Today, the First Sunday of Advent, marks the beginning of the new liturgical year. The season of Advent has twofold character: It prepares us for Christmas, when we recall Christ’s nativity in Bethlehem; and it is a time when we look forward to Christ’s second coming at the end of the ages that is called Parousia. Usually we remember the first meaning of Advent because we are surrounded by Christmas decorations almost everywhere in spite of having just entered Advent. In fact, the major part of the Liturgy of Advent is dedicated to Christ’s second coming and only the last 8 days refer to the mystery of the Nativity. During each Mass just after the consecration we profess our faith and expectation for the second coming of the Lord saying:

“We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again”.

In many churches and households throughout the world the faithful a beautiful tradition of having the Advent wreath with four candles. The wreath is a part of our long-standing Catholic tradition; yet its origins are uncertain. It has an interesting and profound meaning. The wreath is made of various evergreens that depict the immortality of our soul and the new everlasting life promised to us through Christ, the Eternal Word of the Father. The four candles represent the four weeks of Advent. Some tradition says that each candle stands for a thousand years to sum to four thousand years, which are said to pass from Adam and Eve to the Birth of the Saviour.

Pope Francis asks us to pray in the month of December for the future of the very young: “That every country take the measures necessary to prioritize the future of the very young, especially those who are suffering”.

This Tuesday, December 3rd, we observe the memorial of St. Francis Xavier. He was a missionary priest, a companion of St. Ignatius of Loyola and one of the first seven Jesuits who took vows of poverty, chastity, obedience, and apostolic service according to the directions of the pope in Paris in 1534. He sailed to India, the islands of Malaysia and to Japan. Whenever he went, Francis lived with the poorest people sharing their food and rough accommodations. He intended to go from Japan to China but this plan
was never realized. Before reaching the mainland, he died. His remains are enshrined in the Church of Good Jesus in Goa, India.

This week we also celebrate First Thursday, Friday and Saturday of the month with special Masses and prayers respectively at 6:15 pm, 9 am and 10 am.

St. Francis Xavier – pray for us!

God bless,
Fr. Peter