3. Is Advent a Penitential Season?

We often think of Advent as a penitential season because the liturgical color for Advent is violet, like the color of Lent, which is a penitential season. However, in reality, Advent is not a penitential season. Surprise! According to the Code of Canon Law (No. 1250): “The penitential days and times in the universal Church are every Friday of the whole year and the season of Lent.”

Although local authorities can establish additional penitential days, this is a complete listing of the penitential days and times of the Latin Church as a whole, and Advent is not one of them.

4. When Does Advent Begin and End?

According to the General Norms (No. 40):

“Advent begins with Evening Prayer I of the Sunday falling on or closest to 30 November and ends before evening prayer I of Christmas.”

The Sunday on or closest to Nov. 30 can range between Nov. 27 and Dec. 3, depending on the year. In the case of a Sunday, Evening Prayer I is said on the evening of the preceding day (Saturday). According to the General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours:

“Evening prayer, celebrated immediately before Mass, is joined to it in the same way as morning prayer. Evening prayer I of solemnities, Sundays, or feasts of the Lord falling on Sundays may not be celebrated until after Mass of the preceding day or Saturday. “

This means that Advent begins on the evening of a Saturday falling between Nov. 26 and Dec. 2 (inclusive), and it ends on the evening of Dec. 24, which holds Evening Prayer I of Christmas (Dec. 25).

To be continued…