"Rejoice always, pray without ceasing" (1 Thessalonians 5:16-17). The third Sunday of Advent marks a pivotal change in the liturgical season of Advent, Fr. Jeffrey Kirby told Fox News Digital. Kirby ...

During the season of Advent we await the celebration of Jesus Christ’s birth and His coming again at the end of time. Our culture, in fact, seems to erase Advent, which is a penitential season for ...

The Gospels on the Second and Third Sundays of Advent traditionally are devoted to St. John the Baptist. But Matthew’s treatment of John’s ministry at the beginning of Jesus’ public life is relatively ...

Sunday, Dec. 12, is the Third Sunday of Advent. Mass Readings: Zephaniah 3:14-18, Isaiah 12:2-3, 4, 5-6, Philippians 4:4-7; Luke 3:10-18. In today’s second reading, St. Paul gives us a kind of ...

The third Sunday of Advent is Gaudete Sunday, from the first word (in Latin) of the Entrance Antiphon of the Eucharistic Liturgy: “Rejoice in the Lord always, again I say, rejoice! Indeed, the Lord is ...

"All God's children got shoes!" So sings a traditional spiritual, painting a picture of heaven where former slaves wear fine robes and crowns, play harps and where nobody goes barefoot. The spiritual ...

A cherished tradition in many churches and Christian homes during the four weeks leading up to Christmas is the use of an Advent wreath to ritually mark the time. The faithful can prayerfully count ...

The third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday, is a time to pause and rejoice. Joy is different from happiness and can exist even during times of difficulty or grief. Small, unexpected moments ...

Joy defines Advent. On Gaudete Sunday, this third week of the Advent season, it is time to rejoice and be glad as we anticipate the hope and wonder of the Christ Child’s arrival. So how do we rejoice ...

"Lord, hear our prayer." How much thought or emotion do you put into those words at each liturgy? Is it a plea or just a rote response? Perhaps a subtle bit of social justice promotion? A reminder ...