Advent begins four Sundays before Christmas, which falls between November 27 and December 3. Everything on this list should be in the sacristy by the Friday before, because the wreath is blessed at the first Mass of the season.
Order by early November
- Advent candles: a church-size set of three violet and one rose, 1 1/2 inch or larger, 12 to 17 inches long so they last the season. Order two sets if the wreath burns at daily Mass.
- Wreath frame, if the parish does not have one: standing brass or iron frames hold 1 1/2 to 3 inch candles; check the cup size against the candle diameter.
- Violet vestments: chasuble and stole for the priest, dalmatic or stole for the deacon. A rose set for Gaudete Sunday is optional.
- Christ candle for the wreath's centre on Christmas Eve, usually a white 3 x 12 or 3 x 17 pillar.
- Congregational candles with drip protectors for Christmas Eve, counted by seating, not by families. They sell out in December.
Order by Thanksgiving
- Nativity set pieces: Mary, Joseph and the animals go out at the start of Advent in many parishes, the Child on Christmas Eve, the Magi at Epiphany. Buy missing figures in the same scale as the set.
- Gift-shop stock for the Immaculate Conception on December 8 and Our Lady of Guadalupe on December 12: Miraculous Medals, Guadalupe holy cards and candles.
- Altar candles and sanctuary lights for the extra Masses of the season, and lighting tapers for the wreath.
Liturgical notes
The wreath is blessed on the First Sunday; one candle is lit each week, the rose candle on the Third Sunday. Flowers at the altar are kept modest until Gaudete. The Gloria is omitted, which changes nothing for supplies but reminds the sacristan that Advent is not Christmas yet.
Confessions increase in the last two weeks. A parish that holds a communal penance service needs the Order of Penance at hand and enough violet stoles for visiting priests.
Shop the season
Advent candles and wreaths, violet chasubles and stoles, nativity sets and gift items are each in their own category; follow the links in the sidebar.
Questions
When should Advent candles be ordered?
By early November. Church-size sets in 1 1/2 inch and larger diameters sell out through November, and shipping slows at the end of the month.
Is a rose candle required?
No. The rose candle for Gaudete Sunday is customary, and most sets include it, but a wreath with four violet candles is permitted.
Can the Advent wreath use oil candles?
Yes. Refillable shells in violet and rose are sold for liquid paraffin, and some parishes use them to avoid replacing candles that burn down unevenly.