The Collect of the 4th Week of Advent, a masterfully crafted prayer dating from the eighth century, comprehensively, “situates the mystery of Christ’s incarnation and birth in the context of his saving death and its full effect: our resurrection to glory.”[1] The prayer, which will be familiar to those who are accustomed to praying the Angelus, is as follows: Pour forth, we beseech you, O Lord, your grace into our hearts, that we, to whom

This Sunday is traditionally called Gaudete Sunday because of the first word of its entrance antiphon, “Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, Gaudete,” (“[You all] Rejoice, in the Lord always: again I say rejoice”).[1] We on rejoice because the Lord is near; our joyful period of waiting is rapidly coming to a close. On the third Sunday of this season, we finally find reference to that which we are liturgically preparing to remember in the

In our commercial culture the time before Christmas is celebrated as if it were already Christmas Day, and/or is seen merely as shopping season in preparation for the exchange of presents on Christmas. In the midst of this cultural attitude towards this season of preparation, it is easy to fall into the trap of seeing Advent as merely a warning track which tells us to get ready for presents, family, and good food. The Collect

We may easily be confused when we arrive at Mass for the 1st Sunday of Advent and hear the following prayer for the Collect: Grant your faithful, we pray, almighty God, the resolve to run forth to meet your Christ with righteous deeds at his coming, so that, gathered at his right hand, they may be worthy to possess the heavenly Kingdom. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you