As Easter approaches, CCSTA thought it would be a perfect chance to highlight some good books you could read over the Easter long weekend. Take a few moments during the busy Easter weekend and crack open a book that reflects on the Lenten Season, the purpose of Easter and what it means for you.
Below are some suggestions for Easter reading.
Journey to Easter: Spiritual Reflections For The Lenten Season
Pope Benedict XVI, Joseph Ratzinger
The successor to Pope John Paul II shares a Lenten blessing that evaluates the meaning of the season, the significance of the birth and death of Christ, and the meaning of Jesus in the lives of Christians everywhere, in a spiritual meditation that follows such themes as the mystery of Mary and the Pentecostal sending of the Spirit. It would be hard to come up with a better book for your spiritual reading this Lent.
Bread and Wine: Readings for Lent and Easter
Various Writers
Has there ever been a more hard-hitting, beautifully written, theologically inclusive anthology of writings for Lent and Easter? It’s doubtful. Six separate sections (Invitation, Temptation, Passion, Crucifixion, Resurrection and New Life) guide readers through the essential elements of spiritual preparation and feature writings from some of Christendom’s most celebrated masters. Classic thinkers such as Martin Luther and John Donne share space with 20th-century theologians like C.S. Lewis, G.K. Chesterton and Dorothy Day. There is also a generous sampling from contemporary writers, including Philip Yancey, John Updike, Frederick Buechner, Madeleine L’Engle, Henri Nouwen and Brennan Manning.
Eastertide: Prayers for Lent Through Easter from The Divine Hours
Phyllis Tickle
Beginning with Ash Wednesday and moving through Lent and on to Easter Sunday, Eastertide provides the daily prayers that bring practitioners into the full spirit of this season. Each day is filled with psalms, readings from the Bible, and hymns of praise and worship, just as they appear in the larger volume, The Divine Hours: Prayers for Springtime. Newcomers to this beloved tradition will find that Eastertide is the perfect introduction to joining the ancients in the tradition of fixed-hour prayer.
Story of Easter: A Children’s Book
Published by Catholic Book Publishing Group
The Story of Easter is one of a series of excellent Saint Joseph “Carry-Me-Along” board books for young children from Catholic Book Publishing. The Story of Easter, a sturdy, made-for-children board book featuring an illustrated green handle, has 16 pages of clear, easy-to-read text, teaching young children about the wondrous and exciting story of Jesus. The Story of Easter has engaging full-color illustrations including a front cover depiction of small children rejoicing as they watch Jesus Rise from the dead.
The Future Church
John L. Allen Jr.
We know this book isn’t related specifically to Easter, but if you plan to attend the CCSTA conference, Catholic Education: A National Conversation, you’ll want to pick up this book. John L. Allen Jr. will be a keynote speaker at the September conference and plans to talk about his book, The Future Church. The book examines ten mega-trends, from the explosion of Christianity in the southern hemisphere, to the rise of militant Islam, to the biotech revolution and globalization. Though it’s focused on Catholicism, the trends are actually relevant for all Christian denominations and, for that matter, all religions. Reading the book prior to the conference will prepare you well for Allen’s much-anticipated presentation.
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