Rejoice! An Advent Pilgrimage into the Heart of Scripture

Very well done easy to follow

The Advent pilgrimage Rejoice has come through again this year with beauty. It was a quiet experience for me in this busy paced world. Father Mark thank you again for helping me capture Advent in silence and calm. God Bless!

Rejoice led me to the best Advent I have ever had. The method of reading the scriptures three times in the manner of Lectio Divina helped me to hear God talking to me. And the meditation to see myself through the eyes of God help me see myself with love. Thank you for a wonderful study.

This is my second year walking with Fr Toups on an advent pilgrimage into the heart of scripture. Once again it was a great aid in enhancing my advent journey. Enjoyed the personal reflections that helped the scripture come alive. Wish it had a timeline as when to start based on the year… felt a bit off since advent started later this year.- had to flip forward to Christmas and back. Did this study with my husband and best girlfriend- enjoyed sharing our thoughts with one another. It was very helpful to each of us the insights we gained on our own walks with Jesus. I would recommend the Rejoice series. Looking forward to Lent with Fr Toups Hoping something will be created for Ordinary time.

I love Fr. Marks books for both Advent and Lent. They have become my default plan.

The Rejoice books and videos are a beautiful and calming antidote to the almost inescapable busy-ness of the weeks before Christmas. They keep you centered on what it’s all about and what is most important and his imagery stays with me long term.

Request: Books for the Easter season too!!!

I loved so many of the analogies about Mary. They were so thought provoking. I'm not one who journals often but Rejoice inspired me to think deeper. Looking forward to the Lenten Companion.

I am glad we found such a rich Advent journey. We used the journal to pray with the family every day preparing for Christmas! It made our journey to Christ’s coming more intimate!

I believe that the Lord nudges us toward experiences that will bring us closer to him if we are on that journey. When I got an email from Ascension about Rejoice, I knew I wanted to try it and I'm so glad I did. I looked forward to and enjoyed the daily activities. I enjoy diving deeper into the Scriptures and the questions help to guide my journal entries. Sometimes I was so surprised as to how much I was journaling. Sitting with the Scriptures and meditating on them brings insights and aha moments. I love the guided imagery exercises. Putting myself into the scene is so impactful. I had experienced one of Father Toups guided imageries during Easter of last year where he put us with Mary at the foot of the Cross. It is an experience I will never forget. Can't wait to see what's in store for us in the future.

We did Lenten Companion with our family and a small group from Church. We all loved it so much! We were excited to do Rejoice with Fr. Toups and it didn’t disappoint. The study and the videos were wonderful and helped us make our Advent much more meaningful. I loved the experience of the meditations! I’m looking forward to Year C.

This is my second journey with Fr. Toups. His advent pilgrimage was everything I wanted and needed. It definitely helped me meditate and kept me engaged. I look forward to his lenten journey!

This was my first time doing Rejoice and I loved it.
Will probably do it again next year too.

My husband and I were going to use the Rejoice book together, but we didn't get much out of it so we stopped. I don't know why, but it just wasn't working for us. We loved the Advent cards though and read them with our son each Sunday as we lit the next Advent candle.

I'm finishing up the Catechism in a Year and have learned so much about the church that I didn't get growing up in Catholic school. I continue to seek and grow in my faith journey and was really hoping the Rejoice book would help.

I'm glad to read so many positive reviews.

I have never liked to journal but I thought maybe this would help. It did not.
I did not like the meditations and I only did a couple of them. I also did not like the repetitive readings.
It was just not for me, I felt more comfortable reading the Magnificat advent companion.

Thanks, so much Father and staff who put this little book together. It was an inspiration for me to read and meditate. Reading a few passages, pondering, and sitting still for a little while to hear God's voice. Learning to listen to God's voice is a challenge for me since I can't sit still long enough to experience. This little book has given me pause to reflect. Thanks so much, I needed this, this year.

I loved this series. It helped me to focus on the reason for Christmas and helped me to prepare my day spiritually. I really opened my heart to Jesus and found Him in all of my everyday activities.

