First Sunday of Advent

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

In other years: Saint Fergal, Abbot, Bishop, Apostle of the Slovenes (c.700-784); Blessed Bernadino of Fossa (1420-1503)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:1-9 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass:  Is 2:1-5; Resp Ps 122; Rom 13:11-14; Mt 24:37-44

May peace be within your walls, prosperity in your buildings.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US. 

Let us walk in the light of the Lord.

(Is 2:5)

Welcome to the First Sunday of Advent 2022 and the New Liturgical Year 2023. Peace be within you!

Whatever it takes, whatever it is you need to do, do it to awake from sleep, arise from any stupor, throw off the works of darkness, and put on the armor of light (see Rm 13:11-12). It is time to put to rest anything that is keeping you away from the living God who is, the living God who was, the living God who is to come. In other words, Be prepared, for at the hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come (Mt 24:44). United in faith and prayer, may we live as children of light, for light produces every kind of goodness and righteousness and truth (Eph 5:8-9).

EVERY FOOT A SHRINE*

Every creature has a religion. Every

foot is a shrine where

a secret candle burns.

Every cell in us worships

God.

Every arrow in the bow of desire

has rushed out in hope

of nearing

Him.

SAINT FERGAL,

BLESSED BERNADINO OF FOSSA,

PRAY FOR US.

* Saint Thomas Aquinas, 1225-1274, in D. Ladinsky, Love Poems from God: Twelve Sacred Voices from the East and West, p. 128.

Today's photo: Our Advent wreath with the beauty that surrounds us. Selected, gathered, and placed with prayer. Let us go rejoicing to the house of the Lord.

© Gertrude Feick 2022