As usual, Rejoice! did not disappoint! I learned so much about my own heart during these meditations and was so thankful for the peace in the midst of the hustle and bustle before Christmas. Rejoice! helped me keep my eyes on Christ, share in Mary and Joseph's perspectives and draw close to the Lord. I love the title too as I have a figure of a woman Rejoicing with the Scripture verse "Rejoice always!" on my prayer table as a daily reminder. It is a blessing to me during the special seasons of Advent and Lent!
I love these books by Father Toups,. It helps me to slow down and really contemplate this season of advent and really be excited to welcome Jesus more fully. They really bring back the wonder and awe of Christmas.
I loved the book and the supplement book that took me through the Christmas weeks past Christmas day. The meditations were calming and opened my heart. Thank you.
I continue to use the journal throughout the year almost daily as a companion to prayer. For example, I am almost daily going back to the meditation for day one of Advent on topic of 'known' and going deep with it. This has led to focus on Who God is and heart experience of His love for me. I had a very mixed relationship with my earthly father stemming from incidents as a young boy that has impacted my experience of my heavenly Father. This meditation is part of my daily work in forgiving my father and praying through my relationship with my heavenly Father.
My extended family from all over the United States has a Catholic Book club that meets on zoom once a week. We read the daily readings individually and discussed the book as a group weekly. We loved the book, "Rejoice! An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture: Year C, Journal", and the companion videos. Thank you Fr Toups and Ascension Press!!!