With Advent sometimes called “a little Lent,” Catholic experts said there are important similarities and differences between the two liturgical seasons, both which lead up to major feast days. Advent, they agreed, is primarily a season of preparation.
God’s love is mysterious and multi-faceted. Sometimes it protects; other times it prepares.
To begin the Lenten season, many parishes of the Byzantine Rite on Forgiveness Sunday will celebrate a service called Forgiveness Vespers, which concludes with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness.
“Imagine the countless moments the Virgin Mary experienced during the months between the Annunciation and the Nativity — that special, private time that she and Jesus shared while he was growing in utero.”
A good homily has many ingredients that unlock the secret of excellent preaching.
Advent is a season of promise and preparation.
As we begin the season of Advent, we should think about the ways in which we can welcome Jesus Christ into our heart.
A 40-day period known as the Philip’s Fast, which began Nov. 15, is accompanying the faithful of the Byzantine Catholic Church as they prepare to celebrate the feast of the Nativity.
