When (hour) does Advent start?

[psephosleukos]

Hello everyone. I’m new and excited to join the community!

Now I do know that Advent starts on the Sunday closest to the feast of St. Andrew, but my question is when precisely does the liturgical year start. Is it midnight, sundown on the evening prior, or at another time? Does the Liturgy of the Hours provide a clue? I know some vigils are appropriate (saturday fufills sunday obligation) and Christmas vigils I’m familiar with, …but an Advent vigil?

I ask as there is a multi-denominational Advent procession in my area this evening (Dec. 1), and I am trying to decide if such an event would be appropriate to attend. The idea of Advent celebrations on saturday makes we wary. I am returning to the Catholic church and I went to start this new liturgical year of spiritual rebirth on the right foot and at the appropriate time!

Thanks for any liturgical or historical insight into this!

 

[MSParrott]

Welcome to CAF, psephosleukos!

I’m sure others will have a definite answer, but I think Advent starts at sundown today (meaning at the vigil Mass)

 

[WanderAimlessly]

I do the Liturgy of the Hours and, according to the schedule, Advent starts with Evening Prayers on Saturday (I have already switched the books).

It will be the same for the Anticipatory Mass Saturday Evening. Since this Mass cannot start before 4:00 PM, I would assume that 4:00 PM is the hour.

 

[Jguerra]

Advent starts with Evening Prayer I (the Saturday evening Vespers). Another source (OSV Catholic Encyclopedia) says the season begins on the first Sunday after the feast of St. Andrew.

My take: Evening Prayer I on Saturday night.

Joe

 

[benedictgal]

Advent starts with Evening Prayer I (the Saturday evening Vespers). Another source (OSV Catholic Encyclopedia) says the season begins on the first Sunday after the feast of St. Andrew.

My take: Evening Prayer I on Saturday night.

Joe

Just out of curiousity, is Evening Prayer I said before or after the anticipated Sunday Mass on Saturday, presumably the 4PM Mass ?

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Just out of curiousity, is Evening Prayer I said before or after the anticipated Sunday Mass on Saturday, presumably the 4PM Mass ?

There isn’t a specific time that vespers has to start. I pray about 6pm because that’s when the monks at my monastery pray. The General Instruction of the Liturgy of the Hours says that “When evening approaches and the day is already far spent, evening prayer is celebrated in order that ‘we may give thanks for what has been given us, or what we have done well, during the day.’”

 

[PhilotheaZ]

I think that, practically speaking, Advent starts when you pray Vespers or at the time of the Vigil Mass, whichever comes first.

 

[benedictgal]

I think that, practically speaking, Advent starts when you pray Vespers or at the time of the Vigil Mass, whichever comes first.

Thank you. I am sooo happy it’s Advent!

One thing to note to the OP: while I’m a day late (I’ve been feeling under the weather, even though it’s in the 80s down here), that service doesn’t satisfy your Sunday obligation. It is a good gesture, though, that Advent is being observed.

 

[Joe_Kelley]

By the way - This is the start of the new liturgical year.

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL!