Advent at RAA

Advent is traditionally a time of prayer, fasting, and almsgiving and is sometimes called “little Lent”. As we prepare our hearts and homes for the coming of Christ at Christmas, Regina Angelorum Academy (RAA) also prepares intentionally by praying different prayers during Forum and saying the St. Andrew Novena together beginning November 30.

In this post, we share ways that RAA faculty and students will observe Advent. To learn ways you and your family can prepare together during this time of great anticipation, read our blog post about Advent Traditions for Catholic Families.

Morning Prayer

During Forum:

  • Sing O, Come, O Come Emmanuel instead of Ave Regina Caelorum during Forum
  • Pray the Canticle of Zechariah (Lk 1:68-79) instead of Ps 23

St. Andrew’s Novena

Beginning on St. Andrew’s feast day and ending on Christmas Eve, we pray the novena 10 times per day in school.  We ask parents to finish the novena each evening with their children by reciting the prayer five times.

St. Andrew Christmas Novena
recited 15x 

Hail and blessed be the hour and moment in which the Son of God was born Of the most pure Virgin Mary, at midnight, in Bethlehem, in the piercing cold. In that hour vouchsafe, I beseech Thee, O my God, to hear my prayer and grant my desires through the merits of Our Savior Jesus Christ, and of His blessed Mother. Amen

Celebrate Advent Saints

  • Andrew (Nov. 30)
  • Nicholas (Dec. 6)
  • Ambrose (Dec. 7)
  • Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary  (Dec. 8)
  • Juan Diego (Dec. 9)
  • Our Lady of Guadalupe (Dec. 12)
  • Lucy (Dec. 13)
  • John of the Cross (Dec. 14)
  • Gaudete Sunday
  • Adam and Eve (Dec 24)

Adoration

Students in first through eighth grades attend Adoration on December 7th.

Virtue for December: Gratitude

Definition: Thankful disposition of mind and heart
Saint: Blessed Solanus Casey
Scripture: I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart; I will tell of all Your wonders. Ps. 9:1