Lent is fast approaching. What’s your plan this year? I believe one of the most important things we can do each Lent to grow in holiness is to immerse oneself in the lives of the saints. How do we do this? By reading about them. Decide to fast every day from some of your own “personal” time and pledge to dedicate it, instead, to reading about the great martyrs and spiritual warriors in our Church.
Whether it’s a half hour, fifteen minutes, or an hour each day, fast from scrolling the internet or watching television and offer that time in sacrifice to God. Not only will you receive grace from this offering, but you will receive the added benefit of witnessing the saints’ many virtues. New insights gleaned from the saints can impact one’s life in such a way that it changes one forever.
Saintly Influence
Many saints were influenced by the lives of other saints they encountered or read about, as well. St. Thomas Aquinas was heavily influenced by St. Albert the Great (and vise-versa); St. John of the Cross and St. Theresa of Avila heavily influenced one another in holiness; and St. Augustine was greatly influenced by not only St. Ambrose but by his own mother, St. Monica, as well!
As Mother Angelica, foundress of the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN), always said, “We are all called to be great saints. Don’t miss the opportunity!” Everyone should aspire to be a saint. That is the life we are all called to. Though we will not all be officially canonized, being counted among the saints in Heaven is what all Christians and people of God are striving for.
Pick Your Read
This year, I’ve chosen to read The Interior Castle by St. Theresa of Avila. It is something I’ve had on my “Books to Read” list for years but have never gotten around to reading. I find Lent the perfect time to peruse this list and to pick out some of these wonderful life-changing treasures. If I finish that, I may continue with the reading of her book, The Way of Perfection. After that, well, there’s plenty more on my list. . .
In addition to the links attached to the books named above, I provide links at the end of this post to help you find that “perfect” Lenten read. You can search for saints who may be examples to you in your current life’s walk. For example, St. Rita had a very difficult spouse, and she lost both her children to death; St. Augustine was heavily involved in all sorts of worldly sin; his mother, St. Monica, prayed for years for his conversion; St. Teresa of Lisieux and St. Faustina both battled illnesses in their young lives; St. John Paul II suffered the loss of both parents at an early age and lived through the harrowing Nazi occupation of Poland. The list goes on and on of all the saints we can look to that mirror what we may be experiencing in our own lives.
Other Lenten Links
Many books are available as audio books, as well. DVDs about saints for individual and family viewing are available, too (check age appropriateness). Some of my favorite saints DVDs are cited below (links attached):
- St. Giuseppe Moscati: Doctor to the Poor
- St. John Bosco: Mission to Love
- St. Rita: No Cause is Ever Lost
- St. Barbara: Convert and Martyr of the Early Church
- Francis Xavier Seelos
Excellent Lenten resources for books, audio books, and DVDs are available at:
For more Lenten ideas, check out one of my previous Lenten posts, “Ready, Set, Lent”.
Have a Blessed, Holy, Lent!
