Sunday 16 December 2007

Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete)

With the wreath - perhaps only temporarily - returned to the sanctuary because of extra nave seating, the third candle is lighted. This candle, pink or rose in colour, marks the halfway stage of Advent, when we anticipate some of the joy of Christmas. It is known as Gaudete Sunday after the opening words of the entrance antiphon: "Gaudete in Domino semper" - rejoice in the Lord always.

The lightening of the tone extends to the altar hangings and vestments: above, the Blessed Sacrament chapel, and below, chasubles and copes laid out ready in the sacristy.

There is an equivalent Sunday, halfway through Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, when the rigours of the Lenten Fast may be abated.
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6 comments:

Andrew Teather said...

I don't suppose you have any spare rose vestments to donate to a poor Anglican Parish which has finally accepted that it's High Mass set made by the Haggerston Sisters has finally had it's long and glorious day?

I do keep on worrying that Salford Diocese may want their black High Mass set back that Bishop Henshaw gave us now the Moto Proprio has come out!

Anonymous said...

"There is an equivalent Sunday, halfway through Lent, known as Laetare Sunday, when the rigours of the Lenten Fast may be abated."

Surely Sundays are not part of the forty days' fasting anyway?

Anonymous said...

Beautiful vestments, did you use the cope for the asperges? Christopher

Anonymous said...

Lovely to see the rose vestments. Any pics of them being worn?

Anonymous said...

i love the blog...

Anonymous said...

I can't agree with those who think Rose vestments are pretty - they're pretty bilious. Have you ever seen a clergy person who looks pretty in pink?

We put up with them in our cathedral in Adelaide, Australia, but no parish clergy would be seen dead in them.