Remembering Vocations in Your 2020 Advent Devotions.

Advent is the start of our liturgical year. It is the season of preparation for our celebration of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Advent is also the season to pray for the faithful to be called to follow in the life of Christ
as shepherds of his flock just as He was born to lead us to salvation.
As we sacrifice and prepare ourselves for Christmas, we ask that the Holy Spirit will apply our devotions to the birth of new vocations to the religious life.
“…I ask the Church to continue to promote vocations. May she touch the hearts of the faithful and enable each of them to discover with gratitude God’s call in their lives, to find courage to say “yes” to God, to overcome all
weariness through faith in Christ, and to make of their lives a song of praise for God, for their brothers and sisters, and for the whole world. May the Virgin Mary accompany us and intercede for us.” Pope Francis

The Advent Wreath
The advent wreath is a circle representing the promise of eternal life to those who follow Jesus. It is made of evergreens to symbolize that God always loves us. There are four candles—one for each week of advent; they
symbolize Christ as the “Light of the World.” The candles for the first, second and fourth Sundays are purple to signify penance. The candle for the third Sunday is rose colored as a reminder that the joy of Christmas is
almost at hand.