Retreats and online tools to help the spirit are multiplying: this is, for example, the case of the traditional Irish Advent calendar which is enriched with prayers, videos and words of Pope Francis taken from the apostolic exhortation christus vivit, gestures and suggestions to make Christmas more sustainable and to take care of our common home. Reports of books, music and events in dioceses and parishes, with indications on how to be close to the neediest families.

A series of videos, the creation of which was promoted by the Canadian Episcopal Conference and available online every week, will be able to help the Catholic faithful prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. A "Journey through Advent”, with reflections on the Gospel for every Sunday of this strong time and on the true meaning of Christmas. The hope of the prelates is that it will be a channel of comfort and profound preparation for everyone.

The Spanish Episcopal Conference has prepared a new app for praying the Liturgy of the Hours, while from Switzerland on www.lumierequandmeme.ch an ecumenical initiative has started which offers ideas for living Advent and the Christmas period differently, in three areas: "Celebrate anyway - Connected anyway - Solidarity anyway". In addition to meditative texts and concrete gestures, solidarity projects to be supported or linked to the pandemic are presented in Switzerland and abroad.

On avent.retraitedanslaville.org the Dominicans of Lille propose an "Advent in the city", an accompanying journey with reflections, Advent songs and four meditations by as many high-profile speakers. A way to prepare so that "Christmas is not a banal joy but a spiritual event for our lives". The themes explored in depth: peace in families and Christian communities; the action of the Spirit for peace among peoples; Jesus as Prince of Peace in the life of every man. Monsignor David Macaire, Dominican, archbishop of Fort-de-France, in Martinique, will also illustrate every week a concrete method to become artisans of peace.

The suffering caused by the pandemic, which is bringing India to its knees, is at the center of "Communio India Sunday", the annual event celebrated by the 132 Indian Latin dioceses on the first Sunday of Advent. "As I have loved you, so you also must love one another” (Jn 13,34). is the theme chosen this year. The faithful will be invited to pray and help the missions, especially in rural areas.