Saint Nicholas, Bishop

Optional memorial

Saturday 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

Joyful Mysteries

Fifth Mystery: The Finding in the Temple

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

“Why were you looking for me? Didn’t you know that I must be in my Father’s house?”Luke 2:49

After three days of sorrowful searching, Mary and Joseph find the twelve-year-old Jesus in the Temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.

Fruit of the mystery: Piety · joy in finding Jesus

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 (Joyful Mysteries)

The Annunciation
The Visitation
The Nativity
The Presentation
The Finding in the Temple

Coming up

The Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin MaryMon, Dec 8 · Solemnity
Our Lady of GuadalupeFri, Dec 12 · Feast
The Nativity of the Lord (Christmas)Thu, Dec 25 · Solemnity
Saint Stephen, the First MartyrFri, Dec 26 · Feast
Saint John, Apostle and EvangelistSat, 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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