During the Advent season, it’s customary in the Catholic Church to bring out their Advent candles and have an advent wreath in our homes, and parishes. This Advent Wreath usually has 4 candles which have their special significance and are gradually lit throughout the four weeks of Advent. To prepare for this season, we want to discuss a few questions that people generally ask about the Advent wreath and specifically the Advent candles.
Why Should You Pray The Advent Wreath Prayer?
As Catholics, the Advent wreath prayer holds significance as a meaningful prayer and that guides us through the anticipation and preparation for the arrival of Christ during the Advent season. The wreath itself, adorned with candles representing hope, peace, joy, and love, symbolizes the spiritual journey toward Christmas.
Engaging in the Advent wreath prayer fosters a sense of contemplation and reflection, allowing individuals and families to connect with the deeper spiritual meanings of each candle and the overall message of Advent. It serves as a reminder of the virtues central to the Christian faith and encourages a sense of unity and devotion within the Catholic community.
Through the Advent wreath prayer, Catholics cultivate a sacred space for introspection, gratitude, and a renewed focus on the profound significance of Christ’s birth in their lives.
What Are Advent Candles?
Advent candles are the four candles that you see in the Advent wreath. There are 3 purple candles and 1 pink candle on the wreath, and each candle has its own significance and meaning.
Purple Advent Candles
The color purple has been significant in the Catholic Church for years, and it remains to be the color of the priest’s vestments during the advent and lenten season. This color may also symbolize the waiting and longing for the coming of Christ.
Pink Advent Candle
In the advent wreath, the color pink represents joy. This particular candle is lit with significant timing that signals that something great is coming soon.
When are the Advent Candles Lit?
The advent candles are not lit all at the same time. There are four Sundays in Advent before Christmas, and every Sunday you light one candle from the wreath.
Advent Candles Order of Lighting
Week 1: Purple
Week 2: Purple
Week 3: Pink
Week 4: Purple
Meaning of Advent Candles Catholic
Lighting these Advent candles each week symbolizes the proximity of Jesus’ coming, hence each candle has its own special symbol and meaning.
Week 1: Purple Advent Candle, Hope
The first candle lit on the first week of Advent is a purple candle, this candle represents hope. In the first week of Advent, we recall the Prophet Isaiah, who anticipated the birth of Jesus. This first candle also represents the anticipation of the arrival of the Messiah.
Be watchful! Be alert! You do not know when the time will come.
Mark:13:33
Week 2: Purple Advent Candle, Faith
The second candle to be lit is also a purple candle. This candle symbolizes faith and the journey of Joseph and Mary to Bethlehem. It calls you out to prepare the way of the Lord.
Week 3: Pink Advent Candle, Joy
The next and third candle to be lit is the pink candle, which represents Joy. This candle reminds us that Jesus coming is near as we reach the middle point of Advent. The third Sunday of Advent is also called Gaudete Sunday, which symbolizes the nearness of Christ’s coming.
Week 4: Purple Advent Candle, Peace
On the fourth and final Sunday of Advent, the last candle is lit, which is purple. This candle represents peace and reminds us of the importance of Peace as the true savior of the world is coming.
Celebrating Advent At Home
Advent does not stop with the lighting of candles on the wreath every Sunday at Mass. As Catholics, we should give an extra mile by incorporating the joy of Advent in our daily lives. You can do things like attending an online Advent Retreat, or praying the Family Advent Wreath, and many more. If you’d like some more ideas on how you can celebrate Advent, you can check out our Great Ideas For Advent post.