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Advent is a season of joy and hope for all who follow Jesus Christ. It marks the beginning of a new Liturgical (Church) Year. Advent has a twofold character: it is a time of preparation for the Solemnities of Christmas, when we remember the First Coming of the Son of God to humanity, and it is also a time to look forward to Christ's Second Coming at the end of time.
During Advent, we open our hearts to Jesus in prayer and demonstrate our discipleship through our actions. We strive to care for others more, becoming more patient and understanding. Advent calls us to transform our lives and our hearts, making them more like Christ's.
The liturgical color for Advent is purple or royal blue, symbolizing a spirit of penance as we prepare, quiet, and discipline our hearts in anticipation of the full joy of Christmas. On the third Sunday of Advent, known as "Gaudete" Sunday (derived from the Latin word for "Rejoice" in the Entrance Antiphon), the liturgical color shifts to rose. This shift serves to heighten our sense of anticipation as we draw nearer to the Solemnity of Christmas.
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Invitation to Wednesday Night Advent Reflections
Wednesdays, beginning December 11, at 7:00 pm
St. Mary's Cathedral; 279 Johnson Street, Kingston
On 11 December we will begin our weekly Wednesday 7:00 pm spiritual reflections in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. I look forward to our time together. Throughout my priesthood and especially in the past several years, these moments of prayer and reflection together have been deeply rewarding for me.
At the end of last August, we completed our reflections on the Our Father and prayer in general. This coming year between Advent and September, I propose to reflect with you on the Beatitudes of St. Matthew’s Gospel Chapter 5 as well as a series of Psalms of the Old Testament which we pray each day at Mass. As usual we will also give time to the liturgical celebrations of Advent/Christmas and Lent/Easter as we pass through the year.
It is good to remember that there is no starting point or end point as in a series of lectures or an academic course. Though we refer to previous reflections, we repeat our thoughts frequently so that anyone can join at any stage or miss weeks without losing any necessary points or developments. I like to think of our reflections as one long continuous series of reflections on a mystery from countless starting points. All these reflections I pray will be beneficial for us at whatever time of life or stage of our spiritual pilgrimage. The Lord, in whose presence we will pray together will always provide the grace, consolation and strength that we need to make steady progress in our life of faith.
Archbishop Michael Mulhall
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CCCB Journey Through Advent Series 2024
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First Sunday of Advent
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Second Sunday of Advent
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Third Sunday of Advent
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Fourth Sunday of Advent
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Advent Stories from
Development and Peace
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"For this slight momentary affliction is preparing us for an eternal weight of glory beyond all measure, because we look not at what can be seen but at what cannot be seen; for what can be seen is temporary, but what cannot be seen is eternal."
2 Corinthians 4:17-18
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