The Order for the Blessing of an Advent Wreath

First Sunday of Advent

INTRODUCTION

928 The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the church as well as in the home. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent. The blessing may be celebrated during Mass (see complete edition, nos. 1517-1520), a celebration of the word of God, or Evening Prayer.

929 Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles. According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose. However, four violet or white candles may also be used.

930 The candles represent the four weeks of Advent and the number of candles lighted each week corresponds to the number of the current week of Advent. The rose candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday.

931 When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family; the shorter rite may appropriately be used for this purpose.

932 When the Advent Wreath is used in the home, the opening prayer of the Sunday Mass is recited when the candles are lighted. The lighting of the candles may be preceded or followed by an Advent hymn and a Scripture reading. The lighting of the Advent Wreath may fittingly be included as a part of the evening meal.

933 The Advent Wreath may be blessed by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister.



Source: Excerpted from the Shorter Book of Blessings (NY: Catholic Book Publishing Co., 1990). Approved for use in the United States by the USCCB and the Holy See. The Shorter Book of Blessings is an abbreviated version of the Book of Blessings, which translates the Roman Ritual De Benedictionibus.

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I. ORDER OF BLESSING OF THE WREATH WITHIN A CELEBRATION OF THE WORD OF GOD

934 The present order may be used by a priest or a deacon, and also by a layperson, who follows the rites and prayers designated for a lay minister.

INTRODUCTORY RITES

935 When the community has gathered, the minister says:

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

All make the sign of the cross and reply:

R. Amen.

937 A lay minister greets those present in the following words:

Let us praise God, who enlightens every heart, now and for ever.

R. Amen.

938 in the following or similar words, the minister prepares those present for the blessing.

My brothers and sisters, today we begin the season of Advent we open our hearts to God's love as we prepare to welcome Christ into our lives and homes. The candles of this wreath remind us that Jesus Christ came to conquer the darkness of sin and to lead us into the light of his glorious kingdom.

READING OF THE WORD OF GOD

939 A reader, another person present, or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture.

Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: 9:1-2, 5-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests.

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains. By judgment and justice, both now and forever.

940 Or:

Isaiah 63:16-17, 19; 64:2-7 -- You, Lord, are our redeemer.

Jeremiah 33:14-16 -- I will cause a good seed to spring forth from David.

1 John 1:5-7 -- God is light, walk in the light

Matthew 1:1 8-25 -- The birth of Jesus.

941 As circumstances suggest, one of the following responsorial psalms may be sung, or some other suitable song.

R. (v. 2) O Lord, our Lord, make us turn to you, and we shall be saved.

Psalm 80

O Shepherd of Israel, hearken,

O guide of the flock of Joseph! 

From your throne upon the cherubim, shine forth before Ephraim, Benjamin and Manasseh.    Response.

Once again, O Lord of hosts, look down from heaven, and see; Take care of this vine, and protect what your right hand has planted, the son of man whom you yourself made strong. Response.

May your help be with the man of your right hand, with the son of man whom you yourself made strong. 

Then we will no more withdraw from you; give us new life, and we will call upon your name. Response.

[or]

Psalm 8:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8-9

R. (v. 2) 0 Lord, our Lord, how great is your name over all the earth.

942 As circumstances suggest, the minister may give those present a brief explanation of the biblical text, so that they may understand through faith the meaning of the celebration.

INTERCESSIONS

943 The intercessions are then said. The minister introduces them and an assisting minister or one of those present announces the intentions. From the following those best suited to the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.

The minister says:

Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us pray that we may be always ready to welcome him.

R. Come, Lord Jesus.

Assisting minister:

That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God's love, we pray to the Lord. R.

Assisting minister:

That the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin, we pray to the Lord. R.

Assisting minister:

That this wreath may constantly remind us to prepare for the coming of Christ, we pray to the Lord.R.

Assisting minister:

That the Christmas season may fill us with peace and joy as we strive to follow the example of Jesus, we pray to the Lord. R.

944 After the intercessions the minister, in the following or similar words, invites all present to sing or say the Lord's Prayer.

With longing for the coming of God's kingdom, let us offer our prayer to the Father:

All:

Our Father ...

PRAYER OF BLESSING

945 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

Lord God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, 

who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin. Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath; may their light reflect the splendor of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

946 Or:

Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay.We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.

The first candle is lighted.

CONCLUDING RITE

948 A lay minister concludes the rite by signing himself or herself with the sign of the cross and saying:

May the light of Christ lead us to the joy of his kingdom, now and for ever.

R. Amen.

949 it is preferable to end the celebration with a suitable song.

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II ADVENT WREATH - SHORTER RITE

950 All make the sign of cross as the minister says:

Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All reply:

Who made heaven and earth.

951 One of those present or the minister reads a text of sacred Scripture, for example:

Brothers and sisters, listen to the words of the prophet Isaiah: 9:1-2, 5-6

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light.

The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Upon those who dwelt in the land of gloom a light has shone. You have brought them abundant joy and great rejoicing, As they rejoice before you as at the harvest, as men make merry when dividing spoils. For a child is born to us, a son is given us; upon his shoulder dominion rests. 

They name him Wonder-Counselor, God-Hero, Father-Forever, Prince of Peace. His dominion is vast and forever peaceful, From David's throne, and over his kingdom, which he confirms and sustains by judgment and justice, both now and forever.

952 A minister who is a priest or deacon says the prayer of blessing with hands outstretched; a lay minister says the prayer with hands joined.

Lord God, your Church joyfully awaits the coming of its Savior, who enlightens our hearts and dispels the darkness of ignorance and sin.Pour forth your blessings upon us as we light the candles of this wreath; may their light reflect the splendor of Christ, who is Lord, for ever and ever.

R. Amen.

953 Or:

Lord our God, we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ: he is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples, he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us, he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God, let your blessing come upon us as we light the candles of this wreath. May the wreath and its light be a sign of Christ's promise to bring us salvation. May he come quickly and not delay.We ask this through Christ our Lord.

R. Amen.