At the beginning of every Mass, the priest-celebrant says, "Let us pray" and then offers a prayer to God the Father, through Jesus Christ, in union with the Holy Spirit. This Opening Prayer is called the Collect. During Advent, Christmas, Lent, and Easter, this prayer is specific to the day; in the season of Ordinary Time, the Collect for each Sunday is repeated during the following weekday Masses.

In Praying with the Church through Advent, Fr. Edward Looney offers a short daily meditation and reflection questions on that day's Collect to help you better appreciate the richness of these liturgical texts and apply them to your life. Journaling pages are included to aid you in your Advent journey so that you may more fruitfully contemplate the liturgy and incorporate the spiritual lessons it offers.

Fr. Looney invites you to spend a few minutes considering these meditations over a cup of coffee, or while resting in the Lord's Presence, and praying with them before or after Mass. The reflections and questions may also be used for group discussions. In these absorbing passages, you will find:

• A greater appreciation for the prayers of the Mass during Advent -- and throughout the year
  
• The secret to receiving the gifts that God is waiting to give you through the sacraments
  
• How to create space for Christ and welcome Him into your heart and your home
  
• Ways to deepen your prayer life and your relationship with God amid difficulties and dangers
  
• How to break free from darkness and sin and live in the joy and freedom of God's light
  
• Practical tips for living your faith through works of charity in every season

While you ponder these penetrating prayers, you will learn how to walk more closely with Our Lady and the saints, from biblical heroes to contemporary figures. By developing a more fervent devotion to the Blessed Mother, you will grow in greater love of her Son. As you enter into the mystery of the Word-made-flesh through these reflections, you will encounter Jesus' Presence in the Holy Eucharist anew and experience the life-changing power of His love so that you may be restored in mind, heart, and soul as never before.