Sunday, December 20, 2026

Fourth Sunday of Advent

Sunday Advent

Holy Day of Obligation

Selected Mass Reading

Gospel — Luke 1:26-38

And in the sixth month, the angel Gabriel was sent from God into a city of Galilee, called Nazareth, To a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph, of the house of David: and the virgin's name was Mary. And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. Who having heard, was troubled at his saying and thought with herself what manner of salutation this should be. And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb and shalt bring forth a son: and thou shalt call his name Jesus. He shall be great and shall be called the Son of the Most High. And the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of David his father: and he shall reign in the house of Jacob for ever. And of his kingdom there shall be no end. And Mary said to the angel: How shall this be done, because I know not man? And the angel answering, said to her: The Holy Ghost shall come upon thee and the power of the Most High shall overshadow thee. And therefore also the Holy which shall be born of thee shall be called the Son of God. And behold thy cousin Elizabeth, she also hath conceived a son in her old age: and this is the sixth month with her that is called barren. Because no word shall be impossible with God. And Mary said: Behold the handmaid of the Lord: be it done to me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

Feast Days

Dominic of Silos Benedictine monk, Abbot 1000–1073

Saint Dominic of Silos was born around the year 1000 in Cañas, La Rioja, Spain, to a humble peasant family. As a young man he tended sheep, learning patience and watchfulness before entering monastic life as a Benedictine at San Millán de la Cogolla. Ordained a priest, he became master of novices and then prior, but his fidelity to justice led to exile when he opposed King García Sánchez III’s attempt to seize monastic lands. In 1041, under the protection of King Ferdinand I of León, Dominic found refuge at the nearly ruined Abbey of St. Sebastian in Silos, where only a handful of monks remained. Appointed abbot, he renewed the community in prayer and discipline, inspired by the reforms of Cluny, and rebuilt the monastery with beautiful Romanesque cloisters. He fostered learning through a scriptorium, supported charity through skilled workshops, ransomed Christians held captive, and became renowned for healings. He is venerated as patron of prisoners, pregnant women, and shepherds, and is especially honored in Santo Domingo de Silos and Alcalá la Real. His feast day is December 20.

Ignatius of Antioch Bishop of Antioch, Martyr, Theologian, Apostolic Father 35–108

Saint Ignatius of Antioch was born in the ancient city of Antioch in Syria, though the details of his early life are largely hidden from us. Ancient tradition says he embraced the faith while still young and, with his friend Polycarp, learned as a disciple of the Apostle John. Chosen to shepherd the Church of Antioch as bishop, Ignatius became known as Theophorus, “the God-bearer,” a title that reflects his burning love for Christ and his desire to carry the Lord within his heart and into the life of the Church. Condemned for the name of Jesus, he was sent in chains from Syria to Rome to face martyrdom. Along the way he was permitted to meet Christian communities, and from this journey came his treasured letters—among the earliest witnesses to Christian faith—speaking with clarity about the Eucharist, the unity of the Church, and the vital role of bishops. He longed to be “ground like wheat” for Christ, and tradition holds that he died in Rome, thrown to wild beasts. He is honored as patron of Son Servera and Uruñuela. His feast day is December 20.