During the season of Advent at St. Gregory’s, a number of ways are offered for preparing for the coming of the Saviour as we are called by the Church to pay special attention to prayer, fasting, confession, and almsgiving.
Weekday low masses will be offered at 7AM on St. Andrew’s day (Wednesday, November 30); on St. Nicholas’ day (Tuesday, December 6); on St. Lucy’s day (Tuesday, December 13); and on St. Thomas’ day (Wednesday, December 21).
At Vespers during the season of Advent, we sing the Advent Prose, a hymn (attributed to the 4th century poet Prudentius), based on verses from the book of Isaiah, which emphasize our repentance and longing for God’s salvation. The refrain is also used as the Versicle and Response at Vespers and in the Introit for the 4th Sunday of Advent: Drop down ye heavens from heaven, and let the skies pour down righteous; let the earth open and send forth a Savior.
The color of vestments for Advent is purple, indicating that this season is a penitential one as is Lent. But on the Third Sunday of Advent, “Gaudete Sunday”, the color rose is used to reflect the more joyful words of the Introit and Epistle of St. Paul to the Philippians: Rejoice in the Lord alway; and again I say, Rejoice.
Our annual para-liturgical service of Advent Lessons and Carols will be offered on Saturday, December 17, at 6PM in place of Vespers. You are encouraged to invite your friends and family to this opportunity to prepare for the celebration of Christmas with quiet reflection through readings of the prophecies about the coming of the Messiah and hymns of the season.
The Food for Hungry People collection begins in Advent and will continue until Epiphany (January 6). This annual collection of canned and packaged food will be distributed to the needy through a local food bank.
Vespers will be offered for the Novena (nine days) before Christmas beginning (in the English tradition) on Friday, December 16 at 6PM. The antiphons on the Magnificat at these services are called the Great “O” Antiphons, as each begins with the word “O”. They recall many of the titles given to our Lord Jesus Christ: O Wisdom; O Adonai; O Root of Jesse; O Key of David; O Dayspring; O King of nations; O Emmanuel; and the last one, O Virgin of virgins, is addressed to the Mother of God.
On Christmas Eve (Saturday, December 24), Vespers will be at 6PM, confessions will be heard beginning at 8PM, carols and other music will be offered at 8:45, and the first Mass of Christmas will begin at 9PM. A bountiful pot-luck dinner will follow! On Christmas Day, Matins will be at 9:30AM and Mass at 10.
Christ is born! Glorify Him!
Read the full December newsletter here.