Advent Resources

ADVENT (ad-venio in Latin, or "to come to") – the four Sundays and the weekdays preceding Dec. 25 – is a period to slow down and ponder the incarnation of God. The period is set aside to both remember Christ's first coming as a babe in Bethlehem and remind ourselves that we are awaiting His return.

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 to the anniversary of Our Lord’s birth on Christmas. From the earliest days of the Church, people have been fascinated by Jesus’ promise to come back. But the scripture readings during Advent tell us not to waste our time with predictions. Advent is not about speculation. Our Advent readings call us to be alert and ready, not weighted down and distracted by the cares of this world (Lk 21:34-36). Like Lent, the liturgical color for Advent is purple since both are seasons that prepare us for great feast days. Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas.

As we prepare for Christmas, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes some differences to the Mass that should be observed during the season. For instance, the priest wears violet or purple during Advent, except for the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday) when rose may be worn (GIRM, no. 346). Aside from what the priest wears, other aesthetic changes in the Church can include a more modestly decorated altar.

The final days of Advent, from December 17 to December 24, we focus on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord at Christmas. In particular, the "O" Antiphons are sung during this period and have been by the Church since at least the eighth century. They are a magnificent theology that uses ancient biblical imagery drawn from the messianic hopes of the Old Testament to proclaim the coming of Christ as the fulfillment not only of Old Testament hopes, but of present ones as well. (USCCB)

In this year of Our Lord 2025, Advent will start on Sunday, Nov. 30.

• First Sunday of Advent: Nov. 30
• Second Sunday of Advent: Dec. 7
• Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday): Dec. 14
• Fourth Sunday of Advent: Dec. 21

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 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 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. (USCCB)

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Join us on Friday, Dec. 12 at 6:30 pm in the Church and Parish Family Life Center as we come together to remember how Our Lady appeared to St. Juan Diego in 1531 on the hill of Tepeyac. Juan Diego, a humble peasant, witnessed several apparitions of Our Blessed Mother that became known as Our Lady of Guadalupe - his sign of proof was the miracle of the roses. Today, Our Lady of Guadalupe is recognised as the patroness of the Americas and a powerful symbol of hope and unity for many people. Our feast day celebration commemorates Our Lady through a prayer service, free dinner and a presentation of a play among other traditions.

• 6:30-6:50 pm: Evening Prayer in the Church
• 6:50-7:20 pm: Los Matachines and Ballet Folklorico Dancers Procession
• 7:25-8:30 pm: Dinner
• 8:30-8:50 pm: Our Lady of Guadalupe Play (presented by St. Clare Youth Ministry)
• 8:50-9:00 pm: Closing Prayer

The word consecration literally means "association with the sacred,” and as such it requires a much larger commitment than simply reciting a prayer off of a card.

To receive the full benefit of intercession from the Holy Family, one must cleanse the body, mind and soul.

The decision to consecrate your family needs to be intentional and a process through which you completely surrender to God through the Holy Family. You are accepting the truth that salvation history was changed forever by a family, and that through your domestic church, you are called to live their example.

For more information, please visit our Consecration to the Holy Family page.

The Sacrament of Penance and Reconciliation includes the following:

• Contrition: We identify our sins (through an examination of conscience), express sincere sorrow for our sins, and commit ourselves to not repeating them.
• Confession: We name the sins aloud to the priest.
• Absolution: We are set free (loosened) from our sins by the priest through the words of absolution.

We are invited to come to Reconciliation during this Advent season. Many of our local parishes will be offering Penance Services. Penance Services are communal in the sense that the faithful gather to acknowledge the effects of sin on the community and to celebrate the liturgy, but penitents don’t confess their sins collectively, nor do they receive a general absolution. Each person makes a private confession with a priest in the confessional during the service.

During the season of Advent, weekly confessions will not be held at St. Clare of Assisi on Thursdays as Father Vincent will be taking part in the Penance Services in the surrounding areas. However, you may still make a confession by appointment or by attending one of these local Penance Services.


This Lenten season, St. Clare of Assisi will be hosting a Lenten Penance Service at 7:00 pm, Tuesday, Dec. 16. For the other local Penance Services dates, all held at 7:00 pm, please see the below opportunities: