Pilgrim Priest

Oriens: A Pilgrimage Through Advent and Christmas

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Learn to Pray

Other Advent books give you prepared meditations. Oriens teaches you how to meditate for yourself.

Three Books in One

Oriens has everything you need in one place: a daily Scripture passage, guidance for meditation, and journal space.

It Keeps Going

Oriens begins on the First Sunday of Advent and continues all the way to February 2nd.

Better Together

Join other pilgrims for a Virtual Bible Study every week led by the author himself.

Supports Priests

The author donates all his royalties to the Institute for Priestly Formation.

A Better Christmas

Discover Advent is it was meant to be: a time to prepare your heart for a better Christmas.

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Dear Father Joel I just want to let you know how much I enjoyed and benefited from Oriens! I was a behind the scenes participant who feels truly grateful for your book, your insights, and your time. I am thankful for all the participants who were on the pilgrimage and shared. It was a memorable Advent in many unexpected ways and the pilgrimage exceeded my desires. I feel that this time has prepared me for the season of Lent and Easter as it has opened up new ways of praying. I see areas to grow closer to the Lord and of course see myself in new light…the good and the not so good! Our parish church is very large so most parishioners do not get to know our 3 wonderful priests personally. I was blessed by your sharing and dedication to teaching me and others to pray better and love God more. I was very excited to learn that you are planning a Lenten Book! I will be using your different ways of praying, suggestions, and questions for my prayer time with The 7 Last Words of Christ. Prayers and Blessings 😇
‐ Kandie
I truly love how this book accompanies you as a pilgrim into the Christmas weeks following the Nativity of Jesus. You’ll be surprised how the anticipation you built during Advent has so much fruit to bear and joy to share! Fr. Joel has written ‘Oriens’ with the ultimate question in mind: what is Jesus calling you to do? I plan to order several copies of this for my family and friends, in time for Advent!
‐ Lisa D.
I love this book. I wish the author would write more of these books for the whole year. When I read the scripture and do the questions in the book I feel so much closer to God and it just makes me feel so peaceful and blessed.
‐ Sam W.
If you are looking for a deep spiritual dive into the Advent and Christmas seasons, I can’t recommend Oriens enough. For years I looked for an Advent devotion that would go beyond a "light-hearted" and “feel good” experience. I yearned for transformation and a deeper examination of how God is calling me to grow as a disciple, and Oriens did just that. Through a concrete plan of daily action, gentle encouragement, and opportunities for reflection and journaling, I found the journey eye-opening and rewarding, and for the first time, I felt like my heart and home were well prepared for Christ. I look forward to using this pilgrimage for years to come!
‐ Lisa McArdle,
Co-Founder, VP of Client Services, and Retreat Leader for
Catholic Stewardship Consultants,
Author of Stewardship Starts at Home and
Co-Author of Stewardship Success
Just wanted to let you know I finished your advent pilgrimage journal. Thank you. God really used it to speak to me. I usually avoid journals because “writing is not my gift” and I didn’t like doing it. However, I now see how God can use it to help process and retain wisdom better than without it. I loved that the book went to Candlemas. Not only did I look forward to reflecting throughout the entire Christmas season, God used it to enlighten me on some insights to help me live my life.
‐ Judy K.
I wanted to thank you for writing Oriens, I prayed, reflected and journaled with it all through Advent. I have always tried to hear God’s voice and never really thought I did. …Your book helped me to pray, reflect and then listen and open my heart fully to God’s voice and He spoke to me loud and clear! It has been the most meaningful Advent of my life! I have a sense of peace that I haven’t felt for a long time.
‐ Kathy B.

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Learn to Pray

There are many wonderful Advent books full of moving meditations for you to choose from. This isn’t one of them. Instead of giving you my meditations, this book will teach you how to meditate for yourself.

A Prayer Pilgrimage

Oriens is retreat that you can do right in your own home. Through the ancient prayer forms of Lectio Divina and Imaginative Prayer, scripture reading will take on a whole new meaning just for you.

Everything You Need in One Place

The scripture passages are printed right in the book, followed by guidance for meditation and space for journalling. It’s like three books in one. Take a look inside.

More for Your Money

Other books end on Christmas Day. Oriens begins on the First Sunday of Advent and continues all the way to February 2nd. Even if you never open the book once before Christmas Day, you will still have more than half left to read.

Learn More When You Journey Together

You have everything you need for your own personal Advent retreat. But sign up now and Fr. Joel will lead you and other pilgrims through a weekly Virtual Bible Study. Get insights from other pilgrims and ask the author your questions. Sign up for free.

Your Purchase Supports Priests

All the author’s royalties are donated to the Institute for Priestly Formation. To date $8,508.50 has been given to this crucial ministry.

The Best Christmas Ever

Advent is a journey of the heart. When you learn to recognize God’s voice in your prayer and his presence in your day, Christmas takes on a whole new meaning.

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