Today's feast of Christ the King is the last Sunday of the Church's liturgical calendar. Next week is the New Liturgical Year which begins with Advent.
The word Advent comes from the Latin adventus, coming. The Church relives the life of Christ each year and Advent is dedicated to that time of waiting in the womb. It also anticipates the return of Christ at the end of time.
Advent is one of the penitential times of our calendar. It is a time for our own soul-searching and soul-cleaning in preparation for the coming of Our Lord. Confession is always a part of this time as is prayer. House-cleaning too is in the choring as preparation for the Holy Days of Christ's Nativity.
Plain Catholics go to Advent penance services in addition to Mass. We see the year quieted in the winter onset and the putting to bed of the gardens. The harvest is nestled in the larder which is also called the spence in our part of the world. Crofts are not large but they always have a wee spence or larder to store the foods and the meats.
Decorations are simple, gifts are practical and not frivolous in the Plain Catholic Christmas season. We prefer the gift of each other's company and love. May all see the true Light of Salvation and receive Him who gave His Life to save us.
Living our faith in plain and humble service to Jesus, Our Lord and Savior ... ORA ET LABORA +++ Sentire cum Ecclesia (to think and to feel with the Church)
Rejoice in hope; endure in affliction; persevere in prayer. Romans 12:12
Prayer joined to sacrifice constitutes the most powerful force in human history.
St. John Paul II
I have a mustard seed; and I am not afraid to use it. (Habeo granum sinapis quod uti non timeo)
Pope Benedict XVI
But I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is abortion, because it is a direct war, a direct killing, direct murder by the mother herself."
St. Mother Teresa of Calcutta
1 comment:
how beautiful and Special! blessings!
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