It’s been a long, cold, lonely winter. It feels like years since it’s been here. The Beatles have Good News for us: Here Comes the Sun! In this iconic song, George Harrison captures (even if unwittingly) the Advent sentiments that … Continue reading
Advent
Mary the Theologian
St. Anselm of Canterbury defines theology as “faith seeking understanding” (fides quarens intellectum). Simply put, for one to do the work of theology, he or she must start from a position of faith in God. From there, the desire to … Continue reading
Childlike Reverence
This final week of Advent is an exciting time as we approach the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Liturgically, there are two unique aspects to this week. First, there are the beautiful “O Antiphons” that are sung during Vespers … Continue reading
Have Yourself a Hangover-Free Christmas
Advent is a hangover. Hear me out now. “There are only two philosophies of life: one is first the feast, then the headache; the other is first the fast and then the feast.” Alright, so that was not me, technically. … Continue reading
Las Posadas
Last night, in parish neighborhoods all over Mexico and the U.S., Christian faithful began begging from house to house looking for a place to stay in imitation and remembrance of the poor Holy Family. This is the tradition of Las … Continue reading
“Thy Dear Love Can Slay”
There is a story about how St. John of the Cross celebrated Christmas: “On Christmas day . . . St. John of the Cross, while at ease with his brethren at recreation, took the image of the Holy Infant from … Continue reading
St. Ambrose on Mary
Today is the memorial of St. Ambrose, bishop and doctor of the Church. He was born to an influential Roman family in 340 and eventually became a Roman Governor. He was made bishop of Milan in 374 at the behest … Continue reading
Beheading Statues
It was hardly enough for the French revolutionaries to behead just one king. Nine months later, in October 1793, anti-royalists tore down 28 statues of Judean kings mistaken for French monarchs from the façade of Notre Dame Cathedral and guillotined … Continue reading
Recognizing the Lord
As the first season of the new liturgical year, Advent possesses a twofold character. Having just ended the liturgical year celebrating the solemnity of Jesus Christ reigning over the universe in glory, we begin the cycle again with a dynamic … Continue reading
Prepare Ye the Way of the Lord
Editor’s note: This post was originally published on November 29, 2012. Fr. Jacob Bertrand Janczyk was ordained to the priesthood in May 2017 and now serves as the Vocations Director for the Dominican Province of St. Joseph. This Sunday, the … Continue reading
Ignorance is NOT Bliss
In Chapter 7 of St. Luke’s Gospel, some disciples of John the Baptist approach Jesus, sent by John himself to ask Jesus, “Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?” (Lk 7:19). At first glance, … Continue reading
I Didn’t Pick Them
Thanksgiving is over. Hopefully we all had a pleasant time and remembered to keep being thankful for all of the blessings God has placed in our lives. But, if there is any truth at all in the stereotype presented to … Continue reading
Living in the Light
Once, in botany class, I conducted a memorable experiment. After planting a number of beans, I placed half of the young sprouts in a greenhouse and half in a dark cupboard. Each day, I would water the young plants and … Continue reading
Jesus Christ, King of Thieves
O Rex Gentium, et desideratus earum,lapisque angularis, qui facis utraque unum:veni, et salva hominem,quem de limo formasti. O King of the nations, and their desire,the cornerstone making both one:Come and save the human race,which you fashioned from clay. The O … Continue reading
O Emmanuel
Continuing our series on the O Antiphons, we come today to our final one. Widely known for its use (although paraphrased) as the title verse in “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” it is used in the ultimate evening prayer of … Continue reading
Locking Out Jesus
Jesus is the One who holds the keys to Heaven, but there is one door He won’t unlock without permission: the door of our hearts. Christmas is close, and today the Church’s liturgy calls upon Christ as the Key of … Continue reading
Do Not Delay
Why is procrastination so appealing? The temptation to put things off can feel irresistible at times, and it always seems like there are good reasons to justify it. There are always other tasks that can be found to keep the … Continue reading
Cold Comfort
Ebenezer Scrooge, visited already by several Spirits, “was ready for a good broad field of strange appearances…nothing between a baby and rhinoceros would have astonished him very much.” I’ve had the pleasure of thinking about Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol … Continue reading
Advent Conference Audio: Mother Teresa
Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “Jesus Messed Everything Up.” It was given by Br. John Thomas Fisher, O.P. as part of the 2016 Advent Conferences at the Dominican House of Studies. Series flyer with more information … Continue reading
Are You Lonely?
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea and saying, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Mt. 3:2). This Advent, John the Baptist invites us to go out into the desert to prepare for the … Continue reading
Don’t Drive Like Me, Brother
Advent is filled with John the Baptist moments. John the Baptist is like the siren at the head of a motorcade, waking us up to the arrival of someone important. What’s he saying? “Prepare the way of the Lord, make … Continue reading
Christmas Shopping
What hath Christ to do with Versace? I remember a Christmas morning interview with Cardinal Dolan, the archbishop of New York, on The Today Show. Asked how he felt living on 5th Avenue, in the heart of a world-renowned shopping … Continue reading
Bethlehem Donkeys
Since I was little, I’ve known that the way to Bethlehem is best traveled “con mi burrito sabanero” (with my little savannah donkey). I first learned this from a Venezuelan Christmas carol (here with English subtitles) that sings: Con mi … Continue reading
Slouching Toward Bethlehem
Imagine a world where everyone is hunched over. An exaggerated convex curvature of the spine encumbers all. We’re just born this way. We can function, but it’s labored. Everything requires more effort. It feels like everything that’s good is on … Continue reading
Advent Conference Audio: Louis and Zélie Martin
Dominicana is happy to offer this audio recording of “And They Sought Him.” It was given by Br. Josemaría Guzmán-Domínguez, O.P. as part of the 2016 Advent Conferences at the Dominican House of Studies. Series flyer with more info found … Continue reading