Cardinal Zen’s Advent Reflections

by Joseph Zen, Aurelio Porfori

Joseph Cardinal Zen of Hong Kong offers these stirring, spiritually enriching meditations to lift the souls of Catholics worldwide to God this Advent season. From his place in retirement, this prince of the Church invites the wider world to wait with him for the coming of the Messiah to redeem humanity and restore all things to Himself. Collected from Cardinal Zen’s homilies and pastoral letters during a time of social and political tension, these reflections bring hope to Christians searching for peace and serenity. His Eminence will help you appreciate the Advent and Christmas seasons as never before and deepen your relationship with the Holy Spirit while awaiting Christ’s return to break the chains oppressing mankind. You will discover the priorities to focus on during Advent and the attitudes to cultivate for your salvation. You will encounter the Holy Family and delight in the Epiphany, the “outburst” of our salvation. You will come to see how the Magi model the reverence and worship we owe to our Eucharistic Lord and how to approach Our Lady with childlike trust and total surrender. Cardinal Zen’s inspired reflections will fill you with joyful expectation, prayerful penance, and spiritual preparation as you look to the salvation history of the past, and your present redemption being accomplished now.

Genres: Religion

128 pages, Paperback

Published September 18, 2023

Reviews

[Jacqueline · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Advent book that I finished on the Feast of the Epiphany. A bit sporadic, but beautiful thoughts. I’d read something else from Cardinal Zen.

[Tom · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was our parish's Advent reflection read this year. The reflections are all based on Cardinal Zen's (the archbishop of Hong Kong) sermons and writings. They're a little sporadic but very thoughtful. I was most taken by his description of being a seminarian in China in the 40s. His reflections were a nice way to center the Advent season on the coming of Christ.

[Maximo · Rating 2 out of 5]

An incredibly holy and inspiring man.
I personally didn't feel strongly about this book, but I'd be open to checking his others out.

[Literacki Zakątek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Miałam nadzieję na głęboko poruszające, refleksyjne, mądre rozważania. Otrzymałam zbiór zupełnie nie angażujących krótkich tekstów.