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O_Moriah
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Oops, yeah, gold and silver are only for more solemn occasions in the U.S.
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Chatter163
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Of course there is mention of it in the liturgical texts. The very name Gaudete Sunday comes from the first word of the entrance antiphon, which is “Rejoice.” Gaudete in Domino Semper! — Rejoice in the Lord always; Again I say rejoice! The Lord is near!
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centurionguard
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The CCCB puts out and renews its version of the Book of Blessings edition every so many years similar to the USCCB. Perhaps your correct about the optional use of four white candles being used even if there’s no demarcation to signify color differences as some have already mentioned with the use of colored ribbons. At any rate its not something I have ever been accustom to seeing except on Christmas Eve when all candles on the Advent Wreath were replaced with white colored ones with a larger fifth center candle placed on the Advent wreath that some refer to the Christ Candle.
Then of course there are some parishes who opt to discard of the Advent Wreath all together after the Fourth Sunday of Advent.
I’m still interested of finding out when exactly did the Church begin using the custom of the Advent Wreath within the liturgical celebration of the Mass, particularly the Extraordinary celebration of the Mass prior to 1965.
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Chatter163
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The advent wreath has a bit of a checkered history, but its explosion of popularity, beginning in the late 1960s and beyond, has much to do with church supply companies pushing them (much like newer styles of vestments, vessels, etc., along with the unity candle at weddings, inter alia) as part of the liturgical movement. It was not really a part of that movement, but church suppliers saw every opportunity to present things as chic and in vogue, and the advent wreath got caught up in that.
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centurionguard
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Thank You for your insight. I never thought the Wedding “unity candle” was officially sanctioned for Catholic liturgical use, though its use is seen more and more largely from what I’ve observed in mixed-marriages.
And as far as Rose chausbles used on Gaudete and Laudete Sunday’s, not all priest choose to wear them for a number of personal reasons. It is optional with Violet being a preference to most priest during Advent. Guess I’ve never looked at some liturgical new items as chic and in vogue. Sounds somewhat accurately described.
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O_Moriah
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Well, that is technically correct that the first word of the Antiphon is ‘gaudate’… but how does that affect the rest of the liturgy for that Mass? There is no mention in the whole of the rest of the liturgy that this Sunday is different from other Sundays of Advent precisely because it’s Gaudate Sunday. Nor any mention why it’s a different color just because the first word of the Antiphon begins with the word ‘gaudate.’ No other Sunday of Advent is signified by the first word of its Antiphon. But the third Sunday gets a special name because of a first word of an Antiphon. And this affects the celebration of that Mass in what way that would justify a pink vestment how? (Not to mention that the overwhelming majority of Masses celebrated in the U.S. would even hear the Antiphon since it is replaced by an Opening Hymn.)
Of course there is mention of it in the liturgical texts. The very name Gaudete Sunday comes from the first word of the entrance antiphon, which is “Rejoice.” Gaudete in Domino Semper! — Rejoice in the Lord always; Again I say rejoice! The Lord is near!
So let me rephrase: Besides a seldom used Antiphon that begins with the word ‘gaudate’ and an option to use pink vestments, the liturgy of the Third Sunday of Advent is indistinguishable from the previous Sundays of Advent making the signification that it is particularly different enough to get a special name and color rather inexplicable (except by knowing the history of the season as an attempt to re-create a Lent for Christmas).
If anything, the Fourth Sunday of Advent should have received the special attention that the Third receives since it falls within the (pre-)Octave of Christmas, which does indeed get special liturgical attention.
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superamazingman
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- it doesn’t matter if the introit is “seldom used.” It is still the rightful and best text to be sung at that point, whether people do it or not. Anyways, the same text is in the first reading, if I recall.
- You’re forgetting something: there’s very often traditions that are not strictly codified in the rubrics. There’s a long tradition, from before vatican II, that the third sunday is special.
- And anyways, the fact that there is more festive vestments during a normally more somber season should mean something, even if you don’t think so.
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O_Moriah
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The rubrics changed which made the historical reason for the wearing of the pink mostly trivial. But instead of suppressing it, it was allowed to continue as an option (probably in the hopes it would die out on its own, like wearing purple for funerals).
I’m kinda played out on witnessing several hundreds of dollars of parish resources being spent on pink vestments which are only used twice a year so that a presider can begin Mass self-consciously explaining why he’s dressed in pink and then that fact have nothing else to do with the rest of the liturgy.
And yeah, I know that a foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds, but a foolish inconsistency isn’t any better.
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superamazingman
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What about the rubrics changed that made it any less important? Also, what do you mean about purple vestments dying out at funerals? The GIRM states in no. 346 that purple is the norm for funerals, but you may use white in the US. I would hardly say that’s trying to make white die out.
Liturgical worship is the most important thing we can do in our lives. With that attitude, why wear vestments at all?
