The Ascension Lenten Companion

Love everything Ascension Press!!! Awesome way to journey through Lent! Thank you!

I absolutely loved this. The material was engaging, heartwarming, and touching. Father Mark Toups was wonderful and I learned so much. I wish this was an actual course with a home for the videos in the dashboard like other courses. I also wish that the day management was a little more clear. I got a little lost on what day I was on and when I should start and it took me a hot minute to figure it out. The material towards the end was a little weaker than the earlier stuff (preparing for reconciliation was a bit of a non-event for example). That said, I will definitely be doing this next Lent. Wonderful experience. I really wish you had more material with Father Mark Toups. He's absolutely fantastic.

This Lenten companion, was truly a tool God used to give me complete healing. The presence and intervention of the Holy Spirit was felt all through. Every meditation and exercise was filled with redemptive power. Each week built up to what God wanted to accomplish at the end. This companion was truly an answer for my life and healing journey. Everyday God used the meditations and scripture, to talk to me directly. Thank you so much to the producers. These companions have been a big tool to bring lots of fruit to my life. This companion can truly be a before and after in your life.

There's not much more I can say that would be different than the reviews above, which convinced me to make this purchase. It was probably the best companion I have used, and one that truly helped me both feel and actually go deeper in my relationship with God. It made praying with the Bible so much more accessible to me, and certainly a lot less intimidating. But above it all, it provided me with the tools to open myself to God's healing, love, mercy, and so many more gifts. It was an unforgettable experience to have this companion this past lent, and it made this past lent my most productive so far. Thank you so much, Ascension!
I would like to add that I struggle with time management, and even though I was behind most days, that didn't detract from the experience. The companion motivated me to keep working on time management, and to be intentional about the things I give my time to. I'm so grateful for this companion, I can't say that enough.

I thought this Lenten companion was an inspiring experience ! Father Toups had a great way to engage and encourage participation. He helped us realize that if we fully participate and put ourselves into the experience we will definitely receive back!
I also appreciated the videos offered to correspond with the book.
I would definitely recommend this and I look forward to another offering by Father Toups!

The Lenten Companion was a powerful experience. I try to find inspiration material each Lent season and this season was no exception; however, I was spiritually surprised with the book. Fr. Toups took me on a deep journey with our Lord. I found areas of myself that he helped me dig deep with a great deal of compassion. I am looking forward to working with him again next year.
Angie,
Denton TX

I have used other book and/or programs for Lent in the past. This book was so different and wonderful! The focus and preparation for Sunday Mass, the reflections, and questions to help me go deeper...all amazing. I will be watching for it to come out next year and will buy it...and recommend to others.

12 in group and 6 individual very versatile. Trouble getting people to sign up by date. Had to order extra twice.
Videos attracted the heart and were available for home study. Layout of book a little difficult at first. In group worked thurs thru sun then Mon thru wed homework. Session: prayer thoughts on homework, video, snack then new chapter. Fostered relationship with the lord and participants.

Another wonderful year with Father Toups guiding, teaching, leading , and moving me through Lent! His manner and technique are so conducive to my experience. I always learn, but, this year, I was really into examination of my thoughts and progress in my journey. Thank you!

The Ascension presentation of Lent 2023 was so well done. Father Stoups is mesmerizing to listen to and follow online. He made me think about things in a new way with his gentle, encouraging voice. I particularly liked how he shared his own story…that really hit home. The artwork was very special as well and helped me picture the gospels as if I were there. I highly recommend writing a note to yourself for next year!

The Lenten companion was an extremely beneficial tool! I am involved in a men’s group that has met every Thursday since 1997, and we have approximately 8 to 10 members any given week. I ordered a copy for each of the men in the group and those who actually read and completed it, were extremely moved and motivated by their experience! Several men shared it with their families as well, and the feedback was always positive! For me personally it was one of the better Lents in my life! It truly reconnected me with God and I have been able to continue most of my Lenten practices beyond the 40 days! I will definitely order more copies next season and I’m looking forward to more because I truly received more!

We have been using Fr. Toups' Lent and Advent companions since they first started coming out, and this was his best yet. I am a CRE at our parish and I read and study a lot of faith materials. Most modern writings for Lent and Advent fail to move me, but Fr. Mark Toups' writings through Ascension Press always satisfy with both meaningful and deep material. One can tell that Fr. Toups has a depth of spiritual life and prayer, and this is communicated in what he has to share in his reflections, both written and in video format. I especially love the guided meditations, taking us in prayer to places such as the foot of the cross. I very much appreciate these wonderful resources that are a huge step above the usual "fluff."

For several years now I struggled to get back to being on fire for the faith like I was when I converted into the church. This year I wanted to be different and Good led me to this book. It helped me give my heart fully to Christ this lent and I learned how to pray again with this companion. I will be getting this companion each year because it helped me have the best lent ever and received more from God.

I found this to be the best daily Lenten book yet. Fr. Toups is amazing, sharing his insight and personal experiences. I looked forward daily to my time with my "Lenten Companion" and I truly miss it now Lent is over. Definitely will be looking for more of Fr. Toups' work.

This Lenten Journal was by far the BEST reflection journal I have done. I can use this journal year round to go back and reflect on. It spoke to my heart as if it knew all my sins just like the woman at the well. I am a visual learner and absolutely loved the art contained in this journal. I loved how it is setup to begin reflecting on the Sunday Gospel a few days before as well as continue to reflect on it a few days after. I spoke to my priest about this journal and it’s layout and even brought it with me to confession before Good Friday. My priest suggested I continue the same routine with every Sunday gospel, but if there could be something like this year round I would definitely purchase it for myself and gift it to others!! Thank you for creating this and sharing your real life experiences to help us make connections to our own experiences. May God continue to bless you all and I look forward to more content such as this.

Since the Lenten Companion experience, I am fully hooked on Lectio Divina. That has been my most prayerful search of my own heart and feelings. It was real!!

Having just been introduced to imaginative prayer with scriptures, I appreciated how Fr. Toups led us through the readings and gospels of Lenten Sundays to go so much deeper. If you give yourself the time to sit with the Lord and His Word, you will not regret it! This was a very meaningful Lent and I learned a lot.

I had a desire to become much closer to God this lent and I surely accomplished this. I had difficulty connecting with the weekly video which would have made a difference. I didn’t realize the Lenton journey included Holy Week and that a Bible was required. I need a new Bible!!

I have raved about this book to family, friends, and church contacts. It is the most meaningful Lenten experience I have found. The structure of the program, the readings, the suggested biblical readings coordinate perfectly. I will definitely look for this next year. It moved my heart and helped my spiritual growth

This year I wanted to focus more on my spirituality and my love for the Lord. This book not only contributed to me becoming more spiritual but also brought me closer to Jesus during Lent. It definitely helped me focus on my repentance and how to be a better disciple of Jesus. Thank you!

I was so moved by Father Toups’ thoughtful and insightful book. Oh my gosh I loved his take on Lent and what we can do and learn during this holy time. Thank you, thank you for this thought-provoking book, it is truly special!

Fr Mark does a wonderful job at building a weekly pattern that explores the Gospel messages during Lent. He complements the Gospel readings with other scriptural resources while encouraging notes and thoughtful answers. The Lenten Companion gave me a greater appreciation of Lent and enabled me to think more deeply about the wonderful spiritual exercises presented by Fr Mark. I am looking forward to next year’s edition. Sincerely in Christ.

The Lenten Companion experience was phenomenal. Fr. Mark Toups always delivers. Between Fr. Toups, the Lenten Companion Guide and Father’s videos, I experienced my best Lent ever. I didn’t want the six weeks to end. Father’s wisdom and his calming persona makes one feel right at home. He’s so honest and natural and compassionate. He explains everything so clearly. I’m looking forward to yet another course offered by him.

The Companion book is irreplaceable. It is written with biblical Lenten content but is also a self-development guide all rolled into one. I learned so much about the depth of God’s love for me, as well as, about myself and the unforeseen blocks I held which kept me from understanding and loving the Lord more.

I have recommended “Lenten Companion” to every Christian I speak to—Catholic or otherwise so they too can learn how much Christ loves them, how forgiving He is, how to spot personal blind spots which hold us back from the Lord.

This Lenten experience has changed my life for the better. I am more self-forgiving and more excited to learn still more about Christ. I never underscored or highlighted more lines in a book than I did with this book.

I would’ve never figured $19.99 could change my life and faith so much for the better.
I highly recommend this book, Lenten Companion course, and Fr. Mark Toups. You’ll never be the same. You don’t even need to wait til next Lent. Do it now! IT’S ALL SO GOOD. Blessings.

I have had a number of Lenten Guides over the years. The Lenten Companion was the first Guide that really reached out to me and "guided me through the Lenten walk". In fact, as Lent was coming to an end I started looking for a 'Daily Companion' to help me on my journey to Heaven.
I will definitely purchase another Ascension Press Lenten Companion win 2024,

I hesitated when considering ordering the Lenten Companion. Discernment and journalling are a real challenge for me. This Lenten journey was very helpful and thoroughly worthwhile. This was possibly the best Lenten journey I have ever experience.

This book opens the door to a deeper understanding of the root cause of why I entertain temptations. There are many nuggets of truth to help turn from the behaviors that lead to temptation. I like how the meditations for the Sunday reading start a few days before Sunday and continue for a few more days after Sunday.

An excellent daily devotional to help aid the reader through the Sunday readings of Lent. (Year A) Daily reflections with personal stories and thought-provoking questions to ponder. Author has added space for personal journaling after each reflection. Highly recommended for anyone wanting to support their prayer time during Lent.