizzes to a Street Preacher will offer some insight on the sacrament. For those who have not been to Confession in some time or are returning to the Church and sacraments after being away, Confession: A Little Book for the Reluctant is a great little booklet explaining the importance of Confession. For young Catholics, books such as My Confession Book and Going to Confession will help children understand the importance of penance.
View all of our books on Confession by clicking here.
Other Catholic Books for Lent
Aquinas and More also offers several other books that are ideal for the season of Lent and learning about the life, public ministry, and Passion of Christ. Life of the Good Thief explores the life of the repentant criminal who died next to Jesus on Golgotha, and in Characters of the Passion, Fulton J. Sheen unearths the lives of other important figures that were a part of the Passion.
If you are looking for other prayer books, The Passion Novena is a Scripture-based rosary focused on the events of Jesus’ Passion. The Sacred Passion is another prayer aid for meditating on Christ’s Passion. Both The School of Jesus Crucified and Power of Small Choices provide material for finding and implementing the lessons and significance of Christ’s Passion in everyday life.
You can find more books for Lent by clicking here.
