A Catholic archbishop encouraged families to have an Advent wreath in their homes.
In a circular, Archbishop Romulo Valles of Davao urged parishes to keep and promote the tradition in celebration of the days of advent.
“I call on our parish priests, in particular, to do this promotion to our families, that is, to put up Advent wreaths and do the accompanying prayer rituals,” through the four weeks of Advent, Valles said.
The Advent wreath is a symbol of the season, with a candle lit on each of the four Sundays leading up to Christmas.
The tradition is well observed in parish churches and chapels.
The Advent wreath is made of an evergreen wreath with four candles. Sometimes it has a fifth, white candle in the center, called Christ candle, which is lit at Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.
The custom originated in family settings but has also become widespread in public worship.
“Now let us also promote this beautiful tradition to be observed in our homes with each family,” Valles said.
The archbishop also asked parish lay and youth leaders to help encourage the families to help start the tradition in the home.
“As we wait with joy and prepare for the celebration of Christmas, let us keep this beautiful tradition of displaying the Advent wreath in our homes to remind us of the eternity of God and of our eternal life in Christ,” he said.
Valles said in his Circular 43, dated November 6, that he asked the Archdiocese of Davao’s Gagmay’ng Kristohanong Katilingban (Basic Ecclesial Communities), our archdiocesan and parish Family and Life Apostolate and Davao Archdiocesan Youth Coordinating Apostolate to help encourage the families to start this tradition in the home.
The church leader noted that the Archdiocesan Social Action Center-Sagop Kinabuhi Program 2 for prohibited drug users and pushers surrenderees are producing Advent Wreaths at affordable cost. He said patronizing the products will help those being helped by SKP2.
The Archdiocesan Liturgical Center, Valles said, is ready with the liturgical guide for the customary prayer ritual of lighting the Advent wreath. CBCP News
Image courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Davao archbishop urges families to display Advent wreath in homes
Source: News Paper Radio
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