Prepare the Way for the Lord . . .  . . . Make Straight His Path! 
 
 
As  we  wait  in  joyful  anticipation  and  hopeful  expectation  of  His   
coming  this  Advent  season,  you  are  invited  to  experience  the 
truth, beauty and goodness of God. 
 
We  are  called  to  prepare  the  way  for  the  Lord  and  make  straight 
his  path  to  bring  forth  His  light  to  the world. Seek the guidance of 
the  Holy Spirit and join your parish family and all the Church as we 
prepare  our  hearts  for  the  gift  of  God’s  love  coming to us through 
the birth of Jesus.  
 
Prayerfully consider the following occasions as ways to accept 
God’s call and intentionally invite Jesus into your life. 
 
Your  “yes”  begins  a divine journey ​filled with hope, peace, joy 
and love -- throughout Advent and beyond. 
   
Come, Lord Jesus, b​ring forth Your Light!  
 
 
   
  Connect Groups are in-home small groups where you can: 
 
 
● Establish friendships and build 
ADVENT PENITENTIAL SERVICES 
  community 
December 3rd . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 PM . . . . St. John the Evangelist  ● Receive Prayer 
December 11th . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6:00 PM . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Bernadette  ● Pray with and discuss the Gospel 
December 16th . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5:30 PM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . St. Dominic   

  Groups meet all days and times. To join a Connect Group email 
  Theresa@saintdominicpc.com  

   
 
 HOW TO USE THIS JOURNAL 
 
 

DECEMBER 1, 2019 
 

 
Each  week  of  Advent  we  begin  our  time  with God with a prayerful  First Sunday of Advent​ - HOPE 
reading  of  the  Sunday  Gospel  using  Lectio  Divina.  Lectio  Divina  is 
We begin our prayer: ​In the name of the Father,  
a  divine  reading  of  sacred  scripture  enabling  us  to  meditate  on 
and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  
God’s  Word  and  reflect  on  it’s  impact  in  our  life.  During  this  time   
of  prayer  we  open  ourselves  to  all  he  may  want  to  reveal  to  us  --  Father, you call Your beloved children to walk in the light of Christ. 
individually and specifically -- by His grace.  Come, Holy Spirit, open the ears and eyes of our hearts. Free us from 
  the darkness with the light of your Word as we wait in joyful hope for 
Every  section  begins  with  an  opening  prayer  centered  on  each  the coming of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.  
 

Advent  theme.  The journal adapts the traditional practice of Lectio   

Divina  with  imaginative  prayer  and  ample  space  is  provided  to 
 

LECTIO:​ ​Slowly read the passage. Let each word rest in your heart. 
write  reflections  on  our  own  actions  and  God’s  presence  in  our   

daily lives.   Gospel of St. Matthew 24:37-44 

   

May the hope, peace, joy and love of the Lord be with you always.  Jesus said to his disciples: 
  "As it was in the days of Noah, 
  so it will be at the coming of the Son of Man. 
Let us begin our journey . . .  In those days before the flood, 
  they were eating and drinking, 
Find a quiet space and invite the Holy Spirit to lead you in prayer.    marrying and giving in marriage, 
  up to the day that Noah entered the ark. 
Lectio:  ​Read  the  passage slowly two or three times, pausing briefly  They did not know until the flood came and carried them all away. 
between each reading.   So will it be also at the coming of the Son of Man. 
  Two men will be out in the field; 
Meditatio:​ M​editate ​on the sights, sounds, words and phrases that  one will be taken, and one will be left. 
stir an emotion as you imagine yourself within the Gospel story.  Two women will be grinding at the mill; 
  one will be taken, and one will be left. 
Oratio:​ ​Pray ​lovingly to God, giving him thanks and praise. Share  Therefore, stay awake! 
your feelings, seek forgiveness and carefully listen for His voice.  For you do not know on which day your Lord will come. 
  Be sure of this: if the master of the house 
Contemplatio:​ ​Contemplate​ God’s message to you. Rest in His love.   had known the hour of night when the thief was coming, 
  he would have stayed awake 
Actio:​ Consider ​actions​ God is calling you to take in your life.  and not let his house be broken into. 
  So too, you also must be prepared, 
  for at an hour you do not expect, the Son of Man will come.” 
 
