Advent 2024 - YEAR C
During the Advent you have to prepare yourselves not only with prayer, but also with sacrifices and acts of mortification. Try not to smoke, watch less television, help your neighbor; the Mother repeats herself, as my Son Jesus repeats himself.
The Advent period, which begins today and will end on Christmas Day, is a period that recalls and summarizes the long period of waiting that began with the patriarchs, continued with the prophets and lived in an intimate and particular way by the righteous men of the Old Testament. Despite the passing of the centuries, this hope, this certainty of the coming of the Messiah has faded at times, it even went dead and at times exploded in all its power.
This novena has been drafted by Bishop Claudio Gatti, in preparation for the feast of the Immaculate Conception in 2000, as a study, meditation and prayer. For this reason, our Bishop has guided us in the reading of Chapter VIII of the Lumen Gentium Constitution of the II Vatican Council, explaining Our Lady’s stature and mission. In this way, the Bishop wanted us to add to the Word and the letters of God, a knowledge, albeit partial, of the main documents of the Church
We are in the Advent, keep on making the layette for Jesus. Invite other persons to come to this thaumaturgical place. We have to fight, we have to engage ourselves more and more, and all will be more beautiful and easier for you. (Letter of God, 10th December 2006)
God created Mary holy, full of grace and Immaculate. In her, there has never been sin and, since the first moment of conception in her mother's womb, she has been conscious and able to love immensely.
Today is the third Sunday of Advent that may be defined as the Sunday of joy, of love for everybody. Four people are not in the joy, but in the suffering; even those people suffering have to live in joy. (Letter of God, 17th December 2006)
This novena was preached by Don Claudio Gatti to prepare Christmas 1998. The young people of the community recorded, transcribed, reviewed and adapted the text into a written version. This remarkable commitment was accomplished by our young people with love, sacrifice and enthusiasm, because they know how the novena can bring great spiritual support and, for many brothers and sisters, how to get closer to Baby Jesus.
You have begun Advent by preparing your hearts for the coming of My Son Jesus. Prepare them with love and with little acts of charity.