Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, During the Advent season, I have been reading “The Secret of the Bethlehem Shepherds,” a new book by Fr. Dwight Longenecker published by Sophia Institute Press. I’ve long admired Fr. Longenecker’s columns and commentary, so I was excited to pick up this short book. It is full of insight into the importance of the shepherds in the narrative of Jesus’ birth. As we come to the Fourth Sunday of Advent and leap immediately into our celebration of Christmas, the presence of the shepherds and their significance is very much on my mind. When we…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday, brings us one of the two days in the liturgical year when rose-colored vestments are used, a visible sign that the reason for our season of vigil is coming very soon. We know that the birth of Jesus is very near, and with that anticipation the entrance antiphon for Mass today calls on us to rejoice for our salvation is near at hand. Since this year gives us the shortest possible time for the Advent season, the urgency of our Lord’s arrival is heightened. Thus far, our reflection…read more

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, The season of Advent represents an invitation to keep watch, anticipating the arrival of Christ, the light of the world. In the life of the Church, a vigil is a unique liturgical celebration that introduces us to the mystery or feast being celebrated, inviting us to keep watch and prepare our hearts. Many of these vigils are celebrated only in monasteries or religious houses, as the practice of anticipatory Masses (on Saturdays or the day before a holy day of obligation) has become more common. While we may not fully recover the liturgical expression…read more