Extending invitation

  

FEAST DAY of ST ANDREW,

Apostle and Martyr

Brother of St Peter

Patron:  Russia, Scotland, fishermen

 Name "Andrew" (Greek: manly, brave, from ἀνδρεία,

Andreia, "manhood, valour")

November 30

  Come after Me and I will make you fishers of men. —Matthew 4:19

St. Andrew seems to have been a transparent disciple. Andrew has no identity in the Gospels apart from Jesus. He is always portrayed as either following Jesus or bringing others to Jesus.

The top group of apostles in the gospel are always Peter, James, John, and Andrew. Peter, James, and John are portrayed in the Gospels with lofty ambition or grandiose goals (e.g. Mark 10:35ff; Luke 22:33), but never Andrew. Although he was a privileged apostle with special access to Jesus (see e.g. Mark 13:3), he was apparently content to humbly and transparently bring others to Jesus without drawing attention to himself (see John 1:40-42).

Once the Apostle Philip was approached by a group of Greeks who wanted to see Jesus. Instead of bringing them directly to Jesus, Philip brought them to Andrew (John 12:20-22). Philip apparently was certain that if he could just get the Greeks to Andrew, then Andrew would be able to bring them straight to Jesus.

The upcoming season of Advent is a time of preparing to meet Jesus. Many people don't know Jesus, but they do know us. We can be another Andrew for them. Like Andrew, we have been given special access to the Lord (see Ephesians 2:18; 3:12; Romans 5:2). Bring people to Jesus this Advent.

Reflection: John Hughes, Arizona

Following the model of St Andrew, 

INVITE someone to Mass or to an Adoration Chapel during this Advent season!

 

Ste Andrew, ora pro nobis!

Christmas Anticipation Prayer

Beginning on St. Andrew the Apostle's feast day, November 30, the following beautiful prayer is traditionally recited fifteen times a day until Christmas. This is a very meditative prayer that helps us increase our awareness of the real focus of Christmas and helps us prepare ourselves spiritually for His coming.

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment In which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires, [here mention your request] through the merits of Our Saviour Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother.  Amen.