December 18

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

Second Mystery: The Ascension

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

“When he had said these things, as they were looking, he was taken up, and a cloud received him out of their sight.”Acts 1:9

Forty days after His Resurrection, Jesus promises the Holy Spirit to His apostles and ascends into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of the Father.

Fruit of the mystery: Hope

“O Adonai” — the O Antiphon for December 18

O Adonai and Leader of the house of Israel, who appeared to Moses in the flame of the burning bush and gave him the law on Sinai: come, and redeem us with outstretched arm.

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)Wed, Dec 25 · Solemnity
Saint Stephen, the First MartyrThu, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistFri, Dec 27 · Feast
The Holy Innocents, MartyrsSat, Dec 28 · Feast
The Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and JosephSun, Dec 29 · 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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