--- title: "Book Notes: The Living Gospel Daily Devotions for Lent" description: Maria V. Gallagher finds that The Living Gospel Daily Devotions for Lent is a great guidebook for your spiritual journey. --- [![catholic-mom-logo-v2](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/images/catholic-mom-logo-v2.svg "catholic-mom-logo-v2")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) [![search-icon](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/search-icon.svg)](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/02/05/book-notes-3/#) [BOOKS](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/tag/books) # Book Notes: The Living Gospel Daily Devotions for Lent Feb 5, 2018 12:00:50 PM  |  by [Maria V. Gallagher](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/maria-v-gallagher) [![Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336.png)](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Book-Notes-720-x-340-dark-gold-outline-and-medium-blue-pen-_-Notes-light-blue-702x336.png) One of the best aspects of my amazing trip to my mother’s ancestral home — Ireland — was the fact that I had a native-born Irishman, Patrick, to serve as my guide for my journey. I believe that one’s spiritual journey through Lent can also benefit from having a seasoned guide to help navigate the sometimes bumpy, often beautiful terrain. Ann M. Garrido is such a guide. A seasoned traveler in the spiritual world, her reflections in [***The Living Gospel Daily Devotions for Lent 2018***](https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-779-6/The-Living-Gospel-Daily-Devotions-for-Lent-2018/) (Ave Maria Press) represent an exceptionally good guidebook for this sacrificial season. ![](http://catholicmom.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/02/living-gospel.jpg) This guide is easy to navigate, which makes it particularly useful for moms on the go. It is organized in a day-by-day format that is not only clear and concise, but also rich in insights. I really enjoy the format, which begins with the helpful advice: **Be silent. Be still. Pray, “Open my heart, O Lord.”** The daily passage then offers a prayer and a passage from Sacred Scripture for reflection purposes. The next section offers the author’s ruminations, which are quite interesting and engaging. For instance, a passage on the Church’s call to “choose life” and to “take up one’s cross” includes a reference to a woman at the March for Life who deftly did both when she refused to abort her unborn child. The daily reflection also includes a concrete action the reader can take, such as contacting a Congressional representative about a pressing issue. And, as is befitting, the daily dose of wisdom ends with a prayer. One call to action that I found quite moving is contained in the following passage: > *I will take time today to listen to the witness of someone who turned their life around — either someone I know or someone who shares their story publicly. I will reflect on what awakened this person to the need for significant change. What enabled him or her to make the change? What can I learn from this?* Half-way through Lent, the author offers another intriguing call to action: > *I will return to the devotions of the first days of Lent and recall the commitments I made to conversion and prophetic fasting. I will assess what steps I have taken in each of these areas. What impulses from the start of this Lenten season need renewed commitment? I will then write down my commitments for the second half of the season.* I find the Lenten period to be emotionally overwhelming at times, as I struggle with the sacrifices, prayers, and almsgiving I have undertaken in an attempt to draw closer to Christ. [***The Living Gospel Daily Devotions for Lent 2018***](https://www.avemariapress.com/product/1-59471-779-6/The-Living-Gospel-Daily-Devotions-for-Lent-2018/) enables me to take a step back, reflect on what’s really important, and draw comfort from the living God in the process. **What kind of guidance are you searching for this Lent?** **Visit [our Book Notes archive](http://catholicmom.com/category/book-notes/).** --- *Copyright 2018 Maria V. Gallagher* ### Share this article [![Share on Facebook](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/facebook-24x24.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fbook-notes-3%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dfacebook) [![Share on Twitter](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/twitter-24x24.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fbook-notes-3%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fbook-notes-3%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Dtwitter&source=tweetbutton&text=Book%20Notes%3A%20The%20Living%20Gospel%20Daily%20Devotions%20for%20Lent) [![Share on Email](https://static.hubspot.com/final/img/common/icons/social/email-24x24.png)](mailto:?subject=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fbook-notes-3%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail%20&body=Check%20out%20https%3A%2F%2Fwww.catholicmom.com%2Farticles%2F2018%2F02%2F05%2Fbook-notes-3%2F%3Futm_medium%3Dsocial%26utm_source%3Demail) ** #### About the Author ![Maria V. Gallagher](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/Contriubutors/MARIA%20V.%20GALLAGHER.jpeg) ### [Maria V. Gallagher](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/author/maria-v-gallagher) Maria V. Gallagher spends her days advocating for women, children, and families. She is the mother of a beautiful ballerina and a member of the worldwide Cursillo movement. In her spare time, Maria likes to blog, walk, sing, dance, and fill the room with laughter. Read her work at [MariaVGallagher.com](http://mariavgallagher.com). [**](http://twitter.com/mariaevitale) ## Related Blog Articles [ Making Lent Better Than Chocolate Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/02/01/making-lent-better-chocolate/) [ Lenten Plans and Goals Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2018/02/05/lenten-plans-goals/) [ Book Notes: "Practicing Catholic Devotions: The Busy Person's Guide" Read ](https://www.catholicmom.com/articles/2019/11/19/book-notes-practicing-catholic-devotions-the-busy-persons-guide/) ## Comments ## Donate now [![Support Catholic Mom](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/275132/10016573-1c5c-4aa5-baba-c2ac91fe7545) [![CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)](https://www.catholicmom.com/hs-fs/hubfs/CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png?width=1806&height=731&name=CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c%20(002).png "CatholicMom_hcfm_logo1_pos_871c_2728c (002)")](https://www.catholicmom.com/) ##### Subscribe to Catholic Momcast on iTunes or Spotify [![itunes-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/itunes-logo-black.svg)](https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/catholic-momcast/id1362352357)[![spotify-logo-black](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/logos/spotify-logo-black.svg)](https://open.spotify.com/show/15CoipHL7z61IDcYErV0b8?si=hqaQJSxDQgq7S1hxCwsoxQ) ##### CatholicMom on Social Networks [![facebook](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-facebook.svg)](http://www.facebook.com/CatholicMomCommunity) [![twitter](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-twitter.svg)](http://twitter.com/CatholicMomCom) [![instagram](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-instagram.svg)](http://instagram.com/catholicmomcommunity) [![youtube](https://www.catholicmom.com/hubfs/_catholicmom/icons/social-icon-youtube.svg)](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCAuUqHCVPDzyMgSMaMZxxug?view_as=subscriber) ##### About Catholic Mom [Who We Are](https://www.catholicmom.com/about-us) [Contact Us](https://www.catholicmom.com/contact) [Support CatholicMom.com](https://www.catholicmom.com/support-us)   ##### Associated Links [Holy Cross Family Ministries](https://www.hcfm.org/) [Family Rosary](https://www.familyrosary.org/) [Family Theater Productions](https://www.familytheater.org/) [Congregation of the Holy Cross](https://www.holycrossusa.org/) [Father Patrick Peyton, C.S.C.](https://www.fatherpeyton.org/) [The Peyton Institute for Domestic Church Life](https://www.peytonfamilyinstitute.org/) ### **Stay connected!** Don’t miss a thing! 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