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WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27751 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2022-10-18 22:10:13 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-18 22:10:13 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Advent Calendars: Table of Content&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#definition">What are Advent calendars?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#history">History of Advent calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#religious">Are Advent calendars necessarily religious?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#importance">Importance of Advent calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="http://how-they-work">How Advent calendars work</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#printable">Printable Advent calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#diy">DIY Advent calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#bible-verses">Bible verses for Advent calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#related-resources">More Advent resources</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="intro" class="">Certain elements of Christian belief have transcended the strictly religious realm and become popular in the secular world.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For example, ever hear the phrase “<a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">Hail Mary</a>” while watching a football game on television?</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars certainly qualify for this distinction. From modest beginnings in Germany to every big box store in America, Advent calendars seemingly have never been more popular.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"advent-embed"} --> <p class="advent-embed">Hallow breaks down the history, meaning and importance of Advent calendars–and how they can enhance your celebration of Advent in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="definition">What are Advent calendars?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars are simply calendars that span roughly four weeks from the start of Advent until Christmas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars can help us participate more actively in the season of Advent as we await the joyful celebration of Christmas. They can remind us to pray each day and help us to remember that in our preparation for Christmas, we are awaiting the birth of Jesus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In a more secular context, Advent calendars count down the days until Christmas and provide a small gift or goodie on each day. Everyone from Dr. Who to Star Wars to Jimmy Choo has an Advent Calendar in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars can be made of cardboard, printed on paper, knitted with fabric, or creatively constructed in some other way. Advent calendars can even be <a href="https://give.marquette.edu/advent-calendar">entirely digital</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button {"className":"aligncenter"} --> <div class="wp-block-button aligncenter"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button">Check Back Soon for Hallow's 2025 Advent Calendar</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="history">The history of Advent calendars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars probably existed earlier than we have actual evidence for them. They seem to have emerged from Lutheran communities in Germany in the 19th century, where parents and children used chalk marks to track the days until Christmas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Gerhard Lang <a href="https://www.weihnachtsmuseum.de/en/die-ausstellung/advent/adventskalender/#:~:text=However%2C%20Gerhard%20Lang%20(1881%2D,day%20during%20the%20Advent%20period.">most likely created</a> the first printed Advent calendars in the early 20th century, inspired by a calendar his mother made when he was a child in the late 1800s.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Vintage Advent calendars from time periods such as the <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/pin/vintage-1960s-advent-calendar-papermodelkioskcom--138204282289594954/">1960s</a> and <a href="https://www.ebay.com/itm/304238206004">1980s</a> show that, although designs have evolved, the nucleus of the Advent calendar has remained the same.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Now, Advent calendars exist in many forms, with many themes. For as popular as they have become, they can still be a helpful component to our faith lives in November and December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="religious">Are Advent calendars religious?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Traditionally, Advent calendars have been inherently religious.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In 2023, they are now popular among religious and non-religious alike. On retail sites, the most popular Advent calendars contain Christmas themes, images and colors but lack specific references to Jesus or Christianity.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Catholic Advent calendars normally contain Bible verses, quotes from saints and other religious references.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="importance">The importance of Advent calendars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayer-worship/liturgical-year/advent">According to the USCCB</a>, Advent calendars “can help you fully enter into the season with daily activity and prayer suggestions to prepare you spiritually for the birth of Jesus Christ.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Similar to <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/">Advent wreaths and candles</a>, Advent calendars are devotions that guide our hearts and minds towards Jesus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Since there is some verse, quote or item associated with each day, Advent calendars can also help us foster good prayer habits. Checking the Advent calendar each morning or evening can remind us to spend a moment in prayer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Because they are also popular as secular countdowns to Christmas, Advent calendars perhaps can serve as an introduction to the Catholic liturgical season and the religious roots of the calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="how-they-work">How Advent calendars work</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars that fully capture the season of Advent begin with the first Sunday in Advent and span the entire season until Christmas Eve.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Many calendars, both religious and secular, simply start on Dec. 1. Since the exact start of Advent changes each year, beginning on the first day of December is a simple starting point that can be repeated each year.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Calendars normally “count up” until Dec. 25.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Some Advent calendars are advertised as “12 Days of Advent.” These more likely are a better fit for the days following Christmas, from Dec. 26 until January 6, the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/feast-of-the-epiphany/">Epiphany</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars involve some sort of activity each day, even if it’s as simple as reading a short Bible verse or quote. Often, Advent calendars contain an element of opening or unwrapping something to reveal a small surprise.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Some Advent calendars available for purchase lack any overt references to Jesus and faith.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="printable">Printable Advent calendars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent calendars don’t need to be elaborate or expensive.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">A simple printout to guide you through each day is all you really need to make your Advent more rooted in preparation for Jesus’s second coming (and, of course, the celebration of His birth.)</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Vatican, under the guidance of Pope Francis, created <a href="https://migrants-refugees.va/2019/11/28/advent-calendar-migrants-refugees/">this</a> Catholic Advent calendar with a focus toward migrants and refugees. This calendar starts on Dec. 1 and counts up to Christmas, with a special prayer or message each day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The USCCB <a href="https://www.usccb.org/resources/Advent-Calendar-2021-1.pdf">also creates a calendar</a> for the entire stretch of Advent, starting with the first Sunday of Advent and spanning the four weeks that follow.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="diy">DIY Advent calendars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Sometimes the best Advent calendars are the ones you make yourself.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Create a simple Advent calendar yourself by filling out <a href="https://s3.us-east-1.amazonaws.com/lpress-craft/files/ocf-files/advent-files/advent-gr4-6-StudHndout-B-Advent-Calendar.pdf">this blank calendar</a> with one prayer intention, quote or scripture verse each day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Saint Anne’s Helper also has a <a href="https://www.saintanneshelper.com/printable-advent-calendar.html">great do-it-yourself calendar</a> that is great for kids.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Keep it semi-homemade by <a href="https://www.amazon.com/LIVAIA-DIY-Advent-Calendar-Kit/dp/B08GWS298V/ref=sr_1_6?keywords=diy+advent+calendar&amp;qid=1665958001&amp;qu=eyJxc2MiOiI2LjU5IiwicXNhIjoiNi4zOSIsInFzcCI6IjUuODcifQ%3D%3D&amp;sr=8-6">ordering</a> an Advent calendar kit that you can customize for yourself.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="bible-verses">Bible verses for Advent calendars</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As you’re thinking about Bible verses for your Advent calendar, focus on shorter lines from scripture.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The first few chapters from both the Gospel of Matthew and Gospel of John are popular choices to include in Advent calendars.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Isaiah and Psalms also provide many options for Advent calendar Bible verses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="related-resources">More Advent resources</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/the-schedule-of-advent-when-does-advent-start/">When Does Advent Start?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/">Advent Candles and Wreaths</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-prayers-catholic-meditations/">Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-activities-customs-traditions/">Advent Activities and Traditions</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-st-andrew-christmas-novena/">St. Andrew Christmas Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:html --> <script> setTimeout(function () { branch.closeJourney(function (err, data) { if (err) { console.log(err, data); } else { setTimeout(function () { /* This key/value pair is entirely arbitrary. Its only purpose is to be found by a condition specified in the Branch dashboard. */ branch.track('pageview', { 'delay': '10' }); }, 1000); } }); }, 10000); </script> <!-- /wp:html --> [post_title] => Advent Calendars for 2025: Helpful Guide to Religious/Catholic Advent Calendars this Season [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => advent-calendars [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 20:20:35 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 20:20:35 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27751 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27730 [post_author] => 43 [post_date] => 2022-10-17 14:59:15 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-17 14:59:15 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The single prayer of the St. Andrew Christmas Novena is traditionally prayed fifteen times each day, beginning on the feast of St. Andrew (November 30) and concluding on Christmas Eve. In 2024, Christmas Eve falls on a Tuesday.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Who-was-St-Andrew">Who was St. Andrew?&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Why-called-St-Andrew-Novena">Why is it called the St. Andrew Christmas?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#How-to-Pray-the-St-Andrew-Christmas-Novena">How to Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#related-prayers">Related prayers &amp; other novenas&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Who-was-St-Andrew">Who was St. Andrew?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Andrew was Jesus’s first apostle and the older brother of St. Peter, the second apostle. In the Gospel of John, we <a href="https://www.franciscanmedia.org/saint-of-the-day/saint-andrew">read</a> that Andrew was also a follower of John the Baptist, and in Matthew’s Gospel, we hear the account of Christ calling on two brothers and fishermen – Andrew and Peter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:pullquote --> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p>“Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers. They were Simon (his other name was Peter) and Andrew, his brother. They were putting a net into the sea for they were fishermen. Jesus said to them, “Follow Me. I will make you fish for men!” At once they left their nets and followed Him.”</p><cite>Matthew 4:18-20</cite></blockquote></figure> <!-- /wp:pullquote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">While this exchange between Jesus and Andrew and Peter is brief, what followed was Jesus’s Sermon of the Mount and the Feeding of the 5,000, two of the most critical moments in <a href="https://hallow.com/2021/06/30/how-to-pray-the-gospels/">the Gospels</a> and the rest of the Gospel narrative of which Peter is a key figure. We might know more about Peter – how he was forgiven, redeemed, and called upon to build the Church – but Andrew remains a critical character in the Gospels; Andrew led Peter to Jesus.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Why-called-St-Andrew-Novena">Why is it called the St. Andrew Christmas Novena?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The simple answer to this question is that St. Andrew’s feast day of November 30 precedes Christmas and helps us to determine the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/the-schedule-of-advent-when-does-advent-start/">start of Advent</a>. To answer this question more fully, however, the thematic underpinnings of Andrew’s role in the Gospel narrative align well with the purpose of this novena: to prepare for His coming.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/StAndrewChristmasNovena">Pray with Hallow This Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="How-to-Pray-the-St-Andrew-Christmas-Novena">How to Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">With a few exceptions, we pray <a href="https://hallow.com/2020/05/01/how-to-pray-novenas/">novenas</a> for nine days. The St. Andrew Christmas Novena is one such exception – we pray this novena for 25 days, overlapping with much of the liturgical season of Advent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We begin the novena on the feast of St. Andrew on November 30 and conclude on Christmas Eve. Tradition holds that we pray the novena 15 times daily for a particular intention. This being said, pray in a way that works best for you.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:yoast/how-to-block {"hasDuration":true,"days":"","minutes":"5","jsonDescription":"Pray this novena for 25 days. ","steps":[{"id":"how-to-step-1666018129591","name":["Make the Sign of the Cross. "],"text":["In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "],"jsonName":"Make the Sign of the Cross. ","jsonText":"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "},{"id":"how-to-step-1666018174142","name":["Say the St. Andrew Christmas Novena prayer. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Say the St. Andrew Christmas Novena prayer. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eHail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1666018182237","name":["Name any intentions or other prayers you wish to share with God. Maybe consider your response to Jesus’s call to follow Him; just as he called on Andrew and Peter, he also calls on us to let go and surrender. "],"text":[],"jsonName":"Name any intentions or other prayers you wish to share with God. Maybe consider your response to Jesus’s call to follow Him; just as he called on Andrew and Peter, he also calls on us to let go and surrender. ","jsonText":""},{"id":"how-to-step-1666018208838","name":["Conclude with the Sign of the Cross."],"text":["In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. "],"jsonName":"Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.","jsonText":"In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. "},{"id":"how-to-step-1666018215743","name":["If you’re praying this novena in the traditional fashion ... "],"text":["Repeat the above steps 14x throughout your day. "],"jsonName":"If you’re praying this novena in the traditional fashion ... ","jsonText":"Repeat the above steps 14x throughout your day. "},{"id":"how-to-step-1666018227040","name":["Continue praying the novena daily through Christmas Eve!"],"text":[],"jsonName":"Continue praying the novena daily through Christmas Eve!","jsonText":""}],"defaultDurationText":"Time needed:"} --> <div class="schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block"><p class="schema-how-to-total-time"><span class="schema-how-to-duration-time-text">Time needed: </span>5 minutes. </p><p class="schema-how-to-description">Pray this novena for 25 days. </p> <ol class="schema-how-to-steps"><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1666018129591"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Make the Sign of the Cross. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text">In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. </p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1666018174142"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Say the St. Andrew Christmas Novena prayer. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1666018182237"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Name any intentions or other prayers you wish to share with God. Maybe consider your response to Jesus’s call to follow Him; just as he called on Andrew and Peter, he also calls on us to let go and surrender. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1666018208838"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Conclude with the Sign of the Cross.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text">In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen. </p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1666018215743"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">If you’re praying this novena in the traditional fashion ... </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text">Repeat the above steps 14x throughout your day. </p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1666018227040"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Continue praying the novena daily through Christmas Eve!