Fr Paul Nicholson SJ has written a book of spiritual exercises for the four weeks leading up to Christmas, entitled An Advent Pilgrimage. 

“Each year at Advent we are invited to revisit the stories of those who looked forward over the centuries to the coming of Christ,’ says Fr Paul. ‘Travelling through the days and weeks, we recall the trials they faced and the goals they eventually reached. An Advent Pilgrimage offers for each day of the season of preparation for Christmas suggestions of a gift to pray for, a reflection for the journey, a couple of verses of scripture that could be memorized and recalled throughout the day, and a brief concluding prayer.  We are invited to reflect upon our own personal journey towards God in the course of our lives, and review our progress as the year draws to an end.”

An Advent Pilgrimage draws, in part, upon Father Paul’s own experience of pilgrimage, both in walking himself and in sending Jesuit novices out on the road: he is at present the Director of Novices for the inter-provincial novitiate in Birmingham, which serves the Jesuit provinces of Britain, Ireland, Flanders, and the Netherlands, as well as the region of South Africa.

“This Advent I invite you to set out on a pilgrimage,’ he says, ‘a journey towards a renewed and deeper encounter with God – something active, not simply read about, so there will be things to do each day.  Let us set out together and may God be with us on the road.”  

More details of An Advent Pilgrimage can be found at www.kevinmayhew.com/info/contributors/paul-nicholson/an-advent-pilgrimage.html.