Advent
Friday, December 18, 2026
On Friday, December 18, 2026, the Catholic Church is in Advent and the liturgical color is purple. The Church celebrates St Winebald.
Liturgical color: Purple
Day 20 of Advent this year, with 6 days to go.
Caravaggio · Madonna of the Rosary · c. 1607 · public domain
Saint of the day
Optional
St Winebald
(c. 702–761) English monk, brother of Sts Willibald and Walburga, who joined Boniface's German mission and founded the double monastery of Heidenheim with his sister. Gout-ridden and twice near death, he governed gently and died among his monks.
Saint Winebald, brother among saints, pray that our families labor for God together.
This season
- Advent 2026: the day-by-day calendarA reflection prompt for every day to Christmas, the wreath, the O Antiphons
- O Adonai — tonight's O AntiphonO Lord: the Latin, an English translation and its Scripture
- St Andrew Christmas Novena — day 19 of 25The prayer, fifteen times today
- Novenas being prayed todaySt Andrew Christmas Novena, Christmas Novena (Simbang Gabi, Las Posadas)
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
Ps 85:10
Read it in context — the whole Catholic Bible is in the app, offline and free.
Frequently asked
What liturgical color is worn on December 18, 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 18, 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 18, 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 18, 2026?
St Winebald. (c. 702–761) English monk, brother of Sts Willibald and Walburga, who joined Boniface's German mission and founded the double monastery of Heidenheim with his sister. Gout-ridden and twice near…
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