Third Sunday of Advent

originally published on December 13, 2020

Today begins the third Sunday of Advent called Gaudete (Latin for “rejoice”) Sunday. The Church prescribes rose colored vestments today and on the third Sunday of Lent.

The great feast of Christmas, the birth of Jesus Christ, nears, only 12 days to go! That is a cause of rejoicing, indeed!

This week is also the Ember week for Advent. Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday of this week are Ember Days and are traditional days of fast and abstinence during which we thank God for blessings received during the previous liturgical season, pray for those to be ordained, and renew ourselves spiritually. Although fast and abstinence are no longer mandated under pain of sin, they remain excellent opportunities to grow spiritually.

Christmas nears. Rejoice!