The first candle is lit. A new liturgical year begins, and the Church turns towards the coming of Christ. With the words Ad te levavi animam meam — to you I lift up my soul — we take our first step towards Christmas. The chants of the First Sunday of Advent:
Introit — Ad te levavi: to you I lift up my soul
Ad te levávi ánimam meam : Deus meus, in te confído, non erubéscam : neque irrídeant me inimíci mei : étenim univérsi, qui te exspéctant, non confundéntur. Ps. 24, 4. Vias tuas, Dómine, demónstra mihi : et sémitas tuas édoce me. Glória Patri, et Fílio, * et Spirítui Sancto. Ad te …
To you I lift up my soul: my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies mock me; no one who trusts in you will be put to shame! Ps. 24:4. Show me your ways, Lord, and teach me your paths. Glory be to the Father and to the Son * and to the Holy Spirit. To you …
Explore the manuscript: St. Gallen, Stiftsbibliothek, Cod. Sang. 376, p. 83 — e-codices.
Gradual — Universi qui te exspectant: waiting with trust
Univérsi, qui te exspéctant, non confundéntur, Dómine. ℣. Vias tuas, Dómine, notas fac mihi : et sémitas tuas édoce me.
No one who trusts in you, Lord, will be put to shame. ℣. Show me your ways, Lord, and teach me your paths.
Alleluia — Ostende nobis: show us your mercy
Allelúja Allelúja. ℣. Osténde nobis, Dómine, misericórdiam tuam : et salutáre tuum da nobis. Allelúja.
Alleluia, alleluia. ℣. Show us your mercy, Lord, and grant us your salvation. Alleluia.
Offertory — the same trust, now with the gifts
Ad te levávi ánimam meam : Deus meus, in te confído, non erubéscam : neque irrídeant me inimíci mei : étenim univérsi, qui te exspéctant, non confundéntur.
To you I lift up my soul: my God, in you I trust; do not let me be put to shame. Do not let my enemies mock me; no one who trusts in you will be put to shame!
Communion — Dominus dabit benignitatem: fruitful expectation
Dóminus dabit benignitátem : et terra nostra dabit fructum suum.
The Lord will grant his blessing, and our land will yield its fruit.
Celebrate Advent with us
Would you like to join us in prayer at this Advent Mass, accompanied by beautiful Gregorian chant? Check our calendar of celebrations for the latest time and location, and register at info@scno.nl.
Explore our Liturgy articles, or discover how expectation deepens in Rorate: the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
Year B readings — further reading
Vatican News — readings for the First Sunday of Advent, 29 November 2026. This reflection follows the current Roman lectionary, Year B.