Rejoice! The Lord Is Near.
This weekend we celebrate Gaudete Sunday, when we – the Church – rejoice because the coming of Jesus is so close we can feel it.
At Mass, we light the rose-colored candle on the Advent wreath, a bright reminder that even in the waiting, God is already at work.
Here in the Diocese of Wheeling–Charleston, our parishes and communities carry that same hope. Whether you’ve been Catholic your whole life or you’re discerning the journey into the Church, this Sunday is a perfect time to pause and ask:
How is Christ shaping my life right now?
Can others see His presence in me—in my home, my parish, my workplace, and the way I serve my community in West Virginia?
During Advent we can become distracted by the daunting “to dos” we place on ourselves, but let Gaudete Sunday be a pause and reminder that this season is also so beautiful. As we prepare and wait intentionally place Jesus at the center of everything—our family schedules, our prayer, our decisions—our eyes, mind, and heart will begin to open. We will notice grace where we once saw frustration, possibilities where we once saw limits, and hope even in places that feel worn down or overlooked.
The prophet Isaiah gives us a gorgeous vision of what the Messiah brings: a parched desert blooming, weak hands strengthened, broken hearts healed, sorrow turned to joy.
Be strong, fear not! The Messiah is coming. (Isaiah 35:4).
So, this Gaudete Sunday, let’s truly rejoice as a diocesan family.
Let’s celebrate and be intentional witnesses of His love in every corner of our state and beyond.
May our joy attract others to Christ.
May our lives reflect the hope we proclaim.
And may this Advent lead us all—longtime Catholics, those returning to the Church, and those discerning the faith—closer to the heart of Jesus, who comes to make all things new.
