Daughters of St. Paul Sister Diane Leonard Kraus, left, and Sister Joane Caritas Gepitulan check out Lenten titles at the Pauline Book and Media Center in Honolulu. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
Books and other materials to get you into the seasonal spirit of prayer, penance, fasting
By Anna Weaver
Hawaii Catholic Herald
As Ash Wednesday approaches (and passes) it can be hard shifting your mindset toward the three pillars of Lent: prayer, penance and fasting. Having something on hand, such as a book, might make it easier.
For current media recommendations, we turned to the local Daughters of St. Paul who run Pauline Books and Media on Bishop Street in downtown Honolulu near the Cathedral Basilica of Our Lady of Peace.
Sister Joane Caritas Gepitulan recommends “Mysterion” by Father Harrison Ayre.
“It beautifully explains the revelatory power of the sacramental worldview. From the introduction, ‘This vision is none other than to share in Christ’s own vision of creation …’”
Sister Diane Leonard Kraus recommends “The Strangeness of Truth; Vibrant Faith in a Dark World” by Father Damian Ference.
“If you are searching for the deep truths of existence, this book is for you or for anyone you know who is seeking answers for the mysteries in life. It’s very readable and full of stories from the author’s life. It’s a great book for deepening some core truths of our faith.”
Two Lent-appropriate titles, “Contemplating the Face of Jesus: A Way of the Cross” and “Contemplating the Way of the Cross: A Personal Encounter With Our Crucified Lord,” are both available at the Pauline Book and Media Center in Honolulu. (HCH photo | Anna Weaver)
Sister Maria Joseph Petrill recommends “Hope Always: Our Anchor in Life’s Storms” by Kris Frank.
“An excellent book for anyone you know going through great suffering and losing hope. It is especially for the discouraged, the weary, the addicted, the anxious, the grieving … There Is hope in Jesus always!”
Store volunteer David Suzuki recommends “The Imitation of Christ” by Thomas a Kempis.
“This is one of those must-have books about Scripture. It is a good book to help you get back on track especially now, during this pandemic. In the beginning of the book, you will find basic concepts that you may already know. But it takes you into deeper reflection as each chapter builds on the previous one. Lent is a good time to pick up this book and then continue reading during the Easter Season and Ordinary Time.”
All of these titles are available at the Honolulu Pauline Books and Media store, including 30% off “Stations of the Cross” booklets.
The Daughters of St. Paul also have daily Lenten email reflections based on the “Memento Mori” devotional that focuses on eternal life by Sister Theresa Aletheia Noble: connect.pauline.org/memento-mori
For more Lenten digital resources, our columnist Sherry Hayes-Peirce has some recommendations: hawaiicatholicherald.com/tag/tech-lent
New Lenten kids books
We found some new(er) releases that your kids might enjoy during the Lenten season.
“Louis’ Lent” by Claudia Cangilla McAdam is aimed at younger readers (ages 4-8) and looks at one boy’s choice to do acts of service during Lent rather than “giving something up.”
“MagnifiKid! Daily Lenten Journey: Forty Days to Easter Joy” gives children (aged 8-12) a Scripture passage and reflection to focus on each day.
“Brother Lorenzo’s Pretzels: Prayer and the Holy Trinity” by Cornelia Mary Bilinsky tells about a monk using a pretzel in a catechism lesson. Because the shape of a pretzel reminds one of hands crossed on one’s chest in prayer, and because most pretzels use simple ingredients of bread, water and salt, the baked good is often used as a Lenten teaching tool. The book also has a pretzel recipe at the end. It’s available at Pauline Books & Media in Honolulu.
Pauline Book and Media Center is at 1143 Bishop Street, Honolulu, HI 96813, phone (808) 521-2731, honolulu@paulinemedia.com, pauline.org
