Advent

There is a lot to look forward to and enjoy during Advent: the decorations, the parties, the food, and most especially the time spent with family. To help center our faith in Jesus and the celebration of His birth, we recommend you spend some of that family time praying together.

The month leading up to Christmas is popularly known as the Christmas Season. But in a liturgical sense, the Christmas Season does not start until Christmas Day. The four weeks leading up to Christmas is known as Advent, a liturgical season focused on anticipating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Many of us light candle wreaths during the Advent season. Where did this tradition originate and how did it come to be such a long-standing part of our Catholic traditions? Well… There was a pastor named Johann Hinrich Wichern who, in the 1800s, kept being asked by his students when Christmas would arrive. To help […]

For centuries, the Advent tradition has encouraged faithful Catholics to find hope, peace, joy, and love through their preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth and His second coming. Of course, as our world has evolved, traditions have also evolved—and it can be hard to slow down and truly give ourselves over to the season. That’s where […]

For centuries, the Advent celebration has encouraged faithful Catholics to find hope, peace, joy, and love through their preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth and His second coming. Of course, as our world has evolved, traditions have also evolved—and it can be hard to slow down and truly give ourselves over to the season. That’s where […]

For centuries, the celebration of Advent has encouraged faithful Catholics to find hope, peace, joy, and love through their preparation for Jesus Christ’s birth and His second coming. Of course, as our world has evolved, traditions have also evolved — and it can be hard to slow down and truly give ourselves over to the […]

While its origins are unknown, reciting the St. Andrew Christmas Novena prayer has been a staple tradition within the Catholic Advent season for at least a century. As most faithful Catholics know, Jesus called St. Andrew first to become a disciple. So, it’s quite fitting that the Feast of St. Andrew, which occurs on Nov. […]

The Advent wreath may be one of the most prized and iconic Advent traditions, serving as a way to quietly reflect and measure the progression towards Christ’s birth since the Middle Ages. Of course, Advent wreaths are also an important element of holiday decor, adding beauty and seasonal spirit to our homes. Whether you’re looking […]

With each passing day we are coming closer and closer to the start of the Advent season. One of the best ways to celebrate Advent and prepare for Jesus’s birth is to read and reflect upon the story of Jesus with a Jesse Tree. Traditionally used in medieval times to help teach the Bible to […]

Advent is a special season for any Christian, and for many it’s the pinnacle of their Christmas celebrations. To help you appreciate Advent, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about Advent in this Advent 101 blog. Whether you’re new to Catholicism or not, we have the details you need. Advent 101: The Basics […]