What is Advent?

Advent and Lent, are seasons of penitence. On the Advent wreath, the three purple candles mark our preparations while awaiting the arrival of Christ on Earth at Christmas. Unlike Lent, Advent is a happier season.

The Third Sunday of Advent, called Gaudete Sunday. The word ‘Gaudate’ is Latin for ‘rejoice’. From the third Sunday of Advent we light the rose coloured candle on our wreaths. Priests also wear rose-coloured vestments at Mass on the third Sunday of Advent.

Pope Francis was talking about the difference between happiness and joy when he said:

 “To be happy is good, yet joy is something more. It’s another thing; something which does not depend on external motivations, or on passing issues. It is more profound. It is a gift.”

If joy is a gift from the Lord, then the Lord Himself is our first and greatest gift, and the only one that will never tarnish, break or fade. Gaudete Sunday reminds us that the gift has not yet arrived, but is very near.