In our rite (Byzantine -Ukrainian Greek Catholic) we're currently celebrating St Phillip's Fast. For us, Advent has already begun November 15. This is my first Advent as a catechumen!
I was about to comment something similar. My family was Antiochian Orthodox until I was 12, and Advent started Nov 15 and involved fasting, similar to the Lenten fast. I am now Roman Catholic (and have been for a while), but many of the Byzantine practices still stick.
@@shaheerthekhan I thought about it at one point, but I am so involved in my current parish that I haven't considered a permanent switch since then. Having said that, I do plan to visit a local Melkite parish at some point. All the Catholic churches (Roman, Byzantine, etc) are in communion with each other, so I'll be happy to visit a Byzantine parish occasionally, even if not on a permanent basis.
I’m going to start a Marian Consecration during Advent with my Bible Study Group. Pray for me that I am drawn closer to Christ through His Holy Mother!
Couldn't agree more. This is one practice which would greatly help focus on the real purpose of Christmas. Advent is to Christmas as Lent is to Easter: preparation. The world needs more of this and less of the cacophony of commercialism.
In Germany the Advent tradition is quite strong, almost every household will have a wreath with four Advent candles, and many people have a calendar with goodies, and use Advent as a time to meet relatives for coffee and cake, as well as going to Christmas markets. Churchgoers are trying to make it less consumerist, by using calendars with religious impulses for every day, and celebrating Rorate masses.
Our Parish (Episcopalian) has a cherished tradition. Rather than focusing on “giving up” we gather to make Advent boxes. We wrap simple gifts and toiletries and tag them for every day in Advent with a special gift for Christmas Day. They are delivered to the shut-ins and those who need a “lift” throughout our area. The gathering to pick out something from the pile is great fun. Individually we do reverse Advent boxes where you put either a food item or hats, gloves, underwear or socks and toiletries in the box each day then deliver the completed boxes to food banks and shelters. It certainly has made my Advent more meaningful.
I like those practices. All we used to do was the advent folder where you put quarters in the slot for each day and then paper money in the larger final pocket. Then turn them in at the Christmas Eve service.
I definitely think we need more work as a church-you’re right Father! I’m fasting from two of my favorite things this Advent and want to celebrate better by starting the celebrations the 25th and all the days of the Christmas octave instead of beforehand.
Some of the things I like to do in Advent is pick up a spiritual practice. I pray the St. Andrews novena from Nov. 30 till Christmas Eve. This year I also plan on reading one chapter a day from the book of Luke. His book has 24 chapter so if you start on Dec 1 you will end on Dec. 24
Time to come to Jesus, there is no surprise that the Holy spirit is bringing you here. Read the new testament first. Do you watch Christian Prince videos? Sam Shamoun, rob Christian, al Fayid, David wood etc I have learned a lot from them about Islam. May you listen to that voice that is bringing you here❤❤❤
@@DarkAngel-cj6sxHello, Actually yes, I watched their videos because I love Christians. Many people hate me because I love Christians, but I don't care and I love my religion and don't want to change it, but I respect all other religions without exception. Is it possible for us to become friends?I am happy to hear that a Christian loves Islam. Thank you❤️❤
Thank you for this Father Casey! I am a Christian who is not specifically involved in the Catholic church, but I have a deep respect for you all. You have convinced me to fast this advent season. I am going to do it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. God Bless you!
This is a wonderful idea. I am going to try fasting at least one day a week during Advent. I also plan to follow daily Advent reflections during this important season. So many prayers could be answered by simply offering up small inconveniences to ourselves.
Thank you for doing this informative piece on Advent, Father Casey. The watering down of the penitential aspect of Advent is a microcosm for what is happening with the state of Christianity in general. We are moving away from the disciplinary, communal, and self-sacrificial aspects of our faith, and in many cases even minimizing the heart of the faith - the sacrifice of Jesus - for the pageantry and cultural trappings of Christianity. What we are left with is a hollow shell of a practice. Many talk of secular culture's corrosive effect on society, but it is more important to address the enemies within our faith - things like our tendency to favor convenience, comfort, complacency, and conformity over self-reflection, prayer and penance. These are far more pernicious foes.
On the other hand, Jesus spoke of not showing off when you are fasting. Instead he said to fast privately. So making a tradition out of fasting and an event out of it kind of goes against what Jesus taught? Doesn't it? That's why I just fast at random times and nobody has to know. I do agree that Christians are getting lazy and weak and off course, but I don't believe that failing to adhere to tradition has anything to do with it. After all, we should be ready all the time, not just for special occasions? I will argue that creating these artificial traditions in the first place, might have led to everything you see wrong in the church today. Everyday I should take up my cross. Not just at Advent or Lent or other man made tradition.
@@br.mThe day of atonement was a public fast instituted by God. Jesus conferred an authority on the church that allows it to put in place disciplines that it considers good for the spiritual development of the faithful, be they private or public.
