News from the United States. The Mountaineer. Winter 2022

Dear Friends,

The Advent journey from darkness to light, from Heaven to earth, is a time of deep reflection for us to be ever mindful that as God is coming to earth, we are climbing to heaven through an interior journey of prayer and reflection and an outward journey of the love of Christ in our neighbor.

In Psalm 121:1-2, we hear the prophet remind us ―O lift thine eyes to the mountain whence cometh help.‖ Heaven and earth meet at the top of the mountain. From Mount Sinai came the Ten Commandments; on Mount Tabor, Christ revealed his glory to several of his apostles.

How do we ascend that mountain? Saint Pope Paul VI described our work as members of secular institutes in 1970 ―you are walking on an inclined plane…it is hard work to go up but a challenge. You are spiritual mountaineers with a stiff climb before you…your consecration is not only a commitment, it is also a help, a support; love it, it is a blessing and gives joy to your heart…it makes you able to realize the paradox of charity: giving, giving to others means receiving, in Christ.

So, we persevere daily to reach the stable and adore him.