Advent: A Season of Hope for Our Benedictine Journey
As we enter the season of Advent, we step into a time that feels especially at home in a Benedictine community. Advent invites us to slow down, to listen more deeply, and to notice the gentle ways God is already drawing near. In many ways, it mirrors the steady rhythm of ora et labora that shapes our daily life: prayer and work flowing together, teaching us patience, presence, and trust.
In the monastery, Advent is never a hurried countdown to Christmas. Instead, it becomes a quiet school of watchfulness. Each candle lit, each reading at Vigils, each shared moment in community reminds us that God often comes softly, in the ordinary, in the small openings of the heart. Our vow of stability helps us stay rooted in this hope: not rushing ahead, but remaining present to the grace unfolding right where we are.
This year’s Jubilee of Hope adds a particularly joyful layer to our Advent reflection. A Jubilee year invites renewal, reconciliation, and fresh beginnings. When paired with Advent’s longing, it encourages us to believe deeply that Christ’s coming brings healing, freedom, and courage for the path ahead.
In this sacred season, may we welcome hope as something active and steady, growing through prayer, hospitality, and the daily choice to trust that God’s light is already rising among us.