Course 4, Chapter 25: Christianity visible. — Advent

1. What is advent?

The word advent signifies coming. Advent is a time of prayer and penance, established by the church, to prepare for the feast of Christmas.

2. With what sentiments does the church wish to inspire us durmg advent?

During advent the church wishes to inspire us first with the spirit of penance, to prepare our hearts

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for the birth of the Messiah; she repeats to us the words of St. John, addressed to the Jews on the banks of the Jordan: Do penance; prepare ye the way of the Loril; make straight his paths.

3. What more does she do?

^4. She puts on her garb of purple, and suppresses die alleluia in a part of her office.

4. What other sentiment does she wish to inspire?

She wishes to inspire us also with hope, for which reason she announces to us in the epistles and gospels the speedy coming of the Messiah.

5. What does advent represent?

Ad vent represents the four thousand years during which the Saviour was expected. The church invites us to sigh for his coming as did the patriarchs and prophets. From the 15th of December to the 23d she uses the great anthems, which are so many ardent sighs after the Messiah.

6. What must we do to spend advent well?

In order to spend advent well we must: 1st, renounce sin; 2d, do some works of mortification; 3d, desire ardently the coming of the Messiah in our hearts; 4th, live in greater recollection and with more fervor than usual.

7. What motives have we for passing advent well?

1 st, obedience to the church; 2d, gratitude to Jesus Christ; 3d, our spiritual kiterest; for, proportioned to our fervor will be the favors of the Messiah to us.

376 CATECHISM OF PERSEVERANCE.