Oriens is a Latin word meaning "rising" and "dawn." Your Oriens journey begins on the First Sunday of Advent and continues until the feast of the Presentation on February 2. Each day, you'll take a step closer to "the dawn from on high."

Fr. Joel Sember is your leader on this pilgrimage, one in which you will learn what God is revealing to you through Scripture and prayer. With Oriens as your guidebook, you'll learn how to pray and reflect more deeply. For each entry, you'll read a Scripture passage, receive Fr. Joel's guidance on how to pray with that passage, and find questions for reflection and journaling.

If in years past you have felt like you weren't really "doing" Advent and just skipping right to celebrating Christmas, this book will speak to you. If you utilized Oriens in previous years to intensify your Advent preparation and Christmas celebration, then you already know this book will open you up to God speaking directly into your heart.

Welcome, Oriens pilgrim.