</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"></p> </li></ol></div> <!-- /wp:yoast/how-to-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">May peace be with you this Advent. God bless!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/StAndrewChristmasNovena">Pray with Hallow This Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="related-prayers">Related prayers &amp; further reading</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-prayers-catholic-meditations/">Advent Prayers: Catholic Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/">Advent Candles &amp; Advent Wreaths</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/the-schedule-of-advent-when-does-advent-start/">When is Advent 2023?</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-novena-to-st-nicholas/">Novena to St. Nicholas</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-prayer-catholic-blessings/">Christmas Prayers and Blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/new-years-prayers/">New Years Prayers and Blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-eve-mass/">Guide to Christmas Eve Mass</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/">Our Father Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => How to Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena [post_excerpt] => Pray this novena to prepare for the birth of Jesus. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-pray-the-st-andrew-christmas-novena [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-10-08 16:48:34 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-10-08 16:48:34 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27730 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 4025 [post_author] => 4 [post_date] => 2022-10-17 14:08:00 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-17 14:08:00 [post_content] => <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>Let us not forget the great prayer: the one that Jesus taught us, and which is the prayer with which he prayed to the Father. This prayer prepares us for Communion.</p><cite>Pope Francis, General Audience — March 14, 2018</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Lord’s Prayer, also known as the ‘Our Father,’ comes from the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-gospels/">Gospel</a> of Matthew, with a shorter version in the Gospel of Luke. It is one of — if not the — most popular Christian prayers. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><li><a href="#what-is-our-father-prayer">What is the Our Father Prayer?</a><ul><li><a href="#biblical-roots">Biblical roots</a></li><li><a href="#matthew's-context">Matthew’s context</a></li></ul><ul><li><a href="#luke's-context">Luke’s context</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#why-pray-our-father-prayer">Why do we pray the Our Father?</a><ul><li><a href="#scriptural-accounts">Scriptural accounts</a></li></ul></li><li><a href="#when-to-pray-our-father-prayer">When do we pray the Our Father?</a></li><li><a href="#how-to-pray-our-father-prayer">How to Pray the Our Father Prayer</a></li><li><a href="#related-prayers">Related prayers</a></li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:image {"id":24976,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/HowtoLordsPrayer"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Lords-Prayer-1920x960-v1-2-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-24976"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="" id="what-is-our-father-prayer">What is the Our Father Prayer?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Lord’s Prayer is comprised of seven lines and was likely originally written in <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father-in-aramaic/">Aramaic</a>. The seven lines of the prayer are often called the Seven Petitions. St. Thomas Aquinas writes that not only do these petitions contain everything we could ever desire, <strong>but they are also written in the sequence in which they should be desired. </strong>The first three draw us toward the glory of the Father, giving Him praise. These last four ask for His help and commend our sins and weaknesses to His grace.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="" id="biblical-roots">Biblical roots</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“Pray then in this way: ‘Our Father who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name, thy Kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us; and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Matthew 6:9-13</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As noted earlier, we find the Lord’s Prayer in two books of the New Testament: Matthew and Luke. However, the prayer doesn’t appear in the same form or location in the two <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-gospels/">Gospels</a>. In Matthew, the Lord’s Prayer is embedded in the <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew+5-7&amp;version=NABRE" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Sermon on the Mount</a>, when Jesus teaches His followers <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray/">how to pray</a> with humility. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>When you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, who love to stand and pray in the synagogues and on street corners so that others may see them. Amen, I say to you, they have received their reward.&nbsp;But when you pray, go to your inner room, close the door, and pray to your Father in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will repay you.&nbsp;In praying, do not babble like the pagans, who think that they will be heard because of their many words. Do not be like them. Your Father knows what you need before you ask him.</p><cite>Matthew 6:5-8</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In the Gospel of Luke, the Lord’s Prayer is Jesus’ response to his disciples’ request: “Lord, teach us to pray just as John taught his disciples” (Luke 11:1). So, Jesus responds with a slightly shorter version of the Lord’s Prayer than the one we find in Matthew’s Gospel. Scholars continue to debate their differences. However, the two contexts show us why we pray the Lord’s Prayer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="" id="matthew's-context">Matthew’s Context</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus provides us with a few tenets of how to pray. He encourages us to pray alone, in the quiet, so that we can best speak with and listen to God. Before Matthew introduces the Lord’s Prayer, he tells us something essential: “Your Father knows what you need before you ask him” (Matthew 6:8). When we’re at a loss for words in prayer, turn to the Lord’s Prayer with intention. Whether we pray with gratitude or thanksgiving or pray for guidance or forgiveness, God always knows what we need. All we have to do is call on Him!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="" id="luke's-context">Luke’s Context </h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When Jesus gave us the Lord’s Prayer after the disciples asked him how to pray, it wasn’t just about the words of the prayer itself. Though they hold much meaning (see “How to Pray” below), the Lord’s Prayer also provides us with a template for how to approach and talk with God. We call on Him, glorify Him, <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/21/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/">surrender</a> to His will, and ask for nourishment, forgiveness, and guidance. Thinking of the Lord’s Prayer as a template reminds us that we can talk with God about anything in prayer. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="" id="why-pray-our-father-prayer">Why do we pray the Our Father?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><p>“The Our Father contains all possible petitions; we cannot conceive of any prayer not already contained in it. It is to prayer what Christ is to humanity. It is impossible to say it once through, giving the fullest possible attention to each word, without a change, infinitesimal perhaps but real, taking place in the soul.”</p><cite>Simone Weil</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The two Scriptural accounts of the Lord’s Prayer from Luke and Matthew demonstrate the power of this traditional prayer for many intentions and petitions. All we need to do is call on Him (Matthew) and approach our conversation with Him intentionally (Luke). This is why we pray the Lord’s Prayer: to talk with God intentionally and to <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/audiences/2018/documents/papa-francesco_20180314_udienza-generale.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">ask</a> Him for our “daily bread.”&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="" id="when-to-pray-our-father-prayer">When do we pray the Our Father?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We pray the Lord’s Prayer as a community during Mass. We can also say this prayer at all times — to begin or end our time in prayer when we are stressed or grateful, and when we wake up or before we <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/falling-asleep-with-god/">fall asleep</a>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="" id="how-to-pray-our-father-prayer">How to Pray the Our Father Prayer (line by line)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":24955,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/HowtoLordsPrayer"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Lords-Prayer-1920x960-v2.2-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-24955"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We’ve broken down the meaning of each line of the Lord’s Prayer. In summary, we say this prayer hoping that we may be changed by God each time we pray these words. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link" href="https://hallow.app.link/HowtoLordsPrayer">Try Hallow For Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>Our Father</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As noted above, the first three petitions draw us toward the glory of the Father, giving Him praise and naming our relationship to Him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The love God has for us is the unconditional, intimate, all-encompassing love of a father. In naming who He is, God shows who we are. If God is our Father, then we are His sons and daughters. We are then invited to come to God with child-like trust and to love as He loves. Jesus taught us to use the word “our.” The Good News is for us, for everyone. In the rest of the prayer, we use the word “us.” This prayer excludes no one. God’s love and Fatherhood are for us all.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>Who art in heaven</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, heaven “does not mean a place, but a way of being; it does not mean that God is distant but majestic.” Continuing, we read, “Our Father is not ‘elsewhere’: He transcends everything we can conceive of his holiness.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We are all moving towards our final home in our Father’s house — not a place in the way we often imagine, but a state of grace, joy, and true peace. It is there that God resides and where He invites us to be with Him both now and for eternity.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>Hallowed be thy name</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Throughout Scripture, there is an ongoing emphasis on God’s name. For God to give us his name, He shows us that He is <em>not</em> a disconnected being from us. Rather, God is close to us, invested in us, and deeply personal. The word <em>hallow </em>means to revere, honor, respect, to make holy. We have the privilege to know God’s name and to call on Him. We have the freedom to disrespect God’s name, bring shame to it, or glorify it and make it hallowed (holy). When we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we acknowledge the holiness of God’s name. And we also pray that we might hallow His name through our lives. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>Thy kingdom come, thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Jesus sums up all the commandments in one: love God and love one another as God loves us. This commandment expresses what the will of God is. This sounds simple until we realize how radical love is: love is Jesus crucified, dying for our sins. Love is the basis of the kingdom Jesus taught us about. It is a kingdom where the first shall be last and the last shall be first.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we pray “thy kingdom come,” we ask Jesus to fulfill his promise that he will return on the Last Day. We also ask God to bring his kingdom here and now so we might reflect it in our own lives. This cultivates our desire to bring a foretaste of heaven to everyone we encounter.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We learn to be open to the will of God and build His kingdom on earth through prayer. Each time we pray the Lord’s Prayer, we ask God to guide the surrender of our will and place our trust completely in Him. In desiring God’s will above our own, we let go of our control. It is only after our surrender that we become more ourselves than ever. Only then can we love as God does and allow His kingdom to flourish.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>Give us this day our daily bread</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Now we enter into the second half of the Our Father, in which we petition God for His help.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When God saved the Israelites from slavery, He led them into the desert. And there, every morning in the desert, God sent them manna — flakes that were made into bread. Everyone could eat their fill each day, but the manna would rot if they tried to store it overnight. By teaching us to ask for our <em>daily</em> bread, Jesus calls us to find peace in trusting him to provide for us every single day, just as he did the Israelites. God desires us to be fully present, not looking backward in regret or forward in anxiety, but to love and serve where we are here and now.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Going beyond the bread God gave the Israelites, in John chapter 6, Jesus declares, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, and whoever believes in me will never thirst.” When we ask for our daily bread, we recognize that the Father gives us Jesus in the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/eucharist-holy-communion-adoration-prayer/">Eucharist</a> as our truest nourishment. Jesus is the daily bread that we need to feed us, to fill us, and to lead us to eternal life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>And forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The first part of this petition is conditional on the second: to be forgiven, we must forgive. When we fail to recognize and pass on the forgiveness God has given us, we move ourselves and others away from God. We are only able to forgive because we ourselves have been forgiven. Jesus shows us how and gives us strength to do as he did by forgiving us first. Through prayer, seeking advice from spiritual mentors, and receiving Sacraments like the Eucharist and Reconciliation, God showers his grace upon us, forging in us the capacity to forgive. By including this petition in the Lord’s prayer, Jesus reminds us that we cannot give our heart fully to God if there is any animosity towards others in it.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>And lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil</strong>.</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The wording of this petition is confusing due to the difficulty of translating the original Greek into English. It can sound like we are asking God not to lead us into temptation, but God can’t tempt us against Himself. On the contrary, God wants to set us free from evil. So, in this petition, we ask God not to let us take the path that leads to sin. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We turn to God and ask him to help us distinguish between His voice and the voices that try to lead us away from him. We can distinguish between these voices is to ask questions like - is this thought or desire leading me closer to God? Does this open me to goodness, truth, and beauty? Will this action show God’s love to others and myself?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class=""><strong>Amen.</strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Meaning, “so be it,” when we declare “amen,” we are saying that we believe and mean everything we just prayed for.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator {"opacity":"css"} --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-css-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You can pray the Lord’s Prayer in both English and Aramaic, with Jonathan Roumie from <em>The Chosen </em>as your guide, in Hallow. You’ll find the in-depth meditation on the Lord’s Prayer (Our Father) in the Challenges tab of the app. We look forward to praying with you!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link" href="https://hallow.app.link/HowtoLordsPrayer">Pray the Lord’s Prayer with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="" id="related-prayers">Related Prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">How to Pray the Hail Mary Prayer</a></li><li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a></li><li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-humility/">How to Pray the Litany of Humility</a></li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><meta charset="utf-8">Let your life be transformed by this prayer that God Himself gave us.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":24966,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"custom","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><a href="https://hallow.app.link/HowtoLordsPrayer"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/05/Our-Father-1920x960-v1-2-1024x512.png" alt="" class="wp-image-24966"/></a></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> [post_title] => How to Pray the Lord's Prayer (Our Father Prayer) [post_excerpt] => A line-by-line breakdown of the prayer Jesus gave us [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => open [ping_status] => open [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-pray-our-father [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2021/06/30/how-to-pray-the-gospels/ https://hallow.com/2021/02/16/how-to-pray-our-father-in-aramaic/ https://hallow.com/2021/07/02/how-to-pray/ https://hallow.com/2019/08/06/falling-asleep-with-god/ https://hallow.com/2022/01/19/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/ https://hallow.com/2019/09/23/how-to-pray-the-rosary/ [post_modified] => 2022-10-30 15:23:51 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-10-30 15:23:51 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=4025 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27550 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2022-10-15 18:51:54 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-15 18:51:54 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Table of Contents</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#weekday-mass">Weekday Mass during Advent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#adults">Advent Activities for Adults</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#volunteering">Volunteering</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#baking">Baking</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#nativity-scenes">Nativity Scenes</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="http://candles-wreaths">Advent Candles and Wreaths</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#different-cultures">Advent Traditions in Various Cultures</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="intro" class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When we slow down to truly appreciate the Advent season, it can be transformative.