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Advent

Advent is a season of light. The lighting of the Advent wreath candles during the four weeks of the Advent season reminds us of our closeness to Jesus, the light of God and gift of the Father. Learn about the Faith and Spirituality of Loretto members.

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Merry Christmas from Loretto!

By Loretto Community / December 22, 2025 /

From the beginning of Advent to this joyful week of preparation for the second coming of God’s reign of peace, we hear a call to not only pray for peace…

The ‘O’ Antiphons: Words of Scripture, words of prayer, windows of joy

By Loretto Community / December 15, 2025 /

The Roman Catholic Church has been singing the “O” Antiphons since at least the eighth century. They are the antiphons that accompany the ”Magnificat” canticle of Evening Prayer from Dec. 17-23, the…

Turning our hearts toward hope and renewal this second week of Advent

By Loretto Community / December 8, 2025 /

As we enter into the second week of Advent, our hearts turn toward hope and renewal. This season invites us to prepare with joy and anticipation. Within this week, we…

Advent: Our Season of Hope

By Loretto Community / December 1, 2025 /

Even though this 2025 Jubilee Year with the theme, “Pilgrims of Hope” ended in November, we who are Gospel people believe that God’s gift of hope never ends. Pope Francis…

Loretto Shares Advent’s Hopeful Message of God’s Bright Promise

By Loretto Community / December 2, 2024 /

There will be signs in the sun, the moon and the stars … when these things take place, stand up and raise your heads, your redemption is drawing near. Luke…

Advent at Loretto: Sacred words surround us — be ready, listen, pray

By Loretto Community / December 4, 2023 /

Remember those little calendars every Advent that when you opened the doors for each day of December a short message would appear? Those calendars may have helped some little ones…

Christmas blessings from Loretto!

By Loretto Community / December 19, 2022 /

The O Antiphons, proclamations of the prophets of Israel, bring Advent to a close, lead us to God and tell us the names of God as told through the Old…

Loretto Shines Light on Former Loretto Volunteers This Advent

By Loretto Community / December 12, 2022 /

Advent is an invitation time. We are invited to take time during these winter days to see where we are. We are not talking about Christmas shopping! We are talking…

Loretto Wishes You Joy of Heart This Advent: Veni, Veni Emmanuel!

By Loretto Community / December 5, 2022 /

Most Roman Catholic churches do not read the Entrance Antiphon anymore because we are singing instead! But this year the message sets the tone for the Advent we need. It…

The Advent Season: ’In the beginning was the Word’

By Loretto Community / December 6, 2021 /

“In the beginning was the Word.” Those timeless words begin the Gospel of John. Imagine God at home in us! What a mystery, and what a gift!  For four short…

Rejoice! Rejoice! Jesus Is Born, and All Creation Sings!

By Loretto Community / December 21, 2020 /

“O” Antiphon: “O Messiah, Promised One of the Jews, you have given us the mysteries of God and taught us the way of your Kingdom. When someone knocks you give…

Hope: The Very Heart of Loretto’s Mission

By Loretto Community / December 14, 2020 /

The Book of the Prophet Isaiah 61:1 tells us, “The spirit of the Lord is upon me, because the Lord has anointed me; God has sent me to bring glad…

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