The Advent Season
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PENSACOLA | FORT WALTON | PANAMA CITY | TALLAHASSEE
Click the links above to view the 2024 Advent penance times in your area.
Please call your parish if days/ times are not listed.
Beginning the Church's liturgical year, Advent (from, "ad-venire" in Latin or "to come to") is the season encompassing the four Sundays (and weekdays) leading up to the celebration of Christmas.The Advent season is a time of preparation that directs our hearts and minds to Christ’s second coming at the end of time and also to the anniversary of the Lord’s birth on Christmas. The final days of Advent, focus particularly on our preparation for the celebrations of the Nativity of our Lord (Christmas).
Questions: What are the colors of Advent?
In the Roman Catholic Church, the official liturgical color for most of the Season of Advent is violet. It is used in both Advent and Lent to signify a time of preparation, prayer, penance and sacrifice. Only on the Third Sunday of Advent is a rose (pink) colored candle lit, as a symbol of joy; the priest may also wear rose vestments on this Sunday.
DEVOTIONS
Advent devotions including the Advent wreath, remind us of the meaning of the season. An advent wreath can be purchased or made as a family. The wreath is traditionally a circle of evergreens, symbolizing the eternal and never-ending life we have in Christ. In recent years, advent candles placed in a row on a mantle have become more popular and are an acceptable form of a "wreath" to use in commemorating Advent.
Each of the four candles placed in the wreath has a special significance and deeper meaning:- The 1st Sunday of Advent is observed with a violet candle, symbolizing hope, particularly hope in Christ's Second Coming.
- The 2nd Sunday of Advent is also marked by a violet candle, symbolizing faith, again in reference to Christ's Second Coming specifically.
- The 3rd Sunday of Advent is known as Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday. This is the only Sunday in the season that is marked by a rose candle representing the virtue of joy - joy that the time of waiting is almost over and that Christmas is nearly here.
- The 4th Sunday of Advent is the final Sunday and is marked by a violet candle symbolizing peace, a virtue that Christ's Presence brings to us.
A white candle can be added to the center of the wreath which is meant to symbolize Christ and is lit on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day. This is an optional candle and is based on the desires of the family.An ancient tradition revived in the mid-20th century as an Advent practice, the Jesse Tree represents the family of Jesse, father of King David. Out of this family line, God would take flesh and live among the people of earth. The Gospel of Matthew’s genealogy of Jesus (Mt 1:1-17) names a person from each generation before Jesus’ birth. Stories about these people are in the Old Testament. The Jesse Tree itself can be made from paper, cloth, branches or a tabletop Christmas tree. Make or add an ornament each day of Advent to represent the ancestors of Jesus.
Click here to dive into the season of Advent with these practical and inspirational resources for your family, parish, or school.2024 Advent Penance Services
Please call your parish if days/times are not listed.
Pensacola Area
St. Mary, Pensacola
Tuesday, December 3 at 7:00 p.m.Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Pensacola
Nativity of Our Lord, Pensacola
Wednesday, December 4 at 6:30 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11 at 7:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m.
Monday, December 9 at 6:00 p.m. (ends at 7:30 p.m.)
Monday, December 10 at 6:00 p.m. (ends at 7:30 p.m.)
Monday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m. (ends at 7:30 p.m.)Little Flower, Pensacola
St. Anne, Bellview
Wednesday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11 at 5:00 p.m. (ends at 7:00 p.m.)
St. John the Evangelist, Pensacola
Wednesday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Rose of Lima, Milton
Tuesday, December 17 at 7:00 p.m.
St. Paul, Pensacola
Thursday, December 19 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Jude, Cantonment
Friday, December 20 at 5:00 p.m. (ends at 6:30 p.m.)
St. Joseph, Pensacola
Friday, December 20 at 6:30 p.m.
St. Sylvester, Gulf Breeze
Saturday, December 21 at 9:00 a.m. (ends at 12:00 p.m.)
Additional Opportunities:
Bascilica of St. Michael the Archangel
Every Monday - Friday, 11:00 - 11:45 a.m.
St. Thomas More, Pensacola
Every Sunday during Advent from 6:15-7:45 p.m. (before and during the 7:00 p.m. Mass)Fort Walton Area
Christ Our Redeemer, Niceville
Monday, December 2 at 6:30 p.m.St. Peter, Mary Esther
Resurrection, Miramar Beach
Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, December 11 at 6:00 p.m.Holy Name of Jesus, Niceville
Christ the King, Freeport
Monday, December 16 at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, December 17 at 1:00 p.m. (ends at 6:00 p.m.)
St. Mary, Ft. Walton Beach
Wednesday, December 18 at 6:00 p.m.
St. Rita, Santa Rosa Beach
Thursday, December 19 at 6:30 p.m.
Additional Opportunities:
Christ the King, Freeport
CCW Ladies Day of Reflection, Thursday, December 5 at 11:00 a.m.Panama City area
St. Joseph, Port St. Joe
Wednesday, December 11 at 5:30 p.m.St. Theresa, Sunny Hills
Monday, December 16 at 4:00 p.m.St. Dominic, Panama City
Monday, December 16 at 6:00 p.m.Our Lady of the Rosary, Panama City
Additional Opportunities:
Wednesday, December 18 at 5:30 p.m.
St. Anne, Marianna
One hour before any Mass or by appointment
St. Joseph the Worker, Chipley
One hour before any Mass or by appointment
St. Patrick, Apalachicola
Every Saturday at 4:30 p.m. or by appointmentTallahassee area
St. Louis, Tallahassee
St. Eugene, Tallahassee
Tuesday, December 3 at 6:00 p.m.
Thursday, December 5
Co-Cathedral of St. Thomas More, Tallahassee
Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Immaculate Conception, Perry
Thursday, December 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Good Shepherd, Tallahassee
Monday, December 16 at 7:00 p.m.
St. John Paul II Chapel, Tallahassee
Wednesday, December 18 at 6:30 p.m.updated December 2, 2024