I could use something like this daily for each liturgical season.

I have really enjoyed the Rejoice advent book. This is my first experience with Fr. Toups books and I am so glad that I purchased it. Having a book made my prayer and reflection time more intentional. The content and reflections were wonderful and I definitely experienced a less "distracted" and more joyful advent season. Thank you!

I have enjoyed all Rejoice books. I especially enjoyed Fr. Toup’s focus on listening for and hearing God’s voice. Thank you for such clear guidance that was so easy to read and understand.

The Rejoice journal is an excellent way to keep daily time with the Lord a priority, especially during a busy time. I plan to order the Lenten companion. It would be wonderful to have a resource like this for the rest of the year. I do use a journal with Bible study, but would rather keep just one. This format, along with the teaching, would be perfect. I like to save my journaling to look back occasionally and see where I was at a particular time.

This was the first time l used the REJOICE! exercises and they definitely added to my Advent prayer time. The reflections were very thought provoking. For those of us doing the exercises individually (as opposed to being in a class) I wish there were Zoom sessions at least weekly so that we could discuss the reflections. Learning is greatly enhanced when completed with others. ThankYou for REJOICE!

I very much enjoy the Rejoice Advent program and look forward to using it yearly as it is a thoughtful, prayerful walk toward the extraordinary gift of Christ’s birth

Love Rejoice, both the Advent and Lenten Journals. They are a wonderful reason to pause in my day and focus on what is truly important and what l am getting ready for. It’s well written, thought provoking and actually a peaceful time to reflect.

I have purchased every series of REJOICE that has come out the past 6 years. I buy a pack and give to friends and family! I especially love sharing with my Protestant friends. Thanks Father for always providing us with a different perspective every year!
LOVE IT
Blessings to all of you in the New Year 🙏❤️

I didn't want it to end! Fr. Toups outdid himself in Year B. His writing is a gentle voice that encourages one to grow closer to God through scripture and written reflection. He explains, he challenges, he really helps the reader focus on prayer and contemplation at a crazy busy time of year. I love the questions he asks of the reader. And the meditations are next level - not just observing a scene from the Gospel, but becoming a part of it. Inspired.

I’ve looked forward to waking up early each morning this Advent and sitting quietly with the Rejoice reflections and journals. They bring a depth to my prayer time with God and have taught me how to how to sit still in the silence to hear how God is speaking to me in both the Scriptures and the guided meditations. The videos are such a joy as well. Thank you, Fr. Toups! I’m looking forward to the Lenten guide again this year, too!

Wonderful program. I led 2 different groups through this study this year. Both groups were very happy with the program Personally, I saw a change in my own heart by the end of the study. Bith groups are looking forward to the next Lent study

Flipping through a new book gives me a quick idea of what the book has to offer. I thought the daily reflections would be laborious. WRONG! This is the absolute best Advent journey. I have a new relationship with Mary, Joseph and our Lord Jesus. Trust me, you will benefit from this book.

I am so happy I got Rejoice! It was beautifully illustrated and chock full of great insights and inspiration.
I highly recommend this book. Look forward to another one next Advent.

I was faithful to the daily readings and they were just the right length to stimulate my thoughts. I found that by using the journal pages I was able to go deeper into my thoughts. I will return to my writings as I made some commitments. Many of the daily meditations really spok to me in my daily life. One of the best Advent/Lent companions I’ve used in a number of years
Practical and spiritual.
I saw a comment about creating a daily companion in the same format. I would agree and I would subscribe.
Thank you
Blessings
JJ
PS I will look for a Lent version in the coming weeks if one is offered

Every year I try and experience Advent through the Rejoice program and this year’s program did not disappoint. Fr Mark Toupes did a phenomenal job, for me, in bringing the quiet, silent, Advent season to fruition on Christmas morning at Mass. I shed tears of joy over the birth of our Savior. Truly a memorable Advent for me this year! Thank you!!