 

 
   
MEDITATIO:  ​Use  your  imagination  and  enter  the  Gospel  story. 
Meditate  on  the  sights  and  sounds  of  the  scene  to  help  bring  ORATIO:​ ​Prayerfully share your thoughts and feelings with God.  
 
yourself more deeply into the presence of Christ.  
 

 
Come, Holy Spirit, whisper in my heart! 
 
 
 
   
 
 
  CONTEMPLATIO: ​Listen closely for God’s voice. R
​ est​ in His love.  
 
 
   
   

  ACTIO: ​Identify actions God wants you to take to answer His call.  
   

   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
   
  Closing  Prayer:    D
​ ear  Jesus,  you  are  the  hope  in  our  messy  world. 
 
This  Advent,  help  us  to slow down, to stay awake so we may listen to 
 
  your  voice  throughout  each  day,  and  focus  on  what’s  really 
  important.  We  place  our  hope  in  you  as  we  prepare  our  hearts  to 
  celebrate your birth on Christmas. Amen.
 
 Stay Awake! 
Reflect on God’s presence in all people and events each day.   
 
Monday: _​ ___________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
​______________________________________________________________________
Tuesday: ​____________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
​______________________________________________________________________
Wednesday: ​_________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
​______________________________________________________________________
   
Thursday: _​ __________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
​______________________________________________________________________
Friday: _​ ___________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
   
Saturday: ​___________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
​______________________________________________________________________
DECEMBER 8, 2019 
Second Sunday of Advent - PEACE 
We  begin our prayer: ​In the name of the Father, and of 
the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.  
 
Almighty  and  merciful  God,  pierce  our  hearts  with  truth and deliver us 
from  the  sin  of  pride  and selfishness. Make us a people of light; make us 
a people of peace. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen
 
LECTIO:​ ​Read the passage slowly; let each word rest in your heart. 
Gospel of St. Matthew 3: 1-12 
John the Baptist appeared, preaching in the desert of Judea 
and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!" 
It was of him that the prophet Isaiah had spoken when he 
said: 
 
A voice of one crying out in the desert, 
Prepare the way of the Lord, 
make straight his paths. 
 
John wore clothing made of camel's hair 
and had a leather belt around his waist. 
His food was locusts and wild honey. 
At that time Jerusalem, all Judea, 
and the whole region around the Jordan were going out to 
him and were being baptized by him in the Jordan River 
as they acknowledged their sins. 
 
When he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees   
coming to his baptism, he said to them, "You brood of vipers!  MEDITATIO:  ​Use  your  imagination  and  enter  the  Gospel  story. 
Who warned you to flee from the coming wrath?  Meditate  on  the  sights  and  sounds  of  the  scene  to  help  bring 
Produce good fruit as evidence of your repentance.  yourself more deeply into the presence of Christ.  
And do not presume to say to yourselves, 
'We have Abraham as our father.'   
 
 
For I tell you, 
God can raise up children to Abraham from these stones. 
Come, Holy Spirit, whisper in my heart! 
 
Even now the ax lies at the root of the trees.   
Therefore every tree that does not bear good fruit   
will be cut down and thrown into the fire.   
 
I am baptizing you with water, for repentance,   
but the one who is coming after me is mightier than I.   
I am not worthy to carry his sandals.   
He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire.   

His winnowing fan is in his hand.   

 
He will clear his threshing floor   
and gather his wheat into his barn,   
but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire."   
   
   
 
   
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
   
   
 
   
   Produce Good Fruit! 
Reflect on God’s presence in all people and events each day. 
ORATIO:​ ​Prayerfully share your thoughts and feelings with God.    

 
 
 

Monday: _​ ___________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________

_​ _____________________________________________________________________
  
Tuesday: ​____________________________________________________________
 
 
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
CONTEMPLATIO: ​Listen closely for God’s voice. ​Rest​ in His love.  
 
