Years ago, Fr. James Flanigan, C.S.C., created a bronze sculpture for a chapel in Jerusalem. As a graduate student in the seminary, I would go to his studio at the University of Notre Dame and sit in silence and watch him create his vision of the seated Madonna holding the Christ Child on her lap. Fr. Jim had taken photos of a woman seated on a stool to model the basis for his design, beginning with chicken wire and wood. Fr. Jim then covered the clumsy wire and wooden structure with damp, gray clay.
One day, I entered his studio and sat in my usual spot. Fr. Jim held a small tool and began to carve shape, definition, and depth into the two faces emerging in clay. Time seemed to stand still as I watched this artist discover the tender faces of the Child Jesus and his Mother Mary. After the session, I asked him, as tears came to my eyes, “Fr. Jim, how do you do that?” He paraphrased Michelangelo, “Oh, it’s simple, you just take away what does not belong there.”
On Sunday, November 30, 2025, the liturgical season of Advent begins again. As this season approaches, I see Fr. Jim’s moment of creation once again in my heart since we are all called to see the emerging face of Jesus in our world as we prepare to celebrate the Incarnation of Christ. I continue to go back to that scene where the faces of Jesus and Mary were discovered from chaos and artistic grace. That image of creation has formed my ministry in so many ways as I have walked with people through turmoil and hopelessness, through love and gratefulness. This artistic expression of love becomes an image of prayer as we move through the new liturgical season of Advent, leading us all to see for ourselves the beautiful face of our Savior in the miracle of Christmas.
For us who long for the ancient peace of all good. For us who are willing to carve away the crust of violence and hatred among people. For us who long to walk in healing valleys of justice and in forgiving forests of faith. For us who long to wake from sleep to behold the face of Christ, who continues to show us love. May we courageously stare into the eyes of our enemies and see the smiles of hope on people of every nation, village, and land. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
For us who believe Advent grace happened only in the past. May we not settle into our lives holding on to what has been. May God’s fidelity toward us reveal that Jesus Christ desires to live in our hearts now, today, and forever. May the face of Christ reveal God’s compassion in every generation. May God continue to carve away complacency and despair to reveal new life and tenderness toward all life. May we be open to God’s surprising presence this Advent season. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
For us who have given up seeing the face of love for ourselves. For people who have lived and prayed through many Advent seasons. For us who are tired of waiting for love in our darkened experiences of life and exhausted from the journey toward new life and healing. For us who hold fast to old conversations that have stripped us of hope and who are weary even before the Advent season begins. For us who wait to see something new and loving in our fragile hearts. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
For us who have given our lives to support the miracle of children. For parents who work continuously to offer their children the basics of life. For parents who toss a softball in the backyard to a youngster who dreams of a life in the lights. For mothers who work nights to offer a child a chance in life after high school. For the beauty of tears on the pillows of parents who cannot believe how much their child has grown since last Christmas. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
For dog-tired families who survive in their cars and those who wait in lines to receive food or showers. For people who cannot believe God could be born in their experiences. For us who wait in the shadows of life for the light of hope. For us who hide in the holiday season because we have been told that love could not happen to us, that justice is only a dream. For us who live in the chaos of poverty, abuse, and fear. For communities with high rates of infant deaths. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
For us who long for human touch and family gatherings as we approach the celebration of the Incarnation. For us who treasure being together to rejoice in the love among us. For us who giggle in reminiscence of a childhood Christmas. For us, who embrace an estranged family member and who welcome new conversations around food and candlelight. For us who wait to celebrate in our homes filled with torn wrapping paper and a sea of cardboard at Christmas. For us who believe the face of Jesus Christ is among us always. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
For us who light an Advent candle, mindful that time on earth has come to an end for a loved one. May we see ourselves and our loved ones in the circle of an Advent wreathe. May time honor us with love as we mark time in the four weeks of Advent. May we see hope beyond our own circles of relationships and realize God’s mercy covers people of every time and place. May we thrive in hope as we bask in the flicker of four glowing candles in the new season of grace. May we all realize the beauty of simple light that reveals our path all the way to heaven. May grace come and the world pass away. May our loved ones find true peace and everlasting home. O Christ, Face of Mercy, Save Us.
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About:
Rev. Ronald Patrick Raab, C.S.C., serves as religious superior of Holy Cross House, our retirement and medical facility at Notre Dame, Indiana. He is an award-winning author, blogger, and visual artist. Learn more: ronaldraab.com
Artwork:
Fr. Ron created this painting and collage a few months ago in 2025. Fr. Ron’s artwork has been published in parishes, dioceses, and ecumenical settings around the world.
Provided by Rev. Ronald Raab, C.S.C., November 2025
