Behind the Covers with Katherine Bogner
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Last week we visited the excellent book All About Lent and Holy Week by Katherine Bogner, illustrated by Shari Van Vranken. Today, Katherine Bogner joins us for a few more advice and recommendations on how to live Lent well this year.
I have had the pleasure to chat with Katherine Bogner, the author of All About Lent and Holy Week and of the wonderful blog Look to Him and Be Radiant. I asked her a few questions about her beautiful book and how to guide children through the upcoming season of Lent.
Here are her answers:
What is YOUR favorite part of Lent? What about it brings you closer to Christ?
There are so many aspects of Lent that are important to me, and it’s often something new each year that has the biggest impact on my heart. But I keep returning back to the communal aspect of Lent. As Catholics, we’ve lost some of the “cultural” strength of living the Liturgical Year together. Lent is an opportunity for a 40 day retreat with Jesus, but also with the whole Church. I really look forward to the shared experience of fasting and prayer together with millions of Christians around the world. That solidarity is refreshing, as well as challenging, and is a unifying force that is sometimes lacking in the modern Church. We are stronger when we live liturgically together!
What do you most hope a child’s heart understands about Lent after reading All About Lent?
I hope that this book helps children see Lent as an invitation. It’s unfortunately a common mistake for us to think that Lent is too hard for kids to understand, or even for them to dread Lent because they only associate it with fasting. But kids can do hard things! If they know that they are capable of great virtue and facing challenges, Lent suddenly becomes an invitation, one that Jesus is walking right alongside them for. I hope that the catechesis of this book not only helps them understand the practicals of Lent, but more importantly the very Christ-centered nature of this Season of this Liturgical Year.
As a teacher, what helped you explain Lent to children in a way that felt meaningful rather than overwhelming? And how would you recommend parents approach Lent with their kiddos?
We don’t need to overcomplicate the Liturgical Year for kids! I always remind kids of all ages (and adults too) that the Liturgical Year is merely us walking with Jesus through the major events of His life, complete with times of growth, times of sorrow, and times of rejoicing. I would recommend that parents and teachers make sure that they bring all the aspects of Lent back to Jesus- link everything to His plan for our salvation. Practically speaking, help kids build Lenten practices that are doable for their age and development. Choose one small thing to give up and one small thing to take up. Then support one another as a family/class in that Lenten devotion- the camaraderie and companionship can make the Lenten journey a positive challenge instead of something that causes dread and seems impossible.
What is your favorite devotion in general?
Reading the lives of the Saints is one of my greatest inspirations. Men and women from every time and every place, in all walks of life and vocations, have followed Jesus before us. Learning about their lives continually challenges and encourages me, and it is a great delight to also share their stories with my students!
Thank you so much Katherine! I have to add that reading the lives of the saints is one of my absolute favorite devotions as well. Their stories are so encouraging and fortifying to me.
I wish each one of you a wonderful Lent! Stay tuned on the blog for a series of meditations on the Beatitudes using Rejoice and Be Glad! Living the Beatitudes by Rachel and Ted Schluenderfritz, starting on Ash Wednesday.
Love,
Mattie
