Our Lady in Advent
The presence of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the liturgy of Advent is like the fragrance of roses in December. Mary is everywhere, drawing us...
11 December, Monday of the Second Week of Advent
The Communion Antiphon of today’s Mass merits close attention. The text is borrowed from the Divine Office where it serves as the Magnificat Antiphon at...
In domum Domini ibimus
On this Second Sunday of Advent, the liturgy focuses on Jerusalem, the mystery represented by the ancient Roman stational church. Stational churches are those churches...
10 December, Second Sunday of Advent
Station at the Roman Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem Today’s stational church is the home of my own monastic community, Santa Croce in...
In laetitia cordis vestri
The painting of Saint John the Baptist (1513–1516) is by Leonardo da Vinci. The Holy Foreunner is youthful; his smile reveals a secret joy. The...
9 December, Saturday of the First Week of Advent, Commemoration of Saint Juan Diego, Hermit
ENTRANCE ANTIPHON MR Come, Lord, You who are enthroned upon the cherubim, show us Your face and we shall be saved (Ps 79:4, 2). COLLECT...
Our Lady’s Hermit
“Hear and let it penetrate into your heart, my dear little son: let nothing discourage you, nothing depress you: let nothing alter your heart or...
Gaudens gaudebo in Domino
December 8 The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary Genesis 3:9-15, 20 Psalm 97: 1, 2-3ab, 3cdd-4 Ephesians 1:3-6, 11-12 Luke 1:26-38 A Song...
Tota Pulchra Es, O Maria
Mary of Great Beauty Some weeks ago, I stopped to browse at Cutler’s on Broadway, New Haven’s best and biggest record shop. For me, a...
8 December, The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary
This seventeenth century Spanish painting is remarkable in that it depicts Saint Joachim and Saint Anne together with the Immaculate Conception, their daughter full of...
O Marie, Ma Reine et ma Mère
Today is the anniversary of the death of Monsieur le Chanoine Louis François CROSET. Born at Annecy-le-Vieux in 1914, he was ordained to the priesthood...
On Saint Nicholas Day
Wednesday of the First Week of Advent December 6 Commemoration of Saint Nicholas, Bishop Isaiah 25:6–10a Psalm 22:1–2, 3–4, 5, 6 (R. 6cd) Matthew 15:29–37...
And A Little Child Shall Lead Them
Tuesday of the First Week of Advent Isaiah 11:1–10 Psalm 71:1–2, 7–8, 12–13, 17 (R. 7) Luke 10:21–24 Grace Upon Grace Saint John, in his...
Qui non est consolatus, nescit consolare
First Tuesday of Advent Isaiah 11:1-10 Psalm 71: 1-2, 7-8, 12-13, 17 Luke 10:21-24 The photograph is of the Blessed Sacrament exposed on the altar...
Domine, non sum dignus
Monday of the First Week of Advent Isaiah 2:1–5 Psalm 121:1–2, 3–4ab, 4cd–5, 6–7, 8–9 Matthew 8:5–11 Saints in Advent We celebrate the Holy Mysteries...
4 December, Saint Barbara, Virgin and Martyr
I am mindful today of the dear friends named Barbara whom God has sent into my life. According to tradition, Saint Barbara was confined to...
Come, Bridegroom Christ
This hymn belongs at the Hour of Sext during Advent. The text, though inspired by something written by a friend many years ago, is my...
Vox Clara Ecce Intonat
Here is my rendering of the Advent hymn for Lauds. Like the Vespers hymn below, it may be sung to the corresponding tune in the...
Conditor Alme Siderum
This is my translation of Conditor Alme Siderum. When Advent rolls round and I sing this hymn, I see in my mind’s eye Van Gogh’s...
Missus est Gabriel Angelus
In the Cistercian liturgy the center piece of First Vespers of the First Sunday of Advent is Missus est Gabriel Angelus, a magnificent Great Responsory...