Now in its ninth year, the website of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference will host its interactive digital Advent Calendar to mark the beginning of the Church’s new year, the First Sunday of Advent.  To mark this special season, this year’s Advent calendar will offer resources for school, parish and home and will be accessible behind a virtual door that, as per tradition, can only be opened on each day of Advent.  Content available behind these virtual doors will include a short video message, seasonal crafts for children and prayers to assist us in keeping Christ at the centre of our Christmas preparations.

Advent (from ‘ad-venire’ in Latin or “to come to”) is the Church season encompassing the four Sundays and weekdays leading up to the celebration of Christmas.  Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas.  Advent also prepares us for the second coming of Christ at the end of time.

The theme of the Advent Calendar this year is ‘Synodality’.  We hope you will join us again this year through the Season of Advent.

Note: The virtual doors above cannot be opened ahead of their actual date. All content will go live in the early hours of each morning and can be accessed here.

Queries relating to the Advent Calendar should be addressed to [email protected].