Tuesday of the First Week of Advent

For the Poor Souls in Purgatory

Saints: Blessed Bernard Francis de Hoyos (1711-1735); Blesseds Denis and Redemptoris (d. 1638); Saint Sernin (or Saturninus) of Toulouse, First Bishop of Toulouse, Martyr (3rd century)

Readings of the Day

Rule of Saint Benedict: Ch 48:22-25 The Daily Manual Labor

Mass: Is 11:1-10; Resp Ps 72; Lk 10:21-24

Justice shall flower in His days.

MARY, QUEEN OF PEACE,

OUR LADY OF VAILANKANNI,

OUR LADY OF MONTILGEON,

SAINT GERTRUDE THE GREAT OF HELFTA,

SAINT NICHOLAS OF TOLENTINO,

SAINT MICHAEL THE ARCHANGEL,

PRAY FOR US.

The earth shall be filled with knowledge of the Lord.

(Is 11:9)

We are busy this First Week of Advent rising from any slumber we might find ourselves in. We are also busy with Saint Benedict's Chapter 48 on the Daily Manual Labor. Organizing our days with times for prayer, manual labor, and reading help us to seek the things that are above (see Col 3:1), ordering our lives on the search for God who is always searching for us throughout the daily this and that. As Saint Benedict writes, "Idleness is the enemy of the soul" (Rule of Saint Benedict, 48:1). We don't want to be "remiss or indolent" (RB 48:23), and especially during these days of Advent, a "period of devout and expectant delight" (Norms on the Liturgical Year). We need not be among the wise and learned to praise the Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for the glory of God is revealed to the childlike (see Lk 10:21). United in faith and prayer, we ask the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of Jesus, to help us renew the sense of awe and wonder of the childlike. Yes, Father, such has been your gracious will. All things have been handed over to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son and anyone to whom the Son wishes to reveal Him (Lk 10:21-22).

My past, O Lord, to your mercy; my present, to your love; my future to your providence.

(Saint Pio of Pietrelcina Padre Pio, 1887-1968)

BLESSED BERNARD FRANCIS DE HOYOS, 

BLESSEDS DENIS AND REDEMPTORIS,

SAINT SATURNINUS OF TOULOUSSE,

SAINT MARY ELIZABETH HESSELBLAD,

PRAY FOR US.

Today's photo: Let things fall where they will. May his name be blessed forever.

© Gertrude Feick 2022