Lent seems to sneak up on us every year. But this season is central to our discipleship and friendship with Jesus Christ! Spiritual reading during Lent is a sacramental: it reinvigorates our prayer lives and gives us fresh insight into the heart of Jesus Christ.
If you need some inspiration for reading material this Lent, look no farther.
The CatholicVote staff presents what they’re reading this year and why. Join us!
Meditations on Death: Preparing for Eternity – Thomas à Kempis
For the Christian, the soul is immortal and there is eternal life to come after our death: heaven or hell. Our goal is heaven and nothing less. However, there is the mysterious door to eternal life which is death. Available Here
I Believe in Love: A Personal Retreat Based on the Teaching of St. Therese of Lisieux, Father Jean D’Elbe
This spiritual classic has long been beloved by Catholics for its wondrous distillation of the teaching of St. Thérèse of Lisieux into a reader-friendly set of meditations. It’s perfect as a personal retreat when you have only a few moments to spare each day – and for spiritual reading anytime and anywhere. Available Here
Jesus of Nazareth: Holy Week From the Entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection – Pope Benedict XVI
Written by the late but beloved Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, this second edition of the Jesus of Nazareth series delves deep into the first Holy Week. This work is not only brilliantly written but covers some of the most pressing questions surrounding Christ’s death and Resurrection making it a perfect companion for these 40 holy days. Available Here
The Power of Silence – Cardinal Robert Sarah
In The Power of Silence, Cardinal Sarah highlights the great need for silence in our fast-paced modern world. In this context, contemplation is countercultural but it is in reality a crucial key for our culture to reestablish man’s relationship with the divine. Available Here
Introduction To The Devout Life – St. Francis De Sales
This classic work contains timeless and practical advice for our journey through life towards Heaven. St. Francis De Sales demonstrates how the call to the devout life is for everyone and outlines how to get there in a profound, yet understandable way. Available Here
The Sign of the Cross: Rediscovering the Power of the Ancient Prayer – Bert Ghezzi
As Catholics we make the Sign of the Cross so frequently, it’s easy to forget the power behind this symbol of our faith. This book pulls from Scripture, church teachings, and the author’s personal experience to discover how this prayer calls upon the Holy Spirit and strengthens our identity as followers of Christ. Available Here
BONUS! Children’s Pick
St. Patrick’s Summer – Marigold Hunt
St. Patrick is a favorite Lenten-season saint! This delightful Adventure Catechism presents Catholic tenets through an engaging story, perfect for the young people in your life. It follows a pair of friends who learn the truths of the faith through miraculous encounters with saints and biblical figures. Join young Michael and Cecilia as they travel through time to witness key moments of Catholic history, beginning with St. Patrick’s forbidden Easter Vigil in Druid-led Ireland. Available Here
