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ADVENT
CHRISTMAS
EPIPHANY

Cavallini Nativity (1).jpeg

Pietro Cavallini, Nativity of Christ (1296-1300)

Mosaic in Basilica of Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome

CHRISTMAS SCHEDULE

2022-2023 

 

 

CHRISTMAS EVE

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 1 hour before Mass

Saturday, December 24

Sung Mass 5 pm 

Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament: 1 hour after Mass

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CHRISTMAS DAY

Sunday, December 25

Mass 10 am

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St. Stephen, Deacon and Martyr

Monday, December 26

Mass 9:30 am

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St. John, Apostle and Evangelist

Tuesday, December 27

Mass 9:30 am

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Holy Innocents

Wednesday, December 28

Holy Rosary 9 am; Mass 9:30 am

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THE HOLY NAME (Circumcision)

Sunday, January 1

Mass 10:00 am

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THE EPIPHANY

Friday, January 6

Mass 9:30 am

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First Sunday after the Epiphany:

The Baptism of OUR LORD

January 8

Mass 8 am, Mass 10 am

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ADVENT

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The Season of Advent begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day. It is a time of hopeful expectation during which we watch, wait, and prepare for the coming of Christ, both as the newborn infant in Bethlehem, and as our King and Judge on the Last Day.

 

The liturgical color of Advent is violet. On the Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete or "Rejoice" Sunday), it is lightened to rose.

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In the Church's tradition, we do our best to keep Advent distinct from the Christmas Season, which begins (and does not end) on December 25th with the Feast of the Nativity. The candles on the Advent Wreath mark the passage of time towards Christmas, but the Christmas decorations wait.

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CHRISTMAS

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In the contemporary calendar of the Western Church, the Christmas Season (the Christmas-Epiphany Season, to be more exact) lasts from December 25th until the First Sunday after the Epiphany (the Feast of the Baptism of Christ).

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Along the way, we celebrate the Lord's Birth on December 25th; the Feasts of St. Stephen, St. John, and the Holy Innocents on the three days following; the Naming and Circumcision of Jesus on January 1st; and the Epiphany (commemorating the Visit of the Magi to Bethlehem) on January 6th. The time is one of extended joy and celebration of the Light that has come into the world.

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THE SEASON AFTER THE EPIPHANY

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On the Monday after the First Sunday after the Epiphany, we return to Ordinary Time. The vestments revert to green. Nonetheless, following the Baptism of Christ, the Season's Sundays highlight moments of epiphany manifesting or revealing Jesus as the Son of God: such as the Wedding Feast of Cana, and other miracles, culminating in the Transfiguration of Christ on the Last Sunday after the Epiphany before Lent begins.

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