Advent

“Advent is a continuous call to hope: it reminds us that God is present in history to lead it to its ultimate goal, to lead it to its fullness, which is the Lord, the Lord Jesus Christ." - Pope Leo XIV

Advent, the four-week period leading up to Christmas, is a season filled with anticipation. The word Advent comes from "ad-venire" in Latin, meaning "to come to." It is a time to look forward in hope to the second coming of Jesus in his glory, a time of preparation for the celebration of Our Lord’s birth, and a time to celebrate the ways in which the Lord comes into our lives every day.

Advent begins with First Vespers (Evening Prayer 1) on the Sunday closest to November 30. In 2026, the first Sunday of Advent is November 29.

The color for the Advent season is purple, signifying that, just as with Lent, it is a time of heightened prayer, penance, and preparation so that we may be truly ready for the Lord's coming. However, on the Third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, the color of priests' vestments changes to rose. Gaudete is taken from the first word of the Latin Entrance Antiphon for this day, meaning "rejoice." It is the Church's way of noting that the time for the celebration of the Solemnity of the Nativity of the Lord is drawing near.

Advent is often celebrated with the lighting of an Advent wreath, composed of one rose and three purple candles. Candles are lit progressively each week, with the rose candle lit on the third Sunday.