Three disciplines—prayer, fasting, and almsgiving—have traditionally characterized Lent. Lent is also a time when many Catholics intensify their liturgical participation, often by daily Mass. Father Edward Looney brings those elements together in his very practical book, just in time for Lent, by joining prayer and meditation with the Collects of each day’s Lenten Mass.
The General Instruction on the Roman Missals speaks of the Opening Prayer as an invitation for everyone, in silence, to recollect themselves in God’s Presence and “call to mind their intentions. Then the Priest pronounces the prayer usually called the ‘Collect’ and through which the character of the celebration finds expression” (54). Each day of Lent has its own proper Collect, which gathers the Church in prayerful unity around certain constant themes and foci of this “season of grace and favor.”
The liturgy is the touchstone of the Christian life. Its extension throughout the whole of the Christian’s day keeps with Vatican II’s vision. Father Looney makes that goal very practical for the everyday Catholic throughout Lent.
In the book, each day of Lent begins with the Opening Prayer for that day. It is followed by the author’s reflection, usually one-and-one-half to two pages, based on that Collect. His reflections are simple and very practical, easily readable “meat and potatoes” for spiritual thought. The reflections are followed by three questions based on the Collect and the meditation, to foster application to one’s own life and prolong the idea of the Collect throughout the day. Space is provided for those who might want to answer the questions in writing, though that’s only an option.
I was impressed by the practicality of these reflections. For example, when the Collect for Wednesday of the First Week of Lent speaks of “devotion,” Father Looney employs it as a springboard to suggest we use Lent to “enhance our devotional lives” (p. 53). Not to leave that suggestion in the abstract, he mentions two specific devotions Catholics might try out during Lent: the Rosary and the Stations of the Cross.
This book does not suppose a particular, existing level of devotion: Father Looney recognizes that “some Catholics” may not pray or even be familiar with the Rosary. He suggests some Catholics might not be familiar with the Holy Thursday Evening Mass of the Lord’s Supper (p. 271). Without presupposing, he gently nudges the reader: why not get acquainted? Lent is a good time to start. Praying with the Church uses these reflections as ways of reinforcing fundamental Catholic categories that may have been neglected, like “grace,” how “conversion” occurs in normal life, or the value of Lent as a time for sacramental Reconciliation (including encouraging people to receive the sacrament with confidence).
As regards each day’s questions, do with them as you like. Sit and meditate on any or all. Take one and mull about it during the day (a way of extending the Collect through the day). Ponder them alone or with a spouse, one’s family, or maybe a post-Mass group. Jot your thoughts down or take them on the run. Whatever you do, let the Collect of that day extend through your day, focusing your attention on what the Church seeks to capture in that prayer and your lived experience of it.
Liturgical purists might dislike that the book includes reflections for the Paschal Triduum. While Lent and the Triduum are distinct times in the liturgical year, they together lead to Easter—the feast of feasts—in which the book culminates. The book also includes treatments of three feasts that might occur in Lent and usually preempt the Lenten weekday: the Chair of Peter, St. Joseph, and the Annunciation.
Catholics looking for good spiritual reading to partner with for their Lenten spiritual growth will find Father Looney’s book of great value. Its deliberate use can mentor serious spiritual growth for people at all levels.
