The Liturgical Year

- Advent“In Christianity time has a fundamental importance.”

(On the Coming of the Third Millennium-Tertio Millennio Adveniente)

Catechesis for recognizing God’s presence in time, for

keeping time holy, and for the exteriorization of the liturgical

year is directed to every Christian. (NDC p. 147)

The liturgical year exerts “a special sacramental power and influence which strengthens

Christian life.(NDC p. 146)

Religious customs and traditions of the diverse

cultural and ethnic heritages of peoples who make up the Catholic Church also are

reflected thought the liturgical year. (NDC p. 148)

Historical Points Early Christians – Sunday (original and

primary fast day) First Christians brought with them their

own cultures and celebrations Jewish and Gentile (Roman) What was compatible with their new faith?

Incompatible? Became like “Stew”- many ingredients

Liturgical Year – Seasons Christmas Season

Incarnation Eastern Churches – Baptism of the Lord – Thespian

Lenten Season Deepen baptismal commitment - conversion Penitential season – fasting prayer and almsgiving 40 days of Jesus in the desert (catechumens)

Easter Season (Triduum) Pascal Mystery – passion, death and resurrection Fifty days to Pentecost

Ordinary Time Christmas to Lent Pentecost to the Feast of Christ the King – different aspects for immersing into

the mystery of Christ

Advent

Historical Perspective 6th c Rome – a time of preparation Gregory the Great – Incarnation of Christ –

historical marker for the beginning of salvation.

In Gaul – focus primarily eschatological (penance and final judgment)

General Norms for the Liturgical Year – both history and eschatology be held in tension.

Advent Themes Songs – Music Light – Darkness Color – Purple (blue), Pink (white) Symbols Rituals Special Biblical Stories Special Prayers

All are inter-related to nurture spiritual understanding, meaning, depth, engagement and for on-going conversion.

“The season of Advent has a twofold character. It is a time of preparation for Christ when the

first coming of God’s Son to men is recalled. It is also a season when

minds are directed by this memorial to Christ's second

coming at the end of time. It us thus a

SEASON OF JOYFUL EXPECTIOAN: (GNLY, 39)

How are Christians to enter into the Season of Advent?

Advent Spirituality(renewal)

History (past) ----Present (today) ----Future (eschatology)

Theological Advents of Christ (Martin Connell)

All sorts of “comings” in the scriptures –AnnunciationWedding at CanaRoad to Emmaus

People are transformed as Jesus is revealed in a new way

These are called “little advents” – little comings of Christ!

Think about your“little advents”

(coming of Christ in your everyday life!)

All sacraments are visible outward sings of the presence

of Christ working in community.

Non-liturgical advents take place in the kindness of

stranger, the generosity of a friend, or the support of a

loved one.

Moments of ‘grace’ – signs of Christ present

breaking into our lives!

New Meaning of Advent Recognizing Reflecting Celebrating

Present Advents

“But Advent means that every person and every Christian is

and should be an advent person- not just in this part of the church year, but also in his

or her entire life.

“This means being a person who cooperatively enacts the

one and final movement of the world and history toward God’s arrival in it in freedom, in faith,

hope, and love.” (Karl Rahner p.7)

Advent Spirituality – Preaching

Awareness of the Spirit – The Christ that is alive and

within us today!

Christ is always present in his Church, especially in liturgical

celebrations!

(Constitution on the Sacred LiturgySecond Vatican Council #7)

Holy Waiting!(Alexander)

A call to engage one’s vocation, one’s relationships,

one’s hope, one’s life in God, in an active presence, a ‘holy

waiting’.

What does “holy waiting” look like in the liturgical life?

Your life?

Prepare the way of the Lord and make straight his paths.” (Mark 1:3)

The Role/Place of the Liturgy of the Hours

Biblical, traditional and objective form of prayer in the Church

Liturgy of the Hours True and efficacious encounter Hearts remain open to respond Unending divine call echoing through

the ages in the rites of the Church. Advent Liturgy of the Hours – bridge

the past, present and future

Liturgy of the Hours – Advent – Synergistic – (Three Major

Themes) Time

Setting time aside for reflection Understanding Mystagogia

Light Lucernarium (evening prayer) – Festival of light A new candle on the Advent Wreath

Eschatology Vespers speaks directly to the future Christ present “God-with-us” – yet coming1

Journey - Pilgrimage

Grounding in

HOPE!

Recognizing Christ in One Another

Advent can transform the body of Christ into a living, acting,

and awaiting society!

How?

Challenge is‘steering hearts and minds

away from the commercialism of Christmas

and intoa mode of presently

actively waiting!

Leave people with thekeen consciousness that the

Advent of Christis

happening now, to us, andthat through us it is

going to others if happens at all.

ADVENT SPIRITUALITY!

Making My WayThrough Advent

With Good Deeds

New Translation of theRoman Missal