Mepkin Welcomes Advent

Saturday, Dec. 2

Solemn Entrance into Advent

The monks of Mepkin Abbey welcomed the Advent season on Saturday, December 2nd at a special 6:30 pm ceremony. It began in the senior wing of the monastery with a gathering of all the brothers and the retreat center guests. The celebration began with words of welcome from the abbot and opening prayers. All then proceeded in song to a point outside the church, where Father Guerric read the Gospel of Christ’s Return. The celebrants made their way back into the church, and the lights were raised. Abbot Stan delivered his Advent homily, challenging the listeners, “Are we ready?” He presented Advent as a time of hope and of suspended expectations. And so, we are called to wait. If you would like to read Abbot Stan’s complete homily, you can find it here.

After the homily, Psalm 85 was sung, and everyone listened to readings from the Prophet Isaiah and Psalm 25, to which the choir responded, “Amen, Maranatha!” This was followed with Father Columba sharing a reading from the first Advent homily of Blessed Guerric of Igny. In this homily, Blessed Guerric invites us to listen to the Lord, who will come, but we must wait. After the singing of Psalm 72, Father Kevin read the Gospel of the Annunciation from Luke. This was followed by the Song of Mary, the Litany, a final prayer, and the Hail, Holy Queen. To conclude the ceremony, all present were blessed with holy water by Abbot Stan.

This solemn and beautiful occasion was a fitting way to begin the Advent journey as we walk with the Lord in these days leading up to Christmas.