The Rule of St Benedict says that during Lent each monk should be given a book from the library which he is to read straight through (RB48:15). Most monasteries still observe this precept, with varying customs surrounding the nature, selection and distribution of these books. At Stanbrook it has been the practice for a good number of years that the book is a book of the Bible, although in recent years nuns who so wish have been allowed to select non-Scriptural books for themselves instead.

On the afternoon of Ash Wednesday the Abbess gives a conference (talk) to the community and concludes by reading a list compiled according to community rank of the names of the nuns and the book they have been allocated. In the weeks preceding Ash Wednesday, we can submit to the Abbess a suggestion for the book (Scriptural or non-Scriptural) that we would like, or to leave it to her to choose for us. I allow the Abbess to choose my book, simply letting her know whether it is time for a book from the Old or New Testament; this year it will be a New Testament book. I stick to this traditional method of receiving my Lent book because then, on the afternoon of Ash Wednesday, I receive the book as a gift for me to explore during Lent, and to accompany me and guide me on my Lenten journey.

So at this time of year we begin asking each other ‘Have you chosen a Lent book?’, which creates for me a sense of mystery and anticipation as I wonder which book mine will be. My first year in the monastery I was given St Paul’s Letter to the Ephesians – a fairly short text of only six chapters but it draws one on to plumb the mystery of the depths of God. It remains among my favourite books of the Bible. Last year, for my nineteenth Lent book, I was given two minor prophets (the Abbess may well give two short books, or part of a longer one), Hosea and Amos. There are beautiful passages in both these books, but also a lot of prophecies of disaster, so I was glad to be able to move on at the end of Lent.

So now, I am waiting with expectation to receive my twentieth Lent Book, looking forward to a text that I will be able to dive deeply into, and in which to find – please God – bright lights to share with you all.

Sr Therese