Holy Cross Hosts Annual Tree Lighting and the Time-Honored Tradition of the Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols

Lessons and Carols to be streamed live on web

The College of the Holy Cross will host two treasured Christmas traditions this December.

The annual Christmas tree lighting ceremony, sponsored by the Purple Key Society, will take place on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 5:30 p.m. on the O’Kane porch and will feature holiday musical performances by the Holy Cross Chamber Singers, the Goodtime Marching Band, Fools on the Hill and the boys choir from Nativity School of Worcester. Santa will be making a special appearance to strike a pose for photos and mix and mingle with the crowd. Seasonal refreshments including cookies, hot chocolate, and cider will be served.

On Dec. 10 at 8 p.m. the annual Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols will take place in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. Presented by the chaplains’ office, the College Choir and the Holy Cross Chamber Singers, the celebration will include seasonal music and holiday scripture readings by members of the College community. The religious service is based on one celebrated every year at King’s College Chapel in Cambridge, England.

Advent Festival of Lessons and Carols will be streamed live over the web from St. Joseph Memorial Chapel. Bookmark the online location http://www.holycross.edu/live/and be sure to tune in at 8 p.m. EST on Dec. 10.

Both events are free and open to the public.

Other events taking place during Advent season include:

First Sunday of Advent │ Blessing of the Advent Wreath
Nov. 29, 7 p.m., Mary Chapel
Rev. William Campbell, S.J., vice president for Mission, will preside and preach, for Mass on the First Sunday of Advent, including the blessing of the Advent wreath.

Second Sunday of Advent
Services will be held on Dec. 5, 4:30 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel), Dec. 6, 11:30 a.m. Mass (St. Joseph Memorial Chapel), 4:30 p.m. Service ( Mary Chapel, Inter-Denominational), 7 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel), 9 p.m. Mass (Mary Chapel).

Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception
The Roman Catholic Holy Day of Obligation is the patronal feast of the Catholic Church in the U.S. Masses for the Advent holy day will be celebrated on Tuesday, Dec. 8 at 8 a.m. (Mary Chapel), 12:05 p.m. (Mary Chapel), and 9 p.m. (Mary Chapel).

Advent Reconciliation Service
Dec. 1, 7:30 p.m., Mary Chapel Gathering/Baptismal Space
Normand Gouin, assistant chaplain and director of liturgy and music, will preside and preach during this service of scripture, prayer, song and the opportunity to celebrate the sacrament of Reconciliation (penance, confession) with one of five Jesuit priests.

Advent/Holiday Community Mass
Dec. 13, 7 p.m., St. Joseph Memorial Chapel
The last Sunday Mass of the fall semester will be celebrated by Rev. William Campbell, S.J., vice president for Mission.