Meditations for Lent

by Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet, Christopher O. Blum (Translation)

Even three hundred years ago, believers found it difficult to sustain for forty days the proper Lenten spirit. That's why even then, countless Christians turned to the writings of Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (1627-1704), whose great piety and simple eloquence won him renown as one of the greatest preachers of his time. From Bishop Bossuet's sermons and spiritual writings, believers drew ever greater Lenten wisdom and strength. Now translator Christopher Blum has selected from Bishop Bossuet's voluminous works fifty brief but remarkably powerful meditations that complement the daily readings at Mass during the Lenten season, thus offering to us the perfect companion for a thoughtful and fruitful Lent. If you read and meditate briefly on just one of them each day in Lent, I guarantee that this good French bishop's eloquence will soon have you not merely remembering the events of Christ's journey to His Crucifixion; it will have you spiritually walking with Him on that journey . . . which is precisely what we are called to do in Lent! With Bossuet, this Lent you will find yourself saying, "O Jesus! I present myself to you to make my journey in your company. O my Savior, receive your traveler! Here I am ready, holding on to nothing. Let me go with You to the Father." That's the fire that should burn in the heart of all Christians. This Lent, let Bishop Bossuet enkindle it in yours. Among the Meditations:

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality, Religion, Nonfiction, Classics, Christianity, Devotional

221 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet (September 27, 1627 – April 12, 1704) was a French bishop and theologian, renowned for his sermons and other addresses. He has been considered by many to be one of the most brilliant orators of all time and a masterly French stylist.

Court preacher to Louis XIV of France, Bossuet was a strong advocate of political absolutism and the divine right of kings. He argued that government was divine and that kings received their power from God. He was also an important courtier and politician.

The works best known to English speakers are three great orations delivered at the funerals of Queen Henrietta Maria, widow of Charles I of England (1669), her daughter, Henriette, Duchess of Orléans (1670), and the outstanding soldier le Grand Condé (1687).

Reviews

[booklady · Rating 5 out of 5]

Brief, powerful, probably the best Lenten meditation book I have ever read. Certainly, one of the best meditation books I have ever come across. I will be looking for more writings from this 17th century French bishop. The collection concludes with meditations for the Feasts of St. Joseph and the Annunciation. I finished reading early, but the book goes through the Vigil and Easter Day. I will take it with me tonight to read before the Blessed Sacrament after the Mass of the Lord's Supper.

5 stars ++++

[Manuel Alfonseca · Rating 4 out of 5]

ENGLISH: In the portal of the book The Crisis of the European Mind, Paul Hazard says: The majority of the French people thought the same as Bossuet; suddenly, the French come to think like Voltaire: it's a revolution.

Juan Arana adds, in the introduction to La cosmovisión de los grandes científicos de la Ilustración: The turnaround would have taken place in just over thirty years (1680-1715): an entire nation went to bed pious and woke up disbelieving. Of course, things didn't happen so suddenly. But it was a very quick change anyway.

This book, made up of selected excerpts from Bossuet's sermons, is a good companion for Lent, because each excerpt corresponds to and often explains each day's Gospel.

One of the best sermons ("A Hidden Life in God") has been divided into three parts (to be read on three successive days) and is excellent.

FRANÇAIS: Dans le portail du livre La Crise de La Conscience Europeenne, Paul Hazard dit : La majorité des Français pensaient comme Bossuet; du coup, les Français pensent comme Voltaire: c'est une révolution.

Juan Arana ajoute, dans l'introduction du livre La cosmovisión de los grandes científicos de la Ilustración: Le revirement aurait eu lieu en un peu plus de trente ans (1680-1715): une nation entière s'est couchée pieuse et s'est réveillée incrédule. Les choses ne se sont pas produites si soudainement, bien sûr. Mais ce fut un changement très rapide de toute façon.

Ce livre, composé d'extraits choisis des sermons de Bossuet, est un bon compagnon pour le Carême, car chaque extrait correspond et souvent explique l'Évangile de chaque jour.

L'un des meilleurs sermons ("Une vie cachée en Dieu") a été divisé en trois parties (à lire sur trois jours successifs) et est excellent.

ESPAÑOL: En el pórtico del libro La crisis de la conciencia europea, Paul Hazard dice: La mayoría de los franceses pensaba como Bossuet; de repente, los franceses piensan como Voltaire: es una revolución.

Juan Arana añade, en la introducción de La cosmovisión de los grandes científicos de la Ilustración: El vuelco habría tenido lugar en poco más de treinta años (1680-1715): una nación entera se acostó piadosa y amaneció descreída. Las cosas no ocurrieron tan de súbito, por supuesto. Pero de todos modos fue un cambio muy rápido.

Este libro, formado por trozos escogidos de los sermones de Bossuet, es un buen acompañamiento para la cuaresma, porque cada trozo corresponde y a menudo explica el Evangelio de cada día.

Uno de los mejores sermones ("Una vida oculta en Dios") ha sido dividido en tres partes (para leerlos en tres días sucesivos) y es excelente.

[Jane Lebak · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my Lenten reading. Overall I thought there were a number of really good insights to ponder, and it's exactly as the cover advertises (although if you're expecting something to sit and dwell on, with a Bible verse, there aren't directions like that after the message. I think most Protestant devotionals follow that format, so if you're used to that, be warned, it's just the message every day. There are Bible verses woven througout each of the messages instead.)

My largest critique of the book actually isn't very much of a critique. They gave it a nice textured cover that's plain blue. But because of that, they couldn't put a bar code on the back cover (either for aesthetics or because of the texture.) So instead they stuck this ugly sticker on the back that cannot be peeled off, so prepare for a gummy Lent.

