First Sunday of Advent
Dear Friends in Christ,
Welcome to our weekly Sunday update. This Sunday (December 1, 2024) is the First Sunday of Advent. On Friday the Church will celebrate the feast of St. Nicholas, Bishop of Myra. Veronese’s painting of his consecration, with its humbly acquiescent subject almost lost in the dark at the bottom of the picture, recalls the description by Jacobus de Voragine in The Golden Legend: “Some time later the bishop of Myra died, and all the bishops of the region gathered to choose a successor. Among them was one bishop of great authority. . . . This prelate exhorted the others to fast and pray; and that very night he heard a voice telling him to post himself at the doors of the church in the morning, and to consecrate as bishop the first man he saw coming in, whose name would be Nicholas. In the morning, he made this known to his colleagues to wait. Meanwhile Nicholas, miraculously guided by God, went early to the church and was the first to enter. The bishop, coming up to him asked his name; and he, filled with the simplicity of a dove, bowed his head and answered, ‘Nicholas, the servant of your holiness.’”
Calendar of Saints and Special Observances
Celebrations are those listed in the Roman Missal of 1962.
DAY, DATE – FEAST (CLASS)
Sunday, December 1 – First Sunday of Advent (I)
Monday, December 2 – St. Bibiana, Virgin and Martyr (III)
Tuesday, December 3 – St. Francis Xavier, SJ, Confessor (III)
Wednesday, December 4 – St. Peter Chrysologus, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church (III) – Commemoration of St. Barbara, Virgin and Martyr
Thursday, December 5 – Feria of Advent (IV) – Commemoration of St. Sabbas, Abbot
Friday, December 6 – St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor (III)
Saturday, December 7 – St. Ambrose, Bishop, Confessor and Doctor of the Church (III)
First Sunday of Advent
This First Sunday of Advent, or the Fourth before Christmas, is the first day of the Liturgical Year. The Mass prepares us this day for the double coming (advéntus) of mercy and justice. That is why St. Paul tells us, in the Epistle, to cast off sin in order that, being ready for the coming of Christ as our Saviour, we may also be ready for His coming as our Judge, of which we learn in the Gospel (Roman Missal).
The
links provided below can be used to download printable copies of the
Proper Prayers for Mass in the Extraordinary Form for the First Sunday
of Advent with either English or Spanish translation. Also offered
below is a link to Gregory DiPippo’s recent essay for New Liturgical Movement on the evolution of Advent, “The Five-Week Advent.”
Latin Mass Schedule: First Sunday of Advent (December 1, 2024)
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
11:30 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas (There will be no Food and Fellowship following the regularly scheduled Traditional Latin Mass.)
12:30 p.m., Saint Ann
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
8:30 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
9:00 a.m., Our Lady of the Angels (Marion)
1:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
1:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
12:00 p.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)
1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Note:
Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for
up-to-date information regarding possible changes in the regular
schedule of Sunday Mass times.
Latin Mass Schedule: Weekdays
Charlotte Area Latin Masses
Saint Ann – Wednesday, 6:00 p.m.
Saint Thomas Aquinas – 7:00 p.m.
Saint Ann – Friday, 7:00 a.m.
Other Diocese of Charlotte Latin Masses
Our Lady of the Mountains (Highlands) – Tuesday, 9:30 a.m.
Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) – Friday, 8:30 a.m.
Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) – Friday, 9:30 a.m.
Diocese of Charleston Latin Masses
Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) — Monday-Friday,12:00 p.m.
Prince of Peace (Taylors SC) — Saturday, 8:00 a.m.
Note: Travelers are urged to consult parish websites or offices for up-to-date information regarding possible changes in weekday Mass times.
Advent/Christmastide Latin Mass Schedule (As announced)
The
following schedule are the special Latin Masses as currently announced
as well as schedule changes. If additional Latin Masses or schedule
changes are announced we will post them in the weeks ahead.
All other regularly scheduled Latin Masses are presumed to be taking place unless otherwise noted.
