Dear Parishioners:
I hope you got one of the beautiful Parish Calendars last weekend. We are grateful to Mr. John Skeffington of the Hill Skeffington Funeral Home for once again generously sponsoring the calendar. I hope your calendar is hanging in your home.
You may also wish to clip out the Christmas Mass schedule from this week's bulletin. Our Christmas celebration begins on Monday, December 22, with Advent Confessions. There will be six priests, including a few Friars from Providence College, available for Confession from 6:00 pm until 8:00 pm. A great way to prepare for Christmas, and the best gift you'll receive is God's mercy, forgiveness, and grace.
Our Christmas Mass schedule begins with the Vigil Mass at 4:00 pm on Christmas Eve. It's typically very crowded, so arrive early! At Midnight, we celebrate the Mass of Christmas Night. Both the Vigil and the Midnight Mass are preceded by a concert of Christmas Carols by our Children's and Adult Choirs. On Christmas Day, there are Masses at 7:30 am and 10:30 am. Please note there is no 9:00 am Mass on Christmas Day.
Advent is moving swiftly this year, as we had a late start on November 30. On Wednesday, December 17, we move into what is called. "Late Advent." This marks the beginning of the final days of the Advent season, through December 24. This period marks a shift in focus, intensifying the preparation for the celebration of the Nativity of the Lord.
While the earlier part of Advent, from the First Sunday of Advent to December 16, reflects on both the First Coming of Christ and His Second Coming at the end of time, the late Advent weekdays concentrate more directly on preparing for the immediate celebration of Jesus' birth.
Late Advent is notably marked by the singing or recitation of the ancient "O Antiphons" during Vespers each day. Father Brodeur's column this week contains an excellent explanation of the "O Antiphons."
In some cultures, specific devotions are practiced during Late Advent. In Mexico and other Latin American countries, the tradition of Las Posadas is practiced. It was brought to Mexico from Spain in the 1500s by Catholic Missionaries. Las Posadas recalls Mary and Joseph's difficult journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem in search of a place for the Christ Child to be born. In Spanish, the word means lodging.
The Posadas begin on December 16 and continue for nine evenings, culminating with the Posada on December 24 at Midnight. The Posada begins with the recitation of the Holy Rosary. The group then proceeds from the church to the local neighborhood. The Posada is led by a small group carrying a manger scene. Some are quite elaborate and feature a live donkey and parishioners dressed as Mary and Joseph.
Families in the neighborhood have already been selected to participate in the Posada. The participants process in the neighborhood, stopping to stand before the door of pre-selected homes. They sing a Spanish song requesting entry. A small group inside the home tells them that there is no room. At the final home of the night, they share a meal, and then end with the smashing of a piñata.
The seven corners of the piñata represent the Seven Deadly Sins. The beating of the piñata symbolizes the mortification and penance that Christians practice to overcome personal sin. The candy within the piñata characterizes the sweetness of God's grace made available to us through the birth of Jesus.
In the Philippines, they celebrate Simbang Gabi, which is Tagalog (Filipino) for "Night Mass" from December 16 to 24. The Masses are celebrated from 2:30 am to 5:00 am each night. Originally intended as a practical compromise for farmers who began working in the fields before sunrise, this traditional Advent Devotion remains widely practiced.
We don't have such wonderful Advent customs and traditions in the United States. They teach lessons of faith and hospitality. As we enter Late Advent, you and your family might take up a devotion of your own, such as attending Daily Mass, praying the Rosary, or lighting the Advent Wreath with prayer and song. Perhaps invite friends and neighbors to join you.
Late Advent reminds us that Christmas is coming. Prepare the way! Be well. Do good. God Bless. Go Pats!