The Church begins a new liturgical year on Sunday, November 29, 2026, the First Sunday of Advent. Advent is not simply a countdown to Christmas. It is a season of joyful, watchful preparation with two movements: we prepare to celebrate the first coming of Christ at Bethlehem, and we turn our hearts toward His Second Coming at the end of time (cf. General Norms for the Liturgical Year and the Calendar, no. 39).
Key dates for Advent 2026
- Sun., Nov. 29 – First Sunday of Advent (Year B of the Sunday Lectionary begins)
- Sun., Dec. 6 – Second Sunday of Advent
- Tue., Dec. 8 – Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, patronal feast of the United States (holy day of obligation)
- Wed., Dec. 9 – St. Juan Diego
- Sat., Dec. 12 – Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
- Sun., Dec. 13 – Third Sunday of Advent, Gaudete Sunday (rose vestments)
- Dec. 17–24 – The “O Antiphons” and the final days of preparation
- Sun., Dec. 20 – Fourth Sunday of Advent
- Thu., Dec. 24 – Christmas Eve (Advent ends with the Vigil)
- Fri., Dec. 25 – The Nativity of the Lord
Ways to keep a holy Advent
1. Pray around the Advent wreath. Light one candle each week, three violet and one rose (lit on Gaudete Sunday). A short reading, an Our Father, and a hymn such as O Come, O Come, Emmanuel make a simple family prayer at dinner.
2. Make room for silence. The world grows louder in December. Set aside a few minutes each day to sit with the Lord, perhaps with the day’s Mass readings.
3. Go to Confession. Many parishes hold Advent penance services. Preparing a clean heart is the best way to receive the Christ Child.
4. Honor Our Lady. Advent is a deeply Marian season. Pray the Rosary, especially the Joyful Mysteries, and the Angelus, and keep the feasts of the Immaculate Conception and Our Lady of Guadalupe.
5. Pray the O Antiphons (Dec. 17–23). These ancient antiphons from Vespers call on Christ by His titles: O Wisdom, O Lord, O Root of Jesse, O Key of David, O Dayspring, O King of the Nations, O Emmanuel.
6. Give in secret. Almsgiving and small acts of charity, done quietly, imitate the humility of the Incarnation.
Praying Advent with Walsingham Radio
Walsingham Radio broadcasts traditional Catholic talk and music around the clock. Let it be part of your Advent rhythm:
- Mornings: begin the day with prayer and sacred music on your commute.
- At home: play the stream softly while the family lights the wreath or prepares the Christmas crèche.
- Evenings: close the day with reflection instead of the news.
Our Lady of Walsingham, who carried the Word made flesh, pray for us as we wait for her Son. Come, Lord Jesus!
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