Great Britain – The invitation of the Salesians for Advent 2020: "join our journey!"

25 November 2020

(ANS - Bolton) - Starting next Saturday, 28 November, the eve of the first Sunday of Advent, the Salesians of Great Britain will share digitally, and not only, some stimuli and reflections in preparation for Christmas: the idea is propose a pilgrimage of the spirit, in these times that do not favor traditional pilgrimages. Presenting the initiative is the Salesian Fr Gerry O’Shaughnessy.

Most of us are well acquainted with the concept of a 'pilgrimage'; many of us will have been to Rome, Lourdes, or the Holy Land on pilgrimage. We go for more than just a holiday: we journey with others to a Holy Place. In the Middle Ages, the tomb of St James in the Spanish town of Compostela was a popular pilgrimage centre; with no modern transport links, the pilgrims would have to reach their destination on foot, often taking weeks to get there.

However, it is in the journeying that the real spirit of pilgrimage is found; pilgrims would take off from various locations across Europe and follow the ancient way or CAMINO. As we journey to what will certainly be a very different Christmas 2020, we invite you to join us on the Advent Camino, where we will offer a short reflection and prayer for each day.

We have learnt a lot about our families, friends, and ourselves over these past few months of lockdown and challenge. We have had to re-imagine what it is to be Church and community and, while it has not always been easy, we can continue to make a difference in the lives of others.

As we make this Advent Camino together, let us continue to pray for each other and please contact us if you want special intentions mentioned. In this Camino, more than ever before in modern times, we are walking towards the loving embrace of God, the true light who comes to us at Christmas in the form of a child, with trust and wonder. Share that trust, share that wonder, as we share this Advent Way together.

The reflections will be sent by e-mail, every Saturday, to all those who subscribe to the “Seasonal Reflection” newsletter. In addition, they will also be made available in a printable format, which can be shared with friends and family, who may not have access to email. The invitation, from the Salesians of Great Britain, is to share these reflections with those who do not have access to technology and for this reason, in these difficult times, they risk feeling even more isolated.

Also, for those who have the opportunity, there will also be a retreat day for Advent, which will be held through the Zoom platform on 12 December.

For more information, please consult the salesians.org.uk website.

InfoANS

ANS - “Agenzia iNfo Salesiana” is a on-line almost daily publication, the communication agency of the Salesian Congregation enrolled in the Press Register of the Tibunal of Rome as n 153/2007.

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