Advent is the name of the liturgical season during which the Church teaches and encourages us to prepare our hearts, souls and bodies for the birth of our Lord Jesus, the Prince of Peace, our savior, through whom we too become children of God, attain true personal peace and joy–not mere animal happiness. Advent begins, as today, on the Sunday nearest November 30, which is the feast of St. Andrew, the Apostle, the brother of St. Peter. And it ends exactly on Christmas Eve, December 24, before the Christmas Midnight Mass, which is the first to celebrate the Nativity, begins. Here are some inspiring quotations about Advent from St. Josemaria Escriva, founder of the Church prelature, Opus Dei:The ‘enemies of the soul’Today marks the beginning of Advent. How well Our Lady, Jesus’ Holy Mother, understood this!

Source: Manila Times November 26, 2016 16:37 UTC