Advent Wreath Controversy - Not Part of Liturgy

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My parish priest has removed the advent wreath from the Church this Advent, because it is a tradition that is pretty modern and provides an imposition on the liturgy where it shouldn’t. I know it isn’t meant to be part of the liturgy techinically, but would there be any harm in having it lit outside of the liturgy just have them there as… Extra candles? Are there others against the advent wreath and why? I’m just trying to understand as I never realised it was even an issue.
 
Regardless of the answer. I think the pastor should be allowed to pastor. I think that his authority should be respected.
 
I never said he shouldn’t be and I’m not speaking in defiance of him. I said I’m trying to understand.
 
Also my pastor has said in the newsletter he is happy to listen to complaints and re-consider if people are upset about it. So clearly he doesn’t feel threatened by parishoners wanting to keep it.
 
It’s extra liturgical. They’re nice to have but sometimes they take on an inappropriate importance. For example people expect them to be lit with ceremony during the Mass or they want to decorate them with flowers. I have once seen them placed in the centre of the entrance to the sanctuary which is totally inappropriate as it detracts from the altar.

From my understanding advent wreaths were more of a folk thing and used in the home. I have one at home and prefer it to the door a day advent calendars.
 
terrytango lives in England. The website of the Liturgy Office of England and Wales has “The edition of the Book of Blessings produced for use in the Dioceses of United States of America has been authorised by our own Bishops’ Conference for interim use in England and Wales.” (At Liturgy Office | Ritual Books - Roman Ritual ).

This book has Chapter 47 “Order for the Blessing of an Advent Wreath”. It is not in the original Latin edition. The introduction to this blessing includes in n. 1509: “The blessing may be celebrated during Mass, a celebration of the word of God, or Evening Prayer.”

The use of the wreath in church is optional. A part of the introduction that indicate this is: “1512 If the Advent Wreath is to be used in church, it should be of sufficient size to be visible to the congregation.” The beginning of the introduction encourages its use: “1509 The use of the Advent Wreath is a traditional practice which has found its place in the Church as well as in the home.”

Regarding when the wreath’s candles are lighted: “1513 When the Advent Wreath is used in church, on the Second and succeeding Sundays of Advent the candles are lighted either before Mass begins or immediately before the opening prayer;”. For the first Sunday of Advent the blessing may be done during Mass. Then it is done after the Prayer of the Faithful, and after the Prayer of Blessing the rubric is “The first candle is then lighted”.

[Excerpts from the English translation of the Book of Blessings, USA edition. (c) 1988, United States Catholic Conference. All rights reserved.]
 
I have seen a parish in England doing exactly this year (complete with invitation for feedback). So either we are talking of the same parish or multiple pastors are doing this. Have previously been in a parish with an Advent wreath and a parish that hasn’t had one for many years. Both approaches seemed to be accepted by the parishioners there. As mentioned above, there is certainly provision for it in the Book of Blessings, but it makes it very clear that it is optional.

I can’t say I have any strong opinions on it, although I have seen parishes in which children ceremonially light the candles midway through Mass whilst singing songs about the Advent candles, at which point I do begin to worry it risks becoming a liturgical gimmick. As AngelusDomini said, I think they can be nice but shouldn’t be overly emphasised.
 
Leave the decision with the priest @terrytango . It’s not an important issue .
 
terrytango said:
I know it isn’t meant to be part of the liturgy techinically, but would there be any harm in having it lit outside of the liturgy
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It’s optional. Your pastor has made his decision, and is well within his right to do so. Is there any harm in having it? No, but it is up to him.

If you are really bothered by it, I don’t see why you can’t say something like “I really miss the advent wreath this year”.
 
My personal opinion is not that I have issue with the advent wreath being in the sancturay. I more have a problem with getting members of the congregation to light it, sometimes having them in the procession, and the priest using prayers to say when lighting each candle that may not have ecclesiastical approval.
 
