Tag: Advent
Angels, Shepherds and Sheer Joy
The presence of the angels in Advent is the presence of the supernatural pressing in on the natural. Angels crowd the Advent story, and their presence culminates in the throng of angels who appear to the shepherds on the hill outside Bethlehem. The angelic presences pushing in on the ordinary world come first to the… Read More ›
Faith is and Encounter with Jesus Christ
VATICAN CITY — The Christian faith is not a theory, philosophy, or idea, but an encounter with the person of Jesus Christ, Pope Francis said this morning at Holy Mass at his private chapel in Santa Marta, as the Church enters into Advent. In order to truly encounter Jesus, the pope said, we need to undertake… Read More ›
The first step
O will of the Omnipotent God, You are my delight, You are my joy. Whatever the hand of my Lord holds out to me I will accept with gladness, submission and love. (Sr. Faustina’s diary 1004)For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” Matthew 11:30 We can be blinded by immediate satisfaction. We… Read More ›
Teaming With St. Joseph at Advent’s End
What is still unprepared in our hearts can be offered to the Merciful Infant We lit that last violet candle on the Advent wreath this weekend, and it didn’t give me any sense of joy that the earth is about to receive her king. Instead, it made me think that once again, this year’s Advent… Read More ›
The Middle-Coming of the Lord (Advent 2015)
“The Word became flesh and dwelt among us”. This is the meaning of the season, for the Word that became flesh was from the beginning, as is stated in the commencement of the Gospel of John. So if the above is true, then all of human history has been a time of waiting and of… Read More ›
The “O” Antiphons
The Roman Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the Magnificat canticle of Evening Prayer from December 17-23. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming Christ as… Read More ›
Surviving Advent as a Single
Tips for handling feelings of disappointment in a season filled with families and gatherings Soon enough Christmas music will flood the stores. All things holiday will insist that we are part of beautiful, functional families. Many of us simply aren’t. It isn’t always easy to embrace a season filled with families, children and abundance when… Read More ›
UK youth create Advent video calendar
London, England, Dec 21, 2014 / 01:00 pm (CNA/EWTN News).- This Advent, young Catholics in the UK are using video media to challenge their peers to “engage in the life and rhythm of the Church” and seek a deeper relationship with Christ. Made for Glory, a by-the-youth, for-the-youth faith initiative in the UK, has been… Read More ›
Life is a Dark Warehouse
God does not hide things from you. He hides things for you. When you die, you’ll encounter a “warehouse” full of his surprises. Gifts. He has secrets for you. Surprises. Death is a surprise party, if we’re sanctified, if we’re prepared for it, if we have the purity of love. Right now, you are wandering,… Read More ›
St. Joseph and Living Out Advent
Saint Joseph can help us to live a most fruitful Advent, and for many reasons. Let us quietly meditate upon five extraordinary virtues of this greatest of all saints so that we can live a most fervent Advent season and allow Jesus to be born in the depths of our hearts this Christmas! 1. SILENCE…. Read More ›