The Gathering of Men began in 1991. Mission & Vision. Listen to the talks. He is the author of the books Contemplative Hunger and Contemplative Provocations. Christopher P. Johnson, S.J. "Advent is a wonderful time of year to prepare our hearts for two joys: Christ's humble "first coming" in a Bethlehem stable, and His glorious Second Coming at the end . He was ordained at Boston College in 2014. It is a time to relax away from family worries and work problems; a time to reflect and .