When Should the Advent Wreath Be Lit During Mass

[FAH]

When should the appropriate candles be lighted on the Advent Wreath during Mass.
Is it after the Introductory Rites but before the Penitential Rite?
Or is before Mass has already started, like the candles on the Altar?

 

[stephraim]

When should the appropriate candles be lighted on the Advent Wreath during Mass.
Is it after the Introductory Rites but before the Penitential Rite?
Or is before Mass has already started, like the candles on the Altar?

From the Order for the Blessing of an Advent Wreath within Mass:

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; no additional rites or prayers are used.

 

[Joannm]

We light our before Mass begins.

 

[uxordepp]

The Advent Wreath is non or extra-liturgical, therefore lighting during Mass is inappropriate. Before mass seems to be the best option.

 

[Mrs_Sally]

The altar boys light it before Mass when they are getting things ready and light the altar candles. I have never seen the wreath lit during Mass in a Catholic church.

Some protestant churches have ‘ceremonies’ fro lighting the wreath during their services. Many protestants don’t celebrate advent at all, so no wreaths for them.

 

[Phemie]

The altar boys light it before Mass when they are getting things ready and light the altar candles. I have never seen the wreath lit during Mass in a Catholic church.

Some protestant churches have ‘ceremonies’ fro lighting the wreath during their services. Many protestants don’t celebrate advent at all, so no wreaths for them.

In our parish, the appropriate candle is lit before the Penitential Rite. It’s not done simply but with a reading from Scripture and a Prayer – which obviously is not what is instructed in the “Order of Blessing an Advent Wreath Within Mass”.

 

[Digitonomy]

A few questions:

1. 
   *]Is the “Order of Blessing an Advent Wreath Within Mass” from The Book of Blessings?
   "stephraim:
   

   …on the Second and succeeding Sundays of Advent…

   *]What is the instruction for the First Sunday of Advent?
   

   In our parish, the appropriate candle is lit before the Penitential Rite. It’s not done simply but with a reading from Scripture and a Prayer – which obviously is not what is instructed in the “Order of Blessing an Advent Wreath Within Mass”.

   *]I seem to recall that while the US has The Book of Blessings, there is a different publication in Canada called A Book of Blessings. Does that have a comparable or identical order for the blessing?

 

[Phemie]

A few questions:

1. 
   *]Is the “Order of Blessing an Advent Wreath Within Mass” from The Book of Blessings?
   *]What is the instruction for the First Sunday of Advent?
   *]I seem to recall that while the US has The Book of Blessings, there is a different publication in Canada called A Book of Blessings. Does that have a comparable or identical order for the blessing?

1. 
   I looked it up as we were preparing for the First Sunday of Advent. There is only a blessing but no instructions. The ORDO suggests using the “Blessings and Prayers for Home and Family” published by the CCCB in 2004.
   
   That has an entire ritual for the blessing of the wreath and the lighting of the candles on subsequent Sundays. The format is thus:
   
   Introduction
   Scripture reading
   Lighting of the Candle
   Intercessions
   Prayer of Praise
   Conclusion
   
   This format is fine for the home but, IMHO, way too elaborate for Mass and places undue emphasis on what is really a minor symbol. I wish we’d simply light the candles before Mass.

 

[stephraim]

*]Is the “Order of Blessing an Advent Wreath Within Mass” from The Book of Blessings?

Yes.

What is the instruction for the First Sunday of Advent?

Here’s the full Order within Mass. There’s also an Order to be used outside Mass.

ORDER FOR THE BLESSING OF THE WREATH WITHIN MASS

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. The blessing of an Advent Wreath takes place on the First Sunday of Advent or on the evening before the First Sunday of Advent. The blessing may be celebrated during Mass, a celebration of the word of God, or Evening Prayer.

1510 Customarily the Advent Wreath is constructed of a circle of evergreen branches into which are inserted four candles. According to tradition, three of the candles are violet and the fourth is rose. However, four violet or white candles may be used.

1511 The candles represent the four weeks of Advent and the number of candles lighted each week corresponds to the number of the current week of Advent. The rose candle is lighted on the Third Sunday of Advent, also known as Gaudete Sunday.

1512 If the Advent Wreath is to be used in church, it should be of sufficient size to be visible to the congregation. It may be suspended from the ceiling or placed on a stand. If it is placed in the presbyterium, it should not interfere with the celebration of the liturgy, nor should it obscure the altar, lectern, or chair.

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; no additional rites or prayers are used.

1514 When the blessing of the Advent Wreath is celebrated in the home, it is appropriate that it be blessed by a parent or another member of the family; the shorter rite may appropriately be used for this purpose.

1515 When the Advent Wreath is used in the home, the opening prayer of the Sunday Mass is recited when the candles are lighted. The lighting of the candles may be preceded or followed by an Advent hymn and a Scripture reading. The lighting of the Advent Wreath may fittingly be included as a part of the evening meal.

1516 The Advent Wreath may be blessed by a priest, deacon, or a lay minister.

1517 After the gospel reading, the celebrant in the homily, based on the sacred text and pertinent to the particular place and the people involved, explains the meaning of the celebration.
**
GENERAL INTERCESSIONS**

1518 The general intercessions follow, either in the form usual at Mass or in the form provided here. The celebrant concludes the intercessions with the prayer of blessing. From the following intentions those best for the occasion may be used or adapted, or other intentions that apply to the particular circumstances may be composed.

The celebrant says:
Christ came to bring us salvation and has promised to come again. Let us pray that we may be always ready to welcome him.

R. Lord, hear our prayer.
Or:
R. Come, Lord Jesus.

Assisting minister:
That the keeping of Advent may open our hearts to God’s love, we pray to the Lord. R.

That the light of Christ may penetrate the darkness of sin, we pray to the Lord. R.

That this wreath may constantly remind us to prepare for the coming of Christ, we pray to the Lord. R.

That the Christmas season may fill us with peace and joy as we strive to follow the example of Jesus, we pray to the Lord. R.
**
PRAYER OF BLESSING**

1519 With hands outstretched, the celebrant says the prayer of blessing:

Lord God,
your Church joyfully awaits
the coming of its Savior,
who enlightens our hearts
and dispels the darkness
of ignorance and sin.

Pour forth
your blessings upon us
as we light the candles
of this wreath;
may their light
reflect the splendor of Christ,
who is Lord, forever and ever.
R. Amen.

1520 Or:

Lord our God,
we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:
he is Emmanuel,
the hope of the peoples,
he is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,
he is the Savior of every nation.

Lord God,
let your blessing come upon us
as we light the candles of this wreath.
May the wreath and its light
be a sign of Christ’s promise
to bring us salvation.
May he come quickly and not delay.

We ask this through Christ our Lord.
R. Amen.

The first candle is then lighted.