NOVALIS RESOURCES FOR LENT: “HOPE DOES NOT DISAPPOINT US”

The Jubilee Year of Hope may be over, but we can carry this important attitude with us into Lent. With the daily news bringing us story after story of war, loss, economic upheaval, violence and political instability, hope is an anchor amid stormy seas.

This Lent, as you journey through the desert to new life at Easter, consider making hope your focus along the way. Hope is not a pie-in-the-sky mindset where we convince ourselves that everything will somehow be fine. St. Augustine said: “Hope has two beautiful daughters. Their names are anger and courage: anger at the way things are, and courage to see that they do not remain the way they are.” Through the three core actions of prayer, fasting and almsgiving, let us offer hope to our hurting world by praying for peace; fasting from behaviours that sow or spread conflict; and giving financial support to causes that work for peace in our community, our nation or the world beyond our borders.

Here are a few books to provide food for the journey of hope this Lent. In St. Paul’s words, “hope does not disappoint us, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us” (Romans 5:5). Happy reading!

Sacred Journey: Daily Reflections for Lent 2026, by Harry and Jennifer McAvoy: This booklet of meditations, reflections and prayers for each day of Lent invites you on a genuine spiritual journey to prepare your heart for Easter joy.

Pocket Book of Hope: Words of Inspiration: In this inspiring book, a dozen Catholic writers from different walks of life reflect on where they find hope in their work and in their lives, despite the many challenges and crises that surround us.

Hanging onto Hope: Reflections and Prayers for Finding “Good” in an Imperfect World, by Melannie Svoboda, SND: Melannie Svoboda helps us open our hearts to hope, even in the darkest of times. She explores the relationships between hope and faith, love, courage, prayer, pain, and sorrow and offers short prayers and questions for personal reflection or group sharing. See also Sunflower Seeds of Hope: Reflections and Prayers to Nourish Your Faith, by the same author.

Hope: The Autobiography, by Pope Francis: This thrilling and very human memoir is both the story of a life and a moral and spiritual testament – Pope Francis’s legacy of hope for future generations.

Constant Hope: Reflections and Meditations to Strengthen the Spirit, by Joyce Rupp: Joyce Rupp offers reflections derived from meditating on a scriptural text to serve as a source for keeping hope alive and steadfast. Prompted by questions at the end of each reflection, each portion is intended to be integrated into the reader’s mind, heart and active life.

Stations of Hope: Praying the Stations of the Cross for Today, by David M. Knight: Fr. David Knight reminds us that hope can be found in the darkest of places and that the true power of the crucifixion is the opportunity to transform unimaginable pain and suffering into faith, hope and love.

For young children:

I Hope, by Anne Louise Mahoney, illustrated by Subi: I Hope explores a child’s longing for a world where everyone has what they need and people care for the Earth that God created.

What Is Hope? by Stephanie V.W. Lucianovic, illustrated by Kelsey Buzzell: A beautiful rhyming text and cozy illustrations remind readers that hope can be found daily in so many aspects of life. 

Anne Louise Mahoney is managing editor of Novalis. She is the editor of several books, including Pocket Book of Hope, and is the author of I Am and I Hope, part of the Seeds of Faith series for young children.