Advent is, along with Lent, one of the liturgical periods of great spiritual intensity for Christians.
Advent, meaning “arrival”, is a preparation for Christmas. It is the first stage of the liturgical cycle and lasts four weeks. It is traditional that in every Christian community a longer period of time like this is dedicated to prayer. For example, in the Vatican itself, every Friday, the preacher of the Papal Household offers a meditation addressed to the Pope and the officials of the Curia.
RANIERO CANTALAMESSA
Preacher of the Papal Household
The long-awaited Messiah, the one announced by the prophets, promised by the psalms, would he then be that man of such humbleappearances?
Every period of spiritual preparation in the Catholic Church is usually accompanied by fasting, almsgiving and penitence. That is why purple, a penitential color, is used in almost all liturgical celebrations. In Advent, there is only one Mass in which pink is used: Gaudete Sunday.
POPE FRANCIS
Let us celebrate today the third Sunday of Advent.
The pink color is the result of mixing the purple of penitence with white for the joy of Christ arrival.
In addition, in some countries there are particular traditions such as Advent wreaths or calendars. In Italy, on that same Gaudete Sunday, the Pope usually blesses the so-called “bambinelli” - the little figures of the baby Jesus that families will place in the manger of their homes.
BAM
TR: GS
