What is Advent?

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

Advent is a season of devout and joyful expectation. The first part of Advent looks forward to the parousia, the Lord’s glorious return at the end of time and reflects on his presence among us today. The second part – from December 17th to 24th  – is a direct preparation for Christmas the yearly commemoration of Jesus’ coming among us in human flesh.

Here’s the calendar for Advent penitential services and Christmas Mass times at parishes thoughout the Archdiocese of Edmonton:

  • Advent Penitential Services are now completed.

  • Christmas Mass Times

  • Event Calendar

For further schedule info, contact: Sophie.Chlebek@caedm.ca

Resources

The Advent Episode with Archbishop Smith

What have we forgotten about Advent? Join Archbishop Smith as he shares about Advent as a season of penitence, the purpose of the liturgical year vs. the secular year, Advent as a season of being shook out of our apathy and the irregularity of the fourth Sunday of Advent being the same day as Christmas Eve this year.

Why is Advent Purple?

Wondering why clergy wears different colours throughout the liturgical year? Here\’s why:

More Advent-related episodes:

CCCB Journey through Advent – Video Series to Introduce and Reflect on the Season

Designed to help the faithful prepare for the memorial of the birth of Our Lord celebrated at Christmas, these videos provide valuable resources and opportunities for faith formation: https://www.cccb.ca/evangelization-catechesis-catholic-education/video-resources/journey-through-advent/

The videos will be uploaded one at a time on a weekly basis throughout Advent and will be available on the CCCB website each Monday in advance of the upcoming Sunday Eucharistic Celebration. There are several ways to stay informed of these weekly updates:

  • Bookmark the home page of the CCCB website cccb.ca
  • Subscribe to the CCCB’s e-mail news service cccb.ca/news/subscribe
  • Subscribe to the CCCB’s YouTube channel CCCB_CECC – YouTube
  • Follow the CCCB on Twitter/X: twitter.com/CCCB_CECC
  • Subscribe to the newsletter of the CCCB Office for Evangelization and Catechesis. ‘Encounter’, by visiting cccb.ca/oec/encounter

Resources For Meditation to Deepen Your Advent Prayer

The Three Comings of the Lord: A Meditation for Personal or Parish-Wide Reflection

A simple Advent reflection by Doctor of the Church, St. Bernard of Clairvaux:

St. Bernard of Clairvaux says there are three comings [of Christ]: Advent prepares not just for the first coming of Christ to Israel, or even the second at the end of time.  There is a third coming between these two in which Jesus comes in spirit and power for our rest and consolation.

For more in-depth meditations by St. Bernard for Advent:

The Word Became Flesh: A week-by-week Advent reflection guide

In this new book from Word on Fire, readers are offered a week-by-week guide through these sacred seasons with a series of reflections on the Messiah, the Annunciation, the Incarnation, the Journey to Bethlehem, the Nativity, and the Holy Family.

Featuring key passages from Scripture, extended readings from Bishop Robert Barron, and hymns, poetry, prayers, and additional reflections from across two thousand years of Catholic tradition,

The Word Became Flesh is a perfect companion guide for parishes, families, and individuals longing for a deeper encounter with Christ during Advent and Christmas.

books.wordonfire.org/thewordbecameflesh

Has your parish signed up for Flocknote? They have an entire library of pre-made Advent resources for your parish!

Flocknote is a communications platform for parishes that makes it easy to send out email and text campaigns.

They have a library of pre-designed Advent resources and teaching materials that you can customize for your parish and send out to your whole parish community, with just a click of a button.

See the Advent resources in the Library area of your parish Flocknote admin panel: