Season of Advent
Advent is the four-week season before Christmas during which we prepare for the coming of Christ. The word Advent comes from the Latin word adventus, which means “coming”. The season of Advent is a time of waiting, conversion and of hope, which has a twofold character as:
- A time of preparation for the Solemnities of the Christmas season, in which the first coming of the Son of God to humanity is remembered; and,
- A time when – by remembrance of this – our minds and hearts look forward to the Second Coming of Christ at the end of time.
For these two reasons, Advent is a period of devout and expectant delight.
Our digital Advent calendar is a helpful resource for our ‘journey’ towards Christmas. Each day, by clicking on a virtual door, we are inviting you to take a few minutes to avail of our resources to rediscover the true meaning of Advent and Christmas.
A video message from Darren Butler, Irish Bishops Drugs Initiative
Advent Prayers
Our Prayer Intentions for the Day to Pray Together as a Family
That people, who are involved in the service and transmission of faith, may find, in their dialogue with culture, a language suited to the conditions of the present time.
Christmas Crib Prayer
Filled with wonder at the nearness of our God in
Mary’s newborn child, may we now offer him our
praise, worship and thanksgiving and give him
the love and loyalty of our hearts. Amen.
Source: The Veritas Book of Blessing Prayers
Prayer for Vocations
Send them as laborers for Your harvest. Inspire the faithful to support them with prayer and sacrifice. Raise up holy families who foster openness to Your call. We ask this through Christ, Our Lord.
Kids’ Corner!
Each day of Advent you will find fun activities for children to enjoy and learn more about the Season of Advent! Print out this Christmas scene and colour it in however you like!
To print: click on the image below to open a new page, then select “print” to print out the page for colouring.