@@alan-muscat I am confused are you referring to Jesus founding his church on this rock? And of binding and loosing? Where in the Bible does Jesus confer authority on the church to make up cumbersome burdens to heap on the backs of people?
I’m Greek Catholic Also from the American holy land…. Pittsburgh, PA. LOTS of us here in my city… we fast on Wednesday and Friday during Advent or St Philips fast…
Well taught Father Casey! This is an important reminder and an eye opener, just like the video you did about the real story of Christmas. God bless and strengthen you Father Casey Cole ❤.
Thank you Fr. Casey. At our parish December involves a Novena before Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day, the Immaculate Conception, and then the Posadas novena leading up to Christmas. It seems like we're in church almost every day in December. Hardly time to shop or make tamales. :D
I clearly remember Ember Days throughout the year as well as totally abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve and other feast days . We used to consult our Catholic calendar on the kitchen wall.
Advent and Lent are traditional times of fasting and prayer, true; I noticed cradle Catholics, not so much the converts and reverts didn't know this. When I taught CCD to high schoolers I taught it. At least hearing this teaching from Father Casey here, I realize that I taught it correctly -- as in it's not required at Advent, but it is helpful to the soul.
Fr Casey, How about doing a video on fasting? Is it 1 meal a day? Or 2 small meals equaling 1 meal? Before sunrise or after sunset? What is allowed in addition to the 1 meal ~ juice, coffee, fruits? Is that considered fasting then if one is snacking? Does fasting mean a vegetarian diet or can one have meat, fish, eggs? Would a liquid diet (protein shakes) be considered fasting? How does one break a fast? What is the proper way to fast? How did people in the early Church fast? Great video! I plan on fasting 3 days a week this advent.
I think it is safe to assume that the early Church did what the Eastern Orthodox practices today: Lent requires full fast (no meat or animal products, no fish, no oil), Advent goes without meat or animal products, like cheese, but fish is allowed (except on Wednesdays and Fridays) and throughout the year Wednesdays and Fridays are basically vegan. Re shakes - check where the protein is derived from.
In Austria, They say shrovetide starts at 11.11. Then you hear nothing about it - because advent, New year etc - until the end of January. This Struck me as odd and I talked about it with a friend well versed in church history and he told me this. That Advent was fasting too so they had a big feast with eating the day before too (St.Martin's is celebrated akin to thanksgiving, only with geese instead of turkeys) so when the fasting was cancelled they didn't want to give up stuffing themselves and said .... it is ... ah... uhm... the start of shrovetide and shrove tuesday is the end. So ... there. Little did I know that it originally started with candlemas in my country. But finally it all made sense.
Such a glorious occasion as the Nativity of Christ is certainly worth preparing for spiritually, so I think there's value in having some form of an Advent fast. Plus, it's a good way to prevent ourselves in getting caught up in the way the culture does December, to focus away from commercialism and what matters most in life, our relationship with God and how we live it out.
My family is half Orthodox Christian and half Roman Catholic (myself included) so I've heard about Advent fasting and this year I wanted to fast through the whole Advent season, so I'm grateful for this video! 🕯️ What's interesting I learned about this fast from a cultural tradition. In our country, Bulgaria, the foods on the table on the 24th of December must be no meat, no dairy (and also there must be an odd number of meals on the table, at least 7), but on the 25th typically most foods will contain meat. It is so interesting how religuous traditions seep through into culture!
@@ri3m4nn The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest. It is not a day of worship. Christians celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday, the day Jesus was resurrected. From the earliest days of the Church Christians have worshipped on Sundays. Much of the New Testament describes the controversy of the first century, which asked whether Gentile converts had to follow the Jewish religious law. The Apostles decided Gentiles had to follow the moral law, but not the intricate system regulating all aspects of daily life. So, unless you are Jewish, you should keep the Lord's Day.
@@isoldam interesting how you note the Sabbath and Sunday are inherently different. Just the same, Jesus's followers kept the Sabbath even after he died. Sabbath was made for all humans, not just Jewish. Keeping Sunday is a human tradition. Interesting concession.
In PH and in my parish, the common Advent practices are: lighting of Advent candles every Sunday Masses for 4 Sundays before Christmas and Christmas Novena Masses starting 16 Dec, which we call Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. We also have parish Advent recollection followed by the sacrament of Reconciliation for the parishioners. We love Christmas and the Baby Jesus so much, so our Christmas starts quite early (-ber months, commercially) and ends when we celebrate the Feast of the Santo Nino in January. With all these non-stop celebrations, I guess, fasting is in order 🤔
Thank you fr Casey. What about church decorations? Should we have the Christmas tree lit on the first Sunday of Advent? Should the crib be distracting us through the season? Please advise. Thank you
Honestly we need to bring back the traditional Advent and Lent. And change “Ordinary time” to “Time After Pentecost.” Some might not agree, but the old Liturgical calendar makes so much more sense.
