Today, the fourth Sunday of Advent, the Church offers us the Gospel of Mary’s Annunciation. It’s a graced moment to reflect on the vocation of this young woman, and the parallels in the vocation of St. Jeanne Jugan…

Advent. A time of silence and patient waiting. It is a time that seems empty, and yet it is full. For those who are still enough and quiet enough to perceive God’s stirrings in their midst, it is a season pregnant with the presence of God. For the virgin heart, the emptiness of Advent is full of purpose. Our Lady knew this virginal, purpose-filled emptiness. In the silence of Advent she pondered the word of God and the traditions of her people, keeping these things in her heart. Her prayer was infused with prophetic hope and expectation. In her stillness she perceived—we do not know exactly what—the quiet rustling of the angel’s wings, or the gentle whisper of his voice. What we do know is that she was ready, ready for the news the angel brought, ready to open her heart to God’s word made flesh in her.

Like Mary, St Jeanne Jugan knew the patient waiting of Advent. For Jeanne, the season of Advent was long, very long. We know that she experienced an annunciation, an announcement from God that he had destined her for a special mission. Did she receive a divine visit as she tended the flocks overlooking the bay? Or did she simply hear the gentle voice of God speaking deep in her heart? We do not know—but what we do know is that she responded yes just as Mary had. “Yes, Lord, be it done to me according to your word.” “God wants me for himself, he is keeping me for a work which is not yet founded.”

While Mary enjoyed the growing presence of Christ within her as she journeyed through Advent, Jeanne experienced only silence—a prolonged, mysterious silence. Many years went by, and nothing happened. Had she really received a call from the Lord, had she really heard his voice, or was it just a fantasy? Jeanne could have filled her life with many things, and she did—prayer, fellowship, service to the poor. Like the virgins who keep their lamps alight waiting for the master’s return, Jeanne kept her lamp alight with the oil of charity through prayer and service. The apparent emptiness in her life was virginal and full of purpose.

And then, at the appointed time, Jeanne’s heart stirred with Advent’s sudden longing. “Behold, I stand at the door and knock,” he whispered. “Won’t you open the door and invite me in to sup with you?” She heard the quiet but unmistakable voice of her friend and Bridegroom beckoning her in the dark of night, calling out from the darkness and poverty of the street. Christ had finally come to make his home with her! Jeanne heard his unmistakable knocking and she was ready. She had prepared her heart for so long and now she was ready! So utterly prepared was she, so full of joy, that she ran out to meet him! In a miraculous burst of charity—for charity makes all burdens light—she carried him home in her arms. She gave him the place of honor in her home and in her heart. She fixed her eyes on Christ alone in the person of that poor old woman and those who were to follow.

The rest is history—it is her story and ours. Let us, too, prepare our hearts for Christ; let us go out to meet him, Christ the Lord hidden in the poor, and welcome him "under our roof."