for the FIRST SUNDAY of ADVENT

+ J.M.J.A.T

Ad Majorem Dei Gloriam et Immaculata

I haven't had the chance to post in a long long long while and just because I have some time now, I have decided to post something for the start of the Advent season. This second lent is a most treasured and precious time that I hope that I do not waste, as we spend waiting for a most beautiful feast, that of dearest Infant Jesus being brought onto this earth. A moment most special and dear to so many of us!

It is so easy to talk to Our Dearest and Most Loveliest Infant King! So helpless He lies, but in the bosom of Our Dearest and Most Loveliest Mother Mary, under the watchful gaze of St Joseph! How beautiful it is, just to picture the Holy Family in the oh ever so cold, yet warm stable in Bethlehem. As I wrote the last few lines, the Christmas Novena comes ever into my mind. 

CHRISTMAS NOVENAPrayer to Obtain Favours

Hail and blessed be the hourAnd moment in which the Son of GodWas born of the most pure Virgin Mary,At midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold.In that hour vouchsafe, O my God,To hear my prayer and grant my desires,Through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ,And of His Blessed Mother. Amen 

(To be recited fifteen times a day from the Feastof St. Andrew (30th of Nov.) until Christmas)

It is piously believed that whoever recites this prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew, on November 30th, until Christmas will obtain what is asked. 

[Imprimatur: +MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York, New York, February 6, 1897. 

Here is what I want to sing all week, since it is going to be a second lent : )) :

The Glory of these Forty Days

Clarum decus jejunii, 6th century 

Tr. Maurice Bell, d. 1906, alt.

Geistliche Lieder, 1543

Alt. & arr. Marc Chapleau

1. The glory of these forty days, We celebrate with song upraised; For Christ, through Whom all things were made, Himself has fasted and has prayed.
2. So Daniel trained a mystic sight, Delivered from the lion's might; And John, the bride-groom's friend, became the herald of Messiah's name.
3. Then grant us, Lord, like them to be, Full oft in fast and pray'r with Thee; Our spirits strengthen with Thy grace, And give us joy to see Thy face.
4. O Father, Son and Spirit blest, To Thee be every pray'r address'd; Who art in three-fold name adored, From age to age the only Lord. 

Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori.

Jesu mitis et humilis corde, Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. (ter)

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, Anne, Therese, I love You; Save Souls!

First Sunday of Advent

And now, yay, we prepare for Christmas, not as like the world, but with prayer and fasting - and sacrifice (advent, the second lent) as we gear up to get ready and prepare for the great feast that is - of Christmas. Beautiful and very beautiful baby Jesus, the Divine Infant.

Saint Alphonsus Ligouri wrote this very beautifully in his book, Uniformity with God's Will -

Who knows? Perhaps if God had given us greater talent, better health, a more personable appearance, we might have lost our souls! Great talent and knowledge have caused many to be puffed up with the idea of their own importance and, in their pride, they have despised others. How easily those who have these gifts fall into grave danger to their salvation! How many on account of physical beauty or robust health have plunged headlong into a life of debauchery! How many, on the contrary, who, by reason of poverty, infirmity or physical deformity, have become saints and have saved their souls, who, given health, wealth or physical attractiveness had else lost their souls! Let us then be content with what God has given us.

"But one thing is necessary," and it is not beauty, not health, not talent. It is the salvation of our immortal souls.

-------

As we prepare for Christmas, as we give thought to why baby Jesus had to come into the world, as we start the new liturgical year this advent, and as we hear in today's epistle and Gospel - about our last end - the particular judgment and the final judgment, let us remember: Our last end.

As with the prophet (Jeremias 12:11), They have laid it waste, and it hath mourned for me. With desolation is all the land made desolate; because there is none that considereth in the heart.

Let us consider with our hearts, let us think, as did all the great saints, as did the patron saint of missions, Saint Francis Xavier, whose blessed feast day falls tomorrow, what our last end is.

Here is a link to the story of St. Francis Xavier - Set All Afire! on St Francis and the Fishery Coast of India. Here is the link to his biography in the Catholic Encyclopedia. And here's another link on his death.

Here's also the link to Bishop Fellay's Letter #71.

Ave Maria, gratia plena, Dominus tecum. Benedicta tu in mulieribus, et benedictus fructus ventris tui, Iesus. Sancta Maria, Mater Dei, ora pro nobis peccatoribus, nunc et in hora mortis nostrae. Amen.

Gegrüßet seist du, Maria, voll der Gnade, der Herr ist mit dir. Du bist gebenedeit unter den Frauen, und gebenedeit ist die Frucht deines Leibes, Jesus. Heilige Maria, Mutter Gottes, bitte für uns Sünder jetzt und in der Stunde unseres Todes. Amen.

Je vous salue, Marie, pleine de grâce, Le Seigneur est avec vous. Vous êtes bénie entre toutes les femmes, et Jésus, le fruit de vos entrailles, est béni. Sainte Marie, Mère de Dieu, priez pour nous, pauvres pécheurs, maintenant et à l'heure de notre mort. Amen.

Deus propitius esto mihi peccatori.

Jesus, Mary, I love You; Save Souls!

Jesu mitis et humilis corde, Fac cor nostrum secundum Cor tuum. (ter)