Advent

A period of preparation for Christ’s birth, Advent, as a time of extra prayer, can be a source of great grace; oftentimes, however, many do not take advantage of these benefits. To aid yourself in making the most of this liturgical season, commit to attending an hour of Eucharistic Adoration. St. Mary’s by the Sea begins it’s monthly 24-hour Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament this First Friday, December 2, after the 8am Mass, continuing through the night and ending before the 8am Mass on Saturday, December 3.

Thank you to all who have committed themselves to First Friday Adoration. Without you, our 24-hour First Friday Adoration program would not be possible.

Advent Preparation

Beginning the Church’s liturgical year, Advent (from, “ad-venire” in Latin or “to come to”) is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.

The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).

Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. Traditionally, Advent wreaths are constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which four candles are inserted, representing the four weeks of Advent.  Ideally, three candles are purple and one is rose, but white candles can also be used.

The purple candles in particular symbolize the prayer, penance, and preparatory sacrifices and goods works undertaken at this time. The rose candle is lit on the third Sunday, Gaudete Sunday, when the priest also wears rose vestments at Mass; Gaudete Sunday is the Sunday of rejoicing, because the faithful have arrived at the midpoint of Advent, when their preparation is now half over and they are close to Christmas.

The progressive lighting of the candles symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into the world and the anticipation of his second coming to judge the living and the dead.

The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent. When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family.

Advent Penance Service Schedule

Monday, Nov. 28 at 7pm:  St. Vincent de Paul

Monday, Dec. 12 at 7pm:  St. Mary’s by the Sea

Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7pm:  St. Bonaventure

Tuesday, Dec. 13 at 7pm:  Holy Spirit

Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7pm:  Holy Spirit

Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7pm:  St. Joachim

Friday, Dec. 16 at 7pm:  Sts. Simon and Jude

Thursday, Dec. 22 at 7pm:  St. John the Baptist