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

Sorrowful Mysteries

Fourth Mystery: The Carrying of the Cross

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

“The Place of a Skull”, which is called in Hebrew, “Golgotha”John 19:17

Jesus carries His Cross to Calvary. Simon of Cyrene is made to help Him, and along the way He speaks to the women of Jerusalem who weep for Him.

Fruit of the mystery: Patience

“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 (Sorrowful Mysteries)

The Agony in the Garden
The Scourging at the Pillar
The Crowning with Thorns
The Carrying of the Cross
The Crucifixion

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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