Ideas for reading during Lent's weeks

* "Forty Days of Grace" by Rev. Laurin J. Wenig (Twenty-Third Publications, $9.95) offers Lenten prayers and reflections week-by-week and day-by-day. Based on the Scripture of the liturgical season, Father Wenig provides reflection on the Sunday readings of Cycles A, B and C, and the daily readings that are common to weekdays. The author suggests that the reader/prayer begin by reading the entire Scriptures of the day which are listed at the beginning of each day; reflect a bit; then read the homily-like two-to-three-page essay. A prayer ends the section.

* The Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet offer a similar daily companion for Lent. Likewise based on the readings of the liturgical cycle, this paperback boasts of a different author each day -- Associates and Sisters of the 2000-plus member Congregation -- as well as a few other prayer-evoking features. "Springtime of the Soul: Lent Easter 1999" is independently published in California but available locally since about one-fourth of its contributors are from the Albany Province of the Congregation ($3.50 per copy; contact St. Joseph's Provincial House, Latham, 783-2500).

* "Springtime" is an artistically presented array of reflections on the daily readings. The book is peppered with black-white photos and purple-toned designs that make the texts visually attractive. The daily format includes a listing of the Scripture of the day, a quote from one of the readings; a short reflection that breaks open that Word, a prayer, an action and a mantra (short phrase) to carry one through the day. Sundays are preceded by a reflection on the thrust of that week and some advice for enhancing that particular phase of the Lenten journey.

This book carries the reader/pray-er into the week after Easter and thus suggests that the prayer practice of using the Scripture as daily food become more a permanent part of one's spiritual journey.

* "Seasons of New Beginnings" by Mitch Finley (Resurrection Press, $4.50) likewise presents daily readings, but this time thematically based on writings of spiritual guides. The author uses words from St. Augustine of Hippo, Dorothy Day, Vincent van Gogh, St. Teresa of Avila, John Henry Newman and Flannery O'Connor to develop short reflections with a "Lenten spin."

The author, a married layman, is well-versed in the challenges of living the spiritual life in our contemporary world. He has chosen very timely gems on which to reflect. His literary style is conversational and engaging. Oftentimes, he leaves the read/pray-er with a question to ponder, and he always ends with a short prayer.

* "Crosses and Prayers" by Rosemary Luckett (Sheed and Ward, $10.95) would probably appeal to the artistic among us. This text is a collection of visual crosses coupled with short poems that invite reflection. Ms. Luckett divides the book into the crosses of Solitude, Exploration, Women Crossings and Crucifixions. She provides no introduction or preface; the reader is simply drawn into the art forms and left to engage with them as s/he wills.

Although this paperback is not specifically for Lent, it could easily provide daily doses of nourishment since it contains nearly 40 different offerings.

Lent is coming! Enjoy its challenge to live the faith life more fully. Enjoy, too, a trip to the bookstore; may you find a book companion that suits you well.

(Editor's note: Christine Partisano, CSJ, a consultant in areas of theology and education, serves as a retreat and spiritual director, workshop leader, and process facilitator for parishes, dioceses and religious communities locally and nationally.)

(02-04-99)