A Note on Lent: A Guest Post From Sarah Bessey

A faith-based wilderness manual, Sarah Bessey is here to be your companion on your journey, whatever that journey entails. This is an actionable guide to finding fertile soil to nurture your faith as you continue to grow towards God.

A great one for those who are newer to the observance of Lent, this lovely book starts on Ash Wednesday and guides you all the way through Easter. Oxenreider’s background in classical education becomes clear as she explores and includes art, music, and literature throughout her meditations, practices, and prayers of the liturgical season.

The latest book of modern-day prayers and meditations from my fellow Canadian, Kate Bowler is such a good companion. With warmth, humour, and a tender hand for those who are hurting, she offers short reflections and practical steps – with truly gorgeous blessings – for those of us who “don’t have magical lives that always work out for the best.” There is a bonus section specific to Lent, too.

As an alternative to the fasting and repentance of a traditional Lent, Dr. Walker-Barnes created this theology of self-care in a devotional format.  Each of these practices point us toward love, compassion, and resurrection for the long haul with a self-care that doesn’t resort to baths and Netflix binges but centres on justice, compassion, and resistance.

Released more than twenty years ago, this ecumenical compilation of readings has been a favourite for good reason. Every day, you’re able to spend time with some of the greatest theological thinkers, mystics, writers, and activists like Frederick Buechner to Madeleine L’Engle, Sadhu Sundar Singh to Wendell Berry and beyond.

As a mother of four myself, I’m one of many who have leaned on Traci Smith’s family-based resources for spiritual formation over the years. This slim book focused on Lent and Easter brings together art, practices, conversation activities, and prayers that are fun, easy, and creative for the whole family. But I really appreciated her guidance on how to talk to kids about the sadness that can accompany this season, the violence of Holy Week, and the death of our friend Jesus in a way that makes them feel safe and secure.

From the beloved curator and creator behind Black Liturgies on social media, this collection of practices, poetry, and breath prayer dreams of liberation, spirituality, and embodiment precisely at our complicated moment in time. Focused on the Black interior world, Arthur Riley’s impeccable prose and spiritual language for rage, wonder, fear, repair, trauma, and ritual is absolutely remarkable.