Awaiting…

Once, a young man was walking in the desert with Jesus. He couldn't see Jesus, but he knew Jesus was there because he could see two sets of footprints in the sand: his own and Jesus'. One day, after walking for a long time in the heat, the young man felt like giving up. He stopped and noticed that Jesus' footprints were gone. Angrily, the young man said, "Why did you leave me, Jesus, when I needed you the most?" But Jesus hadn't left him. During this tough moment, Jesus was actually carrying him. It would be beneficial to repeat the sentence: The Lord Jesus Christ is with us! This reminds us that God is and remains with us until the end of time. Being consistently mindful of God's presence can be challenging and takes practice throughout our spiritual journey. Here is an exercise that might help you notice God's presence more clearly. Ask yourself daily: Where did I meet Jesus today? Where did I miss his presence? By asking these questions, you'll start to notice God's presence more often. You can also write these moments in your spiritual journal. When you feel like giving up, you can read these notes to remember when you felt close to God. May these days of Advent help us grow closer to God and see Him working in our lives! Hayden Diacono SDC Candidate

If you knew a thief was coming to break into your house, wouldn’t you do everything to prevent him from entering into your home? (Mt. 24:42) Absolutely! St George Preca often reiterated that sin is humanity's greatest enemy, especially because it separates us from our greatest benefactor, who is God. The magnitude and the harm of sin are profoundly evident in the fact that the Son of God became human and endured a passion and cruel death to save us from the dominion of sin. It is wise to contemplate the consequences of sin to better understand the necessity of avoiding it and to remember the immense goodness that comes from God's grace. Let us look at the Virgin Mother and recall her immaculate conception. We ask her to help us keep ourselves away from sin, our greatest enemy, and following her example, we ask God to fill us with his grace. Blessed be the Virgin Mary. Blessed be her Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her Motherhood. Blessed be her Assumption into heaven. Blessed be her Virginity. Blessed be her humility. Blessed be the charity of her heart.

Honour to the Blessed Virgin Mary We greet you, Holy Mary; You are full of grace; You are Virgin-Mother; We ask you to pray Christ for us. Every creature, O Mary, bows before you  for the Almighty has done great things for you indeed. God the Father gave you heaven and earth God the Son was subject to you in obedience. God the Holy Spirit gave you the highest exaltation that God could ever give to a creature.   Thanksgiving for the Blessed Virgin God the Father, I offer you the divine wounds of Christ, your Son, to thank you as you deserve for all you have done for the Blessed Virgin Mary, especially in her Immaculate Conception and in the exaltation which, in your omnipotence and goodness, you have bestowed on her for your honour. Amen.

Advent is about the human experience of waiting, which is a key part of the liturgical year. This time of year, is not just about celebrating specific feast days and rituals. Instead, its real power lies in how it touches our hearts and connects with our deepest feelings. By following the life of Jesus, we learn more about our own lives, emotions, and the struggles we face. This spiritual journey helps us understand ourselves better and find the strength to keep going. Advent, in particular, teaches us to wait and see beyond the obvious. It invites us to find God in the small, everyday moments of life. Each day, we discover something new that adds to the bigger picture of our faith journey. This teaches us patience and helps us grow spiritually. By focusing on the present and recognizing God's work in our lives, we become more mature in our faith and better prepared for what is yet to come. This liturgical period also encourages us to slow down and reflect in a world that often feels rushed and overwhelming. It provides a break from our hectic routines to provide us an opportunity to think about what truly matters. By reading the Scriptures, we are reminded of the deeper, spiritual aspects of life that we might overlook in our daily routines. This season helps us develop a taste for the spiritual, for the things that last beyond the fleeting moments of our everyday lives. It calls us to be more mindful, to appreciate the present, and to prepare our hearts for the coming of God’s reign. Pause and reflect: Do I really know God when I have no desire to die in order to possess him? If I were to die and come back to life again, would I still lead the sort of life I am living now? Am I truly sorry for my sins if I have no genuine intention of avoiding situations that might lead me to sin again?

In the vibrant mix of Kenyan cultures and the fast-paced rhythm of modern life, a new generation of Catholic teenagers is emerging—one determined to blend the Catholic faith with the realities of today. As society becomes more secular owing greatly to the influence of social media, it’s this age group that feels this shift the most. Amid pressures to conform to traditional norms, being a young person striving to live out the Catholic faith often feels like an uphill struggle. The faith is frequently met with scepticism and sometimes ridicule, dismissed as outdated in a world that prizes modernity. It’s all too easy to feel isolated when you choose mass over a wild party or teaching catechism over a night out. This challenge calls us not only to define what it means to live as Christians but to drink the very water we preach. Like mountain climbers depending on each other to reach the summit, we young Catholics rely on each other for support. Our faith is nurtured and flourishes in fellowship, whether in church youth groups, gatherings or at the local SDC Centre. We find a haven, a place to share our struggles, grow in faith, and support each other on this journey. Here, we find mentors and peers who offer guidance, helping us navigate the sometimes-turbulent path of living out our faith. In a world pulling us in countless directions the faith grounds us in what is eternal. Through this journey, we grow not only in our personal relationship with God but also in our commitment to our community, embodying our faith in a world that so often questions it. Thomas Njugun SDC Candidate, Ruiru (Kenya)

As we celebrate Our Lord Jesus Christ as the King of the Universe, let us allow ourselves be reminded of what Pope Pius XI had recommended in the aftermath of World War I: Pax Christi in Regno Christi (The peace of Christ in the kingdom of Christ). Pope Pius Xi emphasised that peace and justice are grounded in the acknowledgment of Christ's sovereignty and the application of Christian values in every aspect of life. If you want true peace in your heart, there is only one way to achieve it; live the beatitudes, the attitudes of those considered citizens of the kingdom of Jesus Christ. So ask our beloved Jesus Christ to help you become poor in spirit, meek, eager for righteousness, merciful, pure in heart, and a peacemaker. And even if you mourn, are persucted and insulted, you should rejoice and be glad because great is your reward in his kingdom!