On all Sundays of Advent, the first reading is from the Prophet Isaiah; he constantly announces the coming of salvation, often using poetic images.  Today we hear that “a shoot shall sprout from the stump of Jesse, and from his roots a bud shall blossom.”  The wolf will be the guest of the lamb; the cow and the bear will become neighbors; the baby will play by the cobra’s den!  Yes, there is hope; yet, you might ask: What is genuine, realistic hope?

Insights of Pope Benedict XVI.  In late 2007 as Advent approached, Benedict released a new encyclical on Christian Hope, Spe Salvi (SS) [Hope Saves].  It is a deep reflection, a challenging meditation.  The text reads smoothly, the tone is cordial, the content emerges from the insights of one who himself seeks to be a minister of hope.

Contemporary Models of Hope.  The pope provides several examples of contemporary Christians who lived with deep hope.  He mentions the Vietnamese Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan, who was a prisoner, often in solitary confinement, for thirteen years and left the precious little book entitled Prayers of Hope.  Benedict writes: “… in a situation of seemingly utter hopelessness, the fact that he could listen and speak to God became for him an increasing power of hope, which enabled him, after his release, to become for people all over the world a witness to hope—to that great hope which does not wane even in the nights of solitude” (SS 31).

The pope also offers the example of the African Saint Josephine Bakhita.  At the age of nine, she was kidnapped by slave-traders, beaten until she bled, and sold five times in the slave-markets of Sudan.  Finally, in 1882, she was bought by an Italian merchant and brought to Italy.  Eventually, she received religious instruction, was baptized, and joined the Canossian Sisters.  Benedict writes: “Now she had ‘hope’—no longer simply the modest hope of finding masters who would be less cruel, but the great hope: ‘I am definitely loved and whatever happens to me—I am awaited by this Love.  And so, my life is good’” (SS 3).   

Living Hope.  This writer appreciates how the pope links faith, hope, and life.  Three times in the encyclical (2, 4, 10) Benedict asserts the importance of “performative faith.”  The Christian message is “not only ‘informative’ but ‘performative’” (SS 2).  The pope asks: “Can our encounter with the God who in Christ has shown us his face and opened his heart be for us too not just ‘informative’ but ‘performative’—that is to say, can it change our lives, so that we know we are redeemed through the hope that it expresses?” (SS 4).

Mary, Model of Hope.  The final prayer of Spe Salvi is addressed to “Mary, Star of Hope.”  During Advent and always, we pray: “Holy Mary, Mother of God, our Mother, teach us to believe, to hope, to love with you” (SS 49).    

James H. Kroeger, M.M.

O Mary, Morning Star of Hope,

Rise and shatter the gloom of night

And shine through the clouds of despair

To lead me to the one, true light of Christ That I and all may walk in his truth.

O Dawn who announces Christ’s coming,

Fill my mind with his peace,

My soul with his hope and

My heart with his love

That wherever I go and whatever I do

My words and actions might reflect

The glory of Christ come to earth.

Into your hands of mercy I commend

All my worries, concerns and problems,

Confident that with you by my side

Leading me ever closer to Christ, your Son, There is nothing that can separate me From the love of Jesus, my Lord And my God.

Amen

ABOUT MARYKNOLL

We are a Catholic Society of priests and brothers based in the United States. We are dedicated to missionary work overseas in over 20 countries. Additionally, we animate Catholics in the United States to follow their own baptismal call to share God’s compassion and love with the poor, the sick, and all those in need.

OUR GENERAL COUNCIL

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Fr. Lance P. Nadeau, Fr. James M. Lynch, Fr. Timothy O. Kilkelly, Fr. Juan Montes Zúñiga)

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers is overseen by our General Council, led by Superior General Rev. Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.

OUR FOUNDERS

L-R Tom O'Brien, Ray Finch, Joe Everson, Russ Feldmeier

(Our Co-Founders Father Price and Father Walsh)

PLACES WE SERVE

EVANGELIZATION, PARISHES, AND PROJECTS

USA

STORIES OF MISSION

(Africa) Education and Formation of African Clergy

The Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers Africa Region will provide tuition assistance to African clergy, male and female religious at institutes of higher education or specialized training. Read More

Stories of Our Global Mission

The calling of a lifetime

The life of a Maryknoll missioner is challenging, fulfilling, and deeply rewarding. Follow your baptismal call to mission by sharing God’s compassion with the poor, the sick, and people most in need.

Dear Friend in Mission,

With hearts full of hope, Maryknoll Fathers and Brothers joyfully welcomes the election of our new Holy Father, Pope Leo XIV. In this historic moment for the universal Church, we give thanks to God for the gift of a new pope—chosen to succeed Pope Francis and guide us forward in faith, love, and missionary zeal.

Pope Leo XIV brings with him a deep commitment to dialogue, peace, and global solidarity—values that echo the very heart of our missionary vocation. A seasoned pastoral leader and thoughtful theologian, he is known for his compassionate outreach and dedication to the spiritual and social needs of the Church, particularly in regions experiencing hardship and need.

His years of missionary service in Peru, working among underserved communities, reflect a profound dedication to the Church’s mission of presence, accompaniment, and evangelization. His firsthand experience on the peripheries of society has shaped his vision for a Church that listens, serves, and uplifts—all grounded in Christ’s love.

As missionaries, we have been deeply inspired by Pope Francis’s call to go to the peripheries, to serve the poor, and to be instruments of God’s mercy and peace. We now look with prayerful anticipation to Pope Leo XIV, confident that the Holy Spirit will continue to lead the Church through his words and witness.

We invite you to join us in praying for our new pope, asking the Lord to bless him with wisdom, courage, and compassion as he begins his ministry as the Vicar of Christ and visible sign of unity for the world’s 1.3 billion Catholics.

Thank you for walking with us on this missionary journey. Together, in communion with the successor of St. Peter, we remain committed to proclaiming the Gospel and witnessing to Christ’s love around the world.

In gratitude and peace,

Father Lance Nadeau, M.M. signature

Reverend Lance P. Nadeau, M.M.
Superior General

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