The third Sunday of Advent is called “Gaudete Sunday” and is marked by the rose candle on the Advent wreath. Its name comes from the entrance antiphon of the Mass, which is:
Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice.
Indeed, the Lord is near.
This is a quotation from Philippians 4:4-5, and in Latin, rejoice is gaudete (pronounced with three syllables: gau-de-te).
It’s one of only TWO days in the liturgical year when priests wear rose vestments. (Spoiler: the other is the 4th Sunday of Lent.)
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