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Middle Ages, the Church designates this Sunday by the
first words of the Introit : Ad
te levavi. Again this
Sunday is called in the liturgy, Aspiciens a longe, from
the first words of the responsory to which we have just
alluded.
The word
"
Station
"
conveys
the idea of a halt
in a procession. Here it applies to a Roman custom.
The clergy and people of all the different parishes assem
bled in a church of the city, named beforehand,
for the celebration in common of the Office and the Mass
on certain days.
The Station of the first Sunday of Advent is at the
church of Saint Mary Major, called also Saint Mary
of the Crib as this Roman Basilica possesses the Crib
brought from Bethlehem. It has been most suitably
chosen in order that we may begin Advent under the
protection of the Mother of God and in the presence of
our divine Saviour s Crib.
The parts of the Mass, which are sung, the Introit,
Gradual, Alleluia, Offertory, and Communion are usually
taken from the psalms and recall the primitive practice
of singing one entire psalm, at least at the Introit, Offer
tory and Communion. The refrain sung by the whole
congregation is all that now remains to us, and may
serve to determine the special characteristics of the
Mass.
On the First Sunday of Advent, the Introit, Gra
dual and Offertory are taken from PSALM xxiv
which begins thus : Ad te Domine, levavi. These sung
portions express first the soul s desire for God in whom
she has placed all her confidence, and next the assu
rance that she will not be deceived in her expectation.
They invite us to beg that we may be directed in the
way which leads to the meeting with our Deliverer.