Also, note: there are separate meditations at the end for the solemnity of Saint Joseph and the Annunciation, but it's not indicated at the beginning. Instead it's a surprise at the end that guess what? You should have flipped to the back for these sometime in the middle of Lent. :-) I'd have liked a little warning, but that's a NITPICK, nothing more. The actual meat and potatoes of this book are the meditations, and they're really good.

[Stuart · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meditations for Lent by Bishop Jacques-Bénigne Bossuet is the companion book to Meditations for Advent. I was not familiar with this author's name, so I did some research and found out that he was a French bishop who lived from 1627 to 1704. He was known for his sermons, and some say that he was a better orator than St. Augustine and St. John Chrysostom. Reading that statement blew my mind. These are two of the most well-known and influential saints of Western and Eastern Christendom, respectively, and some people think he was a better orator than him. WOW!

In this book, you will find a daily meditation starting with Ash Wednesday and ending with Easter. At the end of the book, you will also find two extra meditations, one for the Solemnity of the Annunciation and one for the Solemnity of St. Joseph. I appreciate that as these are two very important Feast Days in the Church, which should be Holy Days of Obligation. I admit that I did not read every meditation in this book before writing this review. I didn't want to rush through the meditations, and I also wanted them to be fresh for Lent this year. The ones I did read though were very thought-provoking, and it made me anxious for Lent to start so I could read them all.

I would like to provide you with a sample from one day, so you can see how great these meditations are. Here is a quote from Wednesday of the Second Week of Lent, which won't be read this year as St. Joseph's Solemnity has a higher rank in feast day hierarchy. Referring to James and John's mother asking for her sons to sit next to Jesus in Heaven, Jesus rebukes them and says, "Can you drink the cup that I am going to drink?" Bishop Bossuet elaborates, "You speak of glory, and you are not thinking about what must be suffered to gain it. Then he explains these sufferings to them by two metaphors, by that of the bitter cup that must be drunk and by the bloody baptism that must be accepted. To swallow every sort of bitterness, to be suffering to the point of having one's body submerged, as in baptism: this is the price of glory." This really made me stop, think, and reflect on my spiritual life. How willing am I to suffer?

For other thought-provoking meditations like this, you must pick up Meditations for Lent. It will definitely help provide you with a deeper and more-fruitful Lenten season. I can't wait to finish the whole book! This book was provided to me for free by Sophia Institute Press in exchange for an honest review.

[Gilbert · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s written pre-Vatican II, which means the author was writing in a much different Catholic context. What I appreciated was the theology focus on scriptural context rather than opinions and feelings. What was hard to read were the many references of asceticism. There was plenty of “carnal flesh bashing” which isn’t a healthy holistic approach to Christianity. Yet, our current social ills do party come from vanity and greed, so it was a healthy challenge to read. Currently, Christian disciplines such as fasting and denial of carnal desires is underplayed and this Author speaks about them as necessities of holiness we shouldn’t forget.

Overall, a very good Lenten book for every year.

[Leslie Moellering · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was ok, but there are other Lent meditations I like better.

[Elena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book to help you pray and go through Lent. The book has meditations for each day of Lent season. The meditations are also very helpful if going to daily Mass during this season.

[Celia · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was a little afraid to attempt this book, as the author was born in 1704, and it is translated from the French, but it was incredibly beautiful, and very readable. I love the season of Lent, it is a time to draw even closer to Our Lord, and this book, which I read every night before sleep, touched my soul. Many of the daily readings coincide with the readings of the day, but the message each day is a reminder of the great love our Lord has for each of us. It is a message for each of us to look within ourselves daily, as to how we can draw closer to Heaven and God. Beautiful. I know I will read it again next Lenten season.

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

So many times during Lent this book touched my life. A friend was reading it with me and we shared when something moved us. Let's just say this book made Lent 2015 very moving for both of us.

Give it a try! You will be glad you did.

[Bice · Rating 5 out of 5]

Third Year Praying these Meditations

The Meditations are profound but highly readable. I recommend them highly. (Advent ones also). Beautiful, deep, outside the box, orthodox, enlightening..... I could go on and on.

[Mariangel · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to read during Lent. I will reread it next year.

[David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Deeply spiritual

A surprisingly relevant set of meditations, given their age. Full of wisdom and insight. A tremendous spiritual resource for Lent. Only downside is that I did not realize there were special meditations for St Joseph’s Day and The Annunciation at the end of the book - I came across them after reading the Easter meditation. I’ll have to remember for next year.

[Amanda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I DNF'd this book and from what I read I can see others finding this book helpful, but the reflections were of a different spiritual approach than I find helpful for my faith journey. So overall, not a bad book, just not the approach for me.

[Donald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm going to miss Bossuet, my nightly companion for Lent.

[Maryann Masci · Rating 5 out of 5]

Meditations

I thoroughly enjoyed this book throughout Lent and the insightful words spoken each day. I was able to ponder on the ideas during the course of the day.

[Rachel]

Read this for Lent this year. Just finished this morning! Happy Easter!

[Darrin Podeschi · Rating 5 out of 5]

a gem among gems

This was the perfect Lenten companion but even during times outside Lent it retains its profound message and impact. Each chapter was a blessing.

[Alaina · Rating 5 out of 5]

A little difficult to understand, but overall a beautiful read for each day of lent. ♡

[Bill Breen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enhanced my Lent. First time reading this set of Lenten meditations by a Bishop that was known to be a great preacher. Very approachable. His writings were known to be on the bedside of several Popes.

[Darcy S. Deakin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Marvelous Spiritual Aid for Lent.

I love this series. There is so much to learn and so many other ways to see and understand. It was a very beneficial aid for my Easter spiritual growth and journey.

[Lisa Cindrich]

Can I say I read it if my observance of Lent basically fell apart about three weeks in?