I use the Advent Wreath that I painted in the second grade. We do the readings every night and have prayer. I am 69 years old now, and although my husband purchased a brand new Advent Wreath, I still bring out my old Advent Wreath.
LCMS Lutherans call it the Time of the Church and The Season after Pentecost and all weeks are counted from Pentecost or Holy Trinity Sunday, depending on whether a church follows the 3 year or 1 year lectionary. We started attending our church on Pentecost this year, and since my husband and I both came from non-liturgical backgrounds, counting Sundays in number of weeks after Pentecost is all we know. We have spent most of this time in adult confirmation and will be confirmed the first Sunday of Advent. My ex-Baptist brain just realized today that our confirmation is at the start of the new church year. My husband and son were baptized on Sunday, thanks be to God.
In the Western rites of the Orthodox Church we abstain from all meat & wine during Advent apart from on Sundays and Holy Days. The timing will be different to Catholics and Protestants of course as for us the first Sunday in Advent is the 10th of December and Christmas Day is the 7th of January. Advent is all about pining.
I'm confused because the USCCB do😮es refer to Advent as a penitential season: Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas. Maybe not in the fullest sense but it is there. Peace brother.
my husband and i started doing this last year because we are always amazed at the benefits that come with lent. amazing that it used to be an ancient practice too!
Oh, I hate this commercialisaton of Advent and Christmas.😢 First of all, shops are full of Christmas merch since mid-September. Secondly, Christ is forgotten during all this chaos. We don't know what is all celebration for and for whom. Imagine, my Grandma in Poland (born 1925, died 2020) fasted ALL the Wednesdays during year.😮 I think we should do any good practices during Advent, like the holy mass at dawn called Roraty in Polish tradition.
It would have been interesting to see the evolution of secular Western culture in December, if the Latin Catholic Church persisted in encouraging (if not necessarily mandating) the Advent Fast (be it four weeks or after Martimas). This, along with the locally/universally important feast days in that period (e.g. Immaculate Conception on Dec 8th, Dec 6th for St. Nicholas) & some degree of folk traditions on the days
Hey Father Casey, I might have an answer to the question your raised about greatness in your recent podcast episode about Whiplash: Greatness is both a burden and a gift. The means is the burden, but the calling and the result is the gift. People do not choose their passion, and few ever even find it, let alone pursue it. It's partially a matter of luck whether your life presents the circumstances that allow you to pursue a calling. Sometimes, life circumstances can even be antagonistic to it. A calling/passion, as mentioned, is not chosen. It falls into your lap. Maybe it's something you're born with, maybe it's a combinatiton of inborn talent, learned and practiced skills, and also the right time in history to be relevant. It's sad to think that so many factors might keep someone from being able to achieve greatness. Those who discover their passion though and pursue it quickly see ahead and know what they are working towards. They have eureka moments and these discoveries are what propell humanity forward. This presents a problem for our hero though. Now they actually have to be a hero because now they need to be a person who doesn't see discovery as a burden of responsiblity but rather a solemn duty. These types of people have already sacrificed so much to get where they are, and now they see it is not for them but to the benefit of all. Some people get to this point, realize they have an ego, and crack. The chosen few press onward. We are often hated, abandoned, ignored, ostracized, ridiculed, betrayed, and worse - but none of us who have a calling do it for ourselves. We do it because it makes tomorrow better than today and we know it's not worth it to stop just because someone commits evil against us. These people who commit evil are not pursuing their passion, and likely they have no direction. Not even responsibility. We do it for them too, because even they're worth it. It's up to them to accept or reject that good. We who have a calling though don't have any choice. We have to do what's right.
I love advent. It's very sad that it's come to be so commercialized the whole december is generally treated like "christmas season" and it seems like the whole "point" of christmas is buying lots of stuff and eating lots of food. i would need to look into my own country's history of observing advent fast, i don't think it's that obsolete as you say for USA... i certainly do treat it as little lent, but i'm not entirely sure where i got that from (there's several possible options), the liturgical color of advent is purple. the liturgical color of lent is also purple. this is not a coincidence, as we were reminded in liturgy class in college. So watching the video I was actually more surprised about the history of its observation than the simple concept of advent being a fasting period. In my country we also had this neat version of advent calendars provided at religion lessons (this is i guess kinda like sunday school in america? not necessarily on a sunday tho), anyways those calendars were basically paperback books. For each day of advent there was a short story (roughly a page long), thematically connected to advent/christmas and the daily reading (didn't have full excerpts just info about which book/chapter/verses to read) and prayer suggestions. ocassionally there'd be an activity suggestion/instructions, and there was an envelope for donations (missionary purposes iirc). every evening in advent the family would gather round the advent wreath, light up the candle(s), and pray together (and read from the Bible and the advent calendar). It was really neat, and captured the point of advent really well.
I'm really surprised that the advent fast isn't well known. Maybe my family are religious loonies, or maybe it's a Northern Irish thing, but I honestly thought everyone was aware of it (just mostly not doing it.) Any other Irish people hereto clarify? Is my family weird, or is the advent fast known here?
