“On the days of Lent, from morning until the end of the third hour let them apply themselves to their reading, and from then until the end of the tenth hour let them do the work assigned them. And in these days of Lent they shall each receive a book from the library, which they shall read straight through from the beginning. These books are to be given out at the beginning of Lent.” (RB-48)
Each of us are asked to give up something at the beginning of Lent. St. Benedict asks us also to give up a little of our time, turn aside, and read something extra. In that spirit the following titles are offered as suggestions for reading during Lent.
Monk Habits for Everyday People, Dennis Okholm
The Road to Eternal Life: Reflections on the Prologue of Benedict’s Rule, Michael Casey (These can also be downloaded and listened to: http://www.cistercian.org.au/iMonk/)
The Life of St. Benedict, A Translation and Commentary, Terrence G. Kardong
A Lenten Journey with Jesus Christ and St. Benedict, Rev. John R. Fortin, O.S.B.
Listen My Son: St. Benedict for Fathers, Dwight Longenecker, OblSB
The Screwtape Letters, C.S. Lewis
The Institutes, John Cassian
Benedict & Bernard, Seeking God Alone — Together, Linus Mundy
Desert Mystics, Thirsting for the Reign of God, Lunus Mundy
The commentary on the Psalms written by Blessed John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI. As of this post there are 14 published to the site and are downloadable :
| Psalm 24 (23) | Psalm 145 (144)a |
| Psalm 67 (66) | Psalm 145 (144)b |
| Psalm 96 (95) | Psalm 146 (145) |
| Psalm 100 (99) | Psalm 147 (146) |
| Psalm 118 (117) |
