Advent 2023

Waiting in HOPE

As we once again prepare for the arrival of the child Jesus this Christmas, let us spend this season of Advent to be actively waiting in Hope, and to share this hope with others, in our words and actions. Use the resources collated below to help you and your family in your liturgical and spiritual preparation. This page will be updated regularly throughout Advent as we include more content, so do check back for the latest updates.

Advent Message from our Parish Friars

From Greccio to La Verna

While we enter the season of Advent this year, Franciscans all over the world are also in the midst of their 8th Centenary celebrations (2023-2026). This year marks 800 years of Greccio, a little town in Italy where St Francis of Assisi created the first nativity scene in a stable in 1223, where the villagers were filled with hope as they heard the Good News of Christmas. The celebration of Greccio will happen this Advent, on 20 December, where we will mark the occasion with the Christmas Lucernarium, the Service of Light, and the blessing of our Christmas Crib at the piazza. Learn more about the Lucernarium and how we can respond to the the Nativity here:

For a peek into the other programmes lined up for the coming year, click below.