Advent
Thursday, December 3, 2026
On Thursday, December 3, 2026, the Catholic Church is in Advent and the liturgical color is purple. The Church celebrates St Francis Xavier.
Liturgical color: Purple
Day 5 of Advent this year, with 21 days to go.
Gustave Doré · Mattathias and the Apostate · 1866 · public domain
Saint of the day
Memorial
St Francis Xavier
(1506–1552) Basque Jesuit, one of the original companions of Ignatius. Missionary to India, Indonesia, and Japan; died on an island within sight of China before he could enter. Co-patron of missions with Thérèse of Lisieux.
Saint Francis Xavier, apostle of Asia, pray for missionaries far from home.
A memorial is an obligatory commemoration of a saint.
This season
- Advent 2026: the day-by-day calendarA reflection prompt for every day to Christmas, the wreath, the O Antiphons
- St Andrew Christmas Novena — day 4 of 25The prayer, fifteen times today
- The Immaculate Conception, Dec 8A holy day of obligation in the US this year (Tuesday)
- Our Lady of Guadalupe, Dec 12The story, the novena, the customs
- Novenas being prayed todayNovena to Our Lady of Guadalupe, Novena to the Immaculate Conception, St Andrew Christmas Novena
About Advent
Advent is the Church's four-week preparation for Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. It looks two ways at once: back to the Incarnation, and forward to Christ's return. The mood is watchful rather than penitential — the Gloria is omitted at Mass, but the Alleluia stays.
Why purple?
Purple is worn in Advent and Lent, and at funerals: preparation, penance, and mourning.
Verse of the day
Isa 7:14
Read it in context — the whole Catholic Bible is in the app, offline and free.
Frequently asked
What liturgical color is worn on December 3, 2026?
Purple, the color of Advent. Purple is worn in Advent and Lent, and at funerals: preparation, penance, and mourning.
What liturgical season is December 3, 2026 in?
Advent. Advent is the Church's four-week preparation for Christmas, beginning on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. It looks two ways at once: back to the Incarnation, and forward to Christ's return. The mood is watchful rather than penitential — the Gloria is omitted at Mass, but the Alleluia stays.
Is December 3, 2026 a holy day of obligation in the United States?
No. In the United States the holy days of obligation are Mary, Mother of God (1 January), the Assumption (15 August), All Saints (1 November), the Immaculate Conception (8 December), and Christmas (25 December); the Ascension is observed on a Thursday or the following Sunday depending on the diocese.
Which saint is celebrated on December 3, 2026?
St Francis Xavier. (1506–1552) Basque Jesuit, one of the original companions of Ignatius. Missionary to India, Indonesia, and Japan; died on an island within sight of China before he could enter. Co-patron of missions…
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- Common Catholic prayersThe Rosary, the Chaplet, the Angelus — full texts
- Traditional novenasComplete nine-day texts
- The whole liturgical calendarEvery day from July 2026 to December 2027