A

Catholic Prayerbook

for Advent & Christmas

DIOCESE OF CHALAN KANOA .

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ADVENT.

“O come, O come, Immanuel, and ransom captive Israel

that mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Immanuel shall come to you, O Israel.”

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During the Advent season families should spend time together

preparing for the approaching celebration of the birth of Christ.

An Advent wreath can be a great focal point for family prayers and

holiday celebrations.

An Advent wreath is a wreath of laurel, spruce or similar foliage

with four candles that are lighted successively in the weeks of

Advent to symbolize the light that the birth of Christ brought into

the world. Traditionally three of the candles are purple, the color

of kings and of penance. A rose-colored candle is used to mark the

Third Sunday of Advent as a time to rejoice over the closeness of

Christmas and the coming of Christ.

Each day your family should gather around the Advent wreath,

generally before the evening meal. The proper number of candles

are then lighted, and a prayer is said.

It starts at the evening meal on the Saturday before the first

Sunday in Advent with the blessing of the wreath. The head of the

household is the one designated to say the prayers, following

which various members of his family light the candles. If the group

is not a family, then a leader may be selected to say the prayers

and others appointed to light the candles.

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BLESSING OF THE ADVENT WREATH

Leader: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

All: Who made heaven and earth.

Leader: O God, by whose Word all things are sanctified, pour

forth Your blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it

may prepare our hearts for the coming of Christ and may receive

from You abundant graces. We ask this through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The wreath would then be sprinkled with holy water. Then follows

the prayer which is said before the evening meal each night of the

first week in Advent.

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

The following prayer should be repeated each day during the first

week. After the prayer, the family's youngest child lights the first

purple candle.

Family members can also take turns lighting and blowing out the

candles on each night.

Leader: O Lord, stir up Thy might, we beg Thee, and come, That

by Thy protection we may deserve to be rescued from the

threatening dangers of our sins and saved by Thy deliverance.

Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The candle is allowed to burn during evening meals for the first

week.

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SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT

The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the second

week. After the prayer, the oldest child lights the first and second

purple candles.

Leader: O Lord, stir up our hearts that we may prepare for Thy

only begotten Son, that through His coming we may be made

worthy to serve Thee with pure minds. Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The two candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of

the second week.

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT

The joyful Sunday in Advent (known as "Gaudete") is represented

by rose (or pink) instead of the penitential purple color. Each night

during the third week the mother of the family lights the pink, as

well as the two previously burned purple candles, after the

following prayer has been said.

Leader: O Lord, we beg Thee, incline Thy ear to our prayers and

enlighten the darkness of our minds by the grace of Thy visitation.

Through Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The three candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of

the third week.

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FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT

The prayer that follows is to be repeated each day of the fourth

week. After the prayer, the father lights all four candles.

Leader: O Lord, stir up Thy power, we pray Thee, and come; and

with great might help us, that with the help of Thy Grace, Thy

merciful forgiveness may hasten what our sins impede. Through

Christ our Lord.

All: Amen.

The four candles are allowed to burn during the evening meals of

the fourth week.

After the fourth week, the penitential season of Advent is over and

the time to rejoice is at hand. The Advent wreath is transformed

into a Christmas wreath. Ribbon and candles are replaced with

red ribbon and long red or white tapers (to be lighted at breakfast

on Christmas morning) and, if desired, other festive decorations

can be added.

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CHRISTMAS.

“Oh, come, all ye faithful, Joyful and triumphant!

Oh, come ye, oh come ye to Bethlehem. Come and behold him,

Born the King of angels;

Oh, come, let us adore him; Oh, come, let us adore him;

Oh, come, let us adore him, Christ, the Lord.”

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One of the best things about celebrating a Catholic Christmas are

the final days leading up to Christmas Eve. There are several long-

standing Catholic cultural traditions that take us through these

final days of Advent.

Catholics in many cultures have traditionally prayed the

Christmas Novena (nine consecutive days of prayer) from

December 16-24. These prayers can be used during the Novena of

Christmas, or at any other time. It is encouraged that families or

those who will use this novena will create a nativity scene (a belen)

in their homes or in places where one can pray in front of it.

