The Road to Emmaus: Pilgrimage as a Way of Life

by Jim Forest

Being a pilgrim might involve a journey to distant places associated wih God-revealing events, but it has more to do with simply living day by day in a God-attentive way. Jim Forest's book assists the reader to see one's life as an opportunity for pilgrimage, fwhether in places as familiar as your living room or walking the pilgrim path to Santiago de Compostela.

Genres: Spirituality

210 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 15, 2007

About the author

Jim Forest is a writer, Orthodox Christian lay theologian, educator, and peace activist. As a young man, Jim served in the U.S. Navy, working with a meteorology unit at the U.S. Weather Bureau headquarters near Washington, D.C. It was during this period that he became a Catholic. After leaving the Navy, Jim joined the staff of the Catholic Worker community in Manhattan, working close with the founder, Dorothy Day, and for a time serving as managing editor of the journal she edited, The Catholic Worker.

In 1964, while working as a journalist for The Staten Island Advance, in his spare time he co-founded the Catholic Peace Fellowship, working closely with Tom Cornell. This became a full-time job for both of them in 1965, a time that coincided with deepening U.S. military engagement in Vietnam. The main focus of their work was counseling conscientious objectors.
In 1968, while Jim working as Vietnam Program Coordinator of the Fellowship of Reconciliation, Jim and thirteen others, mainly Catholic clergy, broke into nine Milwaukee draft boards, removing and burning some of the files in a nearby park while holding a prayer service. Most members of the "Milwaukee Fourteen" served thirteen months in prison for their action.
In the late sixties and mid-seventies, Jim also worked with the Fellowship of Reconciliation, first as Vietnam Program coordinator and later as editor of Fellowship magazine. From 1977 through 1988, he was Secretary General of the International Fellowship of Reconciliation, work which brought him to the Netherlands. He received the Peacemaker Award from Notre Dame University's Institute for International Peace Studies and the St. Marcellus Award from the Catholic Peace Fellowship.

In 1988, Forest was received into the Orthodox Church. Since 1989, he has been international secretary of the Orthodox Peace Fellowship as well as editor of its quarterly journal, In Communion. Jim had a long-term friendship with Thomas Merton, who dedicated a book to him, Faith and Violence. Jim also accompanied the famed Vietnamese Buddhist monk, Thich Nhat Hanh. He and his wife Nancy, a translator and writer, live in Alkmaar, The Netherlands.

Reviews

[Adam Metz · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really nice devotional/reflection guide on "pilgrimage as a way of life." I purchased this book in connection with a sabbatical in which my family spent a couple of months living overseas. It was the perfect compendium for merging that experience with daily life after the sabbatical ended. Forest provides a collection of reflections that speak into traveling for pilgrimage, but also in recognizing that we are all on an inner, spiritual pilgrimage. He writes in the introduction: "Whether the journey is within your own backyard or takes you to the other side of the world, the potential is there for the greatest of adventures: a journey not only toward Christ but with him" (xvii).

Each chapter is a kind of stand alone devotion that prods particular parts of pilgrimage (the road, walking, maps, relics, the front door, etc.) The Road to Emmasus invites us to take every moment captive along the pilgrimage with Christ and to awaken ourselves to the God who is all around us. I am grateful that I waited for some time after my sabbatical ended to read this book as it helped to both reminisce over my family's experience as well as reflect on my life in the current (pandemic) moment. I think anyone would be blessed to spend time in this short book.

[Jane G Meyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautifully written--this is the type of book that can be re-read every so years... Forest created something in these pages that is truly memorable and life-changing.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The pilgrimage is a recurring theme for me in my faith journey. For that reason, I was more inclined to like this book than others may. Having said that, I think it's a great intro to the theme of pilgrimage in the Christian life and gives a pretty good overview of its historical significance while offering helpful insights.

[Jonathan]

None

[Else · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful Christian travelogue. Don't miss this one. Not only are the places inspiring, but so are Jim's reflections.

[Rich Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. Very enjoyable, poetic