Rejoice always!

“Brothers and sisters: Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thesallonians 5:16

Brothers, blessings to each of you and your loved ones this Gaudete Sunday! This is the sunrise I woke up to in the mountain of Colorado this morning, and I prayed for each of you during my morning prayer time.

We’ve reached the midpoint of Advent and celebrate with the color rose to signify the joy of knowing that the birth of Jesus is near. May the joy of the Lord be our strength today and always! (Nehemiah 8:10)

Here is a beautiful meditation published in today’s edition of Magnificat. As we light the third candle of our Advent wreaths this Sunday, let’s let the light of Christ shine through each of us in this Heroic Brotherhood to be the “glowing witnesses” to our families and the world around us. God bless you, my brothers! -Dan

“The true light, which enlightens everyone” Mother Elvira Petrozzi

Pope Paul VI always said that the world today needs glowing witnesses who know how to break open the dark skies of the world, not with words but with the witness of their lives. Yes, our lives are the strongest “word,” the truest word that shouts louder than many speeches made and prepared on the desks of those who are “great” in the world…. The heavens of our world are shining today with the blazing lights of many missionaries, men and women, priests and laity, who are pouring out their perspiration and blood on the front lines of human misery. The world needs the light of bold, courageous, and loyal youth, ready to live in the truth of the Gospel at any cost, able to recognize the subtle voice of the Good Shepherd, who stirs up our conscience more than a thousand shouts and words of today’s mercenaries. While much darkness envelops us, almost making us tremble in fear of our future, these stupendous bursts of light tell us that God is not yet tired of pursuing us to reveal the face of the good Father, to fascinate us with the beauty and the strength of his proposals of a real life. Yes, today we are those who walk in darkness yet see a great light. It is the same light that rent open the sky of Bethlehem to lead the shepherds of that time to the Grotto where, in front of that child, they found a great joy.

It is your light, Lord, whose brightness can illuminate even the darkest night. It is the light of many courageous men and women who, because of their meeting with you, have decided to consume themselves announcing your reign and your salvation to every creature. It is the light of new families in which life is welcomed, protected, desired, and loved. It is that light that many of us have found again and rediscovered after many years of darkness, sadness, loneliness, and death inside. It is your light, Lord, the light of that little child born in Bethlehem, who broke open the story of humanity and who still today desires to cross our paths, too often full of darkness, to dye them with the color of hope. Thank you, Lord, because our darkness does not frighten you. Thank you, because you came with your light to meet those of us who have walked in the darkness for a long time.

Mother Elvira Petrozzi

Mother Elvira is the foundress of Comunità Cenacolo, which welcomes the lost and desperate in seventy-one houses in twenty countries. / From Mother Elvira—Community Cenacolo, Young men of Community Cenacola in Medjugorje. Printed by the Community. © The Association of St. Lawrence. www.comunitacenacolo.it. Used with permission.