@@josipsuker1893 I do enjoy a great deal of freedom from worldly attachments, though it was not always so. God has done a great work in me and it is for that I am most thankful to Him. I reap the benefits of His work and take none of the credit. Catholicism has been a great source of grace in the sacraments and inspiration, the Saints, along the way. I’m not a cradle catholic, I was raised in a very antiCatholic environment and spent many years as a Protestant and atheist before God dragged me kicking and screaming into Catholicism. I’m grateful He did. I’ve actually only been Catholic for about ten years. Half of which has been homeless. The decade I spent prior to being Catholic was a very intense season of prayer, fasting and scripture study that God used to make me very Catholic before I even knew what Catholicism was. Have faith and if I was to say anything or give advice it would be start with fasting, attack gluttony. I’ve lived on basically one meal a day for 6-7 years. I typically put off eating till the end of my day, just before bed. It is very beneficial in developing discipline and self control, as well as helping destroy the other seven deadly sins, like lust.
@@josipsuker1893 also, DO NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW!!! Small incremental changes over time, not huge changes you are bound to fail all at once. If one meal a day is the goal, cutting snacks is the start for a period time, then two meals a day for a period of time. You have to sneak up on your enemy and take them by surprise, not try to overwhelm them by force.
We see this problem in Orthodoxy as well. Monastics and lay people who are fans of monastics alike trying to make laypeople monastics. It's not a penitential season like you said and it was only a season of penitence and fasting because the church was being overrun with converts. Just fast regularly and pray the Rosary. If you're a monk or something, then you can go into overdrive.
@@sazevedo1626Seconding this. "Noone" (you are someone loveable), you may give up a vice - even just a mental one. Self degradation, gossip, grudges that you've yet to let go of.
Fasting has a broad range of definitions. Some go without food for an entire day, on specific days of the week. Some skip two meals a day and only eat one per day for a month or more. Some will avoid certain foods like meat or sweets, which they normally regularly indulge in. Some abstain from other indulgences not related to diet. Ultimately, fasting is a subjective thing. You should refrain from that which you enjoy, enough so to where it engenders self-reflection, particularly with respect to poverty and sacrifice. This comes with the caveat to never abstain from something, such as food, to the extreme where you jeopardize your health.
usually, the Church asks for fasting by eating a normal breakfast, and one simple main meal( it could be lunch or dinner). No eating in beetwen both meals.
Jesus does not ask for sacrifices by depriving yourself of food and fasting before Christmas but a heart glued on those who suffer. Leave the college where you assist the young students and go to meet people without shelters like did Saint Francis : it is the heart that must sacrifice itself for God, then prayer and of course attendance at the Eucharist. But charity is superior to prayer. You don't feed homeless people with prayers.
This dog (75) is going to learn a new trick. Thanks for the idea.
In our rite (Byzantine -Ukrainian Greek Catholic) we're currently celebrating St Phillip's Fast. For us, Advent has already begun November 15. This is my first Advent as a catechumen!
Blessed
I was about to comment something similar. My family was Antiochian Orthodox until I was 12, and Advent started Nov 15 and involved fasting, similar to the Lenten fast. I am now Roman Catholic (and have been for a while), but many of the Byzantine practices still stick.
@@andrewthomas4976 have you considered joining a Byzantine Catholic church?
@@shaheerthekhan I thought about it at one point, but I am so involved in my current parish that I haven't considered a permanent switch since then. Having said that, I do plan to visit a local Melkite parish at some point. All the Catholic churches (Roman, Byzantine, etc) are in communion with each other, so I'll be happy to visit a Byzantine parish occasionally, even if not on a permanent basis.
Amazing. I am Polish and catholic and had no idea of this advent lent.😮❤
I’m going to start a Marian Consecration during Advent with my Bible Study Group. Pray for me that I am drawn closer to Christ through His Holy Mother!
Couldn't agree more. This is one practice which would greatly help focus on the real purpose of Christmas. Advent is to Christmas as Lent is to Easter: preparation. The world needs more of this and less of the cacophony of commercialism.
In Germany the Advent tradition is quite strong, almost every household will have a wreath with four Advent candles, and many people have a calendar with goodies, and use Advent as a time to meet relatives for coffee and cake, as well as going to Christmas markets. Churchgoers are trying to make it less consumerist, by using calendars with religious impulses for every day, and celebrating Rorate masses.
Also, the feast of St Nicholas on Dec 6th is a big tradition here, again more on the consumerist side .....
Thank you father. I'm Melkite. It's a mini Lent for us. Thanksgiving is the only day we can eat meat before Christmas day.
I will be fasting every Monday Wednesday and Friday, and I would like to start the Marian consecration process.
