Catholic Advent Candles and Catholic Advent Wreaths

Advent is the first season of the Christian church year, leading up to Christmas and including the four preceding Sundays. Churches utilize a Catholic Advent wreath as a way to symbolize the journey towards Jesus’ birth. It is a way to prepare to receive the Lord fully as his birth is celebrated.

The Catholic Advent wreath is a circular garland of evergreen branches representing eternity and God’s everlasting love and life. Five Catholic Advent candles are typically arranged on the Catholic Advent wreath. The Catholic Advent candles represent the coming (advent) of the light of the Lord. Catholic Advent candles are purple, pink, and white. Purple is a liturgical color that can represent both royalty and suffering. Pink is also a liturgical color and represents joy. White represents holiness.

During the season of Advent, churches light one candle on the Catholic Advent wreath each Sunday as a part of the Advent services. Each candle represents a feeling or aspect of the spiritual preparation for the coming of the Lord. The Catholic Advent candle of hope (purple) is lit on the first Sunday. The candle of love, also purple, is lit during the second Sunday. The third advent Candle is pink and is the candle of Joy. The purple Advent candle of peace is lit on the final Sunday. The white candle (sometimes called the Christ candle) at the center of a Catholic Advent wreath is lit after sundown on Christmas eve or on Christmas itself. As the candles are lit in church, a blessing or prayer is offered.

Catholic Advent candles and Catholic Advent wreaths are also used in homes. The practice is such a wonderful way to keep the “reason for the season” at the forefront in your abode. You can light Catholic Advent candles each evening or on Sundays only. It can be a time of reflection, prayer, and checking in with one another spiritually during what can be an otherwise busy and stressful time.

If your family lights each evening, you simply light the same candle all week and add one on Sundays. On week one, you can light the candle of hope all week. During week two, you can light the candle of hope AND the candle of love. During the third week, light the Catholic Advent candles of hope, love, and joy. And so on. Children especially love participating in this process once they are old enough to light an Advent candle. Many people choose to say a prayer as they light the candle.

A blessing you may choose to offer when you light Catholic advent candles in your home:

O God, by whose word all things are sanctified, pour forth thy blessing upon this wreath and grant that we who use it may prepare our hearts for the Coming of Christ, and may receive from thee abundant graces. Through Christ Our Lord. Amen.

We at St. Patrick’s Guild wish your family hope, love, joy, peace, and holiness during the Advent season.

At St. Patrick’s Guild, we offer a selection of stunning Catholic Advent Wreaths and Catholic Advent Candles to fit your needs along with faith-based gifts and books. Check out our selection online today or reach out to us personally so we can better serve you.