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
     
  Wednesday: ​_________________________________________________________
ACTIO: ​ Identify actions God wants you to take to answer is call.   _​ _____________________________________________________________________
 

 
  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
     
  Thursday: ​___________________________________________________________
 
  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
 
  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
     

  Friday: _​ ___________________________________________________________
 
  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
 

Closing  Prayer:  ​Father,  all-powerful  God,  thank  you  for  the  gift  of  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
forgiveness  and  eternal  life  through  our  Lord,  Jesus  Christ.  I  am     

heartily  sorry  for  the  times  when  I  failed  to  live  out  my  baptismal  Saturday: ​___________________________________________________________
call  --  to  bring  the  love  and  light  of  Christ  to  my  family,  friends, 
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
neighbors,  co-workers  and  especially  the  poor.  Lord,  God,  fill  me 
with humility to prepare the way of the Lord, Jesus Christ. Amen.  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
 
 Those who wear fine clothing are in royal palaces. 
 
 

DECEMBER 15, 2019  Then why did you go out? To see a prophet? 
  Yes, I tell you, and more than a prophet. 
Third Sunday of Advent - JOY  This is the one about whom it is written: 
(Gaudete Sunday) Behold, I am sending my messenger ahead of you; 
  he will prepare your way before you. 
We  begin our prayer: ​In the name of the Father, and of the  Amen, I say to you, 
Son, and of the Holy Spirit.   among those born of women 
  there has been none greater than John the Baptist; 
Heavenly  Father,  we  bless  you,  we  adore  you  and  we  thank  you  for the gift  yet the least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he." 
of  joy  through  Your  beloved  Son,  Jesus  Christ.  Father,  grant us the grace to 
 

 
clearly  see  the  way  to  walk,  the  truth  to  speak,  and  the  life  to  live for Him,   

our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.  MEDITATIO:  ​Use  your  imagination  and  enter  the  Gospel  story. 

 
  Meditate  on  the  sights  and  sounds  of  the  scene  to  help  bring 
LECTIO:​ ​Read the passage slowly; let each word rest in your heart.  yourself more deeply into the presence of Christ.
 
 
Gospel of St. Matthew 11: 2-11 
   
When John the Baptist heard in prison of the works of the Christ,  Come, Holy Spirit, whisper in my heart! 
he sent his disciples to Jesus with this question,   
"Are you the one who is to come,   
or should we look for another?"   
Jesus said to them in reply,   
"Go and tell John what you hear and see:   
the blind regain their sight,   
 
the lame walk, 
lepers are cleansed,   
 
the deaf hear,   
the dead are raised,   
and the poor have the good news proclaimed to them.   
And blessed is the one who takes no offense at me."   
   
As they were going off,   
Jesus began to speak to the crowds about John,   
 
"What did you go out to the desert to see? 
 
A reed swayed by the wind?   
Then what did you go out to see?   
Someone dressed in fine clothing?   
   Go and tell them what you’ve heard and seen! 
Reflect on your actions and God’s presence in your daily life.  

ORATIO:​ ​Prayerfully share your thoughts and feelings with God.  

   
 

Monday: _​ ___________________________________________________________
_​ _____________________________________________________________________

_​ _____________________________________________________________________
  
Tuesday: ​___________________________________________________________
 
  ​ _____________________________________________________________________
​_
CONTEMPLATIO: ​Listen closely for God’s voice. ​Rest​ in His love.  
 
​ ​______________________________________________________________________ 
   
   
 
Wednesday: ​_________________________________________________________
ACTIO: ​Identify actions God wants you to take to answer His call.  
 
_​ _____________________________________________________________________
 
  _​ _____________________________________________________________________ 
 
 
  Thursday: ​__________________________________________________________
 
  _​ _____________________________________________________________________
 
 
 
_​ _____________________________________________________________________ 
     

  Friday: _​ _____________________________________________________________
 
  ______________________________________________________________________
 
 
Closing  Prayer:  ​All  powerful  and  ​ever-faithful  God,  thank  you  for  _​ _____________________________________________________________________ 
   
your  abiding  joy  and  perfect  peace.  In  times  of  consolation  and 
Saturday: _​ __________________________________________________________
desolation,  may  they  always  find  residence  in  my  heart.  Come, Holy     
Spirit,  fill  me  with  courage  to  tell  everyone  I  meet  about  what  I’ve  _​ ______________________________________________________________________
seen  of  the saving power of Jesus. I ask this through Christ, our Lord. 
Amen.  
  
 
 

DECEMBER 22, 2019 

 

 
MEDITATIO:  ​Use  your  imagination  and  enter  the  Gospel  story. 
Fourth Sunday of Advent - LOVE
 
Meditate  on  the  sights  and  sounds  of  the  scene  to  help  bring 
We begin our prayer: I​ n the name of the Father,   yourself more deeply into the presence of Christ. 
 

and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. 

