A Time of Renewal: Daily Reflections for the Lenten Season

by Mary Francis P.C.C.

Overview

Mother Mary Francis, abbess of a Poor Clare Monastery for over forty years, left an enduring legacy in her writings and in the conferences she gave to her spiritual daughters. In this work she presents beautiful meditations on the liturgical season of Lent, revealing the treasures of the liturgy to Christians in all walks of life. Her insight into Holy Scripture and her poet's heart engendered reflections that illuminate the daily Mass readings in a fresh and attractive way.

These meditations enlighten the reader to see conversion as positive and enriching, and help us to understand that the generous embrace of Lenten penance has a purpose and brings a wondrous reward: deeper union with God. She was a true daughter of Saint Francis of Assisi, who found perfect joy by turning away from self to God.

As a spiritual guide, Mother Mary Francis excels in the art of persuasion, aware that the human heart cannot be forced but only gently led to holiness. She makes this goal attractive and desirable by tirelessly explaining why striving for holiness is the happiest and wisest way to live. This book provides a wealth of material for plundering the riches of the Lenten season and for deepening one's spiritual life. Her meditations are profound and timeless, not changing from year to year, thus providing a lifetime of Lenten meditations in this one volume.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781586179779
Publisher:	Ignatius Press
Publication date:	02/02/2015
Pages:	284
Product dimensions:	5.20(w) x 7.90(h) x 0.90(d)

About the Author

Mother Mary Francis, P.C.C., (1921–2006) was for more than forty years the abbess of the Poor Clare Monastery of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Roswell, New Mexico. She is recognized as an authoritative voice for contemplative spirituality, prayer and the renewal of religious life. She wrote many books, including A Right to Be Merry and Come, Lord Jesus, which is a collection of her reflections for Advent.

Table of Contents

Foreword 11

Introduction 15

Ash Wednesday A Time of Reflowering 19

Thursday Choose Life 23

Friday God's Lenten Program 27

Saturday The Divine Physician 33

First Week of Lent

Sunday, Year A Turning Stones into Bread 41

Sunday, Year B True Self-Denial 46

Sunday, Year C Transformation 49

Monday Recognition 56

Tuesday The Three Stages of Contrition 61

Wednesday Have Mercy, O God 67

Thursday The Elements of Confession 72

Friday Amendment and Penance 76

Saturday The Rending of the Heart 81

Second Week of Lent

Sunday, Year A Clear Vision 87

Sunday, Year B In Conversation with Jesus 91

Sunday, Year C A Cultivated Memory 96

Monday Being Heartily Sorry 103

Tuesday A Sense of Opportunity 107

Wednesday True Greatness 114

Thursday A Change of Heart 118

Friday Redeeming One Another 122

Saturday The Prodigal Son 126

Third Week of Lent

Sunday, Year A Coming Alive 135

Sunday, Year B The Right Kind of Zeal 141

Sunday, Year C Assimilation 143

Monday Dying and Rising 146

Tuesday I Will Not Violate My Covenant 150

Wednesday in the Footsteps of Jesus 154

Thursday Freed from the Hunter's Snare 157

Friday I Will Not Take Back My Love 162

Saturday Love's Resolve 166

Fourth Week of Lent

Sunday, Year A A Parable in Reverse 173

Sunday, Year B Filling Up the Sufferings of Christ 178

Sunday, Year C High Quality Waiting 181

Monday Rejoicing in the Lord 184

Tuesday Caught Foxes 187

Wednesday Beauty and Penance 191

Thursday The Paradox of Penance 196

Friday Almsgiving 200

Saturday Conversion 204

Fifth Week of Lent

Sunday, Year A The Stone Rolled Away 211

Sunday, Year B Scholarship 218

Sunday, Year C Pushing On 226

Monday Going Another Way 229

Tuesday Right Complaining 232

Wednesday The Work of Salvation 236

Thursday Life-Giving Repentance 240

Friday A Full Sweep of Vision 244

Saturday Expediency 247

Holy Week

Palm Sunday, A A Punishment That Brings Us Peace 253

Palm Sunday, B Focus 257

Palm Sunday, C Finding Everything in Him 261

Monday He Endured Our Sufferings 265

Tuesday He Endured Our Sufferings (continued) 269

Wednesday Assent to Glory 274

Holy Thursday Lord, Let Your Love Come Upon Us 280

Good Friday We Have No King hut Jesus 285

Holy Saturday The Sword of Sorrow 288

Easter Sunday The Resurrection 291

Appendix: The Stations of the Cross 295

Editorial Reviews

"This beautiful work is a sharing of a lifetime of spiritual wisdom of an abbess, and the richness of her many years leading her community. She teaches us how to pray well. As her students we are led day by day into what was once familiar territory but now becomes new treasures of grace."
— Mother Dolores Hart, O.S.B., Author, The Ear of the Heart

From the Publisher