Have you noticed our Advent Wreath? The wooden stand was crafted by Manual Marky a few years back,
and the metallic candle bands were created by Sr. Virginia Buchholz especially for this Advent. What a
beautifully elegant setting for our Advent candle lighting ceremony.
The Advent Wreath’s origins are central European and may have come from the custom of bringing wagon
wheels inside during the winter months to keep them from the elements and preserve them for use. Hung
up high and in a dry place the wheel was later decorated with evergreens and provided a circular
window looking up to the heavens and a focal point for Advent prayer in the home.
Adapting the custom to communal prayer, the Church marks the four weeks of Advent with the lighting of a
candle at each of the Sundays. Although the early custom was to use red candles in the wreath, which
anticipated Christmas, the liturgical colors of violet and rose (for the 3rd Gaudete Sunday) are preferred. Our
exquisitely made golden candle bands are encrusted with “jewels” in shades of purple, violet and old rose
with white candles. The result is particularly eye catching, regal and royal, which befits our worship and
anticipation of the coming of Christ the King of Glory into the world.
Appropriately designed and beautiful royal purple banners have been crafted by Sr. Tracy Sharp and
Annette Lenneman, with the assistance of Sr. Darlene Young, who, along with Mary Zbojniewicz (& husband
Henry), Roger & Colin Cosgrove and Chuck Winkler, have brought us this lovely liturgical environment in
which the prayer of Advent will take place.
Thank you all for your wonderful efforts: Advent has arrived and your work will shape our worship in the
days to come. (December 5, 2004)