Our Parish (Episcopalian) has a cherished tradition. Rather than focusing on “giving up” we gather to make Advent boxes. We wrap simple gifts and toiletries and tag them for every day in Advent with a special gift for Christmas Day. They are delivered to the shut-ins and those who need a “lift” throughout our area. The gathering to pick out something from the pile is great fun. Individually we do reverse Advent boxes where you put either a food item or hats, gloves, underwear or socks and toiletries in the box each day then deliver the completed boxes to food banks and shelters. It certainly has made my Advent more meaningful.
I like those practices. All we used to do was the advent folder where you put quarters in the slot for each day and then paper money in the larger final pocket. Then turn them in at the Christmas Eve service.
I definitely think we need more work as a church-you’re right Father! I’m fasting from two of my favorite things this Advent and want to celebrate better by starting the celebrations the 25th and all the days of the Christmas octave instead of beforehand.
Some of the things I like to do in Advent is pick up a spiritual practice. I pray the St. Andrews novena from Nov. 30 till Christmas Eve. This year I also plan on reading one chapter a day from the book of Luke. His book has 24 chapter so if you start on Dec 1 you will end on Dec. 24
Hello father Casey, I am Muslim, but I love watching your videos❤
Time to come to Jesus, there is no surprise that the Holy spirit is bringing you here.
Read the new testament first.
Do you watch Christian Prince videos? Sam Shamoun, rob Christian, al Fayid, David wood etc
I have learned a lot from them about Islam.
May you listen to that voice that is bringing you here❤❤❤
@@DarkAngel-cj6sxHello, Actually yes, I watched their videos because I love Christians. Many people hate me because I love Christians, but I don't care and I love my religion and don't want to change it, but I respect all other religions without exception. Is it possible for us to become friends?I am happy to hear that a Christian loves Islam. Thank you❤️❤
I love Muslims ❤❤ 😊
@@tjrothausen nice thank you and we love you more ❤
Your comment is very nice but I have a feeling you don't know an awful lot about Islam...
i will be confirmated in the very first day of advent :D
Thank you for this Father Casey! I am a Christian who is not specifically involved in the Catholic church, but I have a deep respect for you all. You have convinced me to fast this advent season. I am going to do it on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays. God Bless you!
I will be giving up something and starting to pray more than just Lauds & Vespers. I would like to continue that after Advent.
This is a wonderful idea. I am going to try fasting at least one day a week during Advent. I also plan to follow daily Advent reflections during this important season. So many prayers could be answered by simply offering up small inconveniences to ourselves.
Another idea is keeping the Sabbath, and typically fasting occurs weekly to prepare for the sabbath.
Thank you for doing this informative piece on Advent, Father Casey. The watering down of the penitential aspect of Advent is a microcosm for what is happening with the state of Christianity in general. We are moving away from the disciplinary, communal, and self-sacrificial aspects of our faith, and in many cases even minimizing the heart of the faith - the sacrifice of Jesus - for the pageantry and cultural trappings of Christianity. What we are left with is a hollow shell of a practice. Many talk of secular culture's corrosive effect on society, but it is more important to address the enemies within our faith - things like our tendency to favor convenience, comfort, complacency, and conformity over self-reflection, prayer and penance. These are far more pernicious foes.
Very charitably and well put!
@@JohnP3369 Thank you for the compliment.
On the other hand, Jesus spoke of not showing off when you are fasting. Instead he said to fast privately. So making a tradition out of fasting and an event out of it kind of goes against what Jesus taught? Doesn't it?
That's why I just fast at random times and nobody has to know. I do agree that Christians are getting lazy and weak and off course, but I don't believe that failing to adhere to tradition has anything to do with it.
After all, we should be ready all the time, not just for special occasions? I will argue that creating these artificial traditions in the first place, might have led to everything you see wrong in the church today. Everyday I should take up my cross. Not just at Advent or Lent or other man made tradition.
@@br.mThe day of atonement was a public fast instituted by God. Jesus conferred an authority on the church that allows it to put in place disciplines that it considers good for the spiritual development of the faithful, be they private or public.
@@alan-muscat I am confused are you referring to Jesus founding his church on this rock? And of binding and loosing?
Where in the Bible does Jesus confer authority on the church to make up cumbersome burdens to heap on the backs of people?
I’m Greek Catholic Also from the American holy land…. Pittsburgh, PA. LOTS of us here in my city… we fast on Wednesday and Friday during Advent or St Philips fast…
Well taught Father Casey! This is an important reminder and an eye opener, just like the video you did about the real story of Christmas. God bless and strengthen you Father Casey Cole ❤.
Thank you Fr. Casey. At our parish December involves a Novena before Our Lady of Guadalupe's feast day, the Immaculate Conception, and then the Posadas novena leading up to Christmas. It seems like we're in church almost every day in December. Hardly time to shop or make tamales. :D
I clearly remember Ember Days throughout the year as well as totally abstaining from meat on Christmas Eve and other feast days . We used to consult our Catholic calendar on the kitchen wall.