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">While the commercial world celebrates Christmas from October through December, Catholics and many Christians recognize Advent as an important liturgical season–one that begins on Dec. 1 in 2024.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We can’t just fast-forward from Thanksgiving to Christmas morning!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent is not just a passive waiting; it’s a liturgical season highlighted by unique traditions.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Just as the Mass during Advent features the custom of candle lighting, Catholics all over the world have embraced special activities and traditions outside of the liturgy to embrace this season of waiting.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow explores a variety of Advent activities, customs and traditions you can consider to enrich your Advent in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="weekday-mass">Attend Mass on a Weekday</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Many Catholics add a weekday Mass to their routines during Advent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Daily Mass can allow us to experience the liturgy in a new way, breaking from the normal Sunday routine. You arrive at church on a different day, likely at a different time, and perhaps with a different group of parishioners.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You might even decide to sit in a different pew or section of the church. Perhaps you can take note of the art around your parish that you might overlook on a busier Sunday liturgy or listen more attentively to the readings.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">These small changes can help you see and experience the Mass in a new way. Even attending one Mass weekday Mass can greatly enhance your Advent. And it’s a great activity to do by oneself–or bring a friend with.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/adventactivities">Try Hallow for Free</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="adults">Advent Activities for Adults and those without Families</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Leading up to Christmas, so many activities are geared towards families, particularly those with children.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For those without children or with complicated family dynamics, the holidays can be especially challenging.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to attending Mass during the week, there are many ways to participate in Advent without family or children.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Being more deliberate about spending time outside–and enjoying the beauty of nature and God’s creation.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Picking up a new prayer devotional can be a nice way to spend time with God and yourself. You could also read a book: <a href="https://www.loyolapress.com/catholic-resources/liturgical-year/advent/books-for-advent/">Loyola Press</a> has a number of suggestions for Advent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Celebrating Advent separate from family or children does not mean you need to be at home by yourself. In fact, one of the best ways you can draw closer to God during Advent is to devote time to those who need it most.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="volunteering">Volunteering During Advent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Spending time to service to others in Advent almost takes on a special meaning: Awaiting the coming of Jesus by seeing His face in those around us in need.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Traditional organizations that welcome volunteers, like soup kitchens, food pantries, and shelters for those battling homelessness, can be especially busy in the winter months as the weather cools.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The need for help can be great, but the supply of volunteers can also spike around Thanksgiving and heading into December. As you explore volunteer opportunities, consider committing to help into the New Year, when the time and resources of other volunteers can dwindle.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Of course, there are many other places to lend your help. The <a href="https://catholicvolunteernetwork.org/">Catholic Volunteer Network</a> lists a wide variety of options. You might find an opportunity more perfectly tailored to your talents than you could have imagined.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="baking">Advent Activities for Families: Bake Something Festive</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">If you have little ones, a great way to involve them in the season is with some holiday baking.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In addition to common holiday cookies, shapes like Christmas trees and candy canes, you can connect your kitchen time more deeply to the Advent season by listening to some Hallow Kids sessions as you and your little helpers traipse around the kitchen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Cookie cutter sets with more overtly Christian symbols, like this <a href="https://www.etsy.com/listing/1128538444/christmas-nativity-cookie-cutter-set-of?gpla=1&amp;gao=1&amp;&amp;utm_source=google&amp;utm_medium=cpc&amp;utm_campaign=shopping_us_d-home_and_living-kitchen_and_dining-cookware-cooking_utensils_and_gadgets&amp;utm_custom1=_k_Cj0KCQjwy5maBhDdARIsAMxrkw0WxJ0YRdzSBfIctfzXfPYva7oZv5u1FhduNtPp__FlhXr0XUYNyHMaAj3OEALw_wcB_k_&amp;utm_content=go_12561589350_122200265969_506897932692_pla-305102694227_c__1128538444_525258577&amp;utm_custom2=12561589350&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQjwy5maBhDdARIsAMxrkw0WxJ0YRdzSBfIctfzXfPYva7oZv5u1FhduNtPp__FlhXr0XUYNyHMaAj3OEALw_wcB">nativity cookie cutter set</a>, can further connect your time together to Advent.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="nativity-scenes">Buy (or Build) a Nativity Scene</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Anticipating Jesus, in mind, body, spirit–and figures: Nativity scenes can be visual reminders of the period of waiting and preparing.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">They can also serve as easy ways to share your faith with friends and visitors. A nativity scene placed somewhere prominently in the home is a natural conversation starter and a subtle way to introduce your faith to those you’re welcoming to your home for the first time.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Nativity scenes can also remind us of the rich diversity within the Church. Different cultures often portray nativity figurines in their own image. <a href="https://catholicvolunteernetwork.org/">On Etsy</a>, there are plenty of sellers whose handcrafted nativity sets you can browse, and your purchase may support a good cause.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Building a nativity scene can also be a fun Advent activity. You <a href="https://diycandy.com/how-to-make-a-wooden-diy-nativity-set/">don’t need to be a master woodworker</a> in order to create your own.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">One fun aspect to nativity sets is that you can add pieces to it in the future, making it an evolving heirloom. Many families won’t add the Jesus figurine until Christmas Eve or Christmas Day!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="candles-wreaths">Advent Candles and Advent Wreaths</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Perhaps the most popular Advent tradition is the advent wreath, often containing <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/">Advent candles</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">During Sundays in Advent, a candle is lit on a wreath to symbolize our journey through Advent as we await Jesus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Simple Advent wreaths with candle holder for Advent candles are beautiful additions to homes. Most importantly, their powerful symbolism aid us in our days awaiting Jesus.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/adventactivities">Pray with Hallow during Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="different-cultures">Advent Traditions in Different Cultures&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Perhaps one of the most beautiful aspects to Advent is the different traditions it has inspired around the world in different countries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Consider some of these Advent traditions and perhaps they’ll inspire:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Las Posadas (Mexico, Latin America, parts of the U.S.)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://epicpew.com/why-you-should-attend-the-lively-posadas-this-advent/">The tradition</a> of posadas usually takes place from Dec. 16-24, for nine consecutive days. Posadas date back hundreds of years and spans many parts of Latin America and the U.S.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Two local members of the community portray Joseph and Mary and visit homes, looking for shelter. They are refused shelter until finally being granted entry at the last home, where a celebration takes place. Posadas can take place on a single day.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>La Novena (Italy)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">A <a href="https://romancandletours.com/blog/2017/12/14/italian-christmas-traditions/">similar tradition</a> takes place in Italy, where children often go door to door, singing carols and calling to mind the journey that the wise men made to find Jesus. The Novena prayer is also very popular at this time.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>St. Lucy (Sweden, Scandinavia)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Swedish culture features Lucia Day/St. Lucy Feast, <a href="https://visitsweden.com/what-to-do/culture-history-and-art/swedish-traditions/christmas/lucia/">recognizing the fourth century martyr</a>, Lucia of Syracuse.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">On Dec. 13, communities, schools and churches celebrate with a procession in which one girl, representing St. Lucy, carries a candle and offers sweet treats to those gathered along the process.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://www.stlucy-campbell.org/about-staint-lucy/">According to legend</a>, St. Lucy brought wheat and bread to the poor and also snuck food to Christians hiding in Roman catacombs.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Jule brød - Bread Wreath (Denmark)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Another tasty tradition that you can easily try at home this year is the Danish bread wreath, known as Jule brød. The yeast bread is filled with fruits such as raisins before coming together by braiding strands of the dough together.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bLWEpWVGAYo">This video</a>, from a Danish cooking show, has the full walkthrough.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Simbang Gabi (Philippines)&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Simbang Gabi is a hallmark of the Filipino celebration of Advent. Another nine-day celebration,&nbsp;Simbang Gabi refers to Mass at dawn from Dec. 16-24.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://teamrcia.com/2011/11/how-to-put-stars-in-the-eyes-of-your-rcia-participants-this-advent/">Parol lanterns</a> are closely associated with Simbang Gabi. These beautiful lights symbolize victory over darkness and add beauty to any Advent celebration.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Advent Calendars (All over)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You can get <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-calendars/">Advent calendars</a> with pretty much any theme you want. They have certainly exploded in popularity to the point where many have nothing to do with Advent at all.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Still, they can help us await Jesus while building excitement for the Christmas celebration.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button"></a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Related Blogs: </strong></h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-prayers-catholic-meditations/">Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/the-schedule-of-advent-when-does-advent-start/">Advent Schedule</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-st-andrew-christmas-novena/">St. Andrew Christmas Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-prayer-catholic-blessings/">Christmas Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/">Advent Candles and Wreaths</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Advent Activities, Customs and Traditions for 2025 [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => advent-activities-customs-traditions [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 20:26:08 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 20:26:08 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27550 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27529 [post_author] => 43 [post_date] => 2022-10-12 16:00:43 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-12 16:00:43 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Author of <em>The Interior Castle</em>, reformer of the Carmelite order, and pioneer of Christian mysticism, St. Teresa of Ávila is one of the most influential and inspiring <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-with-saints/">saints</a> in the realm of Christian spirituality.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Our team at Hallow also claims Teresa as our patron saint – she is an inspiration to us to help others get closer to God! <strong>We celebrate St. Teresa of Ávila’s feast day on October 15.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Born in 1515 at the brink of the Reformation in Ávila, Spain, Teresa has greatly influenced our contemporary understanding of <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/contemplative-prayer-imaginative-prayer/">contemplative prayer</a>, what it means to have a personal relationship with God, and how we can engage in spiritual practices of monastic life when we might work and live in the secular world.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">You pay God a compliment by asking great things of Him.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>St. Teresa of Ávila</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Read more about who St. Teresa of Ávila was, how she became one of the four female doctors of the Church, and learn about her influence on our understanding of intimate prayer in the modern world. We also included some of Teresa’s most popular prayers and quotes.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Who-was-St-Teresa-of-Ávila?">Who was St. Teresa of Ávila?</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Carmelite-nun">A Carmelite nun and reformer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Saint-Doctor-of-the-Church">Saint &amp; Doctor of the Church</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#fun-fact-3-teresas">Fun fact: 3 “Teresas”&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#St-Teresa-of-Ávila-on-prayer">What does St. Teresa of Ávila teach us about prayer?</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#interior-castle">The soul is like a castle</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#become-friends-with-god">Becoming friends with God</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Christian-Mysticism-saints">More on Christian Mysticism</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#St-Teresa-of-Avila-prayers">St. Teresa of Ávila prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#St-Teresa-of-Ávila-quotes">St. Teresa of Ávila quotes</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Related-prayers-and-saints">Related prayers and saints&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Who-was-St-Teresa-of-Ávila?">Who was St. Teresa of Ávila?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Carmelite-nun">A Carmelite nun and reformer</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Teresa of Ávila, whose original name was Teresa de Cepeda y Ahumada, was born on March 28, 1515, just two years before the start of the Protestant Reformation began, in Ávila, Spain. At 20, Teresa <a href="https://www.britannica.com/biography/Saint-Teresa-of-Avila">entered</a> the cloistered Carmelite Convent of the Incarnation in her hometown of Ávila against her father’s wishes. Teresa's health began to decline only a couple of years into religious life. Over the next several years, Teresa suffered from physical and mental health struggles – her journey to God and sainthood certainly was not easy. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This journey ultimately led her to write one of the greatest spiritual guides known to us, <em>The Interior Castle</em>, in 1577, along with several other spiritual pieces. Teresa also became the key reformer of the Carmelite Order and founded a new branch of the Carmelites, known as the <a href="https://www.carmelitaniscalzi.com/en/who-we-are/storia/history-of-discalced-carmelites/">Discalced Carmelites</a>; she aimed to renew the ancient Carmelite Order for the sake of both tradition and longevity. During her lifetime, she founded several convents and monasteries of this new Carmelite Reform, the first of which, St. Joseph’s, still stands in Ávila today.