What would it be like to be present on that holy night in Bethlehem? To make your way to the stable where the Christ Child was born? To kneel at his side and adore his Divine Face? Sr Cecilia Rose Pham OP takes us on a journey with the shepherds on their way to adore the Newborn King, the Prince of Peace; the place where we discover the true joy of Christmas.

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This reflection is presented by Sr Cecilia Rose Pham OP, of the Dominican Sisters of St Cecilia, Nashville. The music featured is from a Christmas album recorded by the sisters and available for free download on Soundcloud.

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Fr Richard Leonard shares the story of his unlikely encounter with a teenage mother, reflecting on how God works powerfully in the messiness of our lives, and most powerfully in the birth of His Son.

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This reflection is read by Fr Richard Leonard SJ from his book “What Are We Waiting For? Finding Meaning in Advent & Christmas” published by Paulist Press 2014. You can purchase a copy via Garratt Publishing, or any good bookstore.

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The post He Meets us in Our Messiness appeared first on Cradio.

“Lord, my God, teach my heart where and how to seek you, where and how to find you. Lord, if you are not here where shall I look for you in your absence? Yet if you are everywhere, why do I not see you when you are present?”

Prepare for Christmas with the wisdom of the saints: this Advent reflection is from the Proslogion by Saint Anselm, bishop and appears in the Office of Readings.

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Excerpt from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours C 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The post Desire for the Vision of God appeared first on Cradio.

“Our Lord Jesus Christ will, then, come from Heaven. He will come in glory at the end of this world on the last day. Then there will be an end to this world and this created world will be made new”.

Prepare for Christmas with Fr Epeli and the wisdom of the saints: this Advent reflection is from the catechesis of St Cyril of Jerusalem and appears in the Office of Readings.

Excerpt from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours C 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

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Fr Richard Leonard reflects on the importance of joining St John the Baptist in the desert during the Advent season, and the role of penance in the Christian life.

This reflection is read by Fr Richard Leonard SJ from his book “What Are We Waiting For? Finding Meaning in Advent & Christmas” published by Paulist Press 2014. You can purchase a copy via Garratt Publishing, or any good bookstore.

 No further reproduction may take place without express

The post The Desert in the Christian Life appeared first on Cradio.

“This commemoration teaches us that our Saviour came not only for the benefit of the people of his own time. His goodness is still there for us to share in, but for our part, through faith and the Sacraments, we must lay hold on the grace He won for us and live by it in obedience to Him.”

Prepare for Christmas with Fr Epeli and the wisdom of the saints: this Advent reflection is from a pastoral letter by St Charles Borromeo and appears in the Office of Readings.

LISTEN NOW (4:56)

Excerpt from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours C 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The post On the Season of Advent appeared first on Cradio.

“If you keep the Word of God in this way, you will be kept by It. The Son with the Father will come to you. The great prophet who will renew Jerusalem will come and He will make everything new. The effect of His coming will be that just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.”

Prepare for Christmas with Fr Epeli and the wisdom of the saints: this Advent reflection is a sermon by St Bernard and appears in the Office of Readings.

LISTEN NOW (4:56)

Excerpt from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours C 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The post Let the Word of the Lord Come appeared first on Cradio.

Fr Richard Leonard shares the story of the transvestite who joined the parish choir, and how God’s gifts often come in unexpected packages…

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This reflection is read by Fr Richard Leonard SJ from his book “What Are We Waiting For? Finding Meaning in Advent & Christmas” published by Paulist Press 2014. You can purchase a copy via Garratt Publishing, or any good bookstore.

 No further reproduction may take place without express

The post The Transvestite in the Choir & Amazing Grace appeared first on Cradio.

“He who is full empties Himself. He emptied Himself of His Godhead for a brief time so that I might share in His fullness.”  

Prepare for Christmas with Fr Epeli and the wisdom of the saints: this Advent reflection comes from the orations of St Gregory Nazianzen and appears in the Office of Readings.

LISTEN NOW (5:15)

Excerpt from the English translation of The Liturgy of the Hours C 1974, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation. All rights reserved.

The post The Wonder of the Incarnation appeared first on Cradio.

What is the meaning of the Advent wreath, and how does it point us to the life to come? Fr Richard draws on the parable of the Prodigal Son and writings of Emeritus Pope Benedict XVI to offer his reflections on Heaven, Hell, Purgatory & the Advent wreath.

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This reflection is read by Fr Richard Leonard SJ from his book “What Are We Waiting For? Finding Meaning in Advent & Christmas” published by Paulist Press 2014. You can purchase a copy via Garratt Publishing, or any good bookstore.

 No further reproduction may take place without express

The post The Advent Wreath & the Life to Come appeared first on Cradio.