Advent
Saturday December 7
6:00 a.m., Saint Thomas Aquinas, Rorate Mass (no 10:00 a.m. Latin Mass nor blessing of religious objects afterwards)
6:00 a.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro), Rorate Mass (breakfast potluck after Mass in the Parish Life Center - food can be dropped off before Mass)
6:00 a.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon), Rorate Mass (no 8:30 a.m. Latin Mass)
6:30 a.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors), Rorate Mass
10:00 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
Sunday December 8 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception 1962 Missal)
Normal Sunday Latin Mass schedule (see note below)
Monday December 9 (Holy Day of Obligation) (see note below)
12 noon, Prince of Peace (Taylors SC)
4:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
6:30 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
- Note: All Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte are obligated to attend Mass - any Mass - on Monday December 9. The above listings are the only Latin Masses being offered this day in the region.
Thursday December 12 (Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe)
7:00 p.m. Saint Thomas Aquinas (reception to follow Mass in Aquinas Hall)
Saturday December 14
6:30 a.m., Saint Ann, Rorate Mass
6:30 a.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock), Rorate Mass
6:30 a.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC), Rorate Mass
Saturday December 21
6:30 a.m., Prince of Peace (Taylors SC), Rorate Mass
Sunday December 22
12:30 p.m. Saint Ann parish annual traditional blessing of religious objects following immediately after 12:30 p.m. Latin Mass.
Note: The Rorate Mass is an especially beautiful candlelight celebration of the Eucharist held at dawn on a Saturday during Advent, honoring Our Lady and preparing for the coming Light of the World, the Incarnate Word, at Christmas.
Christmastide
Wednesday December 25
Midnight, Saint Ann
Midnight, Saint Thomas Aquinas
Midnight, Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
Midnight, Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
11:00 a.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
1:00 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Within the Octave of Christmas (December 26-31)
Thursday December 26: St. Thomas Aquinas Latin Mass is canceled
Thursday December 26: 11:00 a.m. High Mass, Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
Friday December 27: St. John the Baptist (Tryon) Latin Mass is canceled
Friday December 27: Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock) Latin Mass is canceled
Saturday December 28: St. Ann 4th Saturday Respect Life Mass is canceled.
Feast of the Circumcision/Octave Day of Christmas - Wednesday January 1
Midnight, Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
Midnight, Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
9:00 a.m., Saint Ann (Confessions to follow until 11:30 a.m.) (6pm Latin Mass is canceled)
6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon)
6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC)
Feast of the Epiphany - Monday January 6
7:00 a.m., Saint Ann (Epiphany blessing of water, chalk, salt will occur Sunday January 5 after the 12:30 p.m. Mass)
6:00 p.m., Church of the Epiphany (Blowing Rock)
6:30 p.m., Our Lady of Grace (Greensboro)
6:30 p.m., Saint John the Baptist (Tryon) (Epiphany blessing will occur at 6:00 p.m.)
6:30 p.m., Our Lady of the Lake (Chapin SC) (includes blessing of salt, oils, and water)
Epiphany blessing note: It is custom to bless water, chalk, and salt on (or around) the Vigil of the Epiphany. When more blessings are announced they will be indicated above.
Important - December 8 and 9: Holy Days of Obligation
Fr. Reid reminds everyone that the Feast of the Immaculate Conception will still be celebrated in the Traditional Latin Mass on Sunday December 8 (as required in the 1962 Missal), but the U.S. Bishops, per the Novus Ordo calendar, have transferred the actual Holy Day of Obligation for the Immaculate Conception to Monday December 9.
This means even though Latin Mass attendees will attend an Immaculate Conception Mass on Sunday December 8, Catholics in the Diocese of Charlotte are obligated to attend Mass, any Mass, on both Sunday December 8 and Monday December 9.
For additional details or questions please speak to one’s pastor. The announcement from the Diocese of Charlotte can be viewed at the following link. [Catholics advised: December 8 and 9 are holy days of obligation]
Pray for Our Priests
The “Pray for Our Priests” campaign launched during the Diocese of Charlotte Eucharistic Congress came to its scheduled conclusion Saturday, November 30th, the last day of the liturgical year. As we all know, spiritual warfare between angels and demons rages continually and will go on until the end of the world described by Our Lord in the Gospel reading for this Sunday. It is our duty as Christians to help bring about the final triumph of our Triune God, and prayer is a powerful weapon at our disposal in the battle. Thanks to all those who offered their prayers on behalf of our priests: our indispensable foot-soldiers in the spiritual warfare that engulfs our world.