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Saint-Doctor-of-the-Church">Saint &amp; Doctor of the Church</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">From her work in reforming the Carmelites to the many spiritual masterpieces she authored, Teresa was truly a pioneer in Church reform and contemplative theology, especially when considering the circumstances of her life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Just a few decades after her death, Pope Gregory XV canonized Teresa of Ávila on March 12, 1622, alongside <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/ignatius-loyola/">St. Ignatius of Loyola</a>, St. Frances Xavier, and St. Philip Neri – four truly inspirational saints in the realm of prayer, evangelization, and education! And canonizations in this period of Church history were exceptionally rare, as Fr. Roger Landry <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/blog/5-important-lessons-from-st-teresa-of-avila">explains</a>:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Even though the Council of Trent taught that the example and intercession of the saints was a great help to the faithful, it took 25 years after the close of the Council for anyone to be canonized. In fact, between 1492 and 1587, only three people had been canonized, one at a time. Pope Gregory changed that, canonizing at once four great saints of the Counter-Reformation, who were alive over the span of his own life, who not only symbolized what the Church is about but played major roles in helping her turn away from sin and be faithful to the Gospel.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Fr. Roger Landry</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Centuries after her death in 1582, Pope Paul VI <a href="https://www.nytimes.com/1970/09/28/archives/theresa-named-doctor-of-church-first-such-donor-for-woman.html">declared</a> St. Teresa of Ávila a Doctor of the Church in 1970. Teresa was the first woman ever to be given this title! And just a week later, <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/st-catherine-of-siena-feast-prayers-quotes-feast-day/">St. Catherine of Siena</a>, another woman of prayer, authorship, and activism, was given the same title. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Today, there are only two other female doctors of the Church: St. Thérèse of Lisieux and St. Hildegard von Bingen. Many historians and theologians have written about these four inspiring women, and we encourage you to learn more about them!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="fun-fact-3-teresas">Fun fact: 3 “Teresas”&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Did you know St. Thérèse of Lisieux was named after St. Teresa of Ávila? And that Mother Teresa, formally known as St. Teresa of Calcutta, named herself after St. Thérèse of Lisieux when she became a nun?&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"align":"center","width":250,"height":306,"sizeSlug":"large","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image aligncenter size-large is-resized"><img src="https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/9/9c/Teresa_of_%C3%81vila.jpg" alt="" style="width:250px;height:306px" width="250" height="306"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">St. Teresa of Ávila painted by François Gérard</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="St-Teresa-of-Ávila-on-prayer">What does St. Teresa of Ávila teach us about prayer?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="interior-castle">Our souls are like castles in the Kingdom of God.&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Teresa’s <em>Interior Castle</em> is filled with many insights about the power of contemplative prayer. While I highly recommend reading <em>The Interior Castle</em> in full at some point in your life, the overarching theme of the book leads you to see your soul as a castle created by God, reminiscent of His Kingdom. In prayer, you journey through the many room or “mansions” of your soul, ultimately discovering God at the center.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="become-friends-with-god">Prayer is really about becoming friends with God.&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">St. Teresa of Ávila famously <a href="https://stjosemaria.org/between-friends-the-feast-of-st-teresa-of-avila/">wrote</a> in her spiritual autobiography (<em>The Book of Her Life)</em>,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:pullquote --> <figure class="wp-block-pullquote"><blockquote><p><strong>“For mental prayer, in my opinion, is nothing else than an intimate sharing between friends; it means taking time frequently to be alone with Him who we know loves us.”&nbsp;</strong></p><cite>St. Teresa of Ávila</cite></blockquote></figure> <!-- /wp:pullquote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">When you think of your closest friends, these are often people you have spent a lot of time with at some point in your life; they are people you think about often, who you care deeply about and love to celebrate. Teresa encourages us to see God as our friend, too. To get closer to someone, to become their friend, you need to get to know them. With God, we do so in prayer, though this looks different for everyone!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This is also how Hallow looks at building a habit of prayer.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Find more prayer tips <a href="https://hallow.com/how-to-pray/">here</a>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Christian-Mysticism-saints">More on Christian Mysticism</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Many other saints and theologians have urged us to consider the power of intimate, contemplative communion with God. So many of them have been inspirational to our team at Hallow! These saints and writers are often called “mystics.” </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">If you’re interested in learning more about Christian mysticism, we recommend looking into St. John of the Cross, a friend of St. Teresa of Ávila, <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/francis-of-assisi/">St. Francis of Assisi</a>, <a href="https://hallow.com/saints/faustina/">St. Faustina</a>, to whom Jesus revealed the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet/">Divine Mercy Chaplet</a>, and <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/15/padre-pio-prayers-feast-day/">Padre Pio</a>. And these are just a few of the great Christian mystics – so many brilliant and creative authors, artists, musicians, and others have influenced this area of theology and spirituality. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/StTeresaofAvila">Pray with the Mystics </a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:gallery {"linkTo":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-gallery has-nested-images columns-default is-cropped"><!-- wp:image {"id":27698,"sizeSlug":"full","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-full"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/St-Teresa-of-Avila-1-4.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27698"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:image {"id":27672,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/St-Teresa-of-Avila-2-1024x1024.jpg" alt="" class="wp-image-27672"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --></figure> <!-- /wp:gallery --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="St-Teresa-of-Avila-prayers">St. Teresa of Ávila prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Teresa’s beautiful way of writing guides us to <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/21/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/">surrender</a> ourselves to God. Turn to these two St. Teresa of Ávila prayers when you’re looking for God’s guidance in your life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“Christ has no body but yours” prayer</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Christ has no body but yours,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>No hands, no feet on earth but yours,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Yours are the eyes with which He looks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Compassion on this world,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Yours are the feet with which He walks to do good,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Yours are the hands, with which He blesses all the world.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Yours are the hands, yours are the feet,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Yours are the eyes, you are His body.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Christ has no body now but yours,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>No hands, no feet on earth but yours,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Yours are the eyes with which he looks</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>compassion on this world.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Christ has no body now on earth but yours.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">“Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You” prayer</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Lord, grant that I may always allow myself to be guided by You,&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Always follow Your plans,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>And perfectly accomplish Your holy will.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Grant that in all things, great and small,&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Today and all the days of my life,&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>I may do whatever You may require of me.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Help me to respond to the slightest prompting of Your grace,&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>So that I may be your trustworthy instrument, for Your honor.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May your will be done in time and eternity – by me, in me, and through me.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Amen.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/StTeresaofAvila">Pray with St. Teresa of Ávila </a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="St-Teresa-of-Ávila-quotes">St. Teresa of Ávila quotes</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For when you need some motivation for prayer or inspiration to give all of your <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-anxiety/">worries</a> to God:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">On humility</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“There is more value in a little study of humility and in a single act of it than in all the knowledge in the world.”</em> – St. Teresa of Ávila&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">On surrender</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“We can only learn to know ourselves and do what we can, namely, surrender our will and fulfill God's will in us.”</em> – St. Teresa of Ávila&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">On letting go and trusting God</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">“<em>Let nothing disturb you, let nothing frighten you, all things are passing away: God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God lacks nothing; God alone suffices.” </em>– St. Teresa of Ávila</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“ .. It is presumptuous in me to wish to choose my path, because I cannot tell which path is best for me. I must leave it to the Lord, Who knows me, to lead me by the path which is best for me, so that in all things His will may be done.”</em> – St. Teresa of Ávila</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">On the soul</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“All things must come to the soul from its roots, from where it is planted.”</em> – St. Teresa of Ávila</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“I began to think of the soul as if it were a castle made of a single diamond or of very clear crystal, in which there are many rooms, just as in Heaven there are many mansions.” </em>– St. Teresa of Ávila</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:separator --> <hr class="wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity"/> <!-- /wp:separator --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Learn more about the spirituality and teachings of St. Teresa of Ávila from Dr. Gwen Adams in her sessions “A Place to Meet God” and “Exploring Your Inner Country.” You’ll find these sessions in Meditate &gt; Guests on the Hallow App.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><br>We’d also love to invite you to join us in praying the St. Teresa Novena on Hallow. Teresa’s Feast Day, October 15, is a great date to begin this <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novena</a>, though you can start it anytime that works for you!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/StTeresaofAvila">Pray with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Related-prayers-and-saints">Related prayers and saints&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-st-jude-novena/">St. Jude Novena</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-st-michael-chaplet/">St. Michael Chaplet</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/">Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/">Prayers to the Holy Spirit</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => St. Teresa of Ávila – Who St. Teresa of Ávila Was, Her Feast Day, Carmelite Spirituality, Prayers & Quotes [post_excerpt] => St. Teresa of Ávila is one of the four female doctors of the Church. She is such an inspiration to our team at Hallow that we claim her as our patron saint! [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => st-teresa-of-avila-prayers-quotes-feast-day [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2023-10-05 15:38:24 [post_modified_gmt] => 2023-10-05 15:38:24 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27529 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27448 [post_author] => 43 [post_date] => 2022-10-07 18:50:07 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-07 18:50:07 [post_content] => <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Advent is a journey towards Bethlehem. May we let ourselves be drawn by </em><strong><em>the light</em></strong><em> of God made man.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Pope Francis</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">During Advent, we prepare for His coming – He who brought Light into the darkness – for four weeks, represented by the four candles around the Advent wreath.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#advent-wreaths">Advent wreaths – history and meaning&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Blessing-of-an-Advent-wreath">Blessing of an Advent wreath (USSCB)</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Advent-candles">Advent candles</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#What-do-the-four-candles-of-Advent-symbolize?">What do the four candles of Advent symbolize?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Advent-candle-weeks-names-colors">Advent candle weeks, names &amp; colors&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#first-advent-candle-hope">First Candle/Sunday: Hope</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#second-advent-candle-peace">SecondCandle/Sunday: Peace</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#third-advent-candle-joy">Third Candle/Sunday: Joy – “Gaudete Sunday”</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#fourth-advent-candle-love">Fourth Candle/Sunday: Love</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Prayer-for-lighting-Advent-candles">Prayers for lighting Advent candles (Henri Nouwen</a>)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#related-prayers">Related prayers&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The word <em>“Advent” </em>comes from the Latin word <a href="https://www.etymonline.com/search?q=advent"><em>“adventus,”</em></a> which means <em>“a coming, approach, arrival.”</em> When we expect guests to arrive at our homes, we turn the lights on; we anticipate their arrival and welcome them with joy. In Advent, we prepare our homes and churches as we joyfully anticipate His arrival, and the light also gets brighter as we near Christmas day, the day on which the <em>Light of the World</em> was born. St. Gregory of Nyssa wrote,&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em><strong>“Today, the darkness begins to grow shorter and the light to lengthen, as the hours of light become fewer. […] Do you see that the beams of light are more intense and the sun higher than it has been? Realize that the true light is now here and, through the rays of the Gospel, is illuminating the whole earth.”</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent wreaths and candles are commonly seen in Catholic churches during the liturgical season. Many people also display Advent wreaths in their homes and light a candle each Sunday as families. Read more to learn about the history, traditions, and symbolism behind Advent wreaths and candles and how you can celebrate Advent at home with family and friends.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="advent-wreaths">Advent wreaths</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Advent wreath is a centuries-old Christian tradition. Potentially overlooked by the candles it holds to light the way for the birth of Jesus, the Advent wreath itself symbolizes many themes and beliefs central to the Christian faith. In parishes, Advent wreaths are placed anywhere on the altar, on a side table, or even hung from the ceiling. In the home, you might place your Advent wreath on an entry or dining table or another location where you, your family, and your guests can enjoy the wreath during the Advent season.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">History of the Advent wreath</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The origin of the Advent wreath has been traced back to Germany, though the exact dates are unknown. Historians have <a href="https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-history-of-the-advent-wreath.html">suggested</a> that pre-Christian Germanic peoples would light candles around wreaths in the dark winter months in anticipation of the warmer, lighter months in springtime. This tradition likely evolved into an “Advent wreath” at some point during the Middle Ages, transforming the pagan tradition into a Christian one. Rev. William Saunders <a href="https://www.catholiceducation.org/en/culture/catholic-contributions/the-history-of-the-advent-wreath.html">explained</a> that “By 1600, both Catholics and Lutherans had more formal practices surrounding the Advent wreath.” Ultimately, the Advent wreath tradition spread beyond Germany and into other areas of the world, namely throughout the western Church.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Advent wreath meaning</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The circular shape of the Advent wreath symbolizes God’s infinite love for us – it is never-ending, just like the true Light of the World, Jesus, who leads us into eternal life with Him. The materials of the Advent wreath similarly lead us to reflect on the everlasting nature of God; traditionally, Advent wreaths have been made of evergreen leaves, such as pine or fir, which maintain their green color beyond the season in which they are collected. Nowadays, there are many modern interpretations of Advent wreaths that still help us celebrate the traditional meaning of the wreath: preparing the way for the Light of the World, Jesus. Battery-operated/LED wreaths are a good example of this as they simulate the four candles but don’t require lighting each week.