A Sacred Journey

practicing pilgrimage at home and abroad

Liturgical Year Archives

The seasons and holy days of the Liturgical Year within the Christian Church offer a framework for spiritual formation and an invitation to journey with intention year after year. Find posts on the liturgical year below, explore specific seasons on the resources page, and sign up here to receive updates on new posts directly in your inbox.

What to Do With the Wait: My (In)Fertility Journey

I have been pregnant for 534 days, or at least that’s what it feels like.

534 days ago I found out that I was pregnant, and while we miscarried at six weeks, it feels like I’ve been in a liminal space ever since—body, mind, and soul.

During our first month of trying, I was so grateful to finally be in this season that the entire process seemed exciting. I began haphazardly tracking my cycle using the fertility awareness method, taking my temperature each day and monitoring cervical mucus to discover my fertile days. Once I knew I had ovulated I bought a box of pregnancy tests—First Response, early result, because I wanted to know the outcome as soon as possible. When the first day I could take the test rolled around, I woke early and took it in the bathroom, my hands shaking at the gravity of it all. The results were negative, and while disappointing, I found comfort in knowing that this was only our first cycle of trying to conceive—we were just getting started.

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My Favorite Resources + Practices for Advent

advent-resources

Advent is finally here, and being the first season in the new liturgical year (after a lengthy Ordinary Time, I might add) it seems that many, like me, are eager to dive in.

In my latest monthly newsletter to subscribers, sent on the first day of Advent (Missed it? Sign up here), I shared reflections on the season and an invitation for us all in the days ahead:

Pause. Prepare. Keep Vigil. Wait.

Today I want to share with you my favorite resources and practices that align with these invitations and themes of Advent so that, as fellow pilgrims, we might journey together through this season of mystery, longing, and great anticipation. (It seems tailor-made for the Seeker of the Sacred, doesn’t it?)

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A Liturgy for Halloween?

A Liturgy for Halloween? » asacredjourney.net

It’s a rainy Halloween here in Seattle, and I have no plans of going out this evening.

It’s likely that no trick-or-treaters have plans of stopping by, either—we live on an arterial route, and it seems the kids tend to stay on the quieter streets. While I have a soft spot for anything festive and do love seeing kids in costume (and eating my share of the candy), that’s okay by me. Since spending time in Ireland and learning more about the Celtic tradition and the invitations of the liturgical year, Halloween and the days that follow have taken on new meaning for me.

Although today Halloween is a family-centric folk holiday focused on costumes, candy, and light-hearted frights (a healthy opportunity to play with our fears, I might add), when we think of the origins of the holiday a spookier era comes to mind—a time rife with witch trials, hauntings, and superstition. In truth, though, the roots of Halloween, far removed from today’s manifestations, stem from quite ordinary places.

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Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast, S1|E14: Sending + Travel Companions

Sacred Ordinary Days, S1|E14: SendingEven though it’s just in the 60s here in Seattle, I’m officially two weeks into my summer sabbatical.

And while I’m taking a break from blogging and social media through August, I had to chime in to let you know that our latest episode of the Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast is available for your listening pleasure! (Technically it’s been up for a week, but you know, sabbatical.)

This episode is really special because not only are we “sending” you into the season ahead—Ordinary Time, which just so happens to be the longest season of the year—we also recorded this episode in the same room! After we wrapped up the Sacred Ordinary Days Retreat in Waco, TX, at the end of May, we sat down together at Jenn’s dining room table, tea in hand, and after an enriching weekend with other members of the Sacred Ordinary Days tribe we couldn’t help but reflect on those who have joined us on our journeys.

In the season ahead, we want to invite you to do the same, too. Listen/download below or through iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and catch up on past episodes here. And if you like what you hear, would you mind sharing it with a friend and leaving a review? Jenn is giving away a free Sacred Ordinary Days Liturgical Day Planner (academic edition) once we reach 50, 75, and 100 reviews! Here’s how.

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Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast, S1|E12: Pentecost + the Holy Spirit

Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast, S1|E12: Pentecost + the Holy Spirt

The season of Eastertide is nearly over, with the feast of Pentecost this coming Sunday, marking its fiftieth and final day.

I love that the feast of Pentecost doesn’t begin another season but instead serves as a capstone and sending to the season of Eastertide. After a season filled with the celebration of new Life, the feast of Pentecost is a time to recognize the life that burns within and sends us with that flame to light the ordinary days that follow.

In today’s episode of the Sacred Ordinary Days Podcast Jenn and I are talking about the history of the feast of Pentecost and our experiences of the Holy Spirit, and also exploring prompts and practices to help us follow the thread of the Holy Spirit (or as I like to say, Sacred Guide) in our everyday lives.

Listen/download below or through iTunes or your favorite podcast app, and catch up on past episodes here. And if you like what you hear, would you mind sharing it with a friend and leaving a review? Here’s how.

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