Liturgical Colors
If you go to the Catholic Mass throughout the year, you’ll notice
that the priest is dressed in different colors at different times.
Why is that? And what do all these different colors mean?
First, the Catholic Mass is very “sensual,” in that it engages all of
our senses. With the different colors, our eyes draw our minds to
that which they represent, helping us journey with Christ.
Each of the colors that you’ll see the priest wear have a symbolic
meaning. For much of the year, or Ordinary Time, the color is
green. This symbolizes life and hope. Occasionally, the priest will
wear white vestments. This is done during the seasons of Christmas
and Easter, on feasts dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary, to
the angels and to saints who are not martyