Direction

The First Sunday of Advent

ImageKristin's Crosses

First Sunday of Advent - KristinsCrosses.com

“Advent is the season of the presence and expectation of the eternal. For this very reason, it is in a particular way a period of joy …joy in the fact that God made himself a Child. This joy, invisibly present within us, encourages us to journey on with confidence.”

Pope Benedict XVI

Prayers for Lighting the Advent Wreath Candles
From A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions

First Week

All powerful God, Increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

Feast of Saint Andrew

ImageKristin's Crosses
[public domain]

Fresco in Holy Trinity Parish Church in Schwarzenberg, by Angelica Kauffmann, 1757

Prayer to Saint Andrew, the Apostle

O Glorious Saint Andrew,
you were the first to recognize
and follow the Lamb of God.
With your friend Saint John, you remained
with Jesus for that first day, for your entire life,
and now throughout eternity.
As you led your brother Saint Peter to Christ
and many others after him,
draw us also to Him.
Teach us to lead others to Christ
Solely out of love for Him
and dedication in His service.
Help us to learn the lesson of the cross
and to carry our daily crosses without complaint
so that they may carry us to Jesus.
Amen.