[Originally published in the Immaculate Conception Church bulletin on December 3rd 2023.]

After the 26 Sundays of Pentecost this year, we set aside the green vestments and don the violet vestments for the liturgical season of Advent. Since both Advent and Lent call for violet vestments, one might well ask if both the Lent and Advent seasons are considered “penitential” seasons and, if so, why Advent keeps the Alleluia while Lent forbids it. The violet vestments always indicate a time of anticipation of a great event. Thus the Church uses violet vestments for the priest and on the altar for vigils, such as the vigils for the feasts of the Immaculate Conception, the Nativity, Easter and Pentecost. Both Advent and Lent have the character of vigils, but they take their character from the nature of the events they anticipate: Advent anticipates the angelic joy at the birth of the Redeemer, while Lent anticipates our sorrow at His death. And so the special character of the Advent season looks forward to a joyous event, but the Lenten Season, while preparing us for the joyous event of the Resurrection, focuses on the suffering and sacrificial death of Our Lord. Enter into the Catholic spirit of the Advent Season to prepare for Christ’s birth!