sign in sign up
<<
Home , Advent calendar, Advent candle, Advent wreath

Calendar 2020 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY

The First Sunday of Advent Make a resolution at the start Today is ! Use this Advent season to Memorial of St. Francis “Social friendship and Advent is a season of waiting Begin your Advent journey by of this that will Many of our parishes have ready your heart for . In Xavier, Priest universal fraternity necessarily and anticipation of the birth of blessing your Advent . bring you closer to Christ. been impacted by the what ways can you improve In honor of St. Francis Xavier, call for an acknowledgement Christ. It can be easy to lose Light the first violet candle COVID-19 pandemic. your relationship with him? one of the first Jesuits, try the of the worth of every sight of this, focusing more on gift giving and receiving. and sing “O Come, O Come, Consider making a recurring practice of the Daily Examen. human person, always and Set aside time to pray with Emmanuel.” gift to your parish. everywhere.” (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, your family, even virtually, to no. 106) refocus on .

November 29 30 December 1 2 3 4 5

“In some areas of our cities, The Second Sunday of Advent Today is the Memorial of St. On this Solemnity of the This year has been Walking with Moms in Need On her feast day, pray to Our there is still a lively sense of “A voice cries out: Ambrose, one of the Doctors Immaculate Conception, challenging for many. Bring encourages us to “walk in Lady of Guadalupe, that she neighborhood...Where people In the desert prepare the way of the Church. He baptized St. attend Mass and pray the Hail joy to someone today. Text or the shoes” of local pregnant may “help us never to see experience a closeness of the LORD! Make straight in Augustine and is the patron Mary before meals. As Mary call a friend, help a stranger and parenting women in need others as burdens,” especially marked by gratitude, solidarity the wasteland a highway for saint of catechumens. Today, is also the patroness of the in need, or share today’s and to learn how we can migrants to our country and and reciprocity.” our God!” pray for those seeking to join U.S., take time to pray for our Gospel with your loved ones help.Take the pledge today! communities. (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, (Isaiah 40) the Church. country today. no. 152) How are you and your loved Seek out volunteer opportuni- ones preparing for the coming ties in your neighborhood of Jesus? 6 7 8 9 10 this week. 11 12

The Third Sunday of Advent Memorial of St. John of the “As couples or friends, we , a reenactment Today marks the beginning In today’s Gospel we are What’s your favorite Today is Cross, Priest and Doctor of find that our hearts expand as of Mary and Joseph seeking of the “.” This reminded of St. Joseph’s movie? Gather when we shift our reflection the Church we step out of ourselves and shelter before the birth of tradition, which comes from courage. Reflect on how God your friends or family (in- from “the Lord is coming” to There are 10 days left in embrace others.” Jesus, traditionally begins Evening Prayer, has been is calling you to demonstrate person or virtually) and watch “the Lord is near.” Rejoice as Advent. In honor of a saint (Pope Francis, Fratelli Tutti, today. Pray for migrants around since at least the courage in serving him. a Christmas classic. you light the pink candle on known for his deep spirituality no. 89) seek-ing shelter around the eighth century. your . and compassion, reflect How can you embrace others world. honestly on your own spiritual today? journey so far this season. 13 14 15 16 17 18 19

“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph The Fourth Sunday of Advent St. Francis of Assisi made the According to custom, the “Blessed be the Lord, the God themselves were refugees in “Mary said, ‘Behold, I am the Christmas crèche, or manger, is set up just of Israel; for he has come to Egypt...with whom Christian handmaid of the Lord. May it for of 1223. before Christmas and remains his people and set them free.” migrants and refugees be done to me according to Gather your loved ones, and in place until the Solemnity of (Lk 1:68) throughout the ages can your word.’” bless your family’s crèche. . Share this blessing identify, giving them hope (Lk 1:38) with your family and friends. and courage.” Mary had complete trust in (USCCB, Strangers No Longer, God, saying “yes” to his will. no. 26) How would you describe your How can you welcome the trust in God? 20 21 stranger today? 22 23 24

Copyright © 2020, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. Quote from Pope Francis, copyright © 2020, Libreria Editrice Vaticana, Vatican City State. All rights reserved. Quotes from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the Dioceses of the United States of America, second typical edition © 2001, 1998, 1997, 1986, 1970 Confraternity of Christian Doctrine, Inc., Washington, DC. Used with permission. All rights reserved. BLESSING OF THE ADVENT he is the Savior of every nation. WREATH (first Sunday of Advent) Lord God, All make the sign of the cross as the leader says: let your blessing come upon us as we light the Our help is in the name of the Lord. candles of this wreath. Response (R/.) Who made heaven and earth. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly Then the Scripture, Isaiah 9: (lines 1-2 and 5-6) or and not delay. Isaiah 63 (lines 16-17 & 19) or Isaiah 64 (lines 2-7) We ask this through Christ our Lord. is read. R/. Amen. Reader: The Word of the Lord. R/. Thanks be to God. The blessing may conclude with a verse from “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel”. With hands joined, the leader says: –From Catholic Household Blessings & Prayers (USCCB) THE ADVENT WREATH Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: One of the beautiful Catholic traditions practiced in homes and he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, churches during Advent, is the lighting of the candles on the he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, Advent wreath as we pray and prepare for the celebration of the birth of Jesus. Traditionally, Advent are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches. The circular shape represents the PRAYERS FOR LIGHTING eternal nature of God, with no beginning or end. The evergreen is a plant which stays green and full of life year-round, even through the The following are suggested prayers to use during Advent: cold and dark of winter which reminds us of Jesus overcoming the darkness of sin and death to bring all of us into new life. First Week All-powerful God, increase our strength of will for doing good that Christ may find an eager welcome at his coming and call us to his side in the kingdom of heaven, where he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Four candles are inserted into the wreath, representing the four Spirit one God, forever and ever. –AMEN. weeks of Advent. Ideally, three candles are purple symbolizing the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works Second Week undertaken at this time. One candle is rose colored. It is lit on the God of power and mercy open our hearts in welcome. Remove the things that hinder us from receiving third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose Christ with joy so that we may share his wisdom and become one with him when he comes in glory, for he vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. –AMEN. because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when Third Week their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas. Lord God, may we, your people, who look forward to the birthday of Christ experience the joy of salvation and celebrate that feast with love and thanksgiving. We ask this through Christ our Lord. –AMEN. The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and Fourth Week the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the Father, all-powerful God, your eternal Word took flesh on our earth when the Virgin Mary placed her life at dead. the service of your plan. Lift our minds in watchful hope to hear the voice which announces his glory and open our minds to receive the Spirit who prepares us for his coming. We ask this through Christ our Lord. –AMEN. Families are encouraged to gather around the wreath each day of Advent, light the candles and spend time in prayer together. –Prayers taken from A Prayer Book of Catholic Devotions (by William Story)