Advent Prayer Service for Catholic Schools: What's Included?
An advent prayer service for Catholic schools can be a valuable time of community-building and celebration during the Christmas season. Learn what to expect from our service at St. Agnes.
During the sacred Christmas season, students and their families may wonder how the St. Agnes Academy community plans to observe this special and Holy time of year.
Leading up to Christmas – one of our most meaningful holy days of obligation – the St. Agnes community observes the period of Advent, which for many church bodies typically culminates in an Advent prayer service.
While classes at St. Agnes Academy conclude prior to the end of Advent, students are encouraged to observe this meaningful period of reflection and penitence in ways that are meaningful to them.
You may even wonder what’s included in an Advent prayer service for Catholic schools. Let’s take a closer look so that you are prepared to engage in this special gathering.
Significance of an Advent Prayer Service for Catholic Schools
In the weeks of Advent, St. Agnes hosts an annual Christmas by Candlelight program with music from Handel’s Mesial and classic Christmas hymns. This event is designed to gather past and present community members to observe and reflect upon the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
- Look out for when tickets go on sale for the annual program at this link.
Regardless of whether you plan to attend Mass at St. Agnes or with a different faith community, here is what students can expect from a typical Advent prayer service.
Understanding Advent in the Catholic Tradition
Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas and symbolizes a period of waiting and preparation for the birth of Jesus Christ.
During this time, Catholic schools and churches often hold special prayer services to help the school community reflect on some of Advent’s most central themes: hope, peace, joy, and love.
What is an Advent Prayer Service?
In a Catholic school setting, an Advent prayer service provides students, faculty, staff, and sometimes parents an opportunity to join with one another in prayer and reflection about the birth and life of Jesus.
Christmas Day is one of the most Holy Days of Obligation, as it heralds the birth of the baby Jesus. Advent provides a period of reflection leading up to the celebration of Christ’s birth and reminds us that Christ will one day return to Earth to see God’s plan to completion.
At St. Agnes, Advent prayer services are designed to deepen the spiritual experience for students of all ages while fostering a sense of community and shared spirituality. These services leading up to Christmas Day can be particularly valuable to members of the St. Agnes faith community since classes and weekly Mass are not held during the week of Christmas Day.
Elements of an Advent Prayer Service
Here are some of the elements typically included in an Advent prayer service for Catholic schools, many of which also take place in a theology classroom.
1. Opening Prayer and Welcome
A service may begin with an opening prayer led by a member of the clergy, a teacher, or even a student leader. This simple prayer sets the tone for the service and encourages attendees to open themselves to God’s loving presence.
Often, a brief message follows the opening prayer, during which the speaker highlights the purpose of the service. The leader welcomes all attendees – whether longstanding church members or first-time visitors – to join in this reflective experience.
2. Lighting of the Advent Wreath
The Advent wreath is a traditional symbol of the season and plays a central role in Advent services. The wreath is made of evergreen branches and holds four candles, each representing one week of Advent and the aforementioned spiritual gifts of hope, peace, joy, and love.
A new candle is lit each week during Advent, and a special prayer accompanies the lighting of each candle so as to encourage reflection upon that week’s corresponding virtue.
3. Scripture Readings
As is the case in every Catholic Mass, scripture readings are an essential part of any Advent prayer service. Selected passages from the Bible are read during the service to share the Biblical stories and prophecies related to the birth of Christ.
Often, community members are invited to conduct these readings, which helps foster a sense of community and belonging among teachers, students, and other attendees.
4. Hymns and Music
For many attendees, the music associated with the observance of the Christmas Season is one of the most moving and engaging parts of the celebration. During an Advent prayer service, hymns and music are incorporated into the program to inspire further reflection upon the themes of the service.
The musical portion of an Advent service often provides ample opportunity for student involvement, as the school’s band, chorus, or other ensemble may be invited to lead worship or perform a seasonal hymn.
5. Reflection and Homily
A brief reflection or homily is often included in the service to help participants understand the significance of Advent in a deeper way. The homily is typically given by the priest and carefully crafted to provide insights relevant to the spiritual virtue being reflected upon that week.
7. Closing Prayer and Blessing
Typically, the service concludes with a closing prayer and blessing that asks for God's guidance and protection during Advent and invites participants to carry the spirit of the season with them.
The closing prayer and blessing provide an uplifting conclusion to the events of the service and leave attendees prepared to re-enter the “real world” with the spirit of Advent in the week ahead.
Be Inspired During This Year’s Advent Season
Even though St. Agnes is on break during the observance of the Christmas holiday itself, Advent prayer services provide students, family members, teachers, and staff with opportunities to observe and reflect upon the real reason for the Christmas season.
By participating in Advent prayer services, students at St. Agnes Academy can engage more deeply in the spiritual foundation of the Christmas holiday and further prepare their hearts for Christ's birth.
Learn more about our Liturgical Worship offerings or advent prayer service for Catholic schools by reaching out to our Campus Ministry team. We would love to share more about our faith traditions at St. Agnes.