This devotion is centered on our expectation of the baby Jesus –

our Lord & Savior and helps to prepare us spiritually to receive

Him into our hearts.

The Christmas Novena begins with the Our Father and Hail Mary.

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DAY 1 | DECEMBER 16

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, fill us with Joy! The birth of any

child is a cause for joy and so much more is the birth of You, our

Savior. We pray in union with Mary, Your mother, for a greater

joy this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 2 | DECEMBER 17

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, grant us great humility! You gave us

the model of perfect humility in your incarnation, life and death.

We pray for a greater Humility this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 3 | DECEMBER 18

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, give us the gift of Faith! You, Lord,

deserve our complete faith. We pray for deeper and more perfect

faith in you this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 4 | DECEMBER 19

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us the Hope that saves! Your

birth to the Virgin Mary brought a Hope to the world that

continues to sustain us. We pray for a saving Hope this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 5 | DECEMBER 20

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire in us Your selfless love! You

humbled yourself to become like us in all things but sin, and even

humbled yourself to die on a cross. We pray that you will help us

to love as You love this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 6 | DECEMBER 21

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, give us Your peace! You are the

Prince of Peace and the ultimate fulfillment of your incarnation

brings us to you in heaven where peace will come to perfection.

We pray for peace this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 7 | DECEMBER 22

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, move us to forgive others as you

forgive us! Your Divine Mercy is unending! We pray for Your

Divine Mercy on us and that we may participate in Your mercy by

forgiving others this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 8 | DECEMBER 23

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, inspire us to be repulsed by sin!

You, Lord, are holy but we are not. We pray that you will make us

holy and keep us from temptation this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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DAY 9 | DECEMBER 24

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

Our Father… Hail Mary…

Leader: O Lord, Word of God, You, whose glory is complete,

came to us in perfect humility as a child in the womb. Your love

for us and Your humility is unsurpassed and brings us to our knees

in prayer and worship.

Leader: Your incarnation forever changed the world.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

Leader: O Lord, infant Jesus, bring us to live eternal with You!

Jesus, your nativity was not without purpose. Your purpose was to

bring us to You. We pray that you will bring us to Life Eternal

with you this Christmas.

Leader: We also pray for these intentions… (pause… state your

intentions here)

All: May Your Holy Will be done in my life and with these

intentions.

Leader: We pray that the work of salvation that Your first coming

began will reach fulfillment in each of us.

All: Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit, as

it was in the beginning, is now and forever shall be, world without

end. Amen.

All: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy

Spirit. Amen.

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THE TRADITION OF THE BLESSING

OF THE BAMBINELLI (NIÑO)

A beloved annual tradition at the Basilica in preparation for

Christmas, the Blessing of the Bambinelli was first instituted by St.

John Paul II. On the Third Sunday of Advent, the children of Rome

are encouraged to bring the baby Jesus (Bambinelli) from each of

their Nativity sets to St. Peter’s Square. Following the Sunday

Angelus address, the Pope blesses the figurines.

Now celebrated in other churches around the world, this Advent

tradition is a way for children to connect their Nativity scene at

home to the celebration of Christmas at their church. At the

Basilica, it is observed on the Fourth Sunday of Advent.

Here in the Diocese of Chalan Kanoa, we also encourage you to

bring your “Nino” on the Fourth Sunday of Advent for the solemn

blessing after post communion prayer.

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A PRAYER

BY POPE BENEDICT XVI

DURING THE 2008 BLESSING

God, our Father

you so loved humankind

that you sent us your only Son Jesus,

born of the Virgin Mary,

to save us and lead us back to you.

We pray that with your Blessing

these images of Jesus,

who is about to come among us,

may be a sign of your presence and

love in our homes.

Good Father,

give your Blessing to us too,

to our parents, to our families and

to our friends.

Open our hearts,

so that we may be able to

receive Jesus in joy,

always do what he asks

and see him in all those

who are in need of our love.

We ask you this in the name of Jesus,

your beloved Son

who comes to give the world peace.

He lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen.

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COMMISSION ON WORSHIP | 2020 .