Advent and Lent are traditional times of fasting and prayer, true; I noticed cradle Catholics, not so much the converts and reverts didn't know this. When I taught CCD to high schoolers I taught it. At least hearing this teaching from Father Casey here, I realize that I taught it correctly -- as in it's not required at Advent, but it is helpful to the soul.
Englishmen Roman rite Catholic here. Convert for less then two years. I fast for advent. But it's nowhere near as extensive as my lenten fast.
Fr Casey, How about doing a video on fasting? Is it 1 meal a day? Or 2 small meals equaling 1 meal? Before sunrise or after sunset? What is allowed in addition to the 1 meal ~ juice, coffee, fruits? Is that considered fasting then if one is snacking? Does fasting mean a vegetarian diet or can one have meat, fish, eggs? Would a liquid diet (protein shakes) be considered fasting? How does one break a fast? What is the proper way to fast? How did people in the early Church fast? Great video! I plan on fasting 3 days a week this advent.
I think it is safe to assume that the early Church did what the Eastern Orthodox practices today: Lent requires full fast (no meat or animal products, no fish, no oil), Advent goes without meat or animal products, like cheese, but fish is allowed (except on Wednesdays and Fridays) and throughout the year Wednesdays and Fridays are basically vegan. Re shakes - check where the protein is derived from.
In Austria, They say shrovetide starts at 11.11. Then you hear nothing about it - because advent, New year etc - until the end of January. This Struck me as odd and I talked about it with a friend well versed in church history and he told me this. That Advent was fasting too so they had a big feast with eating the day before too (St.Martin's is celebrated akin to thanksgiving, only with geese instead of turkeys) so when the fasting was cancelled they didn't want to give up stuffing themselves and said .... it is ... ah... uhm... the start of shrovetide and shrove tuesday is the end. So ... there. Little did I know that it originally started with candlemas in my country. But finally it all made sense.
Such a glorious occasion as the Nativity of Christ is certainly worth preparing for spiritually, so I think there's value in having some form of an Advent fast. Plus, it's a good way to prevent ourselves in getting caught up in the way the culture does December, to focus away from commercialism and what matters most in life, our relationship with God and how we live it out.
My family is half Orthodox Christian and half Roman Catholic (myself included) so I've heard about Advent fasting and this year I wanted to fast through the whole Advent season, so I'm grateful for this video! 🕯️
What's interesting I learned about this fast from a cultural tradition. In our country, Bulgaria, the foods on the table on the 24th of December must be no meat, no dairy (and also there must be an odd number of meals on the table, at least 7), but on the 25th typically most foods will contain meat.
It is so interesting how religuous traditions seep through into culture!
None of this is necessary if we just keep the Sabbath like we were told to do so.
@@ri3m4nn The Sabbath is the Jewish day of rest. It is not a day of worship. Christians celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday, the day Jesus was resurrected. From the earliest days of the Church Christians have worshipped on Sundays. Much of the New Testament describes the controversy of the first century, which asked whether Gentile converts had to follow the Jewish religious law. The Apostles decided Gentiles had to follow the moral law, but not the intricate system regulating all aspects of daily life. So, unless you are Jewish, you should keep the Lord's Day.
@@isoldam interesting how you note the Sabbath and Sunday are inherently different. Just the same, Jesus's followers kept the Sabbath even after he died. Sabbath was made for all humans, not just Jewish. Keeping Sunday is a human tradition. Interesting concession.
In PH and in my parish, the common Advent practices are: lighting of Advent candles every Sunday Masses for 4 Sundays before Christmas and Christmas Novena Masses starting 16 Dec, which we call Simbang Gabi or Misa de Gallo. We also have parish Advent recollection followed by the sacrament of Reconciliation for the parishioners. We love Christmas and the Baby Jesus so much, so our Christmas starts quite early (-ber months, commercially) and ends when we celebrate the Feast of the Santo Nino in January. With all these non-stop celebrations, I guess, fasting is in order 🤔
Exactly! Fellow Filipino here!
Thank you fr Casey. What about church decorations? Should we have the Christmas tree lit on the first Sunday of Advent? Should the crib be distracting us through the season? Please advise. Thank you
Fasting is good for your body and soul.
TIL about Christmas fasting. 🙂
Blessings to you, Fr Casey, I have learned so much from you. I will be fasting and abstaining this Advent.
In before someone says they’re giving up advent for advent. I’d like to give up sardonicism and possibly Coke Zero.
I agree with this so much! And thanks for the history lesson. That was very interesting.
I need to fast, I have been thinking about it, I will do my best 🙏🏼 please pray for us
You nailed this one. We need to bring back some tradition.
Always uplifting
Honestly we need to bring back the traditional Advent and Lent. And change “Ordinary time” to “Time After Pentecost.” Some might not agree, but the old Liturgical calendar makes so much more sense.
I use the Advent Wreath that I painted in the second grade. We do the readings every night and have prayer. I am 69 years old now, and although my husband purchased a brand new Advent Wreath, I still bring out my old Advent Wreath.
