The Rite of Blessing of An Advent Wreath

THE RITE OF BLESSING OF AN ADVENT WREATH
AND WEEKLY PRAYER GUIDE
AUGUSTINIAN NOVITIATE AND PRAYER HOUSE

Lower Mohon, Talisay City, Cebu
Liturgy and Music Committee

Canonical Year 2020 – 2021
RITE OF BLESSING OF ADVENT WREATH

FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT - YEARNING
When the people gathered, the presider – the prior of the house will begin the rite of
blessing of the advent wreath. It is recommended that the lights of the chapel or
refectory are turned off to emphasize the coming of Christ as light to the darkness.
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Advent is a time for waiting. It allows us to prepare for the coming of
Jesus. Do we yearn for his coming? How do we prepare ourselves? As we gather
our community in prayer, let us ask for the grace to wait with yearning. Let us
commit to prepare our hearts to be the dwelling place of Jesus, God-made man to
be the light in the shadows of our lives.
BLESSING OF THE WREATH
Priest: Lord Jesus, thank you for gathering our community in prayer during this
Advent Season. We ask you to bless each one of us and these ✠ Advent candles.
Let them be a constant reminder that you are the light of this house and our life.
Help us to wait for you with yearning and to prepare our hearts to be your
dwelling place. You live and reign forever and ever.
People: Amen.
The advent wreath is sprinkled with holy water. The first candle is lit; the lights are
turned on. Meanwhile the following is sung.
O come, O come, Emmanuel,

And ransom captive Israel,
That mourns in lonely exile here
Until the Son of God appear.
Refrain:
Rejoice! Rejoice! O Israel
To you shall come Emmanuel!
GOSPEL READING Mk. 13:24-37

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
✠ But in those days, after that tribulation, the sun will be darkened, and the moon
will not give its light, and the stars will be falling from heaven, and the powers in
the heavens will be shaken. And then they will see the Son of man coming in
clouds with great power and glory. And then he will send out the angels, and
gather his elect from the four winds, from the ends of the earth to the ends of
heaven.
Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
REFLECTION
A short reflection may be given by the presider himself or anyone from the community.
After the short reflection, a prayer is said in these or similar words:
Priest: Lord, as we yearn for your coming, give us the grace to prepare our hearts
by becoming more human in simple acts of loving and generosity. May we be
always ready to welcome you in our hearts. This we ask through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL
Priest: As we start this Advent season, let us approach the Lord with confident
hope and a sincere desire to welcome him in our lives. Together let us pray:
Come, Lord Jesus.
1. For the entire Christian community: May it be a shining example to the rest of
mankind with its constant readiness to do God’s will. Let us pray. R.
2. For the Holy Father, our Bishops, priests and all consecrated persons: May they
find in us the consolation they expect as they do their best to lead us closer to
God. Let us pray. R.
3. For those who find it hard to give time to spiritual matters: May they set their
priorities right by giving God the first place in their lives. Let us pray. R.
4. For those who are terminally ill and the dying: May this Advent season help them
to prepare for their decisive meeting with the Divine Judge. Let us pray. R.
5. For those who have not yet been reached by the light of the Gospel: May they
soon welcome Jesus as their Savior. Let us pray. R.
6. Let us pray in silence for our personal and communal intentions. (Pause) Let us
pray. R.
Priest: Lord, gather us in your love. Give us the faith to recognize your presence
in the people we meet. May we have the courage to fight for what is right and true
and defend the dignity of every human being as our way of welcoming you in our
hearts. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
CONCLUSION
Priest: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
People: As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.
Priest: May the Lord bless us, ✠ protect us from evil and bring us to everlasting
life.
People: Amen.
Or:
Priest: And may almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, ✠ and the Holy
Spirit.
People: Amen.
SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT – HOPE

The following rite may be presided by the assigned prayer leader omitting those texts
proper for the priest.
People: Amen.
Priest: We continue to prepare and wait for the coming of Jesus with hope in our
hearts. A joyful hope that Jesus, the light will dispel the darkness in our life, in
our family, in our community, and in the world. Let us prepare ourselves for the
coming of Jesus through a life of prayer and self-giving. Prayer opens our hearts
to God.
The first candle is relit and the second candle (violet) is lit. Meanwhile the following is
sung.
O come, O wisdom from on high,

And order all things far and nigh;
To us the path of knowledge show,
And teach us in her ways to go.
Refrain:
GOSPEL READING Mk. 1:1-8
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.
✠ The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in
Isaiah the prophet,
“Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,

who shall prepare thy way;
the voice of one crying in the wilderness:
Prepare the way of the Lord,

make his paths straight—”
John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance

for the forgiveness of sins. And there went out to him all the country of Judea,
and all the people of Jerusalem; and they were baptized by him in the river
Jordan, confessing their sins. Now John was clothed with camel’s hair, and had a
leather girdle around his waist, and ate locusts and wild honey. And he preached,
saying, “After me comes he who is mightier than I, the thong of whose sandals I
am not worthy to stoop down and untie. I have baptized you with water; but he
will baptize you with the Holy Spirit.”
REFLECTION
Priest: God of hope, we thank you for this holy season of Advent. Give us the
grace to look with hope for the coming of the light of Christ at Christmas. Help us
to always turn toward that light in our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus the
Lord.
People: Amen.
Priest: With hope in our hearts, let us turn to God our Father, who sent us his Son
to bring us eternal peace. Together let us pray:
Lord, may your kingdom come.
1. That the whole Church may live this Advent in a spirit of conversion and show
sincere efforts to make up for the past wrongdoings of her members. Let us pray.
R.
2. That all the leaders of the Church may have the courage of John the Baptist to
call their flocks to conversion, and lead them by their own example. Let us pray.
R.
3. Compassionate God, look kindly upon those who are suffering and those whose
hearts are filled with hopelessness. Let us pray. R.
pray. R.
Priest: In your love, O God, listen to our prayers. You open the door to all who
knock. You find all who are lost. You give to all in need. May we ever rejoice in the
hope that you will give what is good for us. We ask this in the name of Jesus
Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
CONCLUSION
Spirit.
People: Amen.
If the presider is not a priest:
Prayer Leader: Glory to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit
Prayer Leader: May the Lord bless us, ✠ protect us from evil and bring us to
everlasting life.
People: Amen.
THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – JOY

The following rites may be presided by the assigned prayer leader omitting those texts
People: Amen.
Priest: With hearts full of joy, we wait with yearning and hope the coming of Jesus
this Christmas.
The first and second candle is relit and the third candle (rose) is lit. Meanwhile the
following is sung.
O come, O come, O Lord of might,

Who to your tribes on Sinai’s height
In ancient times did give the law,
In cloud, and majesty, and awe.
Refrain:
GOSPEL READING Jn. 1:6-8, 19-28
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.
✠ There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came for
testimony, to bear witness to the light, that all might believe through him. He was
not the light, but came to bear witness to the light. And this is the testimony of
John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who
are you?” He confessed, he did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.”
And they asked him, “What then? Are you Eli′jah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you
the prophet?” And he answered, “No.” They said to him then, “Who are you?
Let us have an answer for those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?”
He said, “I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of
the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” Now they had been sent from the
Pharisees. They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the
Christ, nor Eli′jah, nor the prophet?” John answered them, “I baptize with water;
but among you stands one whom you do not know, even he who comes after me,
the thong of whose sandal I am not worthy to untie.” This took place in Bethany
beyond the Jordan, where John was baptizing.
REFLECTION
Priest: God our Father, as we continue to celebrate the Advent Season, we want to
take time to thank you for sending your Son to be born as human and become
our Savior so that he can bring true peace and lasting joy to those who believe
and find their hope in him. We pray that true joy would come into our life, our
family, our community and our world. This we ask in Jesus’ Name.
People: Amen.
Priest: For Jesus Christ, our Lord, who has come in His compassion, let us shout
with joy:
Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay.
1. You come from the Father to be among us. May you bring us together as
children of joy. Let us pray. R.
2. You bring us to light. May we live out your truth and justice in words and deeds.
Let us pray. R.
3. You invite us always to be with you. We come to you, hoping that you will not
leave us in our burdens. Let us pray. R.
pray. R.
Priest: Come, Lord in our midst. Let us feel that you are ever with us. Teach us to
appreciate our blessings and our weaknesses. We ask this through Christ our
Lord.
People: Amen.
CONCLUSION
Spirit.
People: Amen.
everlasting life.
People: Amen.
FOURTH WEEK OF ADVENT – ACCEPTANCE
The following rites may be presided by the assigned prayer leader omitting those texts
People: Amen.
Priest: On this fourth week, we prepare ourselves to accept Jesus. After

