Penance for Advent

[Antonius_Lupus]

Greetings in Christ my brothers and sisters,

Advent is coming up and I am looking foward to it. I had a relapse into Paganism earlier this year. Thankfully I have repented of this and I am back in Christ, but I wanted to do penance for this (among other sins) this Advent.

I decided that a good penance would be to remain silent for all 40 days and 40 nights of Advent as we contemplate the Birth and Coming of Our Savior. I got this idea from William Putnam, and I thank him for bearing witness to this wonderful practice.

Anyway, I was wondering: When do the forty days of Advent begin?

Also, should I speak with my Confessor about this and establish with my father in Christ whether this is a good penance for me?

Your brother in Christ.

 

[baltobetsy]

Anyway, I was wondering: When do the forty days of Advent begin?

Also, should I speak with my Confessor about this and establish with my father in Christ whether this is a good penance for me?

Advent (in the Latin Rite) is not necessarily, or ever, 40 days. It begins on the First Sunday of Advent, which falls on December 2 this year.

As for keeping silent, if you live with anyone, work with anyone, go to Mass with anyone, shop anywhere, or go to class anywhere, you will probably have a problem with this. You should definitely discuss this with your Confessor, both about the practicality and the suitability of this proposed penance.

I like the saying of St. Josemaria Escriva on this subject: “Choose mortifications that don’t mortify others.” If your silence makes others uncomfortable, it’s probably not appropriate.

Betsy

 

[CarrieH]

Also, should I speak with my Confessor about this and establish with my father in Christ whether this is a good penance for me?

Yes, I would speak with your Confessor about this. Perhaps a modification of the silence would be more practical, esp. if you are a student or if you are working out in the world. Maybe no idle chit-chat, but speaking only when necessary? Good luck and God bless.

 

[Feedmysheep]

Yes, I would speak with your Confessor about this. Perhaps a modification of the silence would be more practical, esp. if you are a student or if you are working out in the world. Maybe no idle chit-chat, but speaking only when necessary? Good luck and God bless.

Good thought. Total silence is bound to draw so much attention as to render the penitent the center of attention, rather than the interior purification and penance. However, by restricting one’s self to only necessary talking will also develop the powers of discernment, a trait we could all use.

However, your should present this to your confessor and/or spiritual advisor, and place yourself under obedience to his judgement.

 

[JimR-OCDS]

Avoiding silence totally isn’t even done in the monastic orders.

Those who take vows of silence, do speak when necessary, i.e. during work where instruction or other communication is necessary.

However, idle chat is not done and this can be done by even lay people. In fact, it sounds like a good idea.

That all being said. For Advent, I look forward to doing something, that is conducive toward preparation for Christmas. I usually work closer on my prayer life and look for opportunities of doing charitable works.

Advent for me is a time of joy filled growth. But giving up the idle chat thing, hmmmm, I have to ponder that one a little more.

Jim

 

[Andruschak]

.

Anyway, I was wondering: When do the forty days of Advent begin?/QUOTE]

Traditionally, 12 November, the day after the Feast Day of St. Martin. The Franciscan Rule of 1221, still used by those of us in the CFP and BSP, and perhaps by others, prescribes a fast starting 12 November through 24 December, except for Sundays and Solemnities.

Your Spiritual Directer (or Parish Priest) could suggest some other penances for the 40 days

 

[Red_Meg]

The most spiritually helpful Advent penance I’ve ever done was to complete all my Christmas shopping before Advent began.

Then, when I received all the ridiculous numbers of advertisements and circulars in the mail and newspaper, I just pitched them straight into recycling without ever looking at them. Ignored all the “BIG SALE!!!” commercials on TV and radio (usually managed to change the channel.) Tuned out all the consumerist stuff I possibly could.

If you aren’t a big Christmas shopper, then perhaps this wouldn’t have as big of an impact. But for anyone who is responsible for shopping for a lot of people (in many families, like mine, it all falls on the wife!) it was wonderfully helpful. No crowded malls, no comparison shopping online, no endless lines, no digging through the racks looking for the “perfect” sweater, etc…

It’s been a few years since I’ve pulled it off, but this year I think I’m on track to be able to do it…

And, yeah, agreeing with the other posters, the silence thing would be impossible as a practical matter, and dis-edifying (if not downright annoying) to those around you. Cutting out the gossip and idle chatter is a different matter. But even some of the “idle chatter” (kind conversation, good listening, etc.) may still be a real charity towards some others who really need to talk, especially if they find the holidays difficult or depressing…

Best,

Margaret

 

[Beachcomber]

As a preparation for Christmas, during Advent one year, I read the book of Isaiah. I divided it up into manageable pieces and read the whole thing before Christmas.

This wasn’t a penance, but a preparation. It was really worthwhile.