[On December 22, 1995 Professor Ostrowski contributed the following information to the Victoria discussion list, which I here include with her permission (GPL).]
In Catholic schools I learned that the priest's outer garments (chasuble and stole) reflect the colors of the particular liturgical season or day:
- White or gold for Christmas and Easter (the birth and resurrection).
- Purple during Advent and Lent but pink on the 3rd Sunday of Advent and on Laetare Sunday, which is right before Palm Sunday (if I remember correctly). The purple reflects sorrow/suffering: suffering awaiting the arrival (ad + venire) of the Savior, and suffering to mark Christ's 40 days in the desert (Lent).
- Red on the feasts of martyrs (obviously, red = blood).
- Green during the rest of the liturgical year (green symbolizing hope).
- Black used to be worn for funerals, but since Vatican II, white is now worn (to symbolize life rather than mourning).
Last modified December 1995
FAQs
—In the Roman Rite, since Pius V, colors are five in number, viz.: white, red, green, violet, and black. Rose color is employed only on Ltare and Gaudete Sundays. Blue is prescribed in some dioceses of Spain for the Mass of the Immaculate Conception.
What are the liturgical Colours of the Roman Catholic Church? ›
Each color in the Liturgical Calendar signifies a different mood and season.
- Green - “Ordinary Time”
- Red - God's Love, blood, fire, and celebrations of Martyrs.
- White/Gold - Purity, Light, Glory, and Joy.
- Violet/Purple - Penance, Sacrifice, and Preparation.
- Black - Death and Mourning.
The different colours are drawn from creation to remind those participating in a liturgy of the different blessings of God. The colours used are white (or gold), purple (or violet), green, red and rose pink.
What are the six liturgical Colours and what do they mean? ›
White and gold symbolize days and seasons of joy and mark pivotal events in the life of Christ. Red symbolizes the work of the Holy Spirit and the sacrifices of martyrs. Purple (and sometimes blue, in Advent) designates a season of penitence and preparation, such as Lent. This was not always the case.
What does each liturgical color mean? ›
Red – Palm Sunday, Good Friday, and Pentecost Sunday; celebrations of the Lord's Passion, of Apostles, and of Evangelists; celebrations of Martyrs. Green – Ordinary Time. Violet – Advent and Lent; Masses for the Dead.
What is the purpose of liturgical colors? ›
As a religious phenomenon, liturgy represents a communal response to and participation in the sacred through activities reflecting praise, thanksgiving, remembrance, supplication, or repentance. It forms a basis for establishing a relationship with God. Technically speaking, liturgy forms a subset of ritual.
What are the liturgical colors for each season? ›
Liturgical Colors of the Church
- Advent – Blue. Following the tradition of the Sarum Rite (an old English rite), Blue is the color for Advent. ...
- Christmas and Easter – White. ...
- Epiphany and Pentecost (Ordinary Time) – Green. ...
- Lent – Purple. ...
- Holy Week and Pentecost Sunday – Red. ...
- Good Friday – Black.
The liturgical vestments worn in all Oriental Rites as well as in western Europe are: the under-tunic (alb), the cincture, stole, chasuble, and omophorion (pallium). In the East the chasuble is still bell-shaped, but, according to present usage, is slit in front in some rites.
What does the color blue mean in Catholicism? ›
It indicates constancy, fidelity, genuineness, and aspiration. It is the color specially associated with the Blessed Virgin. A special papal indult allowed some dioceses to use blue vestments instead of white on the feast of the Immaculate Conception.
What color represents Jesus? ›
Mary is almost always decked out in blue, while Jesus typically wears red. Throughout history, blue has been considered a sacred and valuable hue.
On the Third Sunday of Advent — or Gaudete Sunday — priests may wear the rose-pink color vestments to indicate the great joy that Jesus brought into the world on the very first Christmas. The brightness of the pink color reminds us that we're halfway through Advent and very near to our celebrations.
What does the color purple mean in the Catholic Church? ›
Purple. Worn during Lent or the Advent, purple represents penance, preparation, and sacrifice. It is also worn at funerals because of its connection to mourning. Purple vestments are donned to remind the funeral-goers to pray for the penance and absolution of the departed.