Anyways, the Israelites could have said the same thing when God commanded the high priest to wear the finest colored linen threaded garments, and a gold breastplate embedded with precious stones. But they didn’t. And those that did were wrong.
Why would he need to do that? If a priest is self-consciously explaining away his vestments, that’s his problem, not anyone else’s. I’ve seen parishes where it simply and elegantly explained at the beginning of the homily.
What do you mean, it has nothing to do with the rest of the liturgy? Go back to the 1962 missal and show me what rubrics changed in that regard?
There’s not really much that has changed from before VII to after in regards to how gaudate sunday is handled, so I honestly don’t know what you’re talking about.
By the way, a presider is a bishop at Mass and but celebrating. It is a very specific liturgical function. The proper name for the primary priest conducting the Mass is celebrant.
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O_Moriah
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No, purple is not the norm with the other colors optional. #346 says…*
346. As regards the color of sacred vestments, traditional usage should be observed, namely: …
d) The color violet or purple is used in Advent and Lent. It may also be worn in Offices and Masses for the Dead.
e) Besides the color violet, the colors white or black may be used at funeral services and at other Offices and Masses for the Dead in the Dioceses of the United States of America.*It is clear that all three colors are valid choices. It’s also clear, that by practice, white has become the choice in the overwhelming majority of funerals in the US.
Now, why would you say that? Was I saying that liturgical worship is unimportant? It is precisely because it is important that it should be done with care and thought and meaning. Practices which, over time, have lost their meaning should be set aside to let signs which are still meaningful, or new signs, better serve the liturgy.
So, he’s explaining the pink at the beginning of the homily instead of the beginning of Mass – I don’t see a difference. And that explanation of pinkness relates to the Third Sunday of Advent… how? Is that liturgy more rejoiceful than the other Sundays?
And as a general principle of good liturgy: if a sign has to be explained in order for people to get it… it’s not a very good sign to begin with.
It goes back further than that. When Advent was created, it was created in the image of Lent: A lengthy penitential season in preparation of a major Feast. It was later cut back to just four weeks. And then Vatican Council II shifted the focus from a season of penitence to a season of joyful expectation and preparation (which can still encompass some penance… but it’s not the main theme). And because Lent is purple and has a Pink Sunday indicating that the harsh season is almost over, so, buck up, lads; so to did Advent in a slavish imitation of Lent. So, my point is, when they changed the focus of Advent, they should have jettisoned the pink Sunday that was only there because Lent had one and it no longer needed to signal people that this harsh time is almost over with.
My thesis is, and you don’t have to agree with it: Gaudate Sunday is the appendix of Advent. If you go through Advent and ignore it as ‘the pink Sunday’, which is a valid option, I doubt the people in the pew will know it went missing.
Remember, when the rubrics give a choice, those responsible need to choose based on what is the better option for that liturgy and they also need to know the history of the two choices and what they mean so that their choice is an informed choice that serves the liturgy.
If you want to make a point of the joyful nature of Advent (as opposed to Lent), then wear pink all four Sundays!
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Chatter163
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I agree that the OP seems very angry about Gaudete Sunday for some unknown reason. He even refuses to call the color rose, and launches into a series of unrelated diatribes and grasping at straws. Very odd…
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O_Moriah
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I’m not the OP.
I’m not ‘very angry.’
I did call it rose, but it’s better known commonly as ‘pink.’
What diatribe was unrelated to the use of the colors for Advent which is inherently related to Gaudate Sunday? (The presider debate was started by someone else and a mod split it off.)
What straw was I grasping at? I recounted the history of the season and discussed common principles of liturgiology. I then gave my opinion, clearly labeled as such, as to what I would like to happen with the whole Gaudate thing.
So, what’s odd here is your dismissal of this discussion instead of entering into it.
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superamazingman
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agreed.
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superamazingman
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superamazingman
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centurionguard
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Gee; so nice that some like to judge. Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse?
What brings you to the point that I have something against Gaudete Sunday or the Rose/Pink vestments worn (“optionally”) by some priest, bishops, cardinals, and the Pope? How is it you conclude I’m angry?
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O_Moriah
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Your responses lack charity.
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Chatter163
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My apologies. It was not your original post to which I made reference; it was the posts of another member–a new member, who posted later in the thread. Sorry for any confusion.Gee; so nice that some like to judge. Aren’t you putting the cart before the horse?
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centurionguard
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Think nothing of it Brother Knight. I was thinking you had me confused with somebody else.
Vivat Jesus
Fraternally Yours in Christ Jesus
Chris
Council #1310
3rd degree member.
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TypesAndShadows
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What an odd thing to say. Of course Gaudete Sunday is more joyful than the other Sundays of Advent: look at the readings and antiphons. How could you have a homily today that didn’t touch on this? Regardless of the use of rose/pink or violet/purple?
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