We begin this Holy Season of Advent. We wear purple as a sign of preparation and penance, for this is a time when we strive to make room in our lives to receive Jesus. We need to make room, for there are so many things that fill us up. Some are good that need to be tempered so as to not take up more room than is good for us. Some are sins, temptations, and habits that we have allowed in and they need to be removed. Others are realities we have held to ourselves, be it sadness and grief, anger, hurts, dreams that we are afraid will be taken if we share them with God. We need to give Him room to be in every part of our life.
For Advent I want to share this prayer attributed to Pope Clement XI (r. 1700–1721). He sums up well all that we ask in this Holy Season. When Christmas comes Jesus will find room within us.
I believe, O Lord, but may I believe more firmly; I hope, but may I hope more securely; I love, but may I love more ardently; I sorrow, but may I sorrow more deeply.
I adore you as my first beginning; I long for you as my last end; I praise you as my constant benefactor; I invoke you as my gracious defender.
By your wisdom direct me, by your righteousness restrain me, by your clemency console me, by your power protect me.
I offer you, Lord, my thoughts, as towards you, my words, as about you, my deeds, as following you, my trials, as for your sake.
I will whatever you will, I will it because you will, I will it in the way you will, I will it so long as you will.
I pray, Lord, enlighten my understanding, inflame my will, cleanse my heart, sanctify my soul. May I weep for sins past, repel temptations to come, correct evil leanings, nurture fit virtues.
Give me, good God, love for you, hatred for myself, zeal for my neighbor, contempt for the world. May I strive to obey those above me, to aid those beneath me, to have care for my friends, to spare my enemies. May I conquer sensuality by austerity,
avarice by generosity, anger by gentleness, lukewarmness by fervor.
Render me prudent in planning, steadfast in dangers, patient in adversity, humble in prosperity. Make me, O Lord, attentive at prayer, moderate at meals, diligent at work, firm in purpose.
May I be careful to maintain inward innocence, outward modesty, exemplary behavior, a well-governed life. May I be always watchful in subduing nature, fostering grace, observing your law, winning salvation.
May I learn from you how precarious is the earthly, how great the divine, how fleeting the temporal, how lasting the eternal. Grant that I may prepare for death, fear judgement, flee hell, gain paradise. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
God Bless,
Fr. Todd
This week we celebrate that God preserved Mary from original sin to make her a
perfect mother for our Lord. Immaculate Conception is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Thursday, December 7 ● Vigil of the Immaculate Conception
St. Mary on the Lake 6:00pm
Friday, December 8 ● Immaculate Conception
Sacred Heart 8:00am & 6:00pm
St. Mary on the Lake 9:30am
Saturday, December 9 ● Breakfast with St. Nicholas St. Mary on the Lake 9:30am-11:30am
Reservations are due by Sunday, December 3rd.
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