ADVENT 2022

 
 
The People who walk in darkness...
 
Jesus says, "Stay awake! Be ready!"

"I stand at the door and knock."

"I am coming to bring life in abundance."
 
 
 
Picture of stained glass window in our
chapel depicting Mary visiting Elizabeth
 

At our evening meal on November 26th, we blessed our Advent wreath. Each week we will add one candle until all four are burning, signaling the progressive brightening of the world as the Light of Light draws nearer.

Prior to this ceremony, we celebrated the first vespers of Advent, the season of joyful expectation as we await the birth of Christ.

It is a special time for us who are dedicated to living the mystery of the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth. Mary, carrying the first beginnings of Jesus as an embryo in her womb, went to visit her cousin who was far advanced in her pregnancy. The two unborn children recognized each other, and John leapt for joy in response to Jesus' baptizing him, filling him and his mother with the Holy Spirit.

It is with profound hope and in anticipation of the most important birth in the history of the world that we contemplate the first tender shoots sprouting from the root of Jesse. May we, too conceive Jesus in our heart and carry Him to others.

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Saint Andrew
 

St. Andrew, St. Peter's brother, remembered for his gift of friendship, is celebrated on November 30th, the threshold of Advent. He was one of the disciples of St. John the Baptist who recognized Jesus as the Lamb of God and followed Him after Jesus invited him to "come and see."

 

Later, Andrew found Peter and brought him to Jesus, and they followed the Lamb from the beginning of His public life, through His Passion and Death. They witnessed to His resurrection. In the course of these years, Andrew brought others to Jesus: the boy with the loaves and fish, the Greeks, and most likely many who are not recorded - he was that kind of an obliging and friendly man..

Now, every year, thanks to the liturgical cycle, he brings us to Jesus, the Lamb of God come down from heaven as He begins His earthly life. So it is quite fitting that we begin this prayer on the feast of this great saint, remembering that "Jesus loved Andrew and cherished his friendship."

 
St Andrew Christmas Novena
 
 
Prayer: Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen - Author Unknown
 
 
 
"Advent means a presence begun,
the presence of God.
To celebrate Advent means to bring to life within
ourselves the hidden presence of God."

Jesse Tree

 

Creator of the Stars of Night
 
Creator of the stars of night
The people's everlasting light
Redeemer, saviour of us all
O' hear your servants when they call
 

As once through Mary's flesh You came

To save us from our sin and shame
So now, Redeemer, by Your grace
Come, heal again our fallen race
 
And when on that last judgement day
We rise to glory from decay
Then come again, O' savior blest
And bring us to eternal rest
 
Eagerly we await the fulfillment of our hope
the glorious coming of our Savior.
 
 
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