Author: Leigh Hatts

Leigh Hatts is the author of 'Keeping Advent and Christmas' and 'Keeping Lent and Easter' (DLT).
Updates

Old St Thomas Day: O Oriens

Today Thursday 21 December is Old St Thomas Day. This is Thomas the Apostle or Doubting Thomas who at first could not believe that the crucified Christ was alive. So, although we now keep St Thomas Day is July, today is a reminder of the later years of the Christ Child. Some Anglican churches still […]

Leigh Hatts 
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O Key of David

Today Wednesday 20 December is the fourth day of the O Antiphons: O Key of David. O Key of David and sceptre of the House of Israel; you open and no one can shut; you shut and no one can open: Come and lead the prisoners from the prison house, those who dwell in darkness […]

Leigh Hatts 
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Our Lady of the O

O Adonai is today’s O Antiphon heard before the Gospel reading at Mass and the Magnificat at Evening Prayer. From now until 22 December there will be an O Antiphon as the Messiah is daily called by an Old Testament title. Today 18 December is known as the Expectation of Mary, or Our Lady of […]

Leigh Hatts 
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‘Rejoice’ Sunday of Advent

Today is the Third Sunday of Advent sometimes called Gaudete Sunday after the introit at Mass which starts Gaudete meaning Rejoice. The candle lit on the wreath this morning represents John the Baptist and can be pink. Indeed the vestments might also be pink. This is an old custom  reminding us that we are about […]

Leigh Hatts 
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St Lucy’s Day

St Lucy is the big focus this morning in Scandinavia, especially Sweden, as well as Siracusa, Naples and Venice. There will be outdoor processions in Sicily, Gran Canaria and Helsinki. The Lucia figure is appearing with her crown of lighted candles reminding us of how the saint lit the way helping persecuted Christians along secret tunnels […]

Leigh Hatts 
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The Annunciation at the Holy House

This weekend we have an opportunity to look back nine months to the Annunciation on Saturday 25 March. At the time we were all thinking about Mothering Sunday the next day. This December weekend sees the annual celebration at Loreto in Italy where the Virgin Mary’s Nazareth house is now found inside a basilica. The […]

Leigh Hatts 
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Immaculate Conception: Lyon lights

Today is the Immaculate Conception when we focus on the VIrgin Mary who gave birth to Jesus. We are celebrating the conception of the Virgin  Mary by her parents Anne and Joachim. On 8 September in nine months, after the period of a pregnancy,  we celebrate Mary’s  birthday. Mary was immaculate because she was born […]

Leigh Hatts 
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St Ambrose Day

Today is St Ambrose Day when many will think of that great Italian city of Milan which is associated with this saint who was its bishop from 374 to 397. In Milan the Ambrosian Rite is the norm in church which not only means that the Mass is a little different but so is the […]

Leigh Hatts 
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