The Beginning of Advent

Over at Father Z's Blog, there's a discussion about what Catholics are doing during the season of "joyful penitence"- Advent.

This got me thinking about what I was planning to do to make this a spiritually fulfilling Advent. At the moment, I had nothing in mind at all. Sadly, it's been a long while since I've done any kind of "penance" during Advent.

One year, while still a teenager, I gave up yelling at my siblings. You see, I come from a very large and very loud family, so this was a fault I struggled with greatly. Through the grace of God, I managed to hold fast to that resolution, and it helped me to effectively establish a good habit that still helps me today.

I also remember one year when my Grandfather was seriously ill. For some reason, there was some concern that he would die without receiving the Last Rites (the exact circumstances evade me). That year I said the St. Andrew's Novena with the request that he would not die without the Sacraments. Through God's great mercy and St. Andrew's gracious intercession, he passed away the following January having received Extreme Unction in the Traditional Rite.

This particular memory reminded me of the St. Andrew's prayer, which I had forgotten about for a good while. (I will be posting it below for anyone who is interested in invoking the aid of this great Saint.) It also helped me to figure out what my Advent penance will be.

1. Give up sweets.
2. Say the Saint Andrew's Prayer.
3. Say my morning and evening offering DAILY. (I've been sadly remiss about both...)

All three things will be offered for a particular intention, and being that it is a meaningful intention to me, I hope that it will make Number 1 a bit easier for me to manage. (I have a horrible sweet tooth...)

Thankfully, today is also the Feast of St. Andrew, and the day the prayer starts. Kudos to my Guardian Angel for pointing me in the right direction today!

St. Andrew Christmas Novena

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in piercing cold. In that hour, vouchsafe, O my God! to hear my prayer and grant my desires, (mention request here) through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His Blessed Mother. Amen.

It is piously believed that whoever recites the above prayer fifteen times a day from the feast of St. Andrew (30th November) until Christmas will obtain what is asked.

Imprimatur
+MICHAEL AUGUSTINE, Archbishop of New York
New York, February 6, 1897