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Catholic parishes throughout the 10-county Archdiocese of Milwaukee will begin celebrating Advent, the four-week liturgical season proceeding Christmas, on Sunday, Dec. 3. The First Sunday of Advent is also the first day of the Church’s new liturgical year.
The observation of a preparatory season prior to the celebration of Christmas dates back to the fourth century. Advent, a time of devotion and joyful expectation has a two-fold character:
- Preparation for Christmas when Christ's first coming to us is remembered
- A time of remembrance that directs minds and hearts to await Christ's second coming at the end of time.
Throughout Advent, the Church celebrates for the birth of Christ while also anticipating His second coming. Activities throughout the archdiocese’s 216 parishes will include a variety of prayer services, choral and instrumental music concerts, Nativity re-enactments, speakers, reconciliation services and Bible studies. Liturgies during the final week of Advent will focus on the approaching birth of Christ, with the role of the Blessed Mother receiving special emphasis.
A list of activities throughout the diocese is available in the PDF below.
The Feast of the Immaculate Conception will be celebrated on Friday, Dec. 8. The Immaculate Conception is the belief that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was graced by God in such a way that she was preserved from sin from the first moment of her existence. That day, Milwaukee Archbishop Timothy M. Dolan will celebrate Mass at St. Joseph's Home for the Aged, 9244-29th Ave., Kenosha, at 11 a.m., and at Immaculate Conception Parish, 145 W. Church St., Saukville, at 7 p.m.
Archbishop Dolan will celebrate Mass at the Cathedral of St. John the Evangelist, 812 N. Jackson St., on the four Sundays of Advent – Dec. 3; Dec. 10; Dec. 17; and Dec. 24 - all at 8 a.m. Archbishop Dolan will also celebrate midnight Mass at the Cathedral on Sunday, Dec. 24.
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