pronouncing our yearning, hope, and joy, God blesses each of us. As we light the
fourth candle, we pronounce our acceptance of God’s most beautiful blessing:
Jesus who loves us and is one with us. Let us pronounce: “Someone is born
within me today. A new life dawns on me.” Like the shepherds and the angels, it
is but fitting that we pronounce our acceptance in singing: “Glory to God in the
highest!”
The first, second, and third candle is relit and the fourth candle (violet) is lit. Meanwhile
the following is sung.
O come, Desire of nations, bind

In one the hearts of humankind;
Bid every strife and quarrel cease
And fill the world with heaven’s peace.
Refrain:
GOSPEL READING Lk. 1:26-38
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
✠ In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee
named Nazareth, to a virgin betrothed to a man whose name was Joseph, of the
house of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary. And he came to her and said,
“Hail, O favored one, the Lord is with you!” But she was greatly troubled at the
saying, and considered in her mind what sort of greeting this might be. And the
angel said to her, “Do not be afraid, Mary, for you have found favor with God. And
behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall call his
name Jesus.
He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Most High;
and the Lord God will give to him the throne of his father David,
and he will reign over the house of Jacob for ever;
and of his kingdom there will be no end.”
And Mary said to the angel, “How shall this be, since I have no husband?” And
the angel said to her,
“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, your kinswoman Elizabeth in her old age has also conceived a son;
and this is the sixth month with her who was called barren. For with God nothing
will be impossible.” And Mary said, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord; let it
be to me according to your word.” And the angel departed from her.

REFLECTION
Priest: Father, we thank you for sending your only Son, Jesus. Your love
surpasses any other gift we may receive. May we ever accept and thank you not
only in words but also in following your example of generosity. We ask this in the
name of Jesus Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.
Priest: For Jesus Christ, our Savior who dwells among us, we humbly pray:
Come, Lord Jesus.
1. Lord Jesus, you became part of the family of Joseph and Mary. May you also be
borne into our family; with you in the center of our family life, may harmony, love
and understanding prevail not only this coming Christmas season but in each day
of our lives. Let us pray. R.
2. Lord Jesus, you came to dwell among us. With you, we ask the Father to give us
the grace to be the dwelling place of his beloved Son. Let us pray. R.
3. That our youth may plan their future after discerning God’s will through prayer
and with the guidance of wise persons. Let us pray. R.
pray. R.
Priest: Lord Jesus, you were born into our world because you willed to be one of
us. You invite us to be one with you to renew ourselves, and also the world. May
you renew us in your love and strengthen us in your faith. Who live and reign with
God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.
People: Amen.
CONCLUSION
Spirit.
People: Amen.
everlasting life.
People: Amen.
ASIA PACIFIC AUGUSTINIAN NOVITIATE

Augustinian Novitiate and Prayer House
Canonical Year 2020 – 2021
“Gaudete in Domino Semper”

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THE RITE OF BLESSING OF AN ADVENT WREATH

AND WEEKLY PRAYER GUIDE

AUGUSTINIAN NOVITIATE AND PRAYER HOUSE

Liturgy and Music Committee

RITE OF BLESSING OF ADVENT WREATH

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

BLESSING OF THE WREATH

O come, O come, Emmanuel,

GOSPEL READING Mk. 13:24-37

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Come, Lord Jesus.

People: As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

SECOND WEEK OF ADVENT – HOPE

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

O come, O wisdom from on high,

GOSPEL READING Mk. 1:1-8

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to Mark.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

“Behold, I send my messenger before thy face,

Prepare the way of the Lord,

John the baptizer appeared in the wilderness, preaching a baptism of repentance

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Lord, may your kingdom come.

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

If the presider is not a priest:

People: As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.

THIRD WEEK OF ADVENT – JOY

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

O come, O come, O Lord of might,

GOSPEL READING Jn. 1:6-8, 19-28

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to John.

People: Glory to you, O Lord.

Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.

People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

PRAYERS OF THE FAITHFUL

Come, Lord Jesus, do not delay.

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.

If the presider is not a priest:

People: As it was in the beginning is now and will be forever. Amen.

Priest: The Lord be with you.

People: And with your spirit.