LCMS Lutherans call it the Time of the Church and The Season after Pentecost and all weeks are counted from Pentecost or Holy Trinity Sunday, depending on whether a church follows the 3 year or 1 year lectionary. We started attending our church on Pentecost this year, and since my husband and I both came from non-liturgical backgrounds, counting Sundays in number of weeks after Pentecost is all we know. We have spent most of this time in adult confirmation and will be confirmed the first Sunday of Advent. My ex-Baptist brain just realized today that our confirmation is at the start of the new church year. My husband and son were baptized on Sunday, thanks be to God.
In the Western rites of the Orthodox Church we abstain from all meat & wine during Advent apart from on Sundays and Holy Days. The timing will be different to Catholics and Protestants of course as for us the first Sunday in Advent is the 10th of December and Christmas Day is the 7th of January. Advent is all about pining.
Thank you, Father, thank you.
I feel a revival of the penitential advent is coming 🙏 ♥️
I'm confused because the USCCB do😮es refer to Advent as a penitential season: Advent also includes an element of penance in the sense of preparing, quieting, and disciplining our hearts for the full joy of Christmas. Maybe not in the fullest sense but it is there. Peace brother.
my husband and i started doing this last year because we are always amazed at the benefits that come with lent. amazing that it used to be an ancient practice too!
Thank you for this video ❤😊
Awesome ideas and suggestions…!!!
Eastern Churchers in Kerala,India, still fast and abstain for the lesser Lent as they call it
Oh, I hate this commercialisaton of Advent and Christmas.😢 First of all, shops are full of Christmas merch since mid-September. Secondly, Christ is forgotten during all this chaos. We don't know what is all celebration for and for whom.
Imagine, my Grandma in Poland (born 1925, died 2020) fasted ALL the Wednesdays during year.😮 I think we should do any good practices during Advent, like the holy mass at dawn called Roraty in Polish tradition.
It would have been interesting to see the evolution of secular Western culture in December, if the Latin Catholic Church persisted in encouraging (if not necessarily mandating) the Advent Fast (be it four weeks or after Martimas). This, along with the locally/universally important feast days in that period (e.g. Immaculate Conception on Dec 8th, Dec 6th for St. Nicholas) & some degree of folk traditions on the days
Very cool. Thank you!
I'm just not going to open any gifts until Christmas day.
I usually require slowing this time of year. But ill try pulling a 180° on that.
Can you explain a little bit more on why some churches do not encourage fasting during advent? When is the ideal time to fast during advent?
Hey Father Casey, I might have an answer to the question your raised about greatness in your recent podcast episode about Whiplash:
Greatness is both a burden and a gift. The means is the burden, but the calling and the result is the gift. People do not choose their passion, and few ever even find it, let alone pursue it. It's partially a matter of luck whether your life presents the circumstances that allow you to pursue a calling. Sometimes, life circumstances can even be antagonistic to it.
A calling/passion, as mentioned, is not chosen. It falls into your lap. Maybe it's something you're born with, maybe it's a combinatiton of inborn talent, learned and practiced skills, and also the right time in history to be relevant. It's sad to think that so many factors might keep someone from being able to achieve greatness.
Those who discover their passion though and pursue it quickly see ahead and know what they are working towards. They have eureka moments and these discoveries are what propell humanity forward. This presents a problem for our hero though. Now they actually have to be a hero because now they need to be a person who doesn't see discovery as a burden of responsiblity but rather a solemn duty. These types of people have already sacrificed so much to get where they are, and now they see it is not for them but to the benefit of all. Some people get to this point, realize they have an ego, and crack.
The chosen few press onward.
We are often hated, abandoned, ignored, ostracized, ridiculed, betrayed, and worse - but none of us who have a calling do it for ourselves. We do it because it makes tomorrow better than today and we know it's not worth it to stop just because someone commits evil against us. These people who commit evil are not pursuing their passion, and likely they have no direction. Not even responsibility. We do it for them too, because even they're worth it. It's up to them to accept or reject that good. We who have a calling though don't have any choice. We have to do what's right.
Please explain fasting on mondays and why some churches consider it important
Awesome. Well said. God bless 🙏 Father Casey 🙏🙏.
I’ll take this into consideration
Interesting to know, I will be trying this.
How did they fast?
Loving the history
I love advent. It's very sad that it's come to be so commercialized the whole december is generally treated like "christmas season" and it seems like the whole "point" of christmas is buying lots of stuff and eating lots of food.
i would need to look into my own country's history of observing advent fast, i don't think it's that obsolete as you say for USA... i certainly do treat it as little lent, but i'm not entirely sure where i got that from (there's several possible options), the liturgical color of advent is purple. the liturgical color of lent is also purple. this is not a coincidence, as we were reminded in liturgy class in college. So watching the video I was actually more surprised about the history of its observation than the simple concept of advent being a fasting period.
