Saint Nicholas, Bishop

Optional memorial

Thursday of the First Week of Advent

4th-century Bishop of Myra known for secret generosity to the poor; the inspiration for many Christmas customs.

Readings of the day

Luminous Mysteries

Fifth Mystery: The Institution of the Eucharist

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

“This is my body which is given for you. Do this in memory of me.”Luke 22:19

At the Last Supper, on the night before He suffered, Jesus takes bread and wine and gives His Body and Blood to the apostles as food and drink, the new covenant in His Blood.

Fruit of the mystery: Adoration

The Angelus

V. The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary.
R. And she conceived of the Holy Spirit. Hail Mary…

V. Behold the handmaid of the Lord.
R. Let it be done to me according to your word. Hail Mary…

V. And the Word was made flesh.
R. And dwelt among us. Hail Mary…

Pour forth, we pray, O Lord, your grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the Incarnation of Christ your Son was made known by the message of an angel, may by his Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of his Resurrection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

Traditional (from the 16th century)

Get this prayer every morning

A notification each morning with the day’s mysteries, a mystery to meditate on with its scripture, and a short prayer. Free, no account.

This day’s five mysteries (Luminous Mysteries)

The Baptism of the Lord
The Wedding at Cana
The Proclamation of the Kingdom
The Transfiguration
The Institution of the Eucharist

Coming up

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MarySat, Dec 8 · Solemnity
Our Lady of GuadalupeWed, Dec 12 · Feast
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Tue, Dec 25 · Solemnity
Saint Stephen, the First MartyrWed, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistThu, Dec 27 · 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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