What is Advent?
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.
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:
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:
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- Purgatory, Indulgences and Praying for the Dead
Audio: buzzsprout.com/1983534/episodes/14044609 - How to Avoid a Shallow Advent
Audio: buzzsprout.com/1983534/episodes/11776587
- Purgatory, Indulgences and Praying for the Dead
What are your Obligations?
Catholics are obliged to attend Holy Mass on Christmas and the Solemnity of Mary the Mother of God. When Christmas falls on a day other than Sunday, attaend a separate Mass to fulfill the ordinary Sunday obligation, The table below provides specifics for this year:
CCCB Journey through Advent 2024 – 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.
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 (25 November, 2 December, 9 December and 16 December). 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
Journey Through Advent 2024 (EN – PDF) Cheminer Ensemble Durant Le Temps De L’Avent (FR – PDF)
First Sunday of Advent 2024
Second Sunday of Advent 2024
Third Sunday of Advent 2024
Fourth Sunday of Advent 2024
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:
- Advent Webinar
- Library Module & Premade Templates
- Hosting a Signup Sunday
- Resources for your Sign-up Sunday
- Essential Tips for Christmas
Is your parish running an advent event or retreat that will be open to an audience beyond your parish?
If you would like your event featured on our Archdiocesan website calendar, please submit your event (with a graphic) here.