Dear Confreres,

As Advent begins, we embark on a journey that is not merely a physical pilgrimage to Bethlehem but a profound voyage into the depths of our hearts. Advent is a season when the world seems to quiet down, inviting us to prepare, to wait, and to be filled with a hope that does not disappoint—alive and profound. It is a time to make room in our lives and hearts for Jesus so that He can come into our world in a new and powerful way.

For us Camillian religious, the significance of Advent is particularly deep, as it calls us to renew our mission to serve Christ in the sick and care for those who suffer with open hearts. The central message, “a heart open to Jesus,” urges us to make space for Christ not only in our own lives but also in the lives of everyone we meet. By preparing to welcome Jesus, we prepare ourselves to recognize Him in every brotherly face and to bring His love and compassion to every place of suffering, loneliness, and need.

Advent is a journey inward. The prophet Isaiah exhorts us: “Prepare the way of the Lord; make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Is. 40:3). This preparation is not merely a ritual tradition but a profound transformation. We are called to cleanse everything that clutters our hearts, preventing them from becoming a welcoming space where Christ can dwell.

Advent is also “a time when we walk together toward Bethlehem, where God awaits us in the simplicity of a child” (Pope Francis, First Sunday of Advent, November 29, 2015). It invites us to rediscover this simplicity, to listen to God’s gentle voice calling us to love with all our hearts. During this time, we are called to make space for Christ by converting our hearts, so we may welcome Him with the same wonder and awe that Mary and Joseph felt on the night of the first Christmas.

Advent is also a journey of community. Our vocation as Camillians is to be a family of faith, united in the mission to “relive the ever-present merciful love of Christ for the sick and to bear witness to it before the world” (Constitution 1). As we enter this holy season, let us unite in prayer and solidarity within our provinces, delegations, and communities. St. Paul exhorts us: “Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer” (Rom. 12:12). During this Advent, let us support one another and persevere in our shared mission of bringing Christ’s saving love to those in need. Together, we can be light for one another, encouraging and inspiring each other to serve with humility and joy.

Advent is the time of the promise of Emmanuel, “God with us,” who takes on our humanity to bring salvation and healing. It is a promise that changes everything. Jesus Himself assures us: “I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). His presence is a source of comfort and strength, especially in our ministry to the sick, where we feel Jesus’ closeness in every act of care and compassion.

St. Camillus and his first companions embraced this call when they made their first religious profession on December 8, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary. On this day, each of us is invited to renew our total commitment to serve Christ with all our hearts. It is a day to remember that our hands are meant to be His hands, our hearts His heart, loving the sick, the suffering, and the lonely.

As we open our hearts to Jesus this Advent, we are also called to bring Him to others. “By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another” (John 13:35). Imagine if everyone we encounter could feel Christ’s love through us! When we care for the sick or comfort the grieving, we show the world what it means to be disciples of Jesus. Let us strive to be signs of hope and beacons of love, living out our vocation with the compassion and humility of Christ.

May this Advent inspire each of us to serve with renewed compassion, mercy, enthusiasm, hope, and joy. Let us find strength in one another, deepen our fraternal bonds, and encourage each other with the spirit of Camillian friendship and brotherhood.

I hope this Advent helps us prepare our lives for the coming of Jesus so that we may bring His love and hope to everyone we meet. May Mary Immaculate, Queen of the Ministers of the Sick, continue to inspire, guide, and protect each of us in our Camillian vocation, helping us to live it fully and joyfully.

Wishing you a serene and joyful Advent, characterized by a true welcoming of the birth of our Lord into our lives, our communities, and our families.

Fr. Pedro Tramontin, MI

Superior General