To mark this holy season of longing and waiting, we change some of our usual liturgical practices.  The procession is modified and the altar is decorated more simply. During the liturgies, a greater role is given to silence, to the chanting of psalms, and to the ringing of bells. In accordance with a very ancient tradition in the church, the use of the organ is reduced during Advent.

Advent Wreath

The Advent wreath is a devotion Catholics have adopted from the Lutheran tradition. Prior to each Mass, the priest gathers with the liturgical ministers for the prayer and candle-lighting associated with the wreath. With each succeeding Sunday of Advent, an additional candle is lit on the wreath, a symbol of the dawning of the light of Christ into the world.

Evening Prayer with Music from Taizé

On Friday, December 3 at 6:30pm, this beloved monthly prayer service returns, with music, candlelight, and silence. Start your weekend with the meditative, peaceful spirit of Taizé.
 
Vespers: Evening Prayer

4:00pm Sunday afternoons. You are invited to join in the universal prayer of the Church, the Liturgy of the Hours, a forty minute service of sung prayer concluding with Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament. This beautiful candlelit service is the perfect conclusion to a December Sunday.
 
The Sacrament of Reconciliation

is celebrated each Saturday morning in the Reconciliation Chapel, from 8:30am until 9:30am.
 
Communal Reconciliation Service

will be held on Monday, December 13 at 7:00pm. During these beautiful service of readings, reflection and song, we will open ourselves to experience the gift of God’s gracious and loving forgiveness in the Sacrament of Penance.
 
The Immaculate Conception

The Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary is Wednesday, December 8. Masses for the Holy Day will be at 8:00am, 12:10pm, and 5:30pm.

Madre de las Americas

Saturday, December 4, 11:30am, Entrance of the Dancers. 12:10pm, Mass with Bishop Elizondo. The Hispanic community of Western Washington comes together at this celebration in honor of Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Mother of the Americas. All are welcome both for the procession and the Mass!
 
Simbang Gabi Celebration

Saturday, December 11, 11:00am Mass. Join Bishop Elizondo and participants from some dozens parishes for the festive opening celebration of Simbang Gabi, a novena of Masses in which we prepare for Christmas in company with Mary. This colorful and prayerful Mass includes the blessing of parols (traditional star shaped lanterns from the Philippines) and helps us to focus our Christmas celebration on the coming of Jesus, Light of the World. All are welcome.

Cathedral Dedication Anniversary

Wednesday, December 22 marks 114 years since St. James Cathedral was dedicated in 1907, and 27 years since it was rededicated in 1994. We will celebrate this anniversary with a special Mass on Tuesday, December 21 at 5:30pm, with the lighting of the dedication candles. On Wednesday, December 22, Archbishop Etienne will join us for the 12:10pm Mass during which we will formally bless and dedicate the Cathedral Columbarium.
 
The Giving Tree

Stop by the Mary shrine to pick a tag off our annual Giving Tree, or visit the Cathedral website for the virtual Giving Tree. Each tag contains a gift wish from someone in need in our community. It’s easy and fun to participate: simply shop for the gift and return it after Sunday Mass in the Cathedral Chapel or have it shipped to the Parish Office by Sunday, December 12. Information, Patrick Barredo, 206-382-4515 or pbarredo@stjames-cathedral.org .
 
Sock Drive

Our Annual “Warm Hearts and Soles” Advent Sock Drive is underway! Our Goal: 2,022 pairs of socks for homeless men. Please drop socks off in the Cathedral Chapel or in the Parish Office. If you're ordering socks online, have them shipped directly to St. James Cathedral!
 
Christmas Masses

The celebration of Christmas begins with the Vigil Mass of Christmas at 5:30pm on Friday, December 24, and continues with the Mass during the Night—Carol Service at 9:00pm, Mass at 10:00pm. The Masses of Christmas Day on Saturday, December 25 will be 8:00am, 10:00am, 12:00 Noon, and 5:30pm. Solemn Vespers of Christmas will be at 4:00pm on Christmas Day. Socially distanced seating is available for the Masses of Christmas Day only; no distanced seating is available on Christmas Eve. Please note that on Sunday, December 26 (Holy Family), Masses will be at 8:00am, 10:00am, and 12 Noon, with Vespers at 4:00pm. There will be no 5:30pm Mass on Sunday, December 26. Find out more at www.stjames-cathedral.org .
 
Mary, Mother of God & Epiphany

The celebration of Mary, Mother of God begins with the vigil at 5:30pm on Friday, December 31, and continues Masses at 8:00am and 10:00am only on New Year’s Day. Masses on the Epiphany will be on Saturday, January 1 at 5:30pm and Sunday, January 2 at 8:00am, 10:00am, 12 Noon, and 5:30pm, with Solemn Vespers at 4:00pm.
 

Musical Prayer for Advent

Saturday, December 4 at 8:00pm
Medieval Women’s Choir
Music of Mirth

Despite the challenges of the past two years, the return to live performances is cause for celebration. The medieval church left us a large, vibrant corpus of music designed to do just that, much of it focused on the miracle of Christmas, on spiritual renewal, and on the feast days that illuminate the darkest days of the year. What better way to make merry than with a live concert? Tickets and more info at medievalwomenschoir.org/events/ or 206-717-4550. $30 general admission or use the pay-what-you-will option on their ticketing page. Please take note that according to current King County regulations, people ages 12 and older are required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result from a testing provider in the last 72 hours to attend this concert.
 
Friday, December 17 at 7:30pm
A Service of Readings and Carols

St. James presents our annual Service of Readings and Carols. In the soft glow of candlelight,  St. James adult and youth choirs, organists, and Cathedral Brass perform music for the Advent season, with traditional readings from Holy Scripture heralding Christ’s birth. This prayer is open to all; freewill offering.
 
Friday, December 31 at 11:00pm
New Year’s Eve Gala Concert
with Cathedral Cantorei & Chamber Orchestra

The New Year’s Eve concert is back! Celebrate with music of Baroque composers Antonio Vivaldi and Arcangelo Corelli. The beauty and power of the voices of St. James Cathedral Cantorei join chamber orchestra in Vivaldi’s Magnificat and Gloria, and the orchestral strings sparkle in Corelli’s Christmas Concerto. $30 suggested donation or pay-what-you-can. Purchase of tickets in advance offers seating within a reserved section. For more info, visit www.stjames-cathedral.org/music, email musicoffice@stjames-cathedral.org, or call 206-382-4874. Please take note that according to current King County regulations, people ages 12 and older are required to show proof of full COVID-19 vaccination or a negative test result from a testing provider in the last 72 hours to attend this concert.

Information, 206-382-4874 or www.stjames-cathedral.org/music