In my country we also had this neat version of advent calendars provided at religion lessons (this is i guess kinda like sunday school in america? not necessarily on a sunday tho), anyways those calendars were basically paperback books. For each day of advent there was a short story (roughly a page long), thematically connected to advent/christmas and the daily reading (didn't have full excerpts just info about which book/chapter/verses to read) and prayer suggestions. ocassionally there'd be an activity suggestion/instructions, and there was an envelope for donations (missionary purposes iirc). every evening in advent the family would gather round the advent wreath, light up the candle(s), and pray together (and read from the Bible and the advent calendar). It was really neat, and captured the point of advent really well.
Father God Bless you. I am having a problem with confession. I work nights. My sleep and days, are very different. Please help me.
I'm really surprised that the advent fast isn't well known. Maybe my family are religious loonies, or maybe it's a Northern Irish thing, but I honestly thought everyone was aware of it (just mostly not doing it.) Any other Irish people hereto clarify? Is my family weird, or is the advent fast known here?
Every year I give up monogamy for the season. The problem is it never works out. I am still monogamous! ;-)
... you mean, like.... observing the Sabbath?
I’m already homeless, been so since Christmas day 2018, is that enough or should I do more?
@@josipsuker1893 I do enjoy a great deal of freedom from worldly attachments, though it was not always so. God has done a great work in me and it is for that I am most thankful to Him. I reap the benefits of His work and take none of the credit.
Catholicism has been a great source of grace in the sacraments and inspiration, the Saints, along the way. I’m not a cradle catholic, I was raised in a very antiCatholic environment and spent many years as a Protestant and atheist before God dragged me kicking and screaming into Catholicism. I’m grateful He did.
I’ve actually only been Catholic for about ten years. Half of which has been homeless. The decade I spent prior to being Catholic was a very intense season of prayer, fasting and scripture study that God used to make me very Catholic before I even knew what Catholicism was.
Have faith and if I was to say anything or give advice it would be start with fasting, attack gluttony. I’ve lived on basically one meal a day for 6-7 years. I typically put off eating till the end of my day, just before bed. It is very beneficial in developing discipline and self control, as well as helping destroy the other seven deadly sins, like lust.
@@josipsuker1893 also, DO NOT TAKE ON MORE THAN YOU CAN CHEW!!! Small incremental changes over time, not huge changes you are bound to fail all at once.
If one meal a day is the goal, cutting snacks is the start for a period time, then two meals a day for a period of time. You have to sneak up on your enemy and take them by surprise, not try to overwhelm them by force.
Amen ✝️ 🙏 ❤️🔥
im giving up my bestfriend for advent
We see this problem in Orthodoxy as well. Monastics and lay people who are fans of monastics alike trying to make laypeople monastics. It's not a penitential season like you said and it was only a season of penitence and fasting because the church was being overrun with converts. Just fast regularly and pray the Rosary. If you're a monk or something, then you can go into overdrive.
God Bless you Fr! Wonderful!!
When one do not have much, there ain't much to sacrifice.
Sacrifice isn't bound to objects. One can sacrifice time and prayers, as well.
@@sazevedo1626Seconding this. "Noone" (you are someone loveable), you may give up a vice - even just a mental one. Self degradation, gossip, grudges that you've yet to let go of.
When did this occur? 1:28
Great presentation!!!
Can I choose My job?
Oh, now you want to follow tradition?
When is advent?
This year starts on December 3rd and ends on December 24th
Rorate mass every day ftw
We Orthodox still hold this fast 😊
Can you please describe how to fast?
don’t eat
Fasting has a broad range of definitions. Some go without food for an entire day, on specific days of the week. Some skip two meals a day and only eat one per day for a month or more. Some will avoid certain foods like meat or sweets, which they normally regularly indulge in. Some abstain from other indulgences not related to diet. Ultimately, fasting is a subjective thing. You should refrain from that which you enjoy, enough so to where it engenders self-reflection, particularly with respect to poverty and sacrifice. This comes with the caveat to never abstain from something, such as food, to the extreme where you jeopardize your health.
or just don’t eat
usually, the Church asks for fasting by eating a normal breakfast, and one simple main meal( it could be lunch or dinner). No eating in beetwen both meals.
@@alphacause thank you, I was looking for the spiritual connection. Not just don't eat.
Jesus does not ask for sacrifices by depriving yourself of food and fasting before Christmas but a heart glued on those who suffer. Leave the college where you assist the young students and go to meet people without shelters like did Saint Francis : it is the heart that must sacrifice itself for God, then prayer and of course attendance at the Eucharist. But charity is superior to prayer. You don't feed homeless people with prayers.
Stop lecturing. I came to this channel to listen to Fr. Casey.
It isn't lent season & won't be giving up something during it advent season.
Advent is very similar to lent.
Classic Catholic. Guilt everybody the day before Thanksgiving.
Nice.
Class world. Completely missing the point.
I’m giving up trying (jk) 🤣