Advent: A journey of prayerful preparation for Christmas

Advent is the time of joyful preparation for Christmas. It is also the time of personal resolutions recommended by the Catholic Church as a form of deepening one’s prayer life by performing corporal and spiritual acts of mercy in anticipation of the Messiah. Resolutions can take the form of prayer, fasting, and/or almsgiving.

Saint John Chrysostom said, “As the body without the soul cannot live, so the soul without prayer is dead and emits an offensive odor.”

Holy and sacred places can assist with one’s prayer life and meditation, especially during Advent. Three shrines, a Benedictine monastery and parochial churches in the Archdiocese of Oklahoma City offer meaningful and prayerful experiences. A pilgrimage to any one of these places can serve as an Advent resolution.

Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City
The shrine was dedicated by Archbishop Coakley on Feb. 17, 2023. It is the largest Catholic church in Oklahoma, built to honor of Blessed Stanley Rother from Okarche, who became the first US-born martyr priest, when he was killed in Guatemala in 1981. He was beatified in 2017. The chapel serves as his final resting place. The adjacent Tepeyac Hill, with the statues of Our Lady of Guadelupe and Saint Juan Diego, overlook the shrine grounds, and invites pilgrims to meditation.

Miguel Mireles, executive director at the shrine, expressed words of invitation to pilgrims: “The Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine is a holy place where one can escape the noise of the city and learn how an ordinary martyr leads pilgrims to encounter Christ. The shrine welcomes all, and Blessed Stanley’s life will change and inspire you to go out and spread the good news.”

National Shrine of the Infant Jesus of Prague
The shrine was built in 1949, and welcomes thousands of pilgrims from across Oklahoma and other states, as well as from abroad. Miraculous cures through the intercession of the Infant Jesus of Prague have been reported. Mary’s garden, the stations of the Cross and a playground with the Infant Jesus chaplet for children offer a prayerful atmosphere to spend individual or family time.

Father Christopher Tran, pastor and rector of the shrine, said, “Advent and Christmas are all about the Infant Jesus. Here at the shrine, we celebrate the Infant every day. Each day holds the joy of Christmas for us. It is the most beautiful place. We invite everyone to come to Prague to receive spiritual blessings from the Infant Jesus and prepare your hearts for Christmas celebrations.”

The Archdiocesan Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Bison
This small shrine, located outside Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Bison, was dedicated in 1951 and is open to visitors 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Pilgrims can light votive candles and record their prayer intentions in a guest book, which are included in every Sunday’s Mass prayers at the church.

Father Edward Menasco, pastor of Saint Joseph Catholic Church, expressed his invitation to visitors, “We invite you to come visit at the shrine to pray to Our Lady of Fatima for your needs… What better way is there than to pray to Mary for her intercession during Advent and ask her to prepare us for the coming of the Lord at Christmas, and that he may be born anew in our hearts.”

Saint Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee
Saint Gregory’s Abbey was opened for the Benedictine community in 1929 when they transferred from their original Sacred Heart Abbey outside of Konawa. Currently, 16 monks live their contemplative life of prayer, serving also at various parishes in Oklahoma. The faithful are welcome to attend the Divine Office prayers and Holy Eucharist with the monastic community.

Abbot Lawrence Stasyszen, O.S.B., extended words of welcome to the faithful inviting them to visit the Abbey as part of their Advent journey, “The Abbey provides an oasis of peace and quiet where one can spend time in silence and prayer. Whether in the beautiful Abbey church or around the peaceful grounds, pilgrims can listen for the Holy Spirit speaking in the silence of their hearts.”

Pilgrims can also visit the Mabee-Gerrer Museum of Art on the campus of the Abbey, the Monks’ Marketplace, and find several pieces of sacred art depicting the Blessed Mother and the Child Jesus.

The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City
The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2024.

Father Richard Stansberry, pastor and rector of the cathedral, said, “Please come and visit with us for joint worship and prayer. The cathedral was stunningly renovated in 2019 and is one of the most beautiful historic churches in the state with captivating stained-glass windows and ceiling paintings.”

Every third Thursday of the month at 7 p.m., the archdiocesan Summit adoration night is hosted at the cathedral, which includes adoration accompanied by musical praise, confessions and Eucharistic procession of the Blessed Sacrament.

Holy Trinity Catholic Church in Okarche
The Holy Trinity Catholic Church is the home parish of the Blessed Stanley Rother. The current church was built in 1903. The Holy Trinity Catholic School adjacent to the church was established in 1987 and offers Catholic education to this day.

Pilgrims are invited to take a self-guided tour of the church to explore Blessed Stanley Rother’s personal items and artifacts in the church or schedule group-guided tours. The adjacent cemetery holds Blessed Stanley Rother’s grave site.

The most meaningful way of prayer during Advent, in addition to the Holy Eucharist, is to spend time in adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Four churches in the Oklahoma City metro area offer perpetual adoration, including Saint John the Baptist Catholic Church and Saint Monica Catholic Church in Edmond, Saint Andrew Catholic Church in Moore and Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Norman, as well as the Holy Innocents Foundation chapel in Oklahoma City.

More information about adoration opportunities can be found at the archdiocese website, archokc.org/parishadoration.

Jad Ziolkowska is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.


Photos: (above) Stained glass window at The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City. Photos Jad Ziolkowska/Sooner Catholic.


The Cathedral of Our Lady of Perpetual Help in Oklahoma City.


St. Gregory’s Abbey in Shawnee


Holy Innocents Foundation chapel in Oklahoma City.


Bl. Stanley Rother Shrine in Oklahoma City. 


The Shrine of Our Lady of Fatima in Bison.