Announcements
Food and Fellowship Cancelled – There will be no First Sunday Food and Fellowship following the 11:30 a.m. Traditional Latin Mass at St. Thomas Aquinas this Sunday , December 1st.
Saint Ann Parish Novena to the Immaculate Conception (December 1-9) –
Fr. Reid announced the parish will pray its annual novena to the
Immaculate Conception beginning tomorrow December 1 and concluding
December 9 (Feast of the Immaculate Conception Transferred). The prayer
is listed below and can also be downloaded at this link.
O Most Blessed Mother, heart of love, heart of mercy, ever listening, caring, consoling, hear our prayer. As your children, we implore your intercession with Jesus your Son. Receive with understanding and compassion the petitions we place before you today, especially that our parish may be consecrated to your Immaculate Heart. We are comforted in knowing your heart is ever open to those who ask for your prayer. We trust to your gentle care and intercession, those whom we love and who are sick or lonely or hurting Help all of us, Holy Mother, to bear our burdens in this life until we may share eternal life and peace with God forever. Amen.
Giving Tuesday –
This Tuesday December 3 is Giving Tuesday, and as noted in the recent
Saint Ann Friday Five, it's a day to give to charities amidst the
material excesses of the season. If one is looking to contribute, one
place to consider supporting is Saint Ann parish (home to the Latin
Mass), especially with its charity outreach and corporal works of mercy
ministries. To make a general donation, click on the parish webpage.
Liturgy of the Land Conference, December 13-14, in Hickory NC – This two-day conference, sponsored by local publisher TAN Books and held at the Hickory Catholic Conference Center (an hour northwest of Charlotte), offers both beginners and seasoned homesteaders an opportunity to understand the intellectual, spiritual, and practical aspects of starting and growing a local, land-based Catholic culture. It will feature talks by experienced homesteaders, farmers, and craftsmen. Attendees will learn about a broad range of topics relating to homesteading, localism and ordered households. Mass and Adoration will be offered, as well as opportunities for fellowship. The conference is based on the book, Liturgy of the Land: Cultivating a Catholic Homestead, which was co-authored by local dairy farmer, Jason Craig, who attends the Latin Mass in Tryon. To learn more and register click here.
“Sister Parish” Relief Program – The Diocese of Charlotte is sponsoring a program to assist in the recovery of parishes in the western part of the state affected by Hurricane Helene. The program will partner parishes that escaped the wrath of the storm with those that sustained substantial impacts. Fr. Reid has announced that St. Ann has committed to serve as a sister parish to Saint Lucien in Spruce Pine, providing financial assistance to help cover recovery costs and to make up for the loss of collection revenue resulting from the displacement of parishioners. Initial funds for the effort were derived from second collections at the Masses celebrated on November 16th and 17th. Future collections are scheduled for December 14-15, January 4-5, February 1-2, March 1-2 and April 5-6.
Holy Face Pilgrimage, November 14-25, 2025 – Fr. Lawrence Carney, the Holy Face priest, and local author Patrick O'Hearn will be leading a Holy Face Pilgrimage next November to Malta, Sicily, and Italy, which will include a visit to Rome for the Jubilee Year. The Traditional Latin Mass will be offered and both organizers will offer talks on the Holy Face devotion. For more information click on this link.
New Prayer for Government by Fr. Ripperger – Fr. Chad Ripperger, a native of Casper, Wyoming, was a member of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter before leaving to establish a society of exorcists, the Society of the Most Sorrowful Mother (Doloran Fathers). His Consecration of the Election to the Blessed Virgin Mary was featured in past issues of this newsletter. He has now composed a new prayer, Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary, which may be found at the end of this update or downloaded via this link.
Holy Face Devotions
Prayers of Reparation to the Holy Face of Jesus are offered each week at the following churches on the indicated days:
St. James (Concord) – Monday, 10-10:30 a.m. (in the cry room)
St. Mark – Tuesday, 5:30 p.m.
St. Thomas Aquinas – Tuesday, 6:00 a.m.
St. Ann – Tuesday, 7:30 a.m. (following 7:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Michael the Archangel (Gastonia) – Tuesday, 8:30 a.m. (following 8:00 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. Vincent de Paul – Tuesday, 8:40 a.m. (NEW)
Holy Spirit (Denver) – Tuesday, 10-11:00 a.m. (following the 9:15 a.m. Novus Ordo Mass)
St. John the Baptist (Tryon) - First Saturday, 9:30 a.m. (after 8:30 a.m Latin Mass)
“Jesus, Your ineffable image is the star which guides my steps. Ah, You know, Your sweet Face is for me Heaven on earth” (from Canticle to the Holy Face by Saint Thérèse de Lisieux, the 19th century Discalced Carmelite nun who took the name in religion, Thérèse of the Child Jesus and the Holy Face).
Latin Mass and Liturgical News
Novena and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe is an invitation by Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke to participate in the final phase of his Nine-Month Novena to Our Lady of Guadalupe on behalf of the Church and the world. The final phase will be a nine-day novena, December 3-11, followed by consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe on her feast day, December 12th. [Novena and Consecration to Our Lady of Guadalupe] Cardinal Burke also offers his 18th novena reflection this past week. [Eighteenth Reflection - November 25]
William Shakespeare, Liturgist is a recent article by Robert Keim for New Liturgical Movement that explores the origin of Shakespearean drama in the traditional celebration of the Mass. [William Shakespeare, Liturgist]
America's First Thanksgiving Was in Florida - Seriously. It was! is a 2016 article written by Thomas Craughwell of the National Catholic Register about the history behind the first actual Thanksgiving (a Mass of Thanksgiving) in these United States offered by the Spanish upon settling Saint Augustine, Florida on September 8, 1565. [America's First Thanksgiving Was in Florida]
Three Clergy in the Diocese of Charlotte Linked to the First Thanksgiving, is an article by the Catholic News Herald on the connections three local priests have to the first (protestant) Thanksgiving, in 1621. The article concludes with a brief summary of the Spanish Florida (Catholic) Thanksgiving in 1565. [Three Clergy Linked to the First Thanksgiving]
Votive Mass for a Happy Death, published recently in The Missive, describes the special Mass celebrated by Fr. William Rock, FSSP, at the request of a seminarian-server on a feria day during the 2024 FSSP North American Study Days in September. Gregory DiPippo, editor of New Liturgical Movement, was one of the principal speakers at the annual meeting of members of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter. [Votive Mass for a Happy Death]
The Oblate Vocation, a video series, published by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP), explains the Oblate vocation within their community. The ICKSP, a religious order that offers/follows the Traditional Latin Mass, has three vocational states, Canons (priests), Clerical Oblates (who serve as assistants to priests), and Sisters (Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus). This new video series provides excellent background on the oblates and ICKSP. [The Oblate Vocation]
Benedictine nuns purchase and move into historic English abbey – now hoping to pay off debt, an article by Thomas Colsy in the Catholic Herald (UK) reports on how the sisters of the Missouri-based Bendictines of Mary, Queen of Apostles, have completed the purchase of Colwich Abbey in Staffordshire England, giving these traditional sisters (who follow the Traditional Latin Mass and Divine Office) its first community in Europe. [Benedictine nuns purchase and move into historic English abbey]
The Angelus: A Monastic Introduction to the Prayer is a video explaining the meaning and history of the Angelus as told by a monk from Clear Creek Abbey in Oklahoma, and ties it to the Abbey’s mission in chanting the traditional Benedictine Divine Office. [The Angelus: A Monastic Introduction to the Prayer]
Numbering the Heavens by Dr. Michael P. Foley is the latest in his series Lost in Translation published by New Liturgical Movement which in this installment examines the use of the plural word “heavens” in the Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed. [Numbering the Heavens]
Saints and Special Observances
St. Nicholas, Bishop and Confessor, was born on March 15th in the year 270, according to tradition, and died on December 6th (the date of his feast on the traditional liturgical calendar) in 343. The manner of his selection as Bishop of Myra was described at the beginning of this newsletter in a passage quoted from The Golden Legend by Jacobus de Voragine. The following excerpt occurs near the beginning of the author’s chapter on “The Life of St. Nicholas” just before the passage describing his episcopal consecration. The episode it recounts has been suggested as one reason the beloved St. Nicholas the Wonderworker became the model for the St. Nicholas of popular culture also known as Santa Claus.