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Blessing-of-an-Advent-wreath">Blessing of an Advent wreath (USCCB)</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/how-to-block {"hasDuration":true,"minutes":"5","jsonDescription":"Pray \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreath\u0022\u003ethis blessing\u003c/a\u003e from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops the night before or on the first Sunday of Advent in your home. ","steps":[{"id":"how-to-step-1665164747305","name":["Make the Sign of the Cross."],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":[" In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. "]}}],"jsonName":"Make the Sign of the Cross.","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003e In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. \u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1665164773145","name":["Say, ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”"]}}],"text":[],"jsonName":"Say, \u003cem\u003e“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”\u003c/em\u003e","jsonText":""},{"id":"how-to-step-1665164779912","name":["Then, read Scripture from the Book of Isaiah."],"text":["The USCCB points us toward ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A1-2%2CIsaiah+9%3A5-6\u0026version=NRSVCE","children":["Isaiah 9"]}},", ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+63%3A+16-17+%2C+19\u0026version=NRSVCE","children":["Isaiah 63"]}},", or ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+64%3A2-7\u0026version=NRSVCE","children":["Isaiah 64"]}},". "],"jsonName":"Then, read Scripture from the Book of Isaiah.","jsonText":"The USCCB points us toward \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A1-2%2CIsaiah+9%3A5-6\u0026amp;version=NRSVCE\u0022\u003eIsaiah 9\u003c/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+63%3A+16-17+%2C+19\u0026amp;version=NRSVCE\u0022\u003eIsaiah 63\u003c/a\u003e, or \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+64%3A2-7\u0026amp;version=NRSVCE\u0022\u003eIsaiah 64\u003c/a\u003e. "},{"id":"how-to-step-1665164789378","name":["Pray with the following blessing written by the ",{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreath","children":["USCCB"]}},"."],"text":[{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["“Lord our God,"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["He is the Savior of every nation."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Lord God,"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["let your blessing come upon us"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["as we light the candles of this wreath."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["May the wreath and its light"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["May He come quickly and not delay."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["We ask this through Christ our Lord."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Amen.”"]}}],"jsonName":"Pray with the following blessing written by the \u003ca href=\u0022https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreath\u0022\u003eUSCCB\u003c/a\u003e.","jsonText":"\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003e“Lord our God,\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003ewe praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHe is the Savior of every nation.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eLord God,\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003elet your blessing come upon us\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eas we light the candles of this wreath.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eMay the wreath and its light\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003ebe a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eMay He come quickly and not delay.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eWe ask this through Christ our Lord.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eAmen.”\u003c/em\u003e"}],"defaultDurationText":"Time needed:"} --> <div class="schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block"><p class="schema-how-to-total-time"><span class="schema-how-to-duration-time-text">Time needed: </span>5 minutes. </p><p class="schema-how-to-description">Pray <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreath">this blessing</a> from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops the night before or on the first Sunday of Advent in your home.&nbsp;</p> <ol class="schema-how-to-steps"><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1665164747305"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Make the Sign of the Cross.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em> In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. </em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1665164773145"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Say, <em>“Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.”</em></strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1665164779912"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Then, read Scripture from the Book of Isaiah.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text">The USCCB points us toward <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+9%3A1-2%2CIsaiah+9%3A5-6&amp;version=NRSVCE">Isaiah 9</a>, <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+63%3A+16-17+%2C+19&amp;version=NRSVCE">Isaiah 63</a>, or <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Isaiah+64%3A2-7&amp;version=NRSVCE">Isaiah 64</a>. </p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1665164789378"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Pray with the following blessing written by the <a href="https://www.usccb.org/prayers/blessing-advent-wreath">USCCB</a>.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><br/><em>“Lord our God,</em><br/><em>we praise you for your Son, Jesus Christ:</em><br/><em>He is Emmanuel, the hope of the peoples,</em><br/><em>He is the wisdom that teaches and guides us,</em><br/><em>He is the Savior of every nation.</em><br/><em>Lord God,</em><br/><em>let your blessing come upon us</em><br/><em>as we light the candles of this wreath.</em><br/><em>May the wreath and its light</em><br/><em>be a sign of Christ’s promise to bring us salvation.</em><br/><em>May He come quickly and not delay.</em><br/><em>We ask this through Christ our Lord.</em><br/><em>Amen.”</em></p> </li></ol></div> <!-- /wp:yoast/how-to-block --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/adventwreath">Pray with Hallow This Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Advent-candles">Advent candles&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:image {"id":70255,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Advent-Candles-1024x768.png" alt="An illustration of the four Advent candles (three purple, one pink) with descriptions of their meaning and significance." class="wp-image-70255"/><figcaption class="wp-element-caption">The four Advent candles each have meaning.</figcaption></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="What-do-the-four-candles-of-Advent-symbolize?">What do the four candles of Advent symbolize?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The four candles of Advent represent the four Sundays of Advent, and they respectively symbolize hope, peace, <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-happiness-and-joy/">joy</a>, and love. In some homes and parishes, people will also light a fifth candle on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day to represent the birth of Jesus; this candle, when added to the Advent wreath, is typically white and larger than the other candles and is placed in the center of the wreath.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Advent-candle-weeks-names-colors">Advent candle weeks, names &amp; colors&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Advent week 1 – Hope: Prophecy Candle (purple)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Advent week 2 – Peace: Bethlehem Candle (purple)&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Advent week 3 – Joy: Shepherd’s Candle (pink)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Advent week 4 – Love: Angel’s Candle (purple)</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="first-advent-candle-hope">First Advent Candle/Sunday: Hope</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong><em>“Once in our world, a stable had something in it that was bigger than our whole world.”</em></strong><strong> – C.S. Lewis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It is only fitting that the first candle on the Advent wreath represents <strong>Hope</strong> – the first Sunday of Advent not only leads us to anticipate the birth of Christ but celebrate the beginning of a new liturgical season as well. The first candle is <strong>purple</strong>, the primary color of Advent and a color symbolizing royalty. Sometimes called the <strong>“Prophecy Candle,”</strong> the first candle harkens us back to Isaiah’s foretelling of the birth of Christ and all of the promises God gave us in the Old Testament that would be fulfilled by the birth of Jesus. This Advent, light the first candle on <strong>Sunday, December 1, 2024</strong>.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="second-advent-candle-peace">Second Advent Candle/Sunday: Peace</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong><em>“May we be in this world a ray of that light which shone forth from Bethlehem, bringing joy and peace to the hearts of all men and women.”</em></strong><strong> – Pope Francis</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The second candle on the Advent wreath represents <strong>Peace</strong>. Like the first candle, it is also purple. Often called the <strong>“Bethlehem Candle,”</strong> the second Advent candle reminds us of Mary and Joseph’s journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem before Mary gave birth to Jesus. Building on the meaning of the Prophecy Candle, this second candle recalls that after all of the division, destruction, and dispersion of the kingdom in the Old Testament, there might finally be peace on Earth – Jesus is coming, and so is his Kingdom of Peace. As we read in the quote from Pope Francis, this light of peace shone forth from Bethlehem for all the world. This Advent, light the second candle on <strong>Sunday, December 8, 2024.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="third-advent-candle-joy">Third Advent Candle/Sunday: Joy – “Gaudete Sunday”</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong><em>“But the angel said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; for see — I am bringing you good news of great joy for all the people: to you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign for you: you will find a child wrapped in bands of cloth and lying in a manger.’”</em></strong><strong> (Luke 2:10-12)</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The third candle of Advent symbolizes <strong>Joy</strong>. As we continue to approach Christmas Day, our joy grows more and more. The third candle takes us back to the joyful anticipation of the shepherds who journeyed to see Jesus in Bethlehem, even before the wise men. On this third Sunday of Advent, which the Church calls “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice or praise, we light the third candle and rejoice like the shepherds. For this reason, the third candle of Advent is called the <strong>“Shepherd’s Candle,” </strong>and its color is <strong>pink</strong>, the liturgical color for joy. This Advent, light the third candle on <strong>Sunday, December 15, 2024.&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="fourth-advent-candle-love">Fourth Advent Candle/Sunday: Love</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong><em>“And in the end, everything else will turn out to be unimportant and inessential, except for this: Father, Child, and Love.”</em></strong><strong> – St. (Pope) John Paul II</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The fourth candle of Advent represents <strong>Love, </strong>the ultimate love of God that He might send His only Son for us. Called the <strong>“Angel’s Candle,”</strong> the fourth candle of Advent is lit the Sunday before Christmas, and it is the color <strong>purple</strong>, leading us to eagerly await the new Kingdom of God on earth. This Advent, light the fourth candle on <strong>Sunday, December 22, 2024</strong>. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:image {"id":70277,"sizeSlug":"large","linkDestination":"none","className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-image size-large"><img src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/Advent-Calendar-2024-1024x788.png" alt="" class="wp-image-70277"/></figure> <!-- /wp:image --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="Prayer-for-lighting-Advent-candles">Prayer for lighting Advent candles — Henri Nouwen</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Each person or family might approach lighting Advent candles in a different way, which is totally okay! Some families will let different members light a candle each week and say a prayer. What matters most is that the candles remind you of the overflowing hope, peace, joy, and love that the birth of Jesus means for each of us. If you’re struggling to find the words for prayer, this Advent prayer from <a href="https://nhop.ca/an-advent-prayer-henri-nouwen/">Fr. Henri J.M. Nouwen</a> encapsulates what many of us feel and <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/02/prayers-for-hope/">hope</a> for during the Advent season:&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>Lord Jesus, Master of both light and darkness, send your </em><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/"><em>Holy Spirit</em></a><em> upon our preparation for Christmas.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear Your voice each day.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of Your Kingdom.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of Your presence.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>We are Your people, walking in darkness yet seeking the light. To You, we say, “Come, Lord Jesus!”&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/adventwreath">Pray with Hallow This Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading">Where to find Advent candles and wreaths?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">First, check with your local parish for Advent wreaths and candles. You can also purchase Advent candles and wreaths at local religious stores, from individuals selling on Etsy or personal sites, or through major shopping outlets like Target, Amazon, and Walmart. Or, you can attempt to DIY an Advent wreath and candles by putting together a wreath made of natural materials around your home or neighborhood; then, add purple and pink ribbons around plain white candles to signify the specialty and sacredness of the four Sundays of Advent.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Stay tuned for our #Pray25 Advent Community Challenge on Hallow – we cannot wait to pray with you!&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="related-prayers">Related prayers &amp; information&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/Advent-Calendar-2024-Digital.pdf">Hallow 2024 Advent Calendar for Download &amp; Print</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/30/advent-prayers-catholic-meditations/">Catholic Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/10/03/the-schedule-of-advent-when-does-advent-start-in-2022/">When does Advent start in 2023?</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/thanksgiving-prayer/">Thanksgiving Prayers &amp; Blessings</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-st-andrew-christmas-novena/">How to Pray the St. Andrew Christmas Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-prayer-catholic-blessings/">Christmas Prayers &amp; Blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/new-years-prayers/">New Year’s Prayers &amp; Blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/">Our Father Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => Advent Candles and Advent Wreaths: The History and Meaning, Colors, Symbolism, Themes, and More&nbsp; [post_excerpt] => Learn the meaning and history behind the traditional Advent wreath and Advent candles. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2024-12-10 19:54:46 [post_modified_gmt] => 2024-12-10 19:54:46 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27448 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27381 [post_author] => 43 [post_date] => 2022-10-03 15:11:13 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-10-03 15:11:13 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent is a season of waiting and expectation for Christmas – the birth of Christ, the Nativity of Our Lord. We prepare our homes and hearts for four weeks before Christmas. Advent is also the beginning of a new liturgical season – it concludes a long period of Ordinary Time and leads us into the new church year with hope and patience in preparation for Christmas.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This season was likely first celebrated in the fifth century, originating from the tradition of fasting several times a week, beginning on St. Martin de Tours’ Feast Day (November 11) and concluding on Christmas Day. Nowadays, Advent always starts about four weeks before Christmas, on the Sunday closest to St. Andrew’s Feast Day (November 30).&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Keeping track of Advent dates amidst the busyness of the holidays can be tricky, especially as the dates change year after year. So, we put together these common FAQs for you to keep track of the Advent schedule and each Sunday of Advent. We also included the important dates that follow Christmas in the Church calendar.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#when-is-advent">When is Advent?&nbsp;</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#When-does-Advent-start">When does Advent start?<br></a><a href="#When-is-Advent-over">When is Advent over?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Sundays-of-Advent">Sundays of Advent&nbsp;</a><!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#first-sunday-of-advent">First Sunday of Advent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#second-sunday-of-advent">Second Sunday of Advent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#third-sunday-of-advent">Third Sunday of Advent</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#fourth-sunday-of-advent">Fourth Sunday of Advent&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#dates-for-advent-decided">How are the dates for Advent decided?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#What-season-is-after-Advent">What season is after Advent?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#12-days-of-Christmas">When are the 12 Days of Christmas?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#When-is-Epiphany">When is Epiphany?