Last week, in his first Advent sermon, Cardinal Cantalamessa reflected on the meaning of death. This week, he invited his listeners to meditate on another truth that the pandemic has brought back to the surface, that of the “instability and transience of all things.” “Everything,” he said, “is transitory: wealth, good health, beauty, physical strength.”
Not all Catholics have an image of Our Lady of Guadalupe at home. Technology comes to our aid. From our computers, from mobile phones we can easily find the beautiful Mexican Madonna that Pope Francis invites us to pray to receive the grace of plenary indulgence, extended to all the faithful of the world even remaining in their homes.
The announcement that many people have been anxious and longing to hear for several years finally came on December 8 as Pope Francis declared the beginning of a Year of St. Joseph.
The timing was perfect, coming on the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX declaring St. Joseph as Patron of the Catholic Church and on the feast of the Immaculate Conception of Mary, Joseph’s spouse.
December 8, 2020, marks the 150th anniversary of the declaration by Blessed Pius IX.
December 8, 2020, marks the 150th anniversary of Blessed Pius IX proclaiming St. Joseph as “Patron of the Universal Church.” The timing was providential, for several reasons. The date also celebrated the 16th anniversary of Pius IX’s proclamation of the dogma of the Immaculate Conception.
The Christian observance of Advent is for the preparation for Christmas. It is a time when Christians reflect on the Hebrew Bible, the promises of God, and their fulfillment in Jesus of Nazareth. A common theme in Advent observances is the coming of the Messiah. In many ways, the notion of the Messiah has caught the imagination of generations of Christians.
Advent began this year on Sunday, Noember 30. Most Catholics, even those who don’t often go to Mass, know that Advent involves a wreath with some candles, possibly a “calendar” of hidden chocolates, and untangling strings of Christmas lights.
But Advent is more than that. Here are a few points that might help you have a great Advent this year:
What is Advent?
In Matthew 5:13-16, Jesus said, "You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet. You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.”
When one visits the Holy Land, one feels the scent of holiness since this land became holy being the place where Lord Jesus Christ was born, lived, conveyed the message of love and peace, died on the Cross, rose from the dead, and set a model of brotherly love which culminated in loving one’s enemies.
St. Catherine of Alexandria’s witness to the faith was short, dramatic and even bizarre.
The annual solemnity provides a much-needed corrective against the perennial temptation to view the world through the lens of earthly power and squeeze our understanding of God into that prism.
The Solemnity of Christ the King is an occasion for us every year to recalibrate our lives to the reality of Christ’s kingdom and to follow the criteria Christ gives us to enter it, live in it and proclaim it.
