Pilgrims in the modern world: Daily Reflections for Lent

PILGRIMS IN THE MODERN WORLD: Daily Reflections for Lent, by Frances Correia & Raymond Perrier. Published by the Jesuit Institute, Johannesburg. R65.

Reviewed by Grant Tungay SJ

Lent, a period of preparation and waiting, can help us so much in entering into a deep and transformative experience of Easter. Christians are of course “Easter People”, and this is our feast.

So often though, Easter comes upon us too soon and we realise we have not used our time of preparation well. Another year, and another rushed Easter celebration.

Frances Correia and Raymond Perrier have written a superb book of daily Lenten reflections that can help us get the most out of this Lenten period. They have succeeded in combining reflections on Vatican II, Pope Francis and the challenges of contemporary life into one accessible volume.

Every reflection includes a quote, a challenging thought for the day and a prayer that focuses the reader’s attention on the grace that is needed for that part of the Lenten journey.

At the back of the book, the reader can find pictures taken by Sithembiso Shoba, a talented photographer from Soweto, with thought-provoking questions that can be used in conjunction with the reflections of the day.

Pilgrims in the Modern World is immersed in Ignatian spirituality and presents a loving God walking with us during Lent. The footprints of this loving God are powerfully present on the pages, leading the reader gently into at times difficult reflections about contemporary life in South Africa.

So often books of Lenten reflection can unhelpfully lead us into a self-referential space that is somehow abstract and disconnected from our everyday reality—Lent becomes about personal sanctity without reference to our wider context. Correia and Perrier include a wealth of personal reflections on both local and global contemporary challenges.

The book deals with such diverse topics such as religious fundamentalism, climate change, leadership, challenges of poverty, inter-faith dialogue and reconciliation. With input from the wisdom of Vatican II and Pope Francis, these reflections help us to approach these challenges from a fresh perspective, in the context of our relationship with a God who deeply cares about us and our growth.

The reader is not preached to, but is drawn into how contemporary issues have impacted on the authors themselves. This personal approach means that the reflections on the topic of the day remain with you long after your reflection time.

During Lent we have an opportunity to prayerfully prepare for a life-transforming encounter with God at Easter. This little book of Lenten reflections is an excellent companion along the way.