Fr. Hayes’ Book Recommendations for Lent & Holy Week

Lent and Holy Week are not simply about a period in Jesus’s life, rather about how everything in the Old Testament – which prefigured Jesus – comes together like the threads in a tapestry. Everything is woven together to bring to life a bigger picture. With some of these book recommendations, we hope to help you identify the threads of the larger picture so that we can all dive deeper into Holy Week.

All of the book we recommend are available on Amazon.com or through The Pascal Lamb

The Bible
As we look at the events that are central to Lent and Holy Week, the best source to go to in your spiritual reading is the Bible! Read the four Gospel accounts of the Passion of our Lord. One thing you can do is compare them side by side: What moments are depicted in one but not another? Meditate on what the Gospel writer is pointing out. For example, only in John’s Gospel is Mary at the foot of the Cross (John 19:25) and the Centurion piercing the side of Christ with a lance (John 19:34). Here’s a hint: John uses a lot of Genesis imagery in this recounting of the Gospel. If you go back and reread the second creation account, see how the two of these passages tie together.

“Jesus of Nazareth Vol 2” by Pope Benedict XVI
This book focuses specifically on Holy Week, beginning with the entrance into Jerusalem to the Resurrection. This is a good challenge if you are interested in diving deeper as it is more of an academic read.

“The Lord” by Fr. Romano Guardini
Reflections on the events of Holy Week and the Passion

“To Know Christ Jesus” by Frank Sheed
Reflections on the events of Holy Week and the Passion

“The Life of Christ” and “The Seven Last Words” by Archbishop Fulton Sheen
Reflections on the events of Holy Week and the Passion

“Catholic Commentary on Sacred Scripture on the Letter to the Hebrews” by Mary Healy
This book by a modern day, female theologian focuses on the theology behind the sacrifice of Christ.

The Psalms in Scripture that allude to the Passion of our Lord
Psalm 22 – “My God, my God. Why have you abandoned me?” (One of the seven last words spoken on the Cross)
Psalm 69 – This alludes to the vinegar Jesus drinks on the Cross
Psalm 88 – This is prayed regularly in the Liturgy of the Hours on Friday nights, and is a mediation on the suffering of the Psalmist. This is one of the only Psalms that ends on a dark note – literally. All three of these Psalms are good options for you to meditate on and use as spiritual reading during Lent.

“Bible Basics” by Dr. John Bergsman
The Mass was established at the Last Supper. In the words of consecration of the chalice during the Mass there is a reference to the “eternal and final Covenant.” What Covenant is this referring to? Dr. Bergsman offers a guide through all the Covenants leading up to the final Covenant of the Mass.

“The Fourth Cup” by Dr. Scott Hahn
This book explores the Jewish Passover meal and the specific cups of wine that are consumed at different points during the meal. Dr. Hahn points out that in the Last Supper Jesus and His disciples do not complete the Passover. The meal is not complete until Jesus drinks the wine from the Cross and says, “It is finished.”

“Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist” by Brant Pitre
This book includes the theology behind the Last Supper and Old Testament prefiguring of the Eucharist.

“Jesus the Bridegroom: The Greatest Love Story Ever Told” by Brant Pitre
This author is very readable and highly recommended by Fr Hayes!

“No Greater Love: A Biblical Walk through Christ’s Passion” by Dr. Edward Sri

“He Leadeth Me” by Father Walter Ciszek
This book contains the spiritual reflections of Fr Ciszek, Jesuit priest who was imprisoned in Soviet Russia for several decades.

The movie “The Passion” directed by Mel Gibson
(Note: This movie is rated “R”)

“The Spear” by Louis De Wohl
De Wohl was a catholic novelist. This book is written from the perspective of the Centurion who pierced the side of Jesus in the Gospel of John.

“The Living Wood” by Louis De Wohl
Another novel book about St. Helena, the mother of Emperor Constantine, and her search for the Cross of Christ