1953

The 1953 edition of the Medical Missionary magazine has images and text which show how Advent was lived in the community in North America that year.

As ever, it was a time of making Advent wreaths and filling very nook and cranny with greenery, a time of joyful anticipation and meditation, including on the prophecy of Isaiah, and a time when all were called, “Prepare ye His ways."

The wreath, which held a place of honour during the four weeks of Advent, symbolised the 4,000 years of expectation.  

As you can see, on the fourth Saturday in Advent in 1953, all the candles on the wreath were lighted, the “Rorate Caeli,’ the Advent hymn, was sung for the last time, and knowing that the “Lord is nigh unto all that call upon Him”, the novices prayed, “Come, Lord Jesus, tarry not!”

In 1987, Sister Miriam Therese Winter composed a song, Mother and God.  You can listen to it in the recording opposite.

We wish everyone a blessed season of Advent in 2024!