Project Guadalupe 2031: Are you in?

I recently became aware of Archbishop Cordileone’s Project Guadalupe 2031. And I love it! I have long had a devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and am fortunate to have visited in 2005, which was actually before I was a practicing Catholic. I believe it planted some seeds, though I was oblivious at the time. I think the draw for me is both the beauty and story of the apparition - and the results, millions of conversions - as well as her role as “Patroness of Americas.” She is a powerful intercessor.

Background on the project: in honor of the 500-year anniversary in 2031 of the appearance of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Archbishop C. and the Benedict XVI Institute launched this three-pronged initiative to celebrate. The three prongs are celebrations of Frank La Rocca's Mass of the Americas, with a focus on Cathedrals and parishes dedicated to Our Lady of Guadalupe; a conference and book (dates to be announced); and a home enthronement initiative for Our Lady of Guadalupe (you can read about my own experience with home enthronement here).

It would be wonderful to attend one of the Masses, and even the conference, though for most people home enthronement may be the most realistic option. There is no doubt there will be great good that comes of this initiative, as there is any time people come together to honor the Blessed Mother, which is essentially the same thing as “Where two or more are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)

Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us, pray for the Americas, and especially for the United States! Jesus, I trust in you.

Is it really in my power to have a "good" Advent?

I mentioned in my last post that Advent starts this year on November 30. You may already be receiving emails from various Catholic publishers advertising their Advent resources. I get a bit greedy at this time - I want to read, pray, and do them all. I really want to have a “good” liturgical season, whichever it may be. I want to go deep, I want to be transformed, I want to do it now!

But is that really how it works? I see how liturgical seasons can feel competitive. For example, as I have written before, there is always that feeling during Lent to sacrifice the most, and even to see the results (weight loss!) of that sacrifice. It can be competition with others, but often it is simply competition with ourselves. The prayer and sacrifices must always be better than the year before.

But what even is a “good” Advent, Lent, or other season? Are we the judges of that? Is it even in our power? How much does the Holy Spirit have to do with it?

When we take this competitive approach to a season, it totally dilutes the purpose of the season, as we make it about ourselves, and not God. I say dilute rather than destroy because I do believe anything we offer up, the Lord uses. Also, pretty much everyone has some level of selfishness, and sometimes it is even in that selfishness that God finds us. So basically, it is a good desire to have “the best Advent ever;” it is when we lose sight of the spiritual purpose of Advent that we get mixed up.

Also, it is not in our power to have a “good” liturgical season, and we aren’t really the judges of it, anyway. God works through us, not the other way around. There is such a thing as “dry” prayer, or spiritual desolation. We do not stop praying during those times, though, we carry on in faith. And it may be that that is your sacrifice of this season, and it bears more spiritual fruit for you than an hour every morning with Fr. Mike Schmitz’s Advent prayer book (this is the one I want to get, by the way).

Take a step back from whatever kind of goals you set with your Advent time. Set the goal simply to be present and do whatever it is you decide to do, rather than getting ahead of yourself by measuring the outcomes. This isn’t a corporate job with a performance review, it’s your inner life and your relationship with Jesus. He’s there. He’ll always be there. Expect the unexpected and be open to it.

One last note: whatever your Advent looks like, I do find value in the practice of being with the “Advent figures.” These are the people who were there at the birth of Jesus, or played some role - Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, the Magi. Advent is a visually beautiful time of year, and you can spend contemplative prayer with these individuals, and allow them to accompany you during your prayer time.

Here’s to the the best Advent ever - as God wills it for each of us, and as we cooperate with the Holy Spirit!

All Souls Day, Advent approacheth

It is November 1, which means it is the solemnity of All Saints. I’ll let Bishop Barron explain at least one take on this day:

Sometimes we look at sainthood—friendship with God—as the special preserve of a handful of spiritual heroes and not the ordinary goal of Christian life. But this feast reminds us that sainthood should be the desire of every believer. What matters most in life is being holy—being the person God wants you to be. Everything else is trivial. 

What does it mean to be a saint? It means to follow God’s will, which is to follow the way of love. And love is willing the good of the other as other. Our whole life is to be attuned to this path, which is also the path of authentic happiness. In the Beatitudes of the Sermon on the Mount, the root Greek term for “blessed” is makarios, which can also be rendered as “happy.” How happy you are if you follow the law of the new Moses—if you risk the path of love! 

On this All Saints Day, resolve not to settle for spiritual mediocrity but to imitate the friends of God.

One of my favorite things to reflect on, and I have done so in the past (sorry, can’t find the link) is that All Saints is for all saints “known and unknown.” The “unknown” part is kind of interesting, right? Aren’t we supposed to know who the saints are? Aren’t they all written about in the books and honored throughout the year? Well - not all. Think of the many unknown martyrs, who were killed in groups, or in secret, and the world has no way of knowing them or their fate. Think of holy people who have died but have never officially been canonized - they are in heaven, too, as saints. So we do look to our tried-and-true friends in Heaven, but we can know that there are others, too, and they pray and intercede for us.

And, since it is November, I am of course thinking of Advent. It truly is a beautiful time of year: the waiting, the lights, the joy, the meaning. The first day of Advent this year is Sunday, November 30, and it lasts until Christmas Eve. Time to get out the Advent wreath! And make your Advent prayer plan - buy a prayer book, prepare your prayer corner, make a plan to give to charity - however it looks for you. Here’s five ideas.

My next radio appearance is Thursday, November 20 at 8:20 am eastern and I will be taking on a timely topic: how to spend the holidays alone. It can be done! And in a healthy way. Tune in to find out how.