Yesterday we found ourselves waiting in nightly vigil. Today, Christ the Rising Dawn appears, and we ask for His splendor to dawn in our own hearts. Jesus is the light that “shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it” (Jn. 1:5), and so today we ask too that His light scatter all the darkness of night, error, deception, lies, and death, all so that our true nature as children of God, Who is light itself (cf. 1 Jn. 1:5), may shine forth.

This prayer implies that the “shadows of the night” can still reign in our hearts, even as we seek to be in the light. Saint John tells us in this regard: “If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not live according to the truth; but if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin”  (1 Jn 1:6-7).

Therefore, now at the end of the second week of Advent, I propose the following examinations of conscience. The first is based on the 7 Deadly Sins and the second on the 7 Cardinal and Theological Virtues. They are meant to help find those shadows of darkness in your heart. Then, in sacramental confession, the splendor of Christ’s glory may dawn in your heart.

The Cristeros Rule of Life

As Cristeros, we dedicate ourselves to a a life of true devotion to Jesus through Mary, particularly in the form of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Our Lady of Guadalupe, Pray for Us.

We begin our days with a Morning Offering dedicating our day:

O Jesus, through the Immaculate Heart of Mary, I offer you my prayers, works, joys and sufferings of this day, in union with the holy sacrifice of the Mass throughout the world, for the remission of my sins, for the intentions of my family and friends, and in particular for the intentions of the Holy Father. Amen.

At a high or low point during the day, we pray to the Holy Spirit, handing over our accomplishments or sufferings:

Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of thy faithful, and enkindle in us the fire of thy love, send forth thy spirit and we shall be created, and though shall renew the face of the earth. Amen.

At some point each day, on our own or with our family or friends, we pray to our Mother Mary in the form of Guadalupe, giving all that we have and are to Jesus through Mary by reciting one of the following:

• A daily Rosary, focusing on the Fruits of the Mystery.
• The Hail Holy Queen

Every night before we go to sleep, by ourselves or with our wife, we pray a nightly examine using the ACTS formula:

• Adoration: We adore you and Christ and we bless You, because by Your Holy Cross, You have redeemed the world.
• Contrition: Ask God for forgiveness for all the times you have sinned or fallen short that day,
• Thanksgiving: Thank God for all the gifts he has given you that day, including the grace for those moments you have acted virtuously and towards the Good.
• Supplication: We ask God for his blessings that night and the next day, either with particular requests or in general, and end with a prayer dedicating ourselves to Him through Our Lady of Guadalupe: All that we have and all that we are, we give to your hands Jesus, through the heart of Mary, your blessed mother. Amen. Our Lady of Gudalupe, Pray For us.