As Marian Advent celebrations

Marian Celebrations of Advent: Mary in the Time of Waiting

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“The faithful, who live in the liturgy the spirit of Advent, considering the ineffable love with which the Virgin Mother waited for the Son, are called to take her as a model and to prepare to meet the Savior who comes, ‘vigilant in prayer, exultant in praise’ (Roman Missal, Preface of Advent II).”Following this, we will understand how the Advent liturgy joins the messianic hope and the glorious coming of Christ with the memory of the Virgin Mary, in order to reveal the deeper meaning of the cult to the Virgin, centered on her reference point, which is Christ.In the liturgical year, Marian feasts occur in successive phases, yet during Advent, we see events related to her in a continuous manner, which should be viewed as a whole. This is a highly significant celebratory fact.– The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of Mary: This feast is of interest as its celebration takes place during Advent and honors Mary’s purity, in relation to the apparitions of Lourdes and the dogmatic definition, thus serving as a feast of ideas in itself.This feast, in the time of waiting, is seen as the mystery of the accomplishment in the Church of that sanctification which, in Mary, the virgin without spot or wrinkle (cf. Eph 5:27), was prepared as worthy dwelling place for the Word.

2. During the Christmas Advent period (December 17-24), the liturgical books do not use any special expressions to denote these days, but simply refer to them as major holidays. During this time, Mary is spoken of continuously, as it is understood that she plays a very important role in the birth of the Son.
3. December 20th holiday: The Announcement to Mary. As a continuation of the fourth week of Advent, preceding the disappearance of the *Dominica Sollemnitas Matris* (Mother’s Solemnity) on December 18th, this day is more than a holiday, even within the major period. In the Middle Ages, the mass for this day was called *Missa Aurea Beatae* (Golden Mass of the Blessed), while in a 10th-century Tuscan missal, it is called *Salutatio Mariae* (Mary’s Salutation). It commemorates the *Anunciation* during Advent, celebrated on March 25th.
4. December 21st holiday: The Visit to Elizabeth. This is the feast of the *Visitation* during Advent, a mystery repeated on May 31st. The Gospel reading for this day continues the narrative from the sixth day of Advent. This sudden journey shows Mary as the image of the Church, beloved and loving God, the Spouse. This encounter is not just between two mothers, but between the children. Therefore, John the Baptist is the first among the saints to benefit from Mary’s intercession.
5. Pre-natal Marian Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Advent): The pre-natal Sunday has been revised, once again becoming, for the lectionary and liturgical forms, a major occasion for Marian piety, even without a specific designation. Like the previously mentioned holidays, this Sunday also incorporates the liturgical traditions linked to the December solstices: thus, the events from the Gospels that preceded the Lord’s birth fit into a more organic narrative.
6. For Marian Masses during Advent: For pilgrimages to Marian shrines, local feasts, special celebrations centered on the Virgin, and for Saturday Masses, the Missal offers a specific form for Advent, which also serves as a common form.

We reflect a bit on the Marian celebrations in the liturgy during Advent, where, as we live these celebrations with our eyes fixed on her, we embrace and turn towards the peak of the manifestation of Him whom we await and call upon, *”Come, Lord!”*. However, when we think of the Son, we must understand that He has a Mother. A woman who, by saying yes to God’s action, intervenes for the salvation of humanity, becoming a link of connection, the intercessor between humanity and Jesus, her Son.“In remembering the flow of all time in the season of Advent, there lies hidden, in the depths, the mystery of Mary: how she bends, submits, follows, understands, obeys, and loves. As guests, we are invited to share in her hope, grounded in her mission and, through her, in the mission of every person who shares the faith. Perhaps there is no better preparation for Christmas than to know that we are included in the Mother’s prayer, in her certainty, free from all fear and worry, that by the grace of the Son, we will respond to her expectation on the day He came to us.” (Adrienne von Speyr)

Let us then pray for the intercession of Mary so that our experience in the season of Advent may allow us to contemplate in the night of Christmas the coming of Jesus into our hearts, as we await His definitive coming.

To understand the Marian celebrations of Advent and her role in the liturgy, read Pope Paul VI’s Apostolic Exhortation Marialis Cultus on Marian feasts in the liturgical calendar.

Deepen your studies: explore Mariology, Theology of Mary, Marian apparitions, and Graduate Studies in Mariology.