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The Little Black Book for Lent 2023: Six-minute meditations on the Passion according to Matthew
This Little Black Book is your companion for Lent. It’s an old-fashioned “vade mecum” (pronounced vahday maykum). That’s Latin for “travel with me” and was used to describe a book that was a constant companion – perhaps a condensed book of prayers for traveling priests, or a handbook for quick reference – something you could take with you anywhere.
- GenresNonfiction
134 pages, Kindle Edition
Published January 31, 2023
77 people are currently reading
17 people want to read
About the author
Ken Untener
74 books12 followersKenneth Edward Untener (August 3, 1937 – March 27, 2004) was a Roman Catholic bishop, serving the Diocese of Saginaw from 1980 until his death.
In 1999, Bishop Ken Untener of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw decided to create a Little Black Book, which would use the prayer tradition of Lectio Divina to help people pray the Passion of Our Lord. Besides an English version of the book, there was also a Spanish edition, and a children’s book (Little Purple Book).
Although Bishop Untener died in 2004, he remains the inspiration for the Little Books. His Little Books staff continue to produce Little Books each year for the Advent/Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons, based on Bishop Untener’s writings. They are also producing four Stewardship books in light of the four Gospels.
In 1999, Bishop Ken Untener of the Catholic Diocese of Saginaw decided to create a Little Black Book, which would use the prayer tradition of Lectio Divina to help people pray the Passion of Our Lord. Besides an English version of the book, there was also a Spanish edition, and a children’s book (Little Purple Book).
Although Bishop Untener died in 2004, he remains the inspiration for the Little Books. His Little Books staff continue to produce Little Books each year for the Advent/Christmas, Lent and Easter seasons, based on Bishop Untener’s writings. They are also producing four Stewardship books in light of the four Gospels.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews
April 11, 2023
I have read The Little Black for Lent off and on for the last 10 years. Bishop Untener passed away in 2004 in Saginaw MI, but his words live on in these books published yearly.
Many church parishes obtain these books and hand them out to parishioners. I chose to do the Kindle and highlighted many passages.
TY Ken Untener for another well spent Lent, reading your reflections and absorbing your words.
5 stars
Many church parishes obtain these books and hand them out to parishioners. I chose to do the Kindle and highlighted many passages.
TY Ken Untener for another well spent Lent, reading your reflections and absorbing your words.
5 stars
February 27, 2023
The Best-Selling Series by a Beloved Catholic Teacher Continues
As a longtime journalist covering religion in America, I reported on the launch of the late Catholic Bishop Ken Untener’s Little Black Book series for Lent of 2020. At the time, no one had any idea that this simple concept would lead to millions of devotional books sold around the world, but I kept checking in with Ken’s project over the years and soon millions of the little books were circling the globe. To this day, Ken’s friends in the Diocese of Saginaw continue to roll out annual little black books, now via Kindle. If you check Amazon, there is not only this new 2023 Little Black Book for Lent, but also editions for previous years.
I am thrilled to see this idea for special pocket-sized devotionals continuing to touch lives, so I’m reviewing the 2023 edition right away. Perhaps by adding a review, I might encourage more folks to pick up this year’s edition while there's still most of Lent ahead of us.
The team at Little Books continues to select pieces by Ken for each edition. Anyone who knew Ken’s life and work understood that he was all about concise storytelling and preaching. He was a pioneer in working with his priests, many years ago, in workshops on preaching to encourage them to more carefully plan their daily homilies and also to keep them tightly focused. So, the idea of these tiny texts springs from the heart of Ken’s wisdom about how to share the faith with others: Keep your message clearly focused.
In fact, Ken used to point out in his workshops: That’s how Jesus does it in the Gospels. One of the first meditations in this 2023 edition shows that: Jesus uses the example of a child to explain how he wants his followers approach the world, in this particular Gospel passages saying, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.”
Then, throughout Lent, Ken’s daily reflections celebrate Christian wisdom, customs, the saints and scripture.
For example, you’ll meet Blessed Rutilio Grande (and this short piece has been updated from Ken's original reflection to include the fact that Grande was declared “Blessed” in 2022). You’ll meet Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, Australia’s singing nun Janet Mead, the American-born St. Katharine Drexel and more.
Although Ken died far too young in 2004 from a form of leukemia, his compelling teaching continues in many forms, including this remarkable best-selling series.
Give yourself a gift in this Lenten season and follow along with one of Ken's little books.
