Ways to pray this season at the Cathedral

It gets darker and darker, and then Jesus is born.

(This quote has been attributed to author Wendell Berry by fellow author Anne Lamott, and it's one of my favorites .)

There is something about the extra darkness this time of year that invites us to create light. We do that in different ways: lighting Advent wreaths at home and at church, putting candles in the windows or on the dinner table, decorating our homes with brightly-colored bulbs, building fires in the fireplace, gathering with those we love.

Every time we light a candle or turn on a switch, we make a little hole in the darkness.

We remind ourselves that no matter how dark it feels, the tiniest bit of light can make a difference...and even when it seems like we've been waiting forever, there is still hope - the Light is going to come again to fill our hearts and the sky and to stream through the windows.

Our prayers do this, too...creating little spiritual points of light in the darkness. We never pray alone, but in union with the whole Church on earth and in heaven.

This Advent season, we have a few special opportunities to pray together here at Saint Mary's Cathedral.

On Friday evening, December 5, we will gather to pray Evening Prayer from the Liturgy of the Hours. The Liturgy of the Hours is the way the Church marks the passing of time and sanctifies it, by praying at morning, midday, evening and night. This prayer is offered in union with the whole Church, on behalf of those who cannot pray for themselves. Our celebration of Evening Prayer for Advent will begin with a lucernarium, a service of light, in which we light candles in the darkness. Then, we'll pray the psalms together with some special music, hear a reading from scripture, and sing the Canticle of Mary, the Magnificat, which is always sung at Evening Prayer to close the day.

On Monday, December 8, we celebrate the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary with Mass at 12:05. Come to pray the Angelus at noon, and stay for Mass with music by our chant schola.

Then on Saturday, December 13, we will gather before dawn for a special candlelight votive Mass, honoring the Blessed Virgin Mary and anticipating the coming of Christ, the Light of the World. This Mass will feature Gregorian Chant and is an opportunity for contemplative, quiet prayer in the weeks leading up to the celebration of Christ's birth.

We hope you will join us for these prayer opportunities as we lift our hearts together in joyful anticipation of the joy of Christmas.