December 20

Advent weekday

From December 17 the Advent liturgy turns to the immediate preparation for Christmas, with the great “O Antiphons” at Evening Prayer.

Readings of the day

Glorious Mysteries

Fourth Mystery: The Assumption of Mary

In Advent, the Joyful Mysteries are a natural companion any day.

“The Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life, was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.”Pope Pius XII, Munificentissimus Deus (1950)

At the end of her earthly life, the Blessed Virgin Mary is taken up body and soul into the glory of heaven, sharing first in her Son’s Resurrection. The Church solemnly defined this truth in 1950.

Fruit of the mystery: Grace of a happy death

“O Key of David” — the O Antiphon for December 20

O Key of David and scepter of the house of Israel, who open and no one shuts, who shut and no one opens: come, and lead the captive from prison, those who sit in darkness and the shadow of death.

Roman Breviary, Magnificat antiphon (translated for this app)

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This day’s five mysteries (Glorious Mysteries)

The Resurrection
The Ascension
The Descent of the Holy Spirit
The Assumption of Mary
The Coronation of Mary

Coming up

The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Mon, Dec 25 · Solemnity
Saint Stephen, the First MartyrTue, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistWed, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsThu, Dec 28 · Feast
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 31 · Feast

✝ Pray the full Rosary

Liturgical calendar for the dioceses of the USA (General Roman Calendar and U.S. proper), checked against the USCCB liturgical calendar. Readings: citations from the U.S. Lectionary for Mass, text from the Douay-Rheims Bible (public domain).

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