Do you know that the liturgy of the Church is divided into seasons? Do you also know that the colors of the vestments of the priest in the Mass symbolize these seasons?
The liturgical calendar of the Church begins with the Advent season or the season of waiting for the coming of the Lord into the world. The Christmas season is about the incarnation and the birth of Jesus. Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a forty-day preparation for us Catholics by repenting for our sins and through sacrifices. Holy week is the climax of this preparation, when we remember the passion and death of Christ. Lent is followed by Easter, the season for remembering the resurrection and ascension of Christ. Pentecost celebrates the Lord’s sending of his Holy Spirit to his people. During ordinary Sundays, we remember the deeds and teachings of Jesus here on earth. Our celebrations during the liturgical year are not only repetitive celebrations. They also bring us to our destination – the Kingdom of God.
The liturgical calendar of the Church begins with the Advent season or the season of waiting for the coming of the Lord into the world. The Christmas season is about the incarnation and the birth of Jesus. Lenten season, which begins on Ash Wednesday, is a forty-day preparation for us Catholics by repenting for our sins and through sacrifices. Holy week is the climax of this preparation, when we remember the passion and death of Christ. Lent is followed by Easter, the season for remembering the resurrection and ascension of Christ. Pentecost celebrates the Lord’s sending of his Holy Spirit to his people. During ordinary Sundays, we remember the deeds and teachings of Jesus here on earth. Our celebrations during the liturgical year are not only repetitive celebrations. They also bring us to our destination – the Kingdom of God.
The changing of seasons is signaled by the change in the colors used in the liturgy and the vestments. Violet or lilac, in tradition, is a “color of honor” which was only used by kings and queens. It also stands for mourning and seeking for forgiveness. In our liturgy, it is used during Advent and Lent. White is the color of purity. It is used during the Christmas Season and Easter time. In more solemn celebrations, gold is used to symbolize the light coming from God. Red is the color of blood and courage, used every Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost and in the celebration of the Lord’s passion. Green is the color of Ordinary Time. Rose is used every third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday), and every fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare Sunday).
The seasons and colors are used in our rituals. They help us grow as Christians who are called to holiness in our faith-life. May the season and color of Christmas not only be material instruments in our faith. May they bring us to the true meaning of the birth and incarnation of Christ our Savior.
The seasons and colors are used in our rituals. They help us grow as Christians who are called to holiness in our faith-life. May the season and color of Christmas not only be material instruments in our faith. May they bring us to the true meaning of the birth and incarnation of Christ our Savior.
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