ARMAGH, NORTHERN IRELAND, November 26, 2014 (Zenit.org) - Archbishop Eamon Martin of Armagh, Primate of All Ireland, on Tuesday launched a specially commissioned 2014 Advent calendar on the homepage of the Irish Catholic bishops’ website www.catholicbishops.ie to coincide with the beginning of Advent this Sunday.
Archbishop Eamon said, “I am delighted to launch this year’s Advent calendar which each day will reveal Advent information and prayer resources by clicking on a virtual numerical door in our online calendar. For many years we have provided online resources to assist with our Advent preparations, and this year we once again offer the faithful our novel online calendar for this purpose.
“The season of Advent is a time of spiritual preparation for the Lord’s coming at Christmas. Advent also prepares us for the second coming of Christ at the end of time. As Christians, we must always be prepared for the coming of the Lord ‘You must stand ready because the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do no not expect’ [Mt 24:37-44]. Why is the Advent calendar useful? Preparation does not happen at once but over time. Each day of Advent amounts to a period of time which allows us to journey and reflect on ‘the joy of the Gospel.'
Archbishop Eamon continued, “As we begin our Catholic new year, I invite everyone during the Advent season to visit and to enjoy the information provided on our online calendar.”