The Season of Advent is the time of year in which we prepare to celebrate the Birth of Christ at Christmas. It begins four Sundays before Christmas Day. The name Advent comes from the Latin word Adventus, which means coming. It is at this time of the year, when we await celebrating Christ's First Coming, that we are reminded of Christ's Second Coming, which is yet to happen.

Advent is a penitential season, and as such:

  • Purple vestments and paraments are used,
  • Asperges is not done, and
  • We refrain from singing the Gloria in excelsis Deo.

A new candle is lit each Sunday on the Advent Wealth. Each candle represents:

  1. Hope,
  2. Peace,
  3. Joy (rose), and
  4. Love.

The final candle, which is white, is not lit until Christmas Eve.

Sundays and other Special Days during Advent