A Very Pious Catholic Advent
YouTube Show Notes
OPENING
Did you know that the Catholic New Year is upon us? That’s right—the Liturgical Year doesn’t start on January 1st. It begins with the First Sunday of Advent. And today, we’re diving deep into what this sacred season is all about and how you can live it with intentionality.
INTRO
Welcome to Catholic Piety on Purpose—the show dedicated to forming intentional Catholics who pursue holiness through piety, asceticism, and virtuous habits to transform our spiritual lives, work, and leadership.
My name is Rich Van Koughnett and you can follow me on X, Instagram and Substack @pietyonpurpose
WHAT IS ADVENT?
So, what exactly is Advent?
The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “arrival.” It’s a four-week liturgical season of preparation leading up to Christmas. But here’s what makes it so powerful—Advent has a dual focus.
First, we’re preparing to celebrate Jesus’s birth, which happened over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem. But second, we’re also reflecting on His promised second coming—when Christ will return in glory at the end of time.
This isn’t just about getting ready for presents and holiday parties. Advent calls us to spiritual preparation, to look at salvation history, and to ready our hearts for the coming of Christ.
THE FOUR THEMES OF ADVENT
The Advent wreath beautifully illustrates the four key themes of this season. Each Sunday, we light a new candle:
Week 1 - HOPE: The Prophecy Candle reminds us of the prophets who foretold Christ’s coming.
Week 2 - PEACE: The Bethlehem Candle points us to the Prince of Peace born in that humble town.
Week 3 - JOY: The Shepherd’s Candle (the rose-colored one!) celebrates Gaudete Sunday—a day of rejoicing because Christmas is near.
Week 4 - LOVE: The Angel’s Candle reminds us of God’s love breaking into our world through the Incarnation.
These themes should shape our hearts throughout Advent.
THE O ANTIPHONS
From December 17th through December 24th, something beautiful happens in the Church’s prayer life—the O Antiphons.
These are ancient, magnificent titles for the Messiah, recited or chanted during Vespers (Evening Prayer) and at Mass. They build intense anticipation for Christmas:
O Wisdom
O Lord
O Root of Jesse
O Key of David
O Radiant Dawn
O King of Nations
O Emmanuel
Each one reveals something profound about who Christ is and what He came to do. I highly encourage you to pray with these during the final week of Advent.
THE PENITENTIAL CHARACTER OF ADVENT
Now, you might be surprised to learn that Advent is actually a penitential season—similar in spirit to Lent, though not as severe.
The liturgical color for Advent is violet, or purple, which you’ll see on vestments and altar cloths throughout these four weeks. This color symbolizes preparation, penance, and anticipation.
The season has a serious and hopeful tone. It’s a time for spiritual preparation, prayer, and acts of charity—preparing our souls to receive Christ.
Restrictions During Advent
The Church takes this season seriously, and there are some traditional restrictions:
Nuptial blessings at weddings are not permitted during Advent
Funerals cannot be celebrated on Sundays, the Vigil of the Nativity, or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Fast and abstinence are observed on December 24th, the Vigil of the Nativity
Ember Days fall within the second full week of Advent and are days of fast and partial abstinence
FASTING AND ABSTINENCE
Let’s talk about fasting and abstinence during Advent.
Historically, Catholics observed strict fasting during this season—sometimes spanning 40 days from St. Martin’s Day on November 15th. While that’s not required today, the Church still encourages penitential practices.
Traditional Practices:
Abstinence: Abstain from meat on all Fridays of Advent. Some traditions also encourage abstinence on Wednesdays.
Fasting: While not universally mandated today, many devout Catholics voluntarily fast on:
Ember Days (Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of the second or third week of Advent)
The Vigil of the Immaculate Conception (December 7th, if observed as a fast day)
Christmas Eve (December 24th)
Voluntary Penances: This is where you can get creative. Embrace small sacrifices like:
Giving up favorite foods or specific drinks
Limiting screen time or social media use
Creating space for God through intentional simplicity
These “little” sacrifices help us focus on what truly matters.
PRAYER AND SPIRITUAL DISCIPLINE
Intensifying your prayer life is the primary means of spiritual preparation during Advent. Here are some concrete practices:
Daily Prayer
Dedicate specific time each day for prayer and reflection. Consider:
Using an Advent devotional
Reading the daily Mass readings
Praying the Rosary, especially the Joyful Mysteries
The Angelus
Pray the Angelus three times a day—morning, noon, and evening—to reflect on the Incarnation of Christ.
The O Antiphons
From December 17th onward, focus on the O Antiphons during evening prayer or at Mass.
Sacrament of Penance
Frequent the Sacrament of Confession during Advent. This spiritual “house cleaning” is vital for making your soul ready for the coming of Christ. Many parishes offer extended confession times or penance services during this season.
Advent Retreat
Participate in an Advent retreat or parish penance service to reflect more deeply on the season’s meaning.
ALMSGIVING AND CHARITY
Giving to those less fortunate is a crucial element of the penitential season.
Practical Ideas:
Adopt a Family: Instead of focusing solely on personal gift lists, consider pooling family resources to support a family in need.
The Sacrifice Manger: This popular family tradition involves placing a piece of straw or yarn in the crèche for each good deed or sacrifice performed. By Christmas Day, you’ve created a soft, comfortable bed for Baby Jesus.
Donate: Contribute time or resources to a local food bank, charity organization, or parish outreach program.
Remember—charity isn’t just about money. It’s about giving of yourself.
CULTIVATING AN ATMOSPHERE OF WAITING
One of the most counter-cultural aspects of Advent is learning to wait. We live in a world that starts Christmas in October. But the Church invites us to something different.
Delaying Secular Christmas Celebrations
Gradual Decorating: Consider waiting to put up Christmas decorations, especially the Christmas tree, until Christmas Eve. This helps maintain the penitential spirit of waiting.
Silence and Quiet: Limit festive music—those secular Christmas carols—until Christmas Day. Instead, focus on traditional Advent hymns like “O Come, O Come, Emmanuel.”
“Lights Out” Tradition: Some families turn off all house lights one evening a week and use only candles or flashlights. This symbolizes the world waiting in darkness for the Light of Christ. It’s a powerful, tangible reminder of what Advent is about.
Closing
Advent can be as holy or as secular as you make it. Have a Merry Pious and Diesel Catholic Advent!!
Rich V.