“Gaudete in Domino semper”
(Rejoice in the Lord always ~ Phil 4:4)
By Mary Jeppson
The Third Sunday of Advent is traditionally called “Gaudete Sunday”. The Latin word “gaudete” means “rejoice”. The Holy Mass opens with the words of St Paul to the Philippians “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice! The Lord is near (Phil 4:4-5).” In a word, St Paul is urging us to rejoice! Advent is a time of penance and preparation for the coming of our Savior’s birth. St Paul is reminding us to rejoice in the joy to come.
The coming joy may be whatever is in our hearts. Blessed Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a witness of Gospel joy. She once defined joy in this way: “God is joy, joy is prayer. Joy is a sign of generosity. When you are full of joy, you move faster and you want to go about doing good to everyone. Joy is a sign of union with God – of God’s presence.” (The Joy In Loving, 1996, p.267)
St Paul continued to tell us “to be kind to all, have no anxiety about anything, and in everything, by prayer and petition with thanksgiving, to make our requests known to God and the peace of God will keep our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus”.
(Phil 5-7) If we follow these words we are bound to have room for joy in our hearts.
On this Third Sunday we light the pink candle. The priest vestments are a rose (pink) color.
Purple is the traditional color for penance but this day is one for rejoicing. The purple vestments are replaced with rose-colored vestment, a symbol of rejoicing.
In the meantime, as we prepare to celebrate Christmas and the birth of Jesus we wait with joyful hope for Christ’s second coming.