Christmas and Advent at Saint Benedict
Adoration & Office Schedule
Adoration
Adoration closes Saturday, December 21 at 12:00 PM and reopens Monday, January 6 at 6:00 AM.
Office
Our offices close Tuesday, December 24 and reopen Thursday, January 2, 2025.
Advent
Advent starts Sunday, December 1 and ends on Tuesday, December 24.
There will be an extra Mass during Advent every Thursday at 6:30 AM.
Regular Confession Schedule
Tuesday: 6:00-7:00 PM
Wednesday: 5:00-6:00 PM
Saturday: 3:30-4:45 PM
Sunday: 45 prior to each Mass
| Monday, December 9 | Immaculate Conception Mass: 8:30 AM |
| Thursday, December 12 | Our Lady of Guadalupe: 8:00 AM Rosary 8:30 AM Mass |
| Tuesday, December 17 | Advent Reconciliation Service: 5:00-7:00 PM |
| Tuesday, December 24 | Christmas Eve Mass: 5:00 PM, 8:00 PM, Midnight |
| Wednesday, December 25 | Christmas Day Mass: 10:00 AM |
| Saturday, December 28 | Feast of the Holy Family: 5:00 PM Vigil Mass 11:00 PM Holy Hour and Benediction |
| Sunday, December 29 | Feast of the Holy Family Mass: 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
| Saturday, January 4 | Epiphany of the Lord: 5:00 PM Vigil Mass |
| Sunday, January 5 | Epiphany of the Lord Mass: 9:00 AM, 12:00 PM, 5:00 PM |
What is Advent?
In the Catholic Church, Advent is a period of preparation, extending over four Sundays, before Christmas. The word Advent comes from the Latin advenio, “to come to,” and refers to the coming of Christ. This refers, first of all, to our celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas; but second, to the coming of Christ in our lives through grace and the Sacrament of Holy Communion; and finally, to His Second Coming at the end of time.
Our preparations, therefore, should have all three comings in mind. We need to prepare our souls to receive Christ worthily.
First We Fast, Then We Feast:
That’s why Advent has traditionally been known as a “little Lent.” As in Lent, Advent should be marked by increased prayer, fasting, and good works. While the Western Church no longer has a set requirement for fasting during Advent, the Eastern Church, both Catholic and Orthodox, continues to observe what is known as Philip’s Fast, from November 15 until Christmas.