“Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. In all circumstances give thanks, for this is the will of God for you in Christ Jesus.”
1 Thessalonians 5:16–18
Advent is a season of waiting, but it is never empty waiting. Each day brings a new invitation to slow down, pray, and make room for Christ. In 2026, Advent begins on Sunday, November 29, and continues through Christmas Eve, December 24.
We invite you to walk through these four weeks with us at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine, whether you join us in person in Boston or online from home. Pray with us at Mass, bring your intentions to the altar, and let the light of Christ grow a little brighter in your heart each week.
Advent, Christmas, and New Year’s Mass Schedule
St. Clement Shrine offers special Masses throughout Advent and the Christmas season, in addition to our regular in-person schedule and live-streamed daily Mass. Daily Mass streams at 7 a.m. ET on weekdays and 11 a.m. ET on weekends. All times below are Eastern Time.
Thursday, November 26: Thanksgiving Day
Mass 11 a.m.
Tuesday, December 8: Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception (Holy Day of Obligation)
Mass 7 a.m.
Mass 12:10 p.m.
Mass 7 p.m. (Mass for Immaculate Conception)
Thursday, December 24: Christmas Eve
Mass 6 p.m.
Friday, December 25: Christmas Day (Holy Day of Obligation)
Mass 11 a.m.
Friday, January 1: Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (Holy Day of Obligation)
Mass 11 a.m.
How to Watch Mass Online
You’re always welcome to pray with us online. Every Mass on our regular schedule streams live, during Advent and all year long.
New to watching Mass online? Our guide to watching Mass online answers common questions.
Bring Your Intentions to the Altar
Advent is a season of hope and longing. Whatever you’re carrying, you don’t have to carry it alone. Share your intentions with the Oblates, and we’ll hold them in prayer.
Enroll in the Christmas Novena
From December 26 through January 3, your loved ones and intentions will be remembered at nine consecutive Masses at St. Clement Shrine. Honor family and friends, living or deceased, or entrust a special intention to Christ this Christmas.
Make a Christmas Gift
This Advent, every Mass we celebrate is sustained by a community of Men of Prayer. Your Christmas gift supports Oblate priests and brothers in parishes, shrines, and retreat houses, and forms the seminarians who will offer the Mass for generations to come.
The Sundays of Advent
Each Sunday of Advent offers its own grace and draws us deeper into the mystery of God made visible in Jesus Christ. Below are the themes, candles, and readings for each week of Advent 2026.
First Sunday of Advent: November 29, 2026
The first Sunday of Advent calls us to stay awake and watchful. We light the first violet candle, the Prophet’s Candle, which symbolizes hope.
Reflection: In the first reading, Isaiah reminds us that we are the clay and God is the potter. Advent hope begins right there. We don’t have to make ourselves ready alone. We simply stay alert and let the Lord shape us, trusting that His hands are gentle and His work is good.
2026 Readings
- First Reading: Isaiah 63:16b–17, 19b; 64:2–7
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 80:2–3, 15–16, 18–19
- Second Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:3–9
- Gospel: Mark 13:33–37
Second Sunday of Advent: December 6, 2026
The second Sunday invites us to prepare the way of the Lord. The second violet candle, the Bethlehem Candle, represents faith and preparation.
Reflection: Isaiah opens with words of comfort, and John the Baptist calls us to repentance. God’s call to turn back to Him is always an act of mercy. This is a week to make room, set down what weighs on us, and trust in His patience with us.
2026 Readings
- First Reading: Isaiah 40:1–5, 9–11
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 85:9–10, 11–12, 13–14
- Second Reading: 2 Peter 3:8–14
- Gospel: Mark 1:1–8
Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday): December 13, 2026
Gaudete Sunday is a day of joy. We light the rose candle, the Shepherd’s Candle, which symbolizes joy.
Reflection: St. Paul tells us to rejoice always and pray without ceasing. Joy and prayer go hand in hand. Even in a busy or heavy season, we can turn our hearts to the Lord again and again. In place of a psalm, the Church gives us Mary’s Magnificat this week, a song of praise for all God has done.
2026 Readings
- First Reading: Isaiah 61:1–2a, 10–11
- Responsorial Psalm: Luke 1:46–48, 49–50, 53–54
- Second Reading: 1 Thessalonians 5:16–24
- Gospel: John 1:6–8, 19–28
Fourth Sunday of Advent: December 20, 2026
The final Sunday turns our hearts to the mystery of the Incarnation. We light the last violet candle, the Angel’s Candle, which symbolizes peace.
Reflection: King David wanted to build a house for God, but God promised to build a house for David that would last forever. In the Gospel, that promise is fulfilled as the angel Gabriel comes to Mary. With Mary, we learn to trust that nothing is impossible for God and to make our own hearts a dwelling place for Him.
2026 Readings
- First Reading: 2 Samuel 7:1–5, 8b–12, 14a, 16
- Responsorial Psalm: Psalm 89:2–3, 4–5, 27, 29
- Second Reading: Romans 16:25–27
- Gospel: Luke 1:26–38
Advent 2026 FAQs
Advent 2026 begins on Sunday, November 29, 2026, and ends on Christmas Eve, Thursday, December 24, 2026. The Christmas season begins with the Vigil Mass on Christmas Eve.
St. Clement Shrine celebrates Christmas Eve Mass at 6 p.m. ET on December 24 and Christmas Day Mass at 11 a.m. ET on December 25, 2026. Both are offered in person in Boston and streamed live online.
Yes, St. Clement Shrine streams daily Mass at 7 a.m. ET on weekdays and 11 a.m. ET on weekends. You can watch live on the OMV website, Facebook, or YouTube.
Yes, the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception falls on Tuesday, December 8, 2026, and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. St. Clement Shrine offers Mass for the Immaculate Conception at 7 p.m. ET.
Yes, the Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God, falls on Friday, January 1, 2027, and is a Holy Day of Obligation in the United States. St. Clement Shrine offers Mass at 11 a.m. ET.
The Christmas Novena is nine consecutive days of Masses celebrated at 7 a.m. ET at St. Clement Eucharistic Shrine. You can enroll loved ones, living or deceased, or submit a special intention to be remembered at each Mass.
The Advent wreath has four candles, one for each Sunday. The three violet candles represent hope, faith, and peace. The rose candle, lit on Gaudete Sunday, represents joy.
Gaudete Sunday, the Third Sunday of Advent, falls on December 13, 2026. “Gaudete” means “rejoice” in Latin. The priest may wear rose vestments, and the rose candle on the Advent wreath is lit as a sign of joy that Christmas is near.
Yes, a Mass celebrated on the evening of December 24 fulfills the obligation to attend Mass for Christmas. At St. Clement Shrine, Christmas Eve Mass is at 6 p.m. ET.
