Columns 2023

The enchanting image of the Christmas crèche, so dear to the Christian people, never ceases to arouse amazement and wonder. The depiction of Jesus’ birth is itself a simple and joyful procla­mation of the mystery of the Incarnation of the Son of God.

“The people of Poland offered hospitality of Biblical proportions …” — The words quoted above represent just some of the observations and insights that were shared by Msgr. Peter Vaccari when he led the annual Advent Day of Prayer for the priests of our diocese this past Monday, Dec. 4, at our St. Paul’s Inside the Walls Evangelization Center.

On the First Sunday of Advent, together with the whole Church, we begin a new “Liturgical Year.” This year, because Dec. 25 falls on a Monday, the Advent Season will last just three weeks, as the Fourth Sunday of Advent will fall on Dec. 24. So, on Sunday, Dec. 24, it will be Advent in the morning, but, just a few hours later (at approximately 4 p.m.), we will begin the celebration of our Lord’s Birth on “Christmas Eve.”

The words above are the opening paragraph of the Synthesis Report from the first session of the 16th Ordinary General Assembly of the Synod of Bishops, also known as the “Synod on Synodality.” In the following introductory paragraphs, the synod delegates describe the circumstances leading up to the gathering and speak of their awareness, during the gathering, of those suffering in various parts of the world, especially victims of war.

When I celebrate the Sacrament of Confirmation, I sometimes mention that “Piety” is one of the more “under-appreciated” of the seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit.