ADVENT 2013 CYCLE A

The Advent Season With this Advent season, the Church’s liturgical life moves into cycle A, which is the year of the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew’s Gospel begins with an unmistakable narrative about Jesus’ identity. Jesus is the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham, but, most importantly, the Son of God (8:29; 14:33). The Gospel concludes with another identifying statement with Jesus’ final words to His disciples, “I am with you always, even to the end of time.” (28:20b) Advent is a threefold season which celebrates the historical Jesus born over 2000 years ago, Christ’s presence with us today through the celebration of the sacraments, and the anticipation of Christ’s second coming. The Advent season is marked with a spirit of reconciliation, promise and hope. It is certainly a season of prayerful watch as we prepare ourselves to receive Christ in our lives. Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown. Therefore, this year, Advent begins on Sunday, December 1, 2013 and concludes on Tuesday, December 24, 2013. The Christmas season then continues on through Jan. 12, 2014, with the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord. RITUAL MASSES: When marriages are celebrated on one of the Sundays of Advent, the Mass of the day is used along with the nuptial blessing and final blessing. Funeral Masses are permitted on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception even though this year it falls on a Monday and is not obligatory however weddings and votive Masses may not be celebrated on this Solemnity. Ritual Masses may be celebrated on the other days of Advent. CHRISTMAS EVE MASSES: According to the Pastoral Manual, (section M-3-II-B-1), Anticipated Masses (also referred to as a Vigil Mass) may not begin any earlier than 4:00 pm. RITE FOR THE BLESSING OF A CHILD IN THE WOMB: The Advent/Christmas season would be an appropriate time to bless expectant mothers. The Rite for the blessing of a child in the womb can be found at the link below. It is given in both Spanish and English. http://usccb.org/about/pro-life-activities/prayers/upload/Rite-for-the-Blessing-of-a-Child-in-theWomb.pdf

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ADVENT 2013 CYCLE A

Advent Art and Environment The liturgical color of the Advent season is purple. It is a blue-purple which is in contrast to the redpurple used for Lent. Purple not only represents penance and fasting (Lent); it also expresses royalty as we welcome the Advent of our King. The use of purple during the Advent and Lenten seasons show the connection between Christ’s birth and death. The Incarnation can never be separated or isolated from Christ’s suffering and death. The color rose is introduced in the Third of Week of Advent, Gaudete Sunday (meaning to rejoice). The rose colored candle on the Advent Wreath is lit and the clergy may wear rose colored vestments. It marks a shift from the more solemn tone of the first two Sundays of Advent to a more joyous atmosphere of the nearness of Christ’s birth. In planning the church’s environment, it is a good practice to keep it simple and uncluttered. Oftentimes, this is the most challenging lesson for those who fashion the environment. Create a space that is quiet, peaceful and prayerful. This is a welcome change to the hectic and chaotic pace of the secular Christmas season. Advent is a season filled with anticipation and hope. Allow the season to unfold naturally. Be open to adding a little something each week as we move closer to the Christmas season. The Advent Wreath should be of substantial size in proportion to the space. It should, by no means, overpower the presence of the Altar. Here are some more suggestions for Advent art and environment: Icons of the voices of the season (i.e. Isaiah, Mary, John the Baptist or Elizabeth) could be displayed. Use imagery such as a burning candle that symbolizes waiting and longing. Elevate the candles at different heights so as to add dimension and interest. Use soft fabrics that give to gentle folds. Add simple sprigs of greenery as signs of hope and growth.

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Advent Wreath • ACCORDING TO THE INTRODUCTORY NOTES FROM CHAPTER 47 OF THE BOOK OF BLESSINGS 1509 The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent. The blessing may be celebrated during Mass, a celebration of the word of God, or Evening Prayer. 1510 Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles. According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose. However, four violet or white candles may also be used. 1511 The candles represent the four weeks of Advent and the number of candles lighted each week corresponds to the number of the current week of Advent. The rose candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday. 1512 If the Advent Wreath is to be used in church, it should be of sufficient size to be visible to the congregation. It may be suspended from the ceiling or placed on a stand. If it is placed in the presbyterium, it should not interfere with the celebration of the liturgy, nor should it obscure the altar, lectern, or chair. 1513 When the Advent Wreath is used in church, on the Second and succeeding Sundays of Advent the candles are lighted either before Mass begins or immediately before the opening prayer; no additional rites or prayers are used. 1514 When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family; the shorter rite may appropriately be used for this purpose. 1515 When the Advent Wreath is used in the home, the opening prayer of the Sunday Mass is recited when the candles are lighted. The lighting of the candles may be preceded or followed by an Advent hymn and a Scripture reading. The lighting of the Advent Wreath may fittingly be included as a part of the evening meal. 1516 The Advent Wreath may be blessed by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister. (taken from the Book of Blessings) Please consult chapter 47 of the Book of Blessings of an Advent Wreath.

• ACCORDING TO BUILT OF LIVING STONES (#128): Objects such as the Advent Wreath, the Christmas crib, and other traditional seasonal appointments proportioned to the size of the space and to the other furnishings can enhance the prayer and understanding of the parish community.

