Bishops to celebrate First Sunday of Advent by thanking God for gift of human life

26 Nov 2010

PRESS RELEASE
26 November 2010

Bishops to celebrate First Sunday of Advent by thanking God for gift of human life

  • The period in which we prepare for Christmas is an appropriate time to invoke divine protection on every human being called into existence, and to thank God for the gift of life we received from our parents – Pope Benedict XVI
  • Advent reminds us that we are living in in-between times, in a time of personal poverty, in expectation, in a time of hope.  Advent reminds us that we are not in possession of the Kingdom, but that its fullness will be revealed to us when Jesus comes again – Bishop McAreavey

To mark the beginning of Advent, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will celebrate a Vigil for unborn human life in St Peter’s Basilica, Rome, this Saturday 27 November.  Pope Benedict has asked that similar vigils take place throughout the world.  These vigils will be celebrated in Ireland this weekend.

The website of the Irish Bishops’ Conference www.catholicbishops.ie is hosting a special feature for Advent and Christmas 2010.  It details:

– The full schedule of Pope Benedict XVI’s Advent and Christmas 2010 celebrations in the Vatican
– Details of Worldwide Telecasts from the Vatican during Christmas and New Year 2010 – 2011
– Messages and Reflections from Irish bishops for Advent and Christmas 2010, including a video reflection from Bishop John McAreavey, Bishop of Dromore and Co-Chair of the Bishops’ Council for Communications, on the importance of Advent
– A audio interview on the meaning of Advent with Fr Patrick Jones, Director, National Centre for Liturgy
– Details of initiatives and events in the Dioceses of Ireland
– Contributions from various commissions and agencies of the Bishops’ Conference, including an Advent and Christmas resource for families produced by the Bishops’ Council for Marriage and the Family, which includes blessings for the Advent Wreath, Christmas Tree and the Crib in the home, and a family table prayer for Christmas Day.

Further information:
Martin Long, Director of Communications 00 353 (0) 86 172 7678