“O house of Jacob, come, let us walk in the light of the Lord!” (Is 2:5)
As the daylight gradually decreases (for those of us in the northern hemisphere!), we light a candle. The candle’s flame illumines the encroaching darkness. In coming weeks, we’ll light two candles… then three… then four. The increasing light of the candles heightens our expectation for the coming of the Light of the world.
We long for His coming, for His light pierces the darkness that surrounds us. “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (John 1:5). His is the light which illumines the heart and the mind, so that we may “discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect” (Romans 12:2).
As men of Holy Cross, we seek to bring this light – the Light of Christ and the hope it heralds – to all people. It’s the light whose flame kindles within us a burning desire “to make God known, loved, and served, and thus to bring knowledge of salvation to others” (Blessed Basil Moreau, Christian Education).
As we enter this Advent season, consider making your own this prayer of our holy founder:
“Come, O my God, come into my soul that sighs after you as the thirsty stag pants for water. Do not delay, O my Jesus, for I languish far from you, my salvation and my life. Since my waking, I have turned my thoughts and affections toward you, O well-beloved of my heart, and my flesh trembles with eagerness at the hope of possessing you. Tell my innermost soul that you wish to visit it, fix in it your abode, and honor it with your sacramental presence. Then, filled with your grace, illumined by your light, and set on fire by your charity, my soul will rejoice in you and sing your praises.”
Advent peace and blessings to you as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ!
Sincerely yours, in the Lord,
Fr. John M. DeRiso, C.S.C.
Director, Office of Vocations