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ADVENT 2013 CYCLE A

Roman Missal Options GREETING: To help mark the distinct season, the presider may choose to switch to a different form. PENITENTIAL RITE: Although there are several invocations that may be used for the third form, there are several optional invocations found in Appendix VI in the back of the Missal. In that appendix, Option I may be most appropriate since it speaks of the past, present and future comings of Christ. Option II uses phrases such as “Mighty God and Prince of Peace,” “Son of Mary,” and “Word made flesh.” Option II may thus be a better choice for the Christmastime season. EUCHARISTIC PRAYER: Because of the very nature of the season of Advent, the presider may find the use of Eucharistic Prayer for Reconciliation II to be appropriate during the first part of the season since its focus in on the second coming of Christ and the establishment of God’s Kingdom. ACCLAMATIONS: The first and second acclamations for the Mystery of Faith both refer to Christ’s second coming. PREFACE: There are two seasonal Prefaces found in the Roman Missal. Preface I of Advent, which speaks of the two comings of Christ, is used from the First Sunday of Advent through December 16. Preface II of Advent, which describes the expectation of Christ’s coming and specifically mentions the nativity, is used in Masses of Advent from December 17-December 24. SOLEMN BLESSING: There is an option to use a Solemn Blessing that is specific to Advent. It can be found in the section entitled “Blessings at the End of Mass and Prayers Over the People,” which can be found immediately after the Order of the Mass in the Roman Missal. There is also the possibility of selecting one of the 26 choices for a Prayer over the People.

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Christmas and the Lectionary for Masses with Children Q. Should a reenactment of the Nativity story be included during a Christmas Mass? A. The directive given in the Introduction to the Lectionary for Masses with Children states: “The Mass is not an historical reenactment of the events of salvation history and care should be taken not to give the impression that the liturgy of the Word is a play. This is not to say that dramatic elements may not be used, e.g., the readings may at times be divided into parts distributed among the children (Directory for Masses with Children #47); however, the use of costumes, etc., is more appropriate in the context of other celebrations or services. Care should be taken especially at Christmas and during Holy Week and the Easter Triduum not to stage the various liturgies as plays. The Christmas Mass should not be presented as a birthday party for Jesus, nor should secular notions of Santa Claus be introduced into the Christmas liturgy. (Lectionary Masses for Children #52)

Q. May the parish offer early Masses on Christmas Eve for the children? A. According to the diocesan Pastoral Manual, (section M-3-II-B-1), anticipated Masses (also referred to as a Vigil Mass) may not begin any earlier than 4:00 pm. Q. Can the Lectionary for Masses with Children be used at the Children’s Christmas Mass? A. The readings from the Lectionary for Masses with Children may only be used when the Liturgy of the Word with the children is held in a place apart from the main assembly. Q. If the parish is offering a Children’s Liturgy of the Word in a separate place apart from the Church, which readings should be used? A. If this case, the readings from either the Mass of the vigil, at midnight, at dawn, or during the day may be used.

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ADVENT 2013 CYCLE

Music Advent is a season of preparation so that Christ may be birthed into our lives and into our world. As a result, it is important to keep in mind that music has to remain simple and should not anticipate the full joy of Christmas. Just as the sacred space builds by adding a little something each week as the Church moves closer to Christmas, so too can its music. As Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship reminds us, “At other times, the liturgical season calls for a certain restraint. In Advent, for example, musical instruments should be used with moderation and should not anticipate the full joy of the Nativity of the Lord.” (114) This restraint does not have a penitential character as is the case during Lent, but rather a “fasting” character that holds us back until it is time for full celebration. It is important to understand that the Advent season does not imply the elimination of instruments, but rather the use of them in moderation. For example, in the case of the organ, you can simplify the registrations and perhaps bring out more strings. Familiar hymns can be sung a capella. In the case of contemporary ensembles, find ways to considerably soften instruments, or consider using acoustic instruments and hand drums or no drums. In general, find ways to give the music a lighter feel. When planning music, always look to the Scripture readings. Liturgical music should take on the overtones of the readings. On the first two Sundays of Advent, the songs should focus on the risen Christ returning in glory at the end of time, since this is the focus of the readings during the first two weeks. However, during the final two weeks of Advent, the songs should focus on the coming of the newborn Jesus, in accordance with the readings. The Gloria The Gloria is omitted during Advent, except on the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary and on the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe. Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship reminds us: “The Gloria is a very ancient and venerable hymn in which the Church, gathered together in the Holy Spirit, glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb. The text of this hymn may not be replaced by any other text…It is sung or said on Sundays outside the Season of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character.” (148) Weddings Weddings that take place during Advent should maintain the integrity of the season. When assisting couples in the preparation of the wedding liturgy, music ministers should introduce them to advent hymns and carols, and encourage their use in the celebration.

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ADVENT 2013 CYCLE A The Blessed Virgin Mary The Church honors Mary throughout the year but in an exemplary way during the Advent season for her role in the Incarnation. IMMACULATE CONCEPTION, Patroness of the United States: The solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary is celebrated on December 8. In 1854, Pope Pius IX's solemn declaration, Ineffabilis Deus, clarified with finality the long-held belief of the Church that Mary was conceived free from original sin. Since December 8, 2013, is the Second Sunday of Advent, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is transferred to Monday, December 9, 2013. The obligation to attend Mass, however, does not transfer. The Optional Memorial of Saint Juan Diego Cuauhtlatoatzin, December 9, is omitted this year. St. Mary Cathedral, Austin, Tx. Photograph by Joan Wadino

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE, Patroness of the Americas : The date assigned in the liturgical calendar for the celebration of the Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is December 12. Being the Patroness of the Americas, this is a wonderful time to remind the community of the importance of the sanctity of life. Below is a prayer from the USCCB Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities: “Virgin of Guadalupe, Patroness of unborn children, we implore your intercession for every child at risk of abortion. Help expectant parents to welcome from God the priceless gift of their child’s life. Console parents who have lost that gift through abortion, and lead them to forgiveness and healing through the Divine Mercy of your Son. Teach us to cherish and to care for family and friends until God calls them home. Help us never to see others as burdens. Guide our public officials to defend each and every human life through just laws. Inspire us all to bring our faith into public life, to speak for those who have no voice. We ask this in the name of your Son, Jesus Christ, who is Love and Mercy itself. Amen.”

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