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Advent and Christmas Guidelines 2012

Next to the yearly celebration of the Paschal Mystery, the Church holds most sacred the commemoration of Christ’s birth and first manifestations.  This is the purpose of the Christmas Season.

The Season of Advent, the preparation for this commemoration, has a two-fold character: it is a time to prepare for Christmas, when Christ’s First Coming is remembered; it is a time when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ’s Second Coming in the last days.  In this way, Advent is a period of devout and joyful expectation (Ceremonial of Bishops 234-235).   

THE CELEBRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS AND THE RITES 

The Sacrament of Penance

During Advent the faithful should be encouraged to participate in the Sacrament of Penance in preparation for Christmas.  The Rite of Penance provides examples for the use of Form 2 of this sacrament in Communal celebrations.  A Penitential celebration should be scheduled during the season for the benefit of the faithful.

Funerals during the Season of Advent

Good liturgical practice would suggest reflecting the liturgical season in the choice of music and scripture.  The Season of Advent may also reflect a change in the color of vesture and employ the option to use violet (OCF 39). 

Marriages during the Seasons of Advent and Christmas

No prohibitions are prescribed which limit the celebration of the Sacrament of Marriage during the Advent and Christmas Seasons.  The Sundays and Solemnities of the Seasons would restrict the use of the Nuptial Mass and readings.   (RM 11)

ADVENT AND THE WORSHIP ENVIRONMENT

During Advent, the playing of the organ and other musical instruments as well as the floral decoration of the altar should be marked with a moderation that reflects the character of this season, but does not anticipate the full joy of Christmas itself (CB 236).

The wreath, or other Advent symbol, may be placed in the narthex or gathering area. Chapter 47 of The Book of Blessings contains a Rite to be used on the First Sunday of Advent if the wreath is to be blessed. 

The color of the Season of Advent is violet.  In order to distinguish between this season and the season of Lent, the bluer hues of violet may be used.  Light blue vestments are not authorized for use in the United States.  Rose colored vesture may be worn on the Third Sunday of Advent.

CHRISTMAS AND THE WORSHIP ENVIRONMENT

The color of the Season of Christmas is white.  Gold vesture also may be used in place of white.

“If the manger is set up in the Church, it must not be placed in the presbyterium.  A place should be chosen that is suitable for prayer and devotion and is easily accessible to the faithful (BB544)   A Blessing for a Christmas manger or nativity Scene is found in Chapter 48 of the Book of Blessings. 

PARTICULAR LITURGIES DURING THE SEASONS OF ADVENT AND CHRISTMAS

First Sunday of Advent, December 2, 2012

A Blessing for an Advent wreath is found in the Book of Blessings, Chapter 47

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, Saturday, December 8, 2012

The Patronal Feast of the Church in the United States of America, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception Is observed as a Holy Day of Obligation in 2012

Second Sunday of Advent, December 9, 2012

Third Sunday of Advent, December 16, 2012

Fourth Sunday of Advent, December 23, 2012

The Blessing of Images of the Infant Jesus (A custom of Pope Benedict XVI) on the 4^th Sunday of Advent is an adaptation of Chapter 36 of the Book of Blessings:  Order for the Blessing of an Image of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Christmas Eve and Christmas Day, December 24 and 25, 2012

Masses for the Vigil of Christmas may not begin before 4:00 pm as mandated by Provincial Policy.

Masses for Christmas for the traditional sequence:  Vigil Mass, Mass during the Night, Mass at Dawn and Mass during the Day.  Please refer to the Ordo for pastoral notes regarding the use of readings.

The Gospel Reading at all Masses is to be proclaimed by either a deacon or a priest.  With the exception of the reading/chanting of the Lord's Passion which occurs on Passion Sunday and Good Friday, which contain several options employing the use of multiple readers, it is not permitted to have the Gospel (of the Nativity) proclaimed with multiple readers and /or voices. (GIRM #109)

The text of the Nativity of our Lord Jesus Christ is found in Appendix I of the Roman Missal. It may be chanted during the celebration of the Liturgy of the Hours or before the celebration of Christmas Mass during the Night.

The Feast of the Holy Family, Sunday, December 30, 2012

The Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God:  Tuesday, January 1, 2013.

The Solemnity of Mary the Holy Mother of God is observed as a Holy Day of Obligation.

The Solemnity of the Epiphany of the Lord: Sunday, January 6, 2013

The text of the Announcement of Easter and the Moveable Feasts is found in Appendix I of the Roman Missal.  This may be sung following the proclamation of the Gospel by a deacon or cantor.

There is to be a suitable and increased display of lights on this day (CB2 40).

The Feast of the Baptism of the Lord:  Sunday, January, 13, 2013

The Baptism of Infants is appropriate to the Celebration of Mass on this day.

A Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water may replace the usual Penitential Act.  It is also appropriate to use either the Apostles’ Creed or the Renewal of Baptismal Promises in the Liturgy of this day. 

Ordinary Time begins on Monday, January 14.

The Feast of the Presentation of the Lord:  Saturday, February 2, 2013

The blessing of candles and the traditional procession are a part of this Liturgy which brought the Christmas Season to a conclusion in the old calendar. 

BEYOND THE DAYS OF CHRISTMAS

Holy Days to be observed in the United States in 2013

          With the Obligation to Participate in Mass:

Solemnity of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary:

 Thursday, August 15, 2013

Solemnity of All Saints, Friday:

Friday, November 1, 2013

Solemnity of the Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ:

Wednesday, December 25, 2013

          Without the Obligation to Participate in Mass:

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception:

This Solemnity, because it falls on the Second Sunday of Advent, is transferred to Monday, December 9.  The obligation to attend Mass does not transfer with it.

REFERENCE ABBREVIATIONS 

CB                           Ceremonial of Bishops
GIRM                       General Instruction to the Roman Missal
OCF                         Order of Christian Funerals
OM                         Order of Mass
RCIA                        Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults
RM                          Rite of Marriage
RP                           Rite of Penance