Guadalupe Radio interview from Monday, November 23

Today is the first day of Advent. O come, o come, Emmanuel!

On Monday this week, I had a grand ol’ time speaking with Mike and Joe on Washington, DC’s Guadalupe Radio/WMET show, “Catholicism on the Beltway.” I talked about my faith journey back to the church, thoughts on keeping Advent, and more.

You can listen to the audio in the player here:

https://www.grnonline.com/en/listen/listen-again/234-catholicism-on-the-beltway

Select November 23 in the player, and my part begins at 30:12.

This was recorded in person, which added to the fun. Guadalupe is also housed within the EWTN studios, so I also got to check out Raymond Arroyo’s set and even met Ed Condon, co-host of one of my favorite podcasts, CNA Editor’s Desk, who happened to be at work that day. So, a super fun day, and I hope to be back soon.

Speaking of Guadalupe - I would like to remind you that the feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is on Saturday, December 12. That means her novena starts on December 4, which is this Friday. Just letting you know! You can find various version of her novena online.

Today started the Immaculate Conception novena, by the way. Whatever your intentions, I feel any prayer directed toward Mary always does well to include a prayer for peace in our world, and especially our country.

Lastly, I have another 20-minute spot on Morning Air at 7 am eastern tomorrow (Monday) morning. Theme: saints who waited, building on the Advent discussion from a few weeks ago. It seem waiting (as we do at Advent) is part of the Christian life, and there are many saints who modeled waiting well. You can tune in and listen online using the player here.

Be well and may your Advent season be full of light!

Advent: Giving 2020 Back to God

Did you know that the beginning of Advent is precisely one week away? Hoowee!

I wrote an article for Catholic Stand called Advent: Giving 2020 Back to God. My motivation was I began to see myself looking to the end of the year and thinking, oh, what’s the point? Of keeping traditions, I mean. Then I thought more about it and began to see Advent as a time and place to push back against - against the darkness, against desolation. Advent is traditionally a time for waiting, watchful hopefulness, anticipating the birth of Christ. Well, we certainly have gotten very good at waiting this year. And so this year, Advent is an invitation to continue on in the faith, and give the year and all its weirdness back to God. Here you are, Lord, you may have it.

One announcement: tomorrow I will be on Guadalupe Radio. A couple posts ago I made the same announcement but we had to move it. I still don’t know what time it airs, though! I think 2 pm eastern-ish. Anyway, it will be fun.

Thanksgiving is this week. Have a good one!

Double posting for the sake of Our Lady of Guadalupe

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Friends, I learned something interesting yesterday, and that is if you started a novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe - whose feast day is December 12 - you would be able to pray it four times exactly between yesterday and that date.

You may be asking yourself, why on earth would I pray that four times? What are you, casting a spell? Should I hop on one leg while I’m at it? Well, the answer is, our country needs prayer. It needs consistent, faithful, strong, devout prayer, to one of our most powerful intercessors, Our Lady. That is what I think, anyway.

She is seen more as the intercessor and protector of Mexico, but I think she has a special fondness for us up here in the US. And she says, “Am I not here, who am your mother?

So below is the schedule you would do, starting with yesterday:

Saturday, November 7-Sunday, November 15

Monday, November 16-Tuesday, November 24

Wednesday, November 25-Thursday, December 3

Friday, December 4-Saturday, December 12 (Feast Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe)

Now obvs, it is a day after yesterday, and so maybe you just want to start officially November 17. But - go ahead and begin praying for her intercession now. We need it.

Here is what I am using, but if you google “Our Lady of Guadalupe novena,” you will find plenty of options.

I recommend printing it out and putting it where you normally pray, or on your bedside table so you see it first thing before waking or going to sleep. I would not remember if I just kept it in my phone and had to recall on my own to pray (thus why a ministry like Pray More Novenas exists).

Enjoy below some pictures I have taken of her over the years.