Catholics across the diocese are invited to enter more deeply into the Advent season with a new series of reflections and videos from Bishop Donald J. Hying of Madison, exploring the people and events of the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary.

The series, called “Joyful,” features reflections based on the Sunday Gospel readings for each week of Advent and weaves the Gospel theme through the five Joyful Mysteries — the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel to Mary, the Visitation of Mary to Elizabeth, the Nativity of the Lord, the Presentation of Jesus in the Temple, and the Finding of Jesus in the Temple.

The study series can be utilized by individuals, parish Bible studies, small groups, or with friends and family.

“Advent is a beautiful time to slow down and to learn the art of patience and expectation, and that usually is not in our nature,” Bishop Hying said.

“So, the paradox of Advent for me is we can get so busy having kind of ‘instant Christmas’ that we forget to allow this rich spiritual time of Advent to nourish our hearts, that this is a time of waiting, that this is a time of vigilance and expectation.

“When we look at the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary and the figures there, we see how many of them were joyfully expecting the arrival of the Messiah, and they were waiting for the Lord to act,” he added.

Study structure 

Each week of the Advent study features a collection of resources which are available through the Diocese of Madison website, including:

• A printable study guide with an opening prayer, lectio divina on that Sunday’s Gospel reading, discussion questions, a recommended spiritual practice for the week, and a closing prayer
• A video reflection from Bishop Hying
• A recording of Bishop Hying praying the Joyful Mysteries of the Rosary

Weekly themes

Beginning with the first week of Advent (Sunday, Nov. 30), the study begins with the theme of “Vigilant Waiting.” The Gospel reading comes from Matthew, chapter 24.

“It’s the Lord bidding us to be vigilant, to be awake, to watch for the day of His advent, to be aware of how God is acting and speaking in our lives,” Bishop Hying said.

“And many times we’re so busy and distracted and concerned with so many things that we really don’t see where God is in our life. We have tunnel vision. We have so many things to get done.”

The theme for the second week of Advent (Sunday, Dec. 7) is “Reflective Preparation,” where the Gospel reading comes from Matthew 3:1-12.

“Now the Gospel for the second Sunday of Advent this year presents us the figure of John the Baptist,” Bishop Hying said.

“And John, along with the Blessed Mother, is a profound Advent figure, because he’s the one who prepares the way of the Lord.”

The third week of Advent (Sunday, Dec. 14) features the theme of “Confident Faith,” with a reading from Matthew 11:2-11. In this passage, Jesus confirms His messianic and divine identity by pointing to the prophecies fulfilled by His miracles.

“It’s the moment when John the Baptist has been imprisoned by King Herod and is close to facing his martyrdom, and he sends messengers to Jesus to ask if He is the one,” Bishop Hying said. “Is He truly the Messiah?”

Finally, the fourth week of Advent (Sunday, Dec. 21) presents the theme of “Personal Relationship.” Matthew 1:18-24 recalls the angel appearing to Joseph in a dream and telling him to take Mary as his wife.

“We’re very familiar with Matthew’s narrative, where Joseph discovers that Mary is pregnant and he’s decided to divorce her quietly to protect her, when lo and behold, the angel appears to him in a dream and announces that this child has been conceived in the Holy Spirit and he should have no fear,” Bishop Hying said.

“And Joseph is this obedient, just man who always does what the Lord asks with confidence and with boldness.”