In my parish the Advent wreath candles are lit without obvious ceremony sometime before Mass begins.

I have seen them ceremoniously lit during the Mass, and I can understand how some would object.
 
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On the first Sunday of Advent our church had a short rite(?) of lighting it. After that, the candles are lit along with the other candles before Mass starts.
 
At the abbey there is an Advent wreath in the sanctuary. It is lit by the sacristan who is also the prior, before Mass starts.
 
Here is what the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy says about Advent wreaths:
98. Placing four candles on green fronds has become a symbol of Advent in many Christian home, especially in the Germanic countries and in North America.

The Advent wreath, with the progressive lighting of its four candles, Sunday after Sunday, until the Solemnity of Christmas, is a recollection of the various stages of salvation history prior to Christ’s coming and a symbol of the prophetic light gradually illuminating the long night prior to the rising of the Sun of justice (cf. Ml 3,20; Lk 1,78).
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It is interesting that it specifically mentions their use in homes without mentioning their use in Church.

As mentioned above, though, it is in the Book of Blessings (chapter 47) which gives options for blessing the wreath even during Mass.

So there is no harm in having one in your own home. You are certainly free to do so. Pastors can have them in Church, too, but it is up to them.

I have never heard of a priest having an issue with Advent wreaths either, but it doesn’t seem like something I’d make a big deal out of. He mentions he is happy to hear complaints, so you can feel free to take him up on that if you wish. He did ask for it. 😉
 
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There is nothing wrong with using an Advent wreath in Church.

It’s right there in the Book of Blessings, #1517 - Blessing of an Advent Wreath during Mass
It’s blessed after the homily on the First Sunday of Advent, and contains the traditional (3) violet and (1) rose candle [for Gaudete Sunday].

Catholics are more likely to use an Advent Wreath in their own homes if they see it modeled in Church.

It is of the same weight as the Blessing of a Nativity Scene - which can also be done during Mass.
In my view, our people need MORE exposure to good devotional Catholicism, not less. Advent season (and the liturgy of it) is enhanced by a Wreath. Christmas Season is enhanced by a Manger Scene.
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Prepare for the coming of your King,
Deacon Chris
 
I like the Advent Wreath, but it should not take center stage.

This Saturday, I was at two masses. On candle lit FSSP, high mass at 5:30 AM and then an OF Mass at a parish in NY at 3:45 PM.

The FSSP parish did NOT have an Advent Wreath or candles anywhere in the Church.

The OF parish did have a large Advent candle stick with Advent oil candles. But they lit the 2nd candle before Mass officially started. The priest processed in for Mass and did the prayers and lit the candle before Mass officially started.

I think that was the good way to do it. However, the candlestick was in front of the Altar, which wasn’t the best. Should have been off to the side. But otherwise, everything was fine.

I see the pros and cons both ways.
  1. The EF community doesn’t need Advent Candles at Mass because MOST of them have Advent Candles at home and do candle lighting prayers at home
  2. the OF community most likely does need the Advent Candles at Mass because most average/nominal Catholics do NOT have Advent Candles at home and don’t even know when the 12 Days of Christmas are.
God bless
 
Its sounds as if you do have a complaint about it. What would that be?
 
This is my personal opinion so please don’t throw stones at me. Or, go ahead. lol

I have been in the Eastern Church for decades and recently moved over to an RC parish due to the closing of my church. After having an iconistas with icons and basically holy images everywhere, being in an RC parish feels like the church has been stripped down to bare bones. It’s been a tough transition for me and I struggle every week. Pray for me.

There is an advent wreath on the side with candles that gets lit at the beginning of mass along with a few words from the priest about advent, and then the mass begins. I don’t know why a priest would not take advantage of this very special way of highlighting Advent. I think with everything else over whelming us with images in the world, this would be something that children will remember as a part of a that special time preparing for Christmas.
 
Yeah I think you described it well there as a liturgical gimmick, I can definitely see how that can happen
 
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