| DIES | 30 Sun | 01 Mon | 02 Tue | 03 Wed | 04 Thu | 05 Fri | 06 Sat | 07 Sun |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Officium | Dominica I Adventus | S. Andreæ Apostoli | S. Bibianæ Virginis et Martyris | S. Francisci Xaverii Confessoris | S. Petri Chrysologi Episcopi Confessoris et Ecclesiæ Doctoris | Feria VI infra Hebdomadam I Adventus | St Nicolai Myrensis Episcopi et Confessoris | Dominica II Adventus |
| Classis | Dominica I. classis | Duplex II | SemiDuplex | Duplex Majus | Duplex | Feria Major | Duplex | Dominica I. classis |
| Color* | Purpura | Rubeum | Rubeum | Albus | Albus | Purpura | Albus | Purpura |
| Missa | Ad te levávi | Mihi autem | Me exspectavérunt | Loquébar | In médio | Ad te levávi | In virtúte | Pópulus Sion |
| Orationes | 2a. de S. Maria 3a. Contra persecutores Ecclesiæ | 2a. Feria II, I Adventus | 2a. Feria III, I Adventus | 2a. Feria IV, I Adventus | 2a. Feria V, I Adventus 3a. S. Barbaræ Virginis et Martyris | 2a. S. Sabbæ Abbatis 3a. de S. Maria | 2a. Sabbato, I Adventus | 2a. Vigiliæ Immaculatæ Conceptionis3a. S. Ambrosii Mediolanensis |
| Notae | no Gl. Cr. Pref. de sanctissima Trinitate | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Apostolis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Cr. Pref. de Communis | no All. no Gl. Pref. de Communis | Gl. Pref. de Communis | no Gl. Cr. Pref. de sanctissima Trinitate |
| Nota Bene/Vel/Votiva |
Sunday, 30 November – First Sunday of Advent (Dominica I. classis) Advent dawns not with sentimentalism but with judgment. The Church begins her year by proclaiming the End of Time. Why? Because only those who long for the King’s return can meet the Child in the manger rightly. The violet vestments fall like twilight across the altar. The Prophet speaks of mountains lowered and valleys raised. St Paul urges us to cast off the works of darkness. The Gospel warns: “Watch.”
Advent is the season of desire. The heart must stretch, empty, and ache for God. Fulton Sheen would say:
“Bethlehem is the answer only for those who have first heard the question.”
The question is this:
What must change in me if Christ is to enter?
What must die if He is to be born?
What must I surrender so that His Kingdom may take root?
The new liturgical year begins as the old one ended: with the demand for holiness, vigilance, penance, and hope.
For Christ is coming—
not only in the crib,
not only in grace,
but in glory.
Monday, 1 December — St Andrew the Apostle
Duplex II classis
Commemoration: Feria II of the First Week of Advent
The liturgical year often begins with the feast of the Protoklētos, the “First-Called.” St Andrew stands at the dawn of the Gospel, pointing to Christ even as Advent points toward Bethlehem.
Apostolic, missionary, and humble, Andrew’s witness invites the faithful to echo his simple yet decisive act: bringing others to Jesus. His feast strengthens the Advent motif of watchful preparation through apostolic zeal. The commemoration of the Feria keeps us anchored to the penitential rhythm of the season.
Tuesday, 2 December — St Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr
Semiduplex
Commemoration: Feria III of the First Week of Advent
St Bibiana, a Roman martyr of the fourth century, embodies unwavering fidelity. Tortured under Julian the Apostate, she persevered in purity and constancy until death.
Her feast underlines Advent’s theme of interior purification. As we anticipate the coming of Christ, St Bibiana’s steadfastness inspires the purification of desire, chastity of heart, and the strength to reject the world’s seductions. The Advent commemoration continues to orient the day toward expectation and penance.
Wednesday, 3 December — St Francis Xavier, Confessor
Duplex majus
Commemoration: Feria IV of the First Week of Advent
St Francis Xavier, one of the greatest missionaries in Church history, carried the Gospel across India, Japan, and the shores of the Far East. A living embodiment of apostolic fire, he died gazing toward China, longing for more souls to bring to Christ.
His zeal harmonises with Advent’s missionary urgency: the light that dawns in Bethlehem must go forth to enlighten all nations. His feast reminds us that the Incarnate Word comes not only to be adored but to be proclaimed.
Thursday, 4 December — St Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor
Duplex
Commemoration: Feria V of the First Week of Advent
The “Golden-Worded” Doctor of Ravenna, St Peter Chrysologus, preached the mystery of the Incarnation with crystalline clarity. His sermons—concise, luminous, doctrinally rich—are masterpieces of patristic catechesis.
His feast during Advent is particularly fitting: he is a Doctor of the Verbum Incarnatum, the Word made flesh. His eloquence prepares the mind and heart to contemplate the ineffable union of God and man that will unfold in Christ’s Nativity.
Friday, 5 December — Feria VI of the First Week of Advent
Feria major
Commemoration: St Sabbas, Abbot
This first Advent Friday calls the Church to deeper penitence. The ferial Mass retains full precedence, emphasising purification and preparation.
St Sabbas the Sanctified, founder of the great lauras of Palestine and a pillar of monastic discipline, is commemorated as a model of ascetical watchfulness. His life exemplifies the vigilance Christ commands in Advent: praying in the night, fasting, watching, awaiting the coming of the Bridegroom.
Saturday, 6 December — St Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor
Duplex
Commemoration: Saturday of the First Week of Advent
St Nicholas of Myra, beloved across East and West, appears in Advent as a herald of divine generosity. Renowned for his miracles, his secret almsgiving, and his episcopal courage at Nicaea, he stands as an icon of pastoral charity.
His feast gently anticipates the gift-giving love of the Christ Child. His intercession encourages works of mercy—the very “fruits meet for repentance” that Advent urges upon the faithful.
Sunday, 7 December — Dominica II Adventus
Semiduplex • Dominica II classis
Commemoration: Vigil of the Immaculate Conception and St Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor, Doctor
The Second Sunday of Advent continues the Church’s ascent from darkness to dawn. Isaiah’s cry resounds: “Prepare ye the way of the Lord.” John the Baptist emerges as the dominant voice—ascetical, uncompromising, aflame with the coming Light.
Today’s commemorations deepen the mystery:
• The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception turns our gaze toward the pure dawn of the Redemption—Mary prepared in advance for the coming of her Son.
• St Ambrose, the golden-tongued Bishop of Milan and Doctor of the Incarnation, reinforces the Advent theme of divine truth confronting worldly powers and human frailty.
Thus the liturgy binds the Baptist’s call, the Virgin’s purity, and Ambrose’s doctrine into a single exhortation:
Make straight the path of the Lord. Prepare your souls for the coming Light.
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