Advent
Thursday, December 24, 2026
On Thursday, December 24, 2026, the Catholic Church is in Advent and the liturgical color is purple. The Church celebrates St Tharsilla.
Liturgical color: Purple
Day 26 of Advent this year, the last day of the season.
Fra Angelico · Christ Crowned with Thorns · c. 1450 · public domain
Saint of the day
Optional
St Tharsilla
(d. c. 550) Roman virgin, aunt of Gregory the Great, who lived hidden in her father's house in prayer and vigil; her knees and elbows, Gregory says, were hard as a camel's. On Christmas Eve she cried out, 'Stand back — Jesus is coming,' and died.
Saint Tharsilla, watcher on Christmas Eve, pray that we see him coming and rise.
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 25 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
Matt 1:23
Read it in context — the whole Catholic Bible is in the app, offline and free.
Frequently asked
What liturgical color is worn on December 24, 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 24, 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 24, 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 24, 2026?
St Tharsilla. (d. c. 550) Roman virgin, aunt of Gregory the Great, who lived hidden in her father's house in prayer and vigil; her knees and elbows, Gregory says, were hard as a camel's. On Christmas Eve she cried…
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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