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Dates for Advent 2022 - 2027">Dates for Advent 2022 - 2027</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#More-Prayers-and-Blessings">More Prayers &amp; Blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-is-advent">When is Advent?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="When-does-Advent-start">When does Advent start?&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent always starts four Sundays before Christmas. This year, in 2025, Advent starts Sunday, November 30.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="When-is-Advent-over">When is Advent over?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent always ends on Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. Advent ends Wednesday, December 24, 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Sundays-of-Advent">Sundays of Advent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="first-sunday-of-advent">When is the first Sunday of Advent?&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The first Sunday of Advent is November 30, 2025. The first Sunday of Advent is also the beginning of the new liturgical year when we transition into a new liturgical cycle. On the first Sunday of Advent in 2024, we’ll transition from cycle C to cycle A. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="second-sunday-of-advent">When is the second Sunday of Advent?</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The second Sunday of Advent is December 7, 2025. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="third-sunday-of-advent">When is the third Sunday of Advent?&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The third Sunday of Advent is December 14, 2025. Called “Gaudete Sunday,” meaning rejoice, a pink candle on the Advent wreath represents this Sunday. At Mass, you’ll also see priests and deacons in pink vestments, leading us to await the birth of Jesus joyfully. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading" id="fourth-sunday-of-advent">When is the fourth Sunday of Advent?&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The fourth Sunday of Advent is December 21, 2025. Two days later is Christmas Eve, the day before Christmas. </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/4yIAPVIKKtb">Pray with Hallow This Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="dates-for-advent-decided">How are the dates for Advent decided?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent always begins on a Sunday and includes three other Sundays leading up to Christmas. Traditionally, this first Sunday of Advent is always the Sunday closest to the Feast of St. Andrew the Apostle on November 30, whether before or after. This year, the Feast of St. Andrew is on a Wednesday, so the first Sunday of Advent precedes the apostle’s feast day.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em><strong>(Start the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-st-andrew-christmas-novena/">St. Andrew Christmas Novena</a> on November 30.)</strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="What-season-is-after-Advent">What season is after Advent?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">After Advent, the Christmas season begins with Christmas Eve vigil masses. The Christmas season ends on Monday, January 12, 2025, following Feast of the Baptism of the Lord.  </p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="12-days-of-Christmas">When are the 12 days of Christmas?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The 12 days of Christmas begin on Christmas Day, December 25, and end on January 5, the day before Epiphany.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="When-is-Epiphany">When is Epiphany?&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/feast-of-the-epiphany/">Epiphany</a> is always celebrated on January 6. Traditionally, this day marks the visit of the Magi – when the three wise men visited the baby Jesus.&nbsp;It's often observed on the Sunday between Jan. 2 and 8.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/4yIAPVIKKtb">Pray with Hallow This Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="advent-2022-2027">Dates for Advent 2022 - 2027</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:table {"hasFixedLayout":false,"className":""} --> <figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td><strong>Year</strong></td><td><strong>Advent Start Date</strong></td><td><strong>Advent End Date</strong></td></tr><tr><td>Advent 2023</td><td>Sunday, December 3, 2023</td><td>Sunday, December 24, 2023</td></tr><tr><td>Advent 2024</td><td>Sunday, December 1, 2024</td><td>Tuesday, December 24, 2024</td></tr><tr><td>Advent 2025</td><td>Sunday, November 30, 2025</td><td>Wednesday, December 24, 2025</td></tr><tr><td>Advent 2026</td><td>Sunday, November 29, 2026</td><td>Thursday, December 24, 2026</td></tr><tr><td>Advent 2027</td><td>Sunday, November 28, 2027</td><td>Friday, December 24, 2027</td></tr><tr><td>Advent 2028</td><td>Sunday, December 3, 2028</td><td>Sunday, December 24, 2028</td></tr></tbody></table></figure> <!-- /wp:table --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="More-Prayers-and-Blessings">More Prayers &amp; Blessings&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/30/advent-prayers-catholic-meditations/">Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/10/07/advent-candles-and-advent-wreaths/">Advent Candles &amp; Advent Wreaths</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-calendars/">Advent Calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-prayer-catholic-blessings/">Christmas Prayers &amp; Blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/thanksgiving-prayer/">Thanksgiving Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">How to Pray the Hail Mary</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-divine-mercy-chaplet/">How to Pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => The Schedule of Advent – When Does Advent Start in 2025? When are the Sundays of Advent? [post_excerpt] => Common FAQs for you to keep track of the Advent schedule and each Sunday of Advent. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => the-schedule-of-advent-when-does-advent-start [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 20:49:04 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 20:49:04 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27381 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27299 [post_author] => 32 [post_date] => 2022-09-30 00:19:51 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-09-30 00:19:51 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"ordered":true,"className":""} --> <ol class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#intro">Introduction</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#short">Short Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#2023">Advent Prayers for 2025</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#daily">Daily Advent Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#bible-verses">Advent Bible Verses</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#others">Additional Prayers&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ol> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p id="intro" class="">Sometimes it feels as if we’re in a rush to speed through the calendar.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pumpkin-flavored <em>everything</em> seems to be ubiquitous by Labor Day. Christmas decorations will start popping up on store shelves long before Halloween costumes fly off the shelves.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent challenges the hectic pace of our lives and the sometimes indomitable march toward Christmas. It gives us time to prayerfully remember Jesus’s birth and the majesty of the Incarnation while looking ahead to His second coming.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent prayers can help us focus on this important liturgical season when it seems like so many forces pull us from summer to Christmas Eve. Praying during Advent can help us keep in mind the true purpose of all of the build-up to Christmas.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Let Hallow enrich your prayer life this year with Advent prayers for 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="short">Short Advent Prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Advent is a relatively short liturgical season, so perhaps it’s fitting that short, simple prayers are all we need to feel God’s calming presence in our lives amid the many distractions of November and December.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Consider these brief Catholic prayers this Advent season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dear Lord, please allow me to embrace Advent in the way the Church intends: as a way to prepare for Your arrival. May everything I do–every gift I send, every party I attend, every meal I share–remind me to prepare space in my heart for You. Amen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Heavenly Father, heal my heart during this season of Advent. Help me to love more fully. To forgive more generously. To wait more patiently for Christmas, embracing each day and hour knowing the joy that awaits. In Your name I pray. Amen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Lord, send down Your Spirit to guide me during Advent this year. May the Holy Spirit help me journey closer to You and lift me up when I feel down and led me when I feel lost. I may stumble at times, but I know my ultimate journey is to draw closer to You and build Your kingdom here on earth–a kingdom that Jesus’s birth, life and death helped secure. Amen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I pray for focus today, dear God, because during Advent, my mind and attention tend to wander. There are so many distractions, many of them well-meaning. But nothing gives my heart rest like resting in You. I pray that keep You at the focus of my day today, because I know the peace that only You offer. Amen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/AdventPrayers">Pray on Hallow this Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="2023">Prayers for Advent in 2025</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">It’s been a challenging year for many of us for many reasons. Here are some prayers that may resonate during the 2025 Advent season:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Dear Heavenly Father, this Advent season, we especially are in need of peace. War rages on in our world. It impacts the daily lives of millions in different ways. This year, as much as ever, we need Jesus, Prince of Peace, in our world and in our hearts. During Advent in 2025, we pray that Jesus transforms our world as we await His coming again.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>In his <a href="https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/homilies/2022/documents/20220914-omelia-kazakhstan.html">September 2022 homily</a> during his journey to Kazakhstan, Pope Francis reminds us that God’s response to the spread of evil in the world was that He “gave us Jesus, who drew near to us in a way we could never have imagined.” Father, this Advent, we eagerly await Jesus drawing near to us again. In a world that can feel overcome by the sins of violence, poverty and injustice, we pray that we can be instruments of peace and <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-healing/">healing</a> in Your name. Amen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="daily">Daily Advent Prayers and Meditations</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Hallow app offers dozens of simple daily prayers that are perfect for Advent, including the daily rosary, <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/bible-in-a-year-with-father-mike-schmitz/">Bible in a Year</a>, several different <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novenas</a> and daily miracle stories.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">During the four weeks of Advent, these daily prayers and meditations can help calm your heart during a season filled with distractions. Pray these prayers each day to draw close to God during Advent in 2025.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>God, be with me today. Help my heart be open to the ways Jesus is at work in my life. Amen.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Give me peace today, O Lord. Help me to live this day in eternal hope knowing Jesus will come again.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>Heavenly Father, Give me the strength to have the same trust in You that Mary had, as she awaited the birth of Jesus.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>I pray for humility today, Father. Our Savior entered this world in a manger with animals. When I feel too proud, let me remember the Holy Family and Jesus’s humble birth.</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="bible-verses">Advent Bible Verses: Scriptures to Read During Advent</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Spending time with Scripture is important to our prayer lives during all liturgical seasons. Hallow offers the daily Gospel and other Scripture-based meditations to guide your Advent meditations.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">These simple Bible verses also resonate during Advent:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Isaiah 40:3: </strong><em>“A voice of one calling: “In the wilderness prepare the way for the LORD ; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.”</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Isaiah 30:18:</strong> <em>“Truly, the Lord is waiting to be gracious to you, truly, he shall rise to show you mercy; For the Lord is a God of justice: happy are all who wait for him!”</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Hebrews 6:15:</strong> <em>“And so, after patient waiting, he obtained the promise.”</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><strong>Luke 1: 34-38: </strong><em>“But Mary said to the angel, “How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?” And the angel said to her in reply, “The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. Therefore the child to be born will be called holy, the Son of God. And behold, Elizabeth, your relative, has also conceived a son in her old age, and this is the sixth month for her who was called barren; for nothing will be impossible for God.” Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” Then the angel departed from her.”</em></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="others"><strong>More Prayers</strong></h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Let Hallow help you pray throughout the Advent season.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-rosary/">How to Pray the Rosary</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/thanksgiving-prayer/">Thanksgiving Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-hail-mary/">Hail Mary Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-our-father/">Our Father Prayer</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-prayer-catholic-blessings/">Christmas Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/christmas-eve-mass/">Christmas Eve Mass</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/advent-calendars/">Advent Calendars</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/AdventPrayers">Pray on Hallow this Advent</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> [post_title] => Advent Prayers: Catholic Advent Prayers for the 2025 Advent Season [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => advent-prayers-catholic-meditations [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2025-05-14 20:52:38 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-05-14 20:52:38 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27299 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27312 [post_author] => 43 [post_date] => 2022-09-29 17:48:48 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-09-29 17:48:48 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Some of the biggest blessings from God in our lives are the people – our friends, family, and all we love – who are on this journey with us. Birthdays remind us to celebrate those special people, as well as their gifts and thank God for placing them in our lives. Turn to these birthday prayers, blessings, and inspiring quotes to graciously recognize the special people in your life. You can also include them as spiritual birthday blessings in cards or text messages.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents&nbsp;</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Celebrating-birthdays">Celebrating birthdays</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Bible-verses-for-Birthdays">Bible verses for birthdays&nbsp;</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Birthday-prayers-blessings">Birthday prayers and blessings</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#birthday-inspiration-from-the-saints">Birthday inspiration from the saints</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#More-prayers">More prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/bFzo8LSTItb">Celebrate your big day with God. Try Hallow for Free!</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Celebrating-birthdays">Celebrating birthdays</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">The birthdays of our loved ones offer us a special day to show love and gratitude to those people in our lives. On our own birthdays, we pause for reflection on the previous year, celebrate our journey thus far, and look forward to what the future holds.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">During these days of remembrance and gratitude, we thank God for introducing us to the people who have ventured into our lives and walk alongside us, no matter how young or old they might be. We hope you’ll find these birthday prayers and blessings helpful in celebrating the unique lives of people that have blessed your own life.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Bible-verses-for-Birthdays">Bible verses for Birthdays</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Include a Bible verse in a birthday card or birthday text to a friend to show your gratitude for God placing them in your life. If it’s your own birthday, turn to these prayers as you celebrate another year of the gift of life from Him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Numbers 6:24-26</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>The Lord bless you and keep you;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>the Lord make his face to shine upon you, and be gracious to you;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>the Lord lift up his countenance upon you, and give you peace.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">1 Corinthians 1:3-7</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>I give thanks to my God always for you because of the grace of God that has been given you in Christ Jesus, for in every way you have been enriched in him, in speech and knowledge of every kind — just as the testimony of Christ has been strengthened among you — so that you are not lacking in any spiritual gift as you wait for the revealing of our Lord Jesus Christ.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Jeremiah 29:11</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare and not for harm, to give you a future with hope.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Psalm 23 - A Psalm of David&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;He makes me lie down in green pastures;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>he leads me beside still waters;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;he restores my soul.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>[...]</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;all the days of my life,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;my whole life long.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">[Read the full Psalm <a href="https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Psalm+23%3A1%E2%80%936&amp;version=NRSVCE">here</a>.]</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">See more <a href="https://hallow.com/scripture/bible-verses-for-birthdays/">Bible verses for birthdays</a>.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/bFzo8LSTItb">Try Hallow For Free Today</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Birthday-prayers-blessings">Birthday prayers and blessings</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Turn to these prayers in celebration of your friends and family members to reflect on the previous years and look forward to the years to come.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Prayer of gratitude</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Dear Lord,&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Thank you for placing [Name] in my life and inviting me into their journey.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>I am so grateful to have them in my life and for their many gifts.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May you be with them on this special day and continue to bless them in the years ahead.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Amen.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Prayer to the Holy Spirit</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Holy Spirit,&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Please watch over [Name] as they celebrate another year of life.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May you be present with them in this time of reflection, gratitude, and looking ahead.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May you guide them with joy, gratitude, and love on this special day.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Amen.&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Traditional Irish blessing&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May the road rise up to meet you.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May the wind be always at your back.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>May the sun shine warm upon your face;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>the rains fall soft upon your fields and until we meet again,</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>may God hold you in the palm of His hand.</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Birthday blessings</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>As we celebrate your birthday, I give thanks to God for placing you in my life. May your day be filled with joy, reflection, and hope for the year ahead, and may He continue to bless you and watch over you all the days of your life.</em>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Short birthday blessings&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li>May your next year be filled with His joy and love.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>May God hold you in the palm of His hand.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>May God be with you in this next year of your life.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>May God bless you today and forever.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>May your journey continue to be blessed each and every day.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li>May you look back with joy on the years of your life and with hope for those to come.&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="birthday-inspiration-from-the-saints">Birthday inspiration from the saints and other individuals</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Whether it’s your birthday or the birthday of a loved one in your life, a great quote can inspire gratitude. We put together a few of our favorite quotes from the <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-with-saints/">saints</a> to share with you!</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Pope Saint John Paul II</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>"Let us remember the past with gratitude, live the present with enthusiasm, and look forward to the future with confidence."</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“Have no fear of moving into the unknown. Simply step out fearlessly knowing that I am with you, therefore no harm can befall you; all is very, very well. Do this in complete faith and confidence.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Mother Teresa</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have. Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“Be happy in the moment, that's enough. Each moment is all we need, not more.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">St. Francis of Assisi</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible, and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Thomas Merton&nbsp;</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“You do not need to know precisely what is happening, or exactly where it is all going. What you need is to recognize the possibilities and challenges offered by the present moment, and to embrace them with courage, faith, and hope.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"level":3,"className":""} --> <h3 class="wp-block-heading">Junipero Serra</h3> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“I pray God may preserve your health and life many years.”</em>&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong><em><a href="https://hallow.com/daily-quote/2022-09-29/">Be </a></em></strong><em><strong><a href="https://hallow.com/daily-quote/2022-09-29/">Inspired: Subscribe to Hallow’s Daily Quote!</a></strong></em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="More-prayers">More prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/thanksgiving-prayer/">Thanksgiving Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-to-the-holy-spirit/">Holy Spirit Prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-healing/">Prayers for Healing</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-happiness-and-joy/">Prayers for Happiness and Joy</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/prayers-for-hope/">Prayers for Hope</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/">How to Pray the Surrender Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:cover {"url":"https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/illos_grid-scaled.jpg","id":10227,"dimRatio":50} --> <div class="wp-block-cover"><span aria-hidden="true" class="wp-block-cover__background has-background-dim"></span><img class="wp-block-cover__image-background wp-image-10227" alt="" src="https://hallow.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/illos_grid-scaled.jpg" data-object-fit="cover"/><div class="wp-block-cover__inner-container"><!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","placeholder":"Write title…","className":"","fontSize":"large"} --> <p class="has-text-align-center has-large-font-size">Pray Every Day on Hallow</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button {"backgroundColor":"white","textColor":"black"} --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link has-black-color has-white-background-color has-text-color has-background wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/bFzo8LSTItb"><strong>Download the Hallow App</strong></a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --></div></div> <!-- /wp:cover --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Prayers for Birthdays and Birthday Blessings [post_excerpt] => Turn to these birthday prayers, blessings, and inspiring quotes on the birthdays of loved ones in your life. 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WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27010 [post_author] => 43 [post_date] => 2022-09-21 17:29:20 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-09-21 17:29:20 [post_content] => <!-- wp:quote {"className":""} --> <blockquote class="wp-block-quote"><!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>Gesù, pensaci tu. (Jesus, you take care of it.)</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --><cite>Servant of God Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo</cite></blockquote> <!-- /wp:quote --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In the Surrender Novena, we turn away from ourselves and towards Jesus, who wraps us in His arms and takes care of everything in His everlasting love for us.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>Table of Contents</strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#what-is-surrender-novena">What is the Surrender Novena?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#when-to-pray-surrender-novena">When to pray the Surrender Novena?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#why-pray-surrender-novena">Why pray the Surrender Novena?</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#How-to-pray-the-Surrender-Novena">How to pray the Surrender Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="#Other-prayers">Other prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="what-is-surrender-novena">What is the Surrender Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Surrender Novena comes from Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo (1882-1970), a Servant of God and candidate for beatification (to become a saint). Jesus revealed to Fr. Dolindo the words that make up this <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-novenas/">novena</a>. Fr. Dolindo, who called himself “Mary’s little old man,” suffered for much of his life, even living in paralysis for the last ten years before his death. He was also, at one time, the spiritual director and a friend of <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/15/padre-pio-prayers-feast-day/">Padre Pio</a>, who similarly found the love of Christ in his suffering.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":"lent-embed"} --> <p class="lent-embed">Both Fr. Dolindo and Padre Pio left us with many words and prayers that guide us toward surrendering ourselves to Christ. They also inspire us to always meet others with mercy and love, representative of their own surrenders to Christ and His love for us.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In praying this novena of surrender, we meditate on the same words Jesus gave Fr. Dolindo over the course of nine days, in which we hear Jesus tell us to give Him everything and to place our complete <a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-trust/">trust</a> in Him.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="when-to-pray-surrender-novena">When to pray the Surrender Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Turn to the Surrender Novena whenever you struggle to take care of something on your own, whenever you struggle to give over a worry, doubt, or suffering to God.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Pray this novena to give everything to Jesus and say, “Jesus, you take care of it.”</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="why-pray-surrender-novena">Why pray the Surrender Novena?</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">The Surrender Novena is one of the most powerful prayers Jesus has given us. Jesus met Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo in his pain, suffering, agony, and doubt. And through the words that Jesus gave him, we also meet Jesus in this place. We pray the Surrender Novena to humble ourselves and recognize that we can’t handle it all alone – we need Jesus to take care of us. As we repeat throughout this novena, we pray for surrender to turn our eyes away from ourselves and to look upon Jesus.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">As St. Therese of Lisieux said, <strong><em>“For me, prayer is a surge of the heart … it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.”</em></strong></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">This novena of surrender to the will of God has been so powerful for folks who have prayed it on the Hallow app. Below are two testimonials from individuals in our Hallow community about the power of Surrender Novena:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>“I realized I had no business thanking God for the things that I could do for myself when I rejected him and wanted to do things my way. The Surrender Novena meant completely waiting on God, completely letting him choose, completely letting my will and ability go.”&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"align":"center","className":""} --> <p class="has-text-align-center"><em>“The experience of these past nine days waking up to surrender myself and my days to Jesus has changed completely the way to face the tasks and challenges laying ahead. [...] I am surprised by how fast a soul can mature, and the closeness to Christ one can experience in such a short time. [The Surrender Novena] is one of the most life-changing experiences I’ve had, and would like to continue with this habit onward.”&nbsp;</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We hope you’ll join us in praying the Surrender Novena with Jonathan Roumie, the actor who plays Jesus in The Chosen, on Hallow.&nbsp;</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/rgHFLmEKttb">Pray the Surrender Novena</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="How-to-pray-the-Surrender-Novena">How to pray the Surrender Novena&nbsp;</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:yoast/how-to-block {"hasDuration":true,"minutes":"5","jsonDescription":"Turn your eyes upon Jesus and pray for surrender for nine days. ","steps":[{"id":"how-to-step-1663780544020","name":["Begin by making the sign of the cross."],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the "]}},{"type":"a","props":{"href":"https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/","children":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Holy Spirit"]}}]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":[", Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Begin by making the sign of the cross.","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eIn the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the \u003c/em\u003e\u003ca href=\u0022https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/\u0022\u003e\u003cem\u003eHoly Spirit\u003c/em\u003e\u003c/a\u003e\u003cem\u003e, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663780576494","name":["Then, listen or read the words that Jesus spoke to Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo and that He continues to speak to us. Each day of the novena, listen and reflect on His words and consider how He is leading you to peace and comfort throughout the next nine days and forever. "],"text":[{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 1"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produc"]}},"e",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["s the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 2"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see t"]}},"o ",{"type":"em","props":{"children":["their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act, saying, “You take care of it."]}},"\u0022",{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 3"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me, “You take care of it,” then closes its eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the Our Father: “Hallowed be thy Name,” that is, be glorified in my need. “Thy kingdom come,” that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven,” that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: “Thy will be done,” which is the same as saying: “You take care of it,” I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 4"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry. Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say, “You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 5"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["And then I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you. "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 6 "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse – to men themselves, trusting in their intervention – this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh, how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you; and how I suffer when I see you so agitated! Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from my protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So, trust only in me, rest in me, surrender to me in everything. "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 7 "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever performed miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So don’t think about it any more, because your mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in me and to not think of yourself. Do this for all your needs, do this, all of you, and you will see great continual silent miracles. I will take care of things, I promise this to you."]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 8 "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say, “You take care of it,” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you. "]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"strong","props":{"children":["Day 9"]}},{"type":"br","props":{"children":[]}},{"type":"em","props":{"children":["Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance, and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, you take care of it.” Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless my name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this. "]}}],"jsonName":"Then, listen or read the words that Jesus spoke to Fr. 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It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eIt is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see t\u003c/em\u003eo \u003cem\u003etheir needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act, saying, “You take care of it.\u003c/em\u003e\u0022\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 3\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me, “You take care of it,” then closes its eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the Our Father: “Hallowed be thy Name,” that is, be glorified in my need. “Thy kingdom come,” that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven,” that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: “Thy will be done,” which is the same as saying: “You take care of it,” I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 4\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry. Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say, “You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 5\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eAnd then I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 6 \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eYou are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse – to men themselves, trusting in their intervention – this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh, how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you; and how I suffer when I see you so agitated! Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from my protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So, trust only in me, rest in me, surrender to me in everything. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 7 \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eI perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever performed miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So don’t think about it any more, because your mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in me and to not think of yourself. Do this for all your needs, do this, all of you, and you will see great continual silent miracles. I will take care of things, I promise this to you.\u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 8 \u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003eClose your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say, “You take care of it,” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you. \u003c/em\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDay 9\u003c/strong\u003e\u003cbr/\u003e\u003cem\u003ePray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance, and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, you take care of it.” Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless my name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this. \u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663780595619","name":["Repeat the surrender refrain 10 times. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”"]}}],"jsonName":"Repeat the surrender refrain 10 times. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003e“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663780607395","name":["Close with a prayer from Servant of God Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["\u0022Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.\u0022"]}}],"jsonName":"Close with a prayer from Servant of God Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003e\u0022Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus.\u0022\u003c/em\u003e"},{"id":"how-to-step-1663780624161","name":["Lastly, conclude with the sign of the cross. "],"text":[{"type":"em","props":{"children":["In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen."]}}],"jsonName":"Lastly, conclude with the sign of the cross. ","jsonText":"\u003cem\u003eIn the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.\u003c/em\u003e"}],"defaultDurationText":"Time needed:"} --> <div class="schema-how-to wp-block-yoast-how-to-block"><p class="schema-how-to-total-time"><span class="schema-how-to-duration-time-text">Time needed: </span>5 minutes. </p><p class="schema-how-to-description">Turn your eyes upon Jesus and pray for surrender for nine days. </p> <ol class="schema-how-to-steps"><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663780544020"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Begin by making the sign of the cross.</strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the </em><a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/14/prayer-to-the-holy-spirit-and-other-holy-spirit-prayers/"><em>Holy Spirit</em></a><em>, Amen.</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663780576494"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Then, listen or read the words that Jesus spoke to Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo and that He continues to speak to us. Each day of the novena, listen and reflect on His words and consider how He is leading you to peace and comfort throughout the next nine days and forever. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><br/><strong>Day 1</strong><br/><em>Why do you confuse yourselves by worrying? Leave the care of your affairs to me and everything will be peaceful. I say to you in truth that every act of true, blind, complete surrender to me produc</em>e<em>s the effect that you desire and resolves all difficult situations.</em><br/><br/><strong>Day 2</strong><br/><em>Surrender to me does not mean to fret, to be upset, or to lose hope, nor does it mean offering to me a worried prayer asking me to follow you and change your worry into prayer. It is against this surrender, deeply against it, to worry, to be nervous and to desire to think about the consequences of anything. </em><br/><br/><em>It is like the confusion that children feel when they ask their mother to see t</em>o <em>their needs, and then try to take care of those needs for themselves so that their childlike efforts get in their mother’s way. Surrender means to placidly close the eyes of the soul, to turn away from thoughts of tribulation and to put yourself in my care, so that only I act, saying, “You take care of it.</em>"<br/><br/><strong>Day 3</strong><br/><em>How many things I do when the soul, in so much spiritual and material need, turns to me, looks at me and says to me, “You take care of it,” then closes its eyes and rests. In pain you pray for me to act, but that I act in the way you want. You do not turn to me, instead, you want me to adapt your ideas. You are not sick people who ask the doctor how to. So do not act this way, but pray as I taught you in the Our Father: “Hallowed be thy Name,” that is, be glorified in my need. “Thy kingdom come,” that is, let all that is in us and in the world be in accord with your kingdom. “Thy will be done on Earth as it is in Heaven,” that is, in our need, decide as you see fit for our temporal and eternal life. If you say to me truly: “Thy will be done,” which is the same as saying: “You take care of it,” I will intervene with all my omnipotence, and I will resolve the most difficult situations.</em><br/><br/><strong>Day 4</strong><br/><em>You see evil growing instead of weakening? Do not worry. Close your eyes and say to me with faith: “Thy will be done, You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that I will intervene as does a doctor and I will accomplish miracles when they are needed. Do you see that the sick person is getting worse? Do not be upset, but close your eyes and say, “You take care of it.” I say to you that I will take care of it, and that there is no medicine more powerful than my loving intervention. By my love, I promise this to you.</em><br/><br/><strong>Day 5</strong><br/><em>And then I must lead you on a path different from the one you see, I will prepare you; I will carry you in my arms; I will let you find yourself, like children who have fallen asleep in their mother’s arms, on the other bank of the river. What troubles you and hurts you immensely are your reason, your thoughts and worry, and your desire at all costs to deal with what afflicts you. </em><br/><br/><strong>Day 6 </strong><br/><em>You are sleepless; you want to judge everything, direct everything and see to everything and you surrender to human strength, or worse – to men themselves, trusting in their intervention – this is what hinders my words and my views. Oh, how much I wish from you this surrender, to help you; and how I suffer when I see you so agitated! Satan tries to do exactly this: to agitate you and to remove you from my protection and to throw you into the jaws of human initiative. So, trust only in me, rest in me, surrender to me in everything. </em><br/><br/><strong>Day 7 </strong><br/><em>I perform miracles in proportion to your full surrender to me and to your not thinking of yourselves. I sow treasure troves of graces when you are in deepest poverty. No person of reason, no thinker, has ever performed miracles, not even among the saints. He does divine works whosoever surrenders to God. So don’t think about it any more, because your mind is acute and for you it is very hard to see evil and to trust in me and to not think of yourself. Do this for all your needs, do this, all of you, and you will see great continual silent miracles. I will take care of things, I promise this to you.</em><br/><br/><strong>Day 8 </strong><br/><em>Close your eyes and let yourself be carried away on the flowing current of my grace; close your eyes and do not think of the present, turning your thoughts away from the future just as you would from temptation. Repose in me, believing in my goodness, and I promise you by my love that if you say, “You take care of it,” I will take care of it all; I will console you, liberate you and guide you. </em><br/><br/><strong>Day 9</strong><br/><em>Pray always in readiness to surrender, and you will receive from it great peace and great rewards, even when I confer on you the grace of immolation, of repentance, and of love. Then what does suffering matter? It seems impossible to you? Close your eyes and say with all your soul, “Jesus, you take care of it.” Do not be afraid, I will take care of things and you will bless my name by humbling yourself. A thousand prayers cannot equal one single act of surrender, remember this well. There is no novena more effective than this. </em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663780595619"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Repeat the surrender refrain 10 times. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>“O Jesus, I surrender myself to You, take care of everything!”</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663780607395"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Close with a prayer from Servant of God Fr. Dolindo Ruotolo. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>"Mother, I am yours now and forever. Through you and with you, I always want to belong completely to Jesus."</em></p> </li><li class="schema-how-to-step" id="how-to-step-1663780624161"><strong class="schema-how-to-step-name">Lastly, conclude with the sign of the cross. </strong> <p class="schema-how-to-step-text"><em>In the name of Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, Amen.</em></p> </li></ol></div> <!-- /wp:yoast/how-to-block --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">We hope you’ll join us in praying the Surrender Novena with prayer guide Jonathan Roumie, who plays Jesus in The Chosen.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><em>“Jesus, you take care of it.”</em></p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:buttons {"layout":{"type":"flex","justifyContent":"center","orientation":"horizontal"}} --> <div class="wp-block-buttons"><!-- wp:button --> <div class="wp-block-button"><a class="wp-block-button__link wp-element-button" href="https://hallow.app.link/rgHFLmEKttb">Pray with Hallow</a></div> <!-- /wp:button --></div> <!-- /wp:buttons --> <!-- wp:heading {"className":""} --> <h2 class="wp-block-heading" id="Other-prayers">Other prayers</h2> <!-- /wp:heading --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class="wp-block-list"><!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-sacred-heart-novena/">Sacred Heart Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-the-litany-of-humility/">Litany of Humility</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-54-day-novena/">54-Day Rosary Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/">Mary, Undoer of Knots Novena</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-st-jude-novena/">St. Jude Novena</a>&nbsp;</li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/how-to-pray-st-therese-novena/">St. Thérèse Novena</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --> <!-- wp:list-item --> <li><a href="https://hallow.com/blog/morning-prayer/">Morning prayers</a></li> <!-- /wp:list-item --></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> [post_title] => How to Pray the Surrender Novena [post_excerpt] => Surrender yourself to Jesus over the course of 9 days. [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena [to_ping] => [pinged] => https://hallow.com/2020/05/01/how-to-pray-novenas/ https://hallow.com/2020/08/23/how-to-pray-54-day-novena/ https://hallow.com/2021/08/03/how-to-pray-mary-undoer-of-knots-novena/ https://hallow.com/2021/10/15/how-to-pray-st-jude-novena/ https://hallow.com/2021/09/19/how-to-pray-st-therese-novena/ [post_modified] => 2025-04-29 19:12:22 [post_modified_gmt] => 2025-04-29 19:12:22 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27010 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )

WP_Post Object ( [ID] => 27108 [post_author] => 24 [post_date] => 2022-09-21 17:16:30 [post_date_gmt] => 2022-09-21 17:16:30 [post_content] => <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 21, 2022</strong> - <a href="https://solidarityhealthshare.org/">Solidarity HealthShare</a> proudly announces the addition of a new mental and spiritual health benefit provided to Solidarity Members.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Solidarity Members now have access to Hallow Plus, Hallow's premium subscription service, at a discounted rate to strengthen their personal prayer and meditation practices. <a href="https://hallow.com/">Hallow</a> is the #1 Catholic app in the App Store and features audio-guided prayer, meditation, music, scripture, and sleep content.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">In memory of the passing of Angela Faddis, the late wife of Solidarity's co-founder Chris Faddis, 10 years ago today, the first 500 Solidarity Members that take advantage of this new Member benefit will receive access to Hallow Plus and its expansive library of faith-based content, completely free.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Starting also today, we are inviting Solidarity Members and all Catholics to join us in praying the <a href="https://hallow.com/2022/09/21/how-to-pray-the-surrender-novena/">Surrender Novena</a> through the Hallow app. Angela's tremendous faith in the midst of terminal cancer inspired the founding of Solidarity HealthShare and encouraged thousands to trust and surrender to Christ.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"Everything we do is surrendering to God and His will with joy." - Angela Faddis</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Chris Faddis, president of Solidarity HealthShare said, "We are thrilled to partner with Hallow and provide this effective tool for Members to strengthen their prayer life. We've seen firsthand how prayer has helped our Members navigate medical crises and believe this app can offer critical support - most especially when they face challenging circumstances."</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Hallow will serve as a tool for Solidarity Members to both strengthen their mental &amp; physical health, while also deepening their personal relationship with God through a rich and diverse library of resources, including:</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:list {"className":""} --> <ul class=""><li>Meditations &amp; reflections on overcoming common emotional wounds by Dr. Bob Schuchts and Sr. Miriam James of the John Paul II Healing Center.</li><li>Talks and exercises on combating addictions with Dr. Anthony Isacco of Chatham University's School of Health Sciences.</li><li>Sessions on understanding and overcoming stress &amp; anxiety with Regina Boyd, LMHC, founder of Boyd Counseling Services.</li><li>Content focused on building healthy relationships between friends, family, yourself, and God with Dr. Gerry Crete, Clinical Director of Transfiguration Counseling.</li><li>Physical wellness content including prayers for resilience, reflective stretching exercises, and other inspirational athletic content from world class athletes &amp; coaches, including Brett Favre, Jrue Holiday, Lou Holtz, Grace McCallum Brady Quinn, Harrison Butker.</li><li>Daily prayer content, including meditations and reflections on the daily Gospel.</li><li>Traditional spiritual content like novenas and litanies.</li><li>Prayers and Bible Stories geared toward finding peace before going to sleep, led by familiar voices such as Mario Lopez, Fr. Mike Schmitz, and Emily Wilson.</li></ul> <!-- /wp:list --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">Launched in December 2018, Hallow is an accessible tool for anyone to develop or deepen their personal relationship with God, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. The app has already been used to pray more than 100 million times in more than 150 countries and is currently available in English, Spanish, Polish, and Portuguese, with additional languages under development.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">"We're thrilled to partner with Chris and the Solidarity HealthShare team to help folks grow deeper in their relationship with God and build healthy habits of prayer. Ever since we first heard Angela's story, we knew that this mission of surrender and trust in God was something we would be honored and humbled to be a part of," said Alex Jones, Hallow co-founder and CEO.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For questions regarding Solidarity HealthShare, please contact 844-313-4999.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class="">For questions regarding Hallow, please contact info@hallow.app.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>About Solidarity HealthShare<br></strong>Solidarity HealthShare is a healthcare sharing ministry offering Members an affordable, ethical way to pay for healthcare. Based on social and moral doctrine of the Catholic Church, we protect Members' consciences by sharing the costs of life-affirming healthcare, refusing to participate in unethical medical practices. Our mission is to restore and rebuild an authentic Catholic healthcare system that promotes the sanctity of all human life, while facilitating the sharing of our Members' medical expenses.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> <!-- wp:paragraph {"className":""} --> <p class=""><strong>About Hallow<br></strong>Hallow helps people deepen their relationship with God through audio-guided prayers, sleep meditations, Bible readings, meditations, and music. The app has over 5,000 sessions including a daily Rosary, daily Gospel, daily saint, novenas, examens, Father Mike Schmitz's Bible in a Year, The Chosen's Jonathan Roumie's audio Bible, Bishop Barron's Sunday Sermons, peaceful Christian music, Gregorian chant, and so much more. Launched in December 2018, Hallow is now the #1 Catholic app in the world and has been used to pray over 100 million times across 150-plus countries.</p> <!-- /wp:paragraph --> [post_title] => Solidarity HealthShare Announces Hallow App as New Member Benefit [post_excerpt] => [post_status] => publish [comment_status] => closed [ping_status] => closed [post_password] => [post_name] => solidarity-healthshare-announces-hallow-as-member-benefit [to_ping] => [pinged] => [post_modified] => 2022-09-21 17:32:32 [post_modified_gmt] => 2022-09-21 17:32:32 [post_content_filtered] => [post_parent] => 0 [guid] => https://hallow.com/?p=27108 [menu_order] => 0 [post_type] => post [post_mime_type] => [comment_count] => 0 [filter] => raw )