Book Review: “The Ascension Lenten Companion”

Father Mark Toups is a priest of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux, La. He is the author of “Oremus: a Catholic guide to prayer” (2012), “Rejoice! Advent meditations series” (2020-2021), “The Way of the Cross: praying the Psalms with Jesus” (2020), and “The Ascension Lenten Companion” for Year B (2021). 

Father Toups' organized this book to be centered on the Lenten Sunday readings for Mass instead of the daily Lenten readings for Mass. He starts with reflections on the Sunday readings the Wednesday before Sunday with Thursday, Friday and Saturday reflections building up to Sunday and then the days afterward are reflections, in a way start coming down until Wednesday when he starts the process over with the next Sunday's Mass readings. This process seems to me like starting at the base of a hill with Sunday as the apex and then going down the hill.

The book, of course, starts with Ash Wednesday, which is treated differently than the other Wednesdays of Lent. Each day has a Scripture quote from the Sunday readings, which is followed by a reflection that is a page to two pages in length. This is followed by “For Your Prayer” space that encourages the reader to read a Scripture reading from the upcoming Sunday and to use their imagination to put themselves into the scene of the reading. 

After that, there is a page provided for journaling or to write about anything that caught the reader's attention. This is somewhat like Lectio Divina. Each “week” begins with artwork by Mike Moyers that serves as a divider.

The reflections for Holy Week are treated differently. The Blessed Virgin Mary is included in the reflections for Monday and Tuesday of Holy Week. The reflection for Holy Thursday is centered on the Last Supper. 

For Good Friday the reader is encouraged to imagine being on Calvary. On Holy Saturday, Father Toups centers the reader being alone without Jesus, but there is the promise of Jesus coming back. We are not alone. Easter Sunday reflection is centered on Easter morning and the rising of the sun and Jesus' resurrection. The last artwork is of Saint Peter and Saint John running to the tomb to see if Saint Mary Magdalene's report is true about the empty tomb.

This book is recommended to those looking for a weeklong reflection on the Sundays of Lent Mass readings. This book could be used individually or for a group. There is a DVD available that goes with this book. The book can be ordered at ascensionpress.com. 

Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., St. Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.