1st Sunday of Advent

Today (Sunday 28 November) marks the 1st Sunday of Advent.

There are five candles on the Advent wreath. Three are purple, and they are first lit on the first, second, and fourth Sundays of Advent. The rose coloured candle is lit on the third Sunday of Advent, which we call Gaudete Sunday.

On that Sunday, in addition to the rose candle, the priest wears rose coloured vestments.

Gaudete means “Rejoice!”.

The white candle is lit at the Christmas Day Mass.

God of Love, your son Jsus is your greatest gift to us. He is a sign of your love.

Help us walk in that love during the weeks of Advent as we wait and prepare for his coming.

We pray in the name of Jesus, our Saviour. Amen.

Image courtesy of our National Chaplain Fr. Barry Lomax from his parish church.