by Freddie Raymundo, vicariate media representative
Rev.
Fr. Daniel I. Estacio, Minister of the Diocesan Ministry of the Liturgical
Affairs, called all Lay Coordinators of Worship Ministry and Heads of its supporting committees, such as Lectors
& Commentators, Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion, Altar Servers,
Music, Mother Butlers’ Guild, and Ushers/Usherettes & Collectors, to a
conference last November 24, 2012 for discussion regarding appropriate
preparation for the celebration of Advent and Christmas seasons. Fr. Daniel explained the difference between
Advent liturgy and Christmas liturgy.
He said that Advent,
adventus
in Latin, means “arrival”. In the
context of the Catholic Church, Advent was first a preparation time for
Christmas recalling the first coming of Christ but it was later broadened and
included also the second coming of Christ at the end of time, such that the
first part until December 15 looks forward to the coming of Christ at the end
of time and the second part from
December 16 to 24 serves as a kind of Christmas novena.
In his handouts, Fr.
Daniel explained in detail the preparation and celebration of Advent and
Christmas Seasons.
Advent season lasts
for 4 weeks starting from the first Evening Prayer of the Sunday which falls
closest to November 30, that is after celebrating the Christ the King, and ends before the first Evening Prayer of
Christmas.
Fr. Daniel explained
that the liturgy of Advent is stark, simple and sober. As Advent, in the course of time became a
penitential season, the color of the vestments
is bluer hues of violet but rose
vestment is used on the third Sunday called “Gaudete Sunday”. The “Gloria” is not sung in the Sundays of
Advent in order to sing it better on the day of Christmas. Singing of Christmas carols should be avoided
during Advent but is liturgically permitted on Christmas season.
Decoration of the
altar with flowers should be done in a moderate manner during Advent and the
best altar decoration is reserved for Christmas. Advent Wreath, a round wreath as symbol of
eternity and of the love of God, is placed near the ambo. The Advent Wreath should be of green color, symbol of hope and
life, with only 4 candles interpreted as four Sundays of Advent or the four
thousand years the Jews waited for the
coming of the Messiah. Three candles are of violet color and one in
rose. Advent candles are lighted
clockwise to signify the movement of time measured in our present days by a
clock and should be lighted before the start of the Mass. The progressive lighting of the candles
symbolizes the expectation and hope surrounding our Lord’s first coming into
the world and the anticipation of His second coming. The Advent Wreath should be removed prior to
the first Evening Prayer of Christmas.
A Manger may be put
inside the Church but not the Christmas Tree.
If ever a Christmas Tree is to be set up, it should be outside the
Church.
Dawn Masses known
as Aguinaldo Masses or Missa de Gallo are Novena Masses in honor of the Blessed
Virgin Mary, the Expectant Mother of God, in preparation for the commemoration
of the birth of our Saviour. Missa de
Gallo is normally held at around 4:00 a.m. but in some local churches,
Aguinaldo Masses are held a day ahead, starting December 15, normally in the
evening. In contrast to the sober
character of Advent, these Masses are festive in character and white vestments
are used even on Sunday. If any of these
days fall on Sunday, the Mass formularies and readings are those of Sunday. “Gloria” as well as appropriate Christmas
carols are sung. The church and
sanctuary are festively decorated and should only be removed until the Sunday
after Epiphany.
The Philippines,
compared with other Catholic nations, has the longest Christmas season. Commercially, Christmas season begins at the
start of the “ber” month. For Catholics,
Christmas season officially runs from first Evening Prayer of Christmas until the Sunday after Epiphany or the Feast
of the baptism of the Lord.
Although the
Conference was only for half-a-day, participants learned so much from and were
enlightened by the detailed explanations and insights of Fr. Daniel. /dpoc20120104
log: headline news
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