Autumn has barely begun and the Franciscans are preparing for Advent.
A new booklet with meditations and prayers for every day of the Advent season that begins Nov. 30 is being offered to friars and laypeople.
The 28-page booklet, a pocket treasury of prayers for each day, was written by Sr. Fran McManus, RSM, and produced by the seven OFM provinces of the United States: Assumption BVM, Immaculate Conception, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sacred Heart, St. Barbara, St. John the Baptist and Holy Name. The booklet was released last month.
Those interested in the pocket-sized resource — just 3 inches by 4 inches — are invited to order the booklet by phone or Internet. The only fee is for postage, though the booklet can also be downloaded as an e-book for no cost.
The booklet can be ordered through a link on the HNP Office of Development’s website or by phone at 212-564-8862. “Advent in My Pocket” is also available in Spanish. Orders are being taken until Nov. 1 on a first come, first serve basis, according to a recent announcement by the Office of Development.
“We are committed to bringing about God’s peace into our often violent and war-torn world, especially during this beautiful time of waiting and longing,” said the Franciscans in a message in the booklet. “We hope these daily reflections and prayers throughout Advent and for Christmas Day will bring you great calmness and peace as we prepare for the celebration of God’s Word made flesh continuously in our midst.”
David Convertino, OFM, director of the HNP Office of Development, said interest in this Advent booklet has been very strong. “We have fulfilled many orders,” he said, adding “As of Oct. 1, we have shipped more than 10,000 copies to ministry sites in our Province and more than 100,000 to the other U.S. provinces. People seem appreciative of a helpful, yet portable resource for Advent prayer.”
David introduced the booklet to the friars by giving each attendee of the Province’s guardians’ meeting in September a sample.
The Advent resource is a follow-up to the Lent in My Pocket and Stations in My Pocket booklets produced by David’s office in 2013 and 2014, and updated this year as e-books.
Additional materials can be found on the Spiritual Resources page of the HNP website.
— Jocelyn Thomas is director of communications for Holy Name Province.