Liturgical season

Advent

A season of longing, watchfulness, and hopeful preparation for Christ's coming.

Season guide

Advent

A season of longing, watchfulness, and preparation for Christ's coming.

VioletRose

Tap to open this season

Season mindset

Hopeful waiting, watchfulness, conversion, and preparation for Christ's coming.

Advent is not simply pre-Christmas. It is a sacred season of longing and preparation in which the Church teaches us to wait with Mary, listen to the prophets, prepare the way of the Lord, and renew our hope in Christ's coming.

Key themes

HopeWaitingWatchfulnessProphecyMaryJohn the BaptistChrist's coming

What to do in this season

Pray with an Advent wreath and light candles weekly.
Read Isaiah and the Advent Gospels slowly.
Go to confession before Christmas.
Choose one act of charity each week.
Practice silence before Christmas busyness.
Pray the Angelus or a brief Marian prayer.
Prepare a Jesse Tree or simple family Advent calendar.
Pray the O Antiphons from December 17 to 23.
Set up the Nativity scene gradually.

Major days and customs

First Sunday of Advent
Immaculate Conception on December 8
Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, where celebrated
Gaudete Sunday
O Antiphons, December 17 to 23
Christmas Vigil

Special Masses and liturgies

Rorate Masses where offered
Parish Advent penance services
Lessons and Carols where practiced

Seasonal prayer suggestions

Angelus
O Antiphons
Come, Lord Jesus
Rosary with the Joyful Mysteries

Seasonal works of mercy

Visit the lonely
Donate to families in need
Reconcile with someone

Family and home ideas

Light the Advent wreath at dinner.
Name one way to prepare the heart, not just the house.
Choose one hidden act of kindness each week.

Daily Oratory connections

O Antiphons Mass Readings Reflections Confession Guide Rule of Life Builder Saint Companion Finder Prayer Intention Wall

Season note

Confirm holy day obligations, transfers, and parish Advent customs locally.

Season guide

Advent

A season of longing, watchfulness, and preparation for Christ's coming.

VioletRose

Season mindset

Hopeful waiting, watchfulness, conversion, and preparation for Christ's coming.

Key themes

HopeWaitingWatchfulnessProphecyMaryJohn the BaptistChrist's coming

What to do in this season

Pray with an Advent wreath and light candles weekly.
Read Isaiah and the Advent Gospels slowly.
Go to confession before Christmas.
Choose one act of charity each week.
Practice silence before Christmas busyness.
Pray the Angelus or a brief Marian prayer.
Prepare a Jesse Tree or simple family Advent calendar.
Pray the O Antiphons from December 17 to 23.
Set up the Nativity scene gradually.

Major days and customs

First Sunday of Advent
Immaculate Conception on December 8
Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12, where celebrated
Gaudete Sunday
O Antiphons, December 17 to 23
Christmas Vigil

Special Masses and liturgies

Rorate Masses where offered
Parish Advent penance services
Lessons and Carols where practiced

Seasonal prayer suggestions

Angelus
O Antiphons
Come, Lord Jesus
Rosary with the Joyful Mysteries

Seasonal works of mercy

Visit the lonely
Donate to families in need
Reconcile with someone

Family and home ideas

Light the Advent wreath at dinner.
Name one way to prepare the heart, not just the house.
Choose one hidden act of kindness each week.

Daily Oratory connections

O Antiphons Mass Readings Reflections Confession Guide Rule of Life Builder Saint Companion Finder Prayer Intention Wall

Season note

Confirm holy day obligations, transfers, and parish Advent customs locally.

O Antiphons

Final seven days of Advent

From December 17–23, pray the O Antiphons as a daily preparation for Christmas.

Begin the O Antiphons

Hopeful watchfulness

The Second Coming of Christ

Advent prepares the heart for Christ's coming in history, in grace, and in glory. Learn how the Church approaches the Second Coming with vigilance, peace, repentance, and hope rather than panic or speculation.

Learn About the Second Coming