As a longtime journalist covering religion in America, I reported on the launch of the late Catholic Bishop Ken Untener’s Little Black Book series for Lent of 2020. At the time, no one had any idea that this simple concept would lead to millions of devotional books sold around the world, but I kept checking in with Ken’s project over the years and soon millions of the little books were circling the globe. To this day, Ken’s friends in the Diocese of Saginaw continue to roll out annual little black books, now via Kindle. If you check Amazon, there is not only this new 2023 Little Black Book for Lent, but also editions for previous years.
I am thrilled to see this idea for special pocket-sized devotionals continuing to touch lives, so I’m reviewing the 2023 edition right away. Perhaps by adding a review, I might encourage more folks to pick up this year’s edition while there's still most of Lent ahead of us.
The team at Little Books continues to select pieces by Ken for each edition. Anyone who knew Ken’s life and work understood that he was all about concise storytelling and preaching. He was a pioneer in working with his priests, many years ago, in workshops on preaching to encourage them to more carefully plan their daily homilies and also to keep them tightly focused. So, the idea of these tiny texts springs from the heart of Ken’s wisdom about how to share the faith with others: Keep your message clearly focused.
In fact, Ken used to point out in his workshops: That’s how Jesus does it in the Gospels. One of the first meditations in this 2023 edition shows that: Jesus uses the example of a child to explain how he wants his followers approach the world, in this particular Gospel passages saying, “Whoever receives one child such as this in my name, receives me.”
Then, throughout Lent, Ken’s daily reflections celebrate Christian wisdom, customs, the saints and scripture.
For example, you’ll meet Blessed Rutilio Grande (and this short piece has been updated from Ken's original reflection to include the fact that Grande was declared “Blessed” in 2022). You’ll meet Peter Benenson, the founder of Amnesty International, Australia’s singing nun Janet Mead, the American-born St. Katharine Drexel and more.
Although Ken died far too young in 2004 from a form of leukemia, his compelling teaching continues in many forms, including this remarkable best-selling series.
Give yourself a gift in this Lenten season and follow along with one of Ken's little books.
April 9, 2023
Best way to go through Lent
I use this book every year during Lent. Not only does it have deep and wonderful prayers, but it also has great knowledge of our Catholic faith. I love it and anyone who loves to pray or wants to learn more about your religion, this book is a must. The one for Advent is greatttttt also.
I use this book every year during Lent. Not only does it have deep and wonderful prayers, but it also has great knowledge of our Catholic faith. I love it and anyone who loves to pray or wants to learn more about your religion, this book is a must. The one for Advent is greatttttt also.
April 22, 2023
These books really anchor me day to day. I don't always agree with the day's "take," but I feel the same way about the newspaper or whatever. As a pretty sloppy Catholic, I'm grateful to have this book as an easy way to pause daily and reflect. If I get started late or miss a day, I just catch up.
April 6, 2023
My parish hands these out each year. I enjoy the six minute meditations each day and I’m always sorry for the book to end. I always learn something new and this little book brings so much peace. I say the Rosary right after and always light a candle and have a cup of tea. It’s time we’ll spent.
April 9, 2023
The Little Book series have become a joyful part of my preparations during Lent and Advent - the meditations are short but interesting. I like that it’s completely self-contained, you can carry it with you and read anywhere even if you don’t have a Bible with you.
April 10, 2023
Just the Right Mix
This is the perfect book for anyone who wants to add something extra to their daily devotionals during Lent. It's the perfect blend of informative and inspirational.
This is the perfect book for anyone who wants to add something extra to their daily devotionals during Lent. It's the perfect blend of informative and inspirational.
April 8, 2023
Concise but so thoughtful and interesting.
April 8, 2023
Excellent again this year.....
April 9, 2023
Too bad this little book had to end but HAPPY EASTER
April 9, 2023
I read them every year!!!
They are an exceptional way to pray more meaningfully and easily and be truly inspired every day! I love them!!!
They are an exceptional way to pray more meaningfully and easily and be truly inspired every day! I love them!!!
April 9, 2023
A valuable yearly addition to my Lenten devotion.
April 10, 2023
Great little books... always have them
I love ALL the little books. I have learned from them, inspired by them and woken my faith. Thank you
I love ALL the little books. I have learned from them, inspired by them and woken my faith. Thank you
April 11, 2023
2.5 Stars
April 12, 2023
loved this book
This is an Excellent book for your journey through lent. So well written for brief daily devotion. I recommend it highly
This is an Excellent book for your journey through lent. So well written for brief daily devotion. I recommend it highly
Displaying 1 - 16 of 17 reviews