   
Faithful  and  merciful  Father,  you  never  grow  weary  of  speaking  to  our 
poor  hearts.  We  humbly  ask  for  your  grace  once  more.  Speak,  Lord,   
your servants are listening. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.  Come, Holy Spirit, whisper in my heart! 
 
 
 
 
 
 

LECTIO:​ ​Read the passage slowly; let each word rest in your heart.   
 

 
Gospel of St. Matthew 1:18-24 
 
 
This is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.   
When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph,   

but before they lived together,   

she was found with child through the Holy Spirit.   
Joseph her husband, since he was a righteous man,   
 
yet unwilling to expose her to shame,   
 

decided to divorce her quietly. 

Such was his intention when, behold,   
the angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream and said, 
ORATIO:​ ​Prayerfully share your thoughts and feelings with God.  
"Joseph, son of David,   
do not be afraid to take Mary your wife into your home. 
For it is through the Holy Spirit 
that this child has been conceived in her. 
She will bear a son and you are to name him Jesus, 
because he will save his people from their sins." 
 
All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the 
prophet:  
 
Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,   
 

and they shall name him Emmanuel,   CONTEMPLATIO: ​Listen closely for God’s voice. R
​ est​ in His love.   

which means "God is with us."   

 
 
When Joseph awoke,   
he did as the angel of the Lord had commanded him   

and took his wife into his home. 

ACTIO: ​Identify actions God wants you to take to answer His call.  
 
 
  DECEMBER 25, 2019 
 
 

  THE NATIVITY OF THE LORD  

 
  We begin our prayer:  
  In  the  name  of  the  Father,  and  of  the Son, and of 
  the Holy Spirit. 
   
  Glory  be  to  you  Father  for  the  great  light  that  has  come  upon  the 
  earth.  We  praise  your  Holy  name  for  today  Christ,  our  redeemer  is 
 
  born.  May  all  the  nations  of  the  earth  rejoice  and  adore,  your  Son, 
Closing Prayer:   today and ever more. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen 
   
Abba,  Father,  thank  you  for  your  generous  love.  Lord,  I  am  not 
LECTIO:​ ​Read the passage slowly; let each word rest in your heart. 
worthy.  Humbly  I  pray,  teach  me  to  set aside the desires of my heart   

and  increase  my  trust  in  you.  I  ask  this  through  Christ,  Our  Lord.  Gospel of St. Luke 2:15-20 
Amen.   
 
 
When the angels went away from them to heaven, 
  the shepherds said to one another, 
Do Not Be Afraid!  "Let us go, then, to Bethlehem 
to see this thing that has taken place, 
Reflect on your actions and God’s presence in your daily life.  which the Lord has made known to us." 
 

So they went in haste and found Mary and Joseph, 

  and the infant lying in the manger. 
  When they saw this, 
Monday: _​ ___________________________________________________________ they made known the message 
that had been told them about this child. 
​______________________________________________________________________
All who heard it were amazed 
______________________________________________________________________ by what had been told them by the shepherds. 
And Mary kept all these things, 
​ Tuesday: ​___________________________________________________________ reflecting on them in her heart. 
Then the shepherds returned, 
______________________________________________________________________ glorifying and praising God 
for all they had heard and seen, 
​_______________________________________________________________________ just as it had been told to them. 
    
   ACTIO: ​Identify actions God wants you to take to answer His call.  
 

MEDITATIO:​ ​Use your imagination and enter the Gospel story.   

Meditate on the sights and sounds of the scene to help bring   

 
yourself more deeply into the presence of Christ. 
   
 
   
 
 
 
Come, Holy Spirit, whisper in my heart!   
   
   
   
   
   
 
 
   
 
 
   
  Closing Prayer: ​God of love and mercy, thanks be to You, Father, for 
  Christ’s light shining upon us this day. May His coming restore our 
 
 
 
world with hope, peace, joy and love. Grant us the grace to follow 
 
Him faithfully, bringing forth the light that scatters darkness making 
  everything new. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen  
 
ORATIO:​ ​Prayerfully share your thoughts and feelings with God.  
   

 
 

CONTEMPLATIO: ​Listen closely for God’s voice. ​Rest​ in His love.