Waiting in Joyful Hope

We hear these words at every mass. They speak to us about how we wait for Jesus and they speak to us in a special way, now in the days of Advent and of Covid 19.

Keep us free from sin is a petition that every Christian makes. We ask our God to help us resist the temptations of the world: the temptation to judge, to discriminate, to be hurtful in any way, and also the temptation to be prideful. I am a Vincentian, I do good works, so look at me! Thinking ‘I have a direct path to heaven and you don’t,’ can be my great sin.

…and protect us from all anxiety is so necessary right now! Global pandemic, separation from loved ones and isolation are heightening anxiety even for those who aren’t naturally anxious people. What can my conference do about our annual Christmas programme for people who need us during Covid 19? Is Christmas shopping even safe? How will we manage Christmas without big family gatherings? What about Midnight Mass? Perhaps the only thing we can do, for sure, is to put everything in God’s hands. That doesn’t mean we give up and don’t do anything. It means we do our best with modifications that must be met and we let God take over from there.

…as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour ‘Joyful hope’ is a Vincentian virtue. Our motto ‘Seviens in spe’ states that we serve in hope. The way we do it is with ‘love, respect, justice and joy.’ Our friends who need our help have enough problems. Surely they don’t need to see any sorrowful Vincentians. If we maintain our joyful hope it can become a gift to everyone we encounter.


Have a Blessed Advent and a Happy Christmas!
Denise