The Western New York community is invited to begin the Advent and Christmas seasons by participating in the Advent vespers service, an annual tradition at Christ the King Seminary, on Sunday, Dec. 3. The service will begin at 4:00 p.m. in the seminary's St. John Vianney Chapel with Rev. Joseph A. Gatto, president-rector, presiding. A reception will follow.

This year's program, being held the first Sunday of Advent, will include music by the Christ the King Seminary Festival Chorus, consisting of seminarians, faculty and others. Alan Lukas, director of music for the seminary and the Diocese of Buffalo, will lead the chorus through a selected arrangement of Scripture passages and sacred songs.

"Vespers" refers to a specific type of evening prayer and is not the same as a Mass. This Lord's Day solemn prayer opens with a chanted dialogue and seasonal hymn, continuing with sung psalms and New Testament Canticle. A reading from sacred scripture is followed by a sung "Magnificat," the traditional Canticle of Mary. General intercessions, the Lord's Prayer, closing prayer and final blessing with sung dismissal brings solemn vespers to a conclusion.

All are welcome to attend. A free-will offering will be received. For more information call the seminary music office at 716-652-6565 or Gayle Mann, coordinator of events and scheduling at 716-805-1438.