Gaudate - The Third Sunday of Advent
Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western Church, including the Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, the Lutheran Churches, and some liturgical Protestant churches. It can fall on any date from 11 December to 17 December. The Latin Gaude is translated as Rejoice, the first word of the introit of this day’s Mass: Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I say, rejoice; let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. There is a song called Gaudete usually sung on Gaudete Sunday.
On Gaudete Sunday rose-coloured vestments may be worn instead of violet, (or in the Anglican tradition and some Lutheran traditions, Sarum blue) which is prescribed for every day in the season of Advent. This tradition, previously informally observed in the Anglican Church, was formally noted as an option in the Church of England in the Common Worship liturgical renewal.
In churches which have an Advent wreath, the rose coloured candle is lit in addition to two of the violet (or blue) coloured candles, which represent the first two Sundays of Advent. Despite the otherwise somber readings of the season of Advent- which has as a secondary theme the need for penitence- the readings on the third Sunday emphasize the joyous anticipation of the Lord’s coming.
Annunciation Fra Angelico
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