Memo for Advent

3 December 2007

To: All lay and ordained liturgical ministries

Re: Advent Liturgical Celebrations

“Advent has a twofold character: as a season to prepare for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered; as a season when that remembrance directs the mind and heart to await Christ's Second Coming at the end of time. Advent is thus a period for devout and joyful expectation” (General Norms for the Liturgical Year and Calendar, 39)

Advent is the season to prepare for the Second Coming of the Lord by preparing to remember and celebrate his first coming. It is a special season with its own character and thus we should celebrate it according to its nature.

FLOW OF THE CELEBRATION

• 5 minutes before the start of the Mass: reminder to participate/behave
• At the immediate start of the Mass: the common recitation of the Vision-Mission
• The commentator will greet the people and ask the people to stand and recite the Vision Mission projected on the screen
• The visual aid ministry must flash the VM statement.
• Start of the celebration: after the VM recitation, commentator says “Today we are /celebrate… as we begin our celebration” which is the signal for the start of the Entrance Rite.
• Entrance + Greeting + Introduction by the Presider (as usual)
• Lighting of the Advent Wreath:
• The presider says the words that explain the lighting.
• The family lights the candle after the presider has finished speaking.
• The choir leads the people in singing the first verse of “Pasko ng Paglaya” while the family does the lighting.
• Penitential Rite (as usual)
• No Gloria (except on 8 December for Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception)
• Opening Prayer to End of Mass (as usual)

Music

Since Advent is a special season, songs commonly used for Ordinary Time should not be sung at the entrance and for communion. Again, a reminder to sing the liturgy not just to sing in the liturgy.

Environment

The bluish shade of violet is used for the Season of Advent. Christmas decorations should not be set up yet until before the eve of Christmas (24 December).