Gaudete Sunday
On the third Sunday in Advent, the Church celebrates Gaudete Sunday. Along with the fourth Sunday of Lent (called Laetare Sunday), Gaudete Sunday marks one of only two occasions in the liturgical year in which members of the ordained clergy wear rose-colored vestments. Both Sundays share the common theme of rejoicing in the midst of periods of penance and preparation.
The word gaudete in Latin is the second-person, plural imperative form of a verb meaning “to rejoice” and translates to something like “you all rejoice.” At first, this may seem like an odd grammatical choice. We might more commonly expect to see the Latin gaudeamus, which means “let us rejoice” as a common and inclusive call to joy. The name for the third Sunday of Advent is taken from the first word of the Latin introit for the Mass—Gaudete in Domino semper—“rejoice in the Lord always,” a quote from Paul’s Letter to the Philippians 4:4 (NABRE).
Why do you think it is that the Church focuses on joy at this point in the liturgical year? During the season of Advent, what ways do you rejoice in the Lord and prepare for his coming?
related topics: Advent; Happy Christmas
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Scripture & the Rosary: New Testament Mysteries, Old Testament Parallels, a 26-lesson Catholic Bible study with an imprimatur, looks at the biblical foundations of the Rosary. The study includes lessons on Pope St. John Paul II’s Rosarium Virginis Mariae (Rosary of the Virgin Mary), the Apostles’ Creed, and the Luminous Mysteries as well as the original 15 Mysteries of the Rosary. Color photographs of stained glass windows depict key scenes in the lives of Jesus and Mary. Free digital lessons rotate throughout the year on our website.
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