SEVEN WEEKS FOR THE SOUL: A Reflective Journey for Lent or Other Times of Renewal

Hughes compares the 40-odd days of Lent to the rebellious Israelites' 40 years of wandering in the wilderness, noting that such periods of spiritual exile constitute important stages on the journey of faith. Emphasizing that Lent is a time for repentance, Hughes puts forth ancient penitent practices such as fasting and almsgiving to promote introspective contrition. Throughout, Hughes characterizes Lent as a time of quiet celebration, arguing that great joy is not antithetical to self-denial and mortification. The book is thoughtful, but Hughes does himself a disservice by claiming that the seven-week program can be useful for "two-minutes-a-day people" as well as those with several hours to spare; these spiritual exercises justifiably require time and careful attention. (Feb.)