Nicholas, citizen of the city of Patras, was born of rich and holy kin, and his father was Epiphanes and his mother Johane. He was begotten in the first flower of their age, and from that time forth on they lived in continence and led an heavenly life. Then the first day that he was washed and bathed, he addressed him right up in the basin, and he would not take the breast nor the pap but once on the Wednesday and once on the Friday, and in his young age he eschewed the plays and japes of other young children. He used and haunted gladly holy church; and all that he might understand of holy scripture he executed it in deed and work after his power. And when his father and mother were departed out of this life, he began to think how he might distribute his riches, and not to the praising of the world but to the honour and glory of God. And it was so that one, his neighbour, had then three daughters, virgins, and he was a nobleman: but for the poverty of them together, they were constrained, and in very purpose to abandon them to the sin of lechery, so that by the gain and winning of their infamy they might be sustained. And when the holy man Nicholas knew thereof he had great horror of this villainy, and threw by night secretly into the house of the man a mass of gold wrapped in a cloth. And when the man arose in the morning, he found this mass of gold, and rendered to God therefor great thankings, and therewith he married his oldest daughter. And a little while after this holy servant of God threw in another mass of gold, which the man found, and thanked God, and purposed to wake, for to know him that so had aided him in his poverty. And after a few days Nicholas doubled the mass of gold, and cast it into the house of this man. He awoke by the sound of the gold, and followed Nicholas, which fled from him, and he said to him: Sir, flee not away so but that I may see and know thee. Then he ran after him more hastily, and knew that it was Nicholas; and anon he kneeled down, and would have kissed his feet, but the holy man would not, but required him not to tell nor discover this thing as long as he lived.
Source: Jacobus de Voragine, Archbishop of Genoa, The Golden Legend or Lives of the Saints, compiled circa 1260-1275, translation by William Caxton first published 1470 (London: Temple Classics, 1900), Chapter 2.
Closing Commentary
We offer, in closing, Dom Prosper Guéranger’s commentary on the Gospel for “The First Sunday of Advent” from The Liturgical Year. A link to the full text of the commentary on the liturgy for the day follows. The commentary is followed by Fr. Chad Ripperger’s “Consecration of those Governing to the Blessed Virgin Mary.”
The First Sunday of Advent: Gospel
Thou art to come, then, O Jesus, in all the terror of the last judgement, and when men least expect Thee. In a few days Thou art coming to us to clothe our misery with the garment of Thy mercy; a garment of glory and immortality to us; but Thou art to come again on a future day, and in such dread majesty that men will wither away with fear. O my Saviour! condemn me not on that day of the world’s destruction. Visit me now in Thy love and mercy; I am resolved to prepare my soul. I desire that Thou shouldst come and be born within me, so that when the convulsions of nature warn me of Thy coming to judge me, I may lift up my head, as Thou biddest Thy faithful disciples do, who, when the rest of men shall tremble at the thunder of Thy judgement, will have confidence in Thee, because they have Thee in their hearts.
CONSECRATION OF THOSE GOVERNING TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY
Mary Immaculate, living tabernacle of the Divinity, where the eternal Wisdom lies hidden to be adored and served by angels and men, Queen of heaven and of earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, Patroness of the United States of America, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.
Immaculate Mary, Patroness of the United States of America, Queen of Heaven and of Earth, beneath whose sway are subject all things that are lower than God, sorrowful and mindful of our own sinfulness and the sins of our nation, we come to thee, our refuge and hope.
Knowing that our country cannot be saved by our own works and mindful of how much our nation has departed from the ways of thy Son, we humbly ask that thou wouldst turn thine eyes upon our country to bring about its conversion.
We consecrate to thee (the peaceful transition of power) and all of those governing our republic, so that what is spiritually and morally best for the citizens of our nation may be accomplished, and that they would govern according to the spiritual and moral principles which will bring our nation into conformity with the teachings of thy Son. Bind any forces, spiritual or human, that would seek to inflict harm or evil on our country or those who do good for our nation by their governance.
Give grace to the citizens of this land so that they may merit leaders who will govern according to the Sacred Heart of thy Son, that His glory may be made manifest, lest we be given the leaders we deserve. Trusting in the providential care of God the Father and thy maternal care, we have perfect confidence that thou wilt take care of us and wilt not leave us forsaken.
O Mary Immaculate, pray for us. Amen.
Composed by Fr. Chad Ripperger
To download a PDF copy of this prayer please visit this link.
