Welcome to the website of Our Lady of the Rosary, Marylebone. Our church is built in the neo-romanesque style, and is located near to Edgware Road tube station and the Westway.
The End is Nigh…
Advent is a season in the Church that invites us to prepare for the coming of Jesus Christ. It begins on the Sunday closest to November 30 and lasts for four weeks, leading up to Christmas Eve. The word “Advent” comes from the Latin adventus, meaning “coming” or “arrival,” and it centres on the expectation of Christ’s first coming at Christmas and His promised Second Coming at the end of time.
This season is a time of waiting, reflection, and preparation, where we turn our hearts and minds toward Christ. Advent reminds us that our lives should be in a constant state of readiness, not only for the birth of Jesus but also for His final return. It is a time for us to awaken spiritually, to renew our faith, and to make space for Christ to enter more deeply into our lives. During Advent, we prepare by engaging in prayer, penance, and acts of charity, clearing away distractions that may prevent us from fully welcoming Him. which may be helped by our parish timetable for the season here.
One of the most significant symbols of Advent is the Advent wreath, with its four candles, each representing a theme of the season: hope, peace, joy, and love. Each Sunday, we light one more candle, progressively drawing closer to the light of Christ. The fifth candle, the Christ candle, is lit on Christmas Eve, signifying the arrival of our Saviour. This ritual serves to help us mark the passage of time and focus our hearts on the true meaning of Christmas.
As we prepare for Christ’s birth, let us recall the words of St. Augustine of Hippo: “The Church has been given to us as a mirror, in which we behold the face of God, and by which we prepare ourselves for the coming of Christ.” Advent is an opportunity for us to renew our commitment to holiness, to examine our lives, and to deepen our relationship with God as we await His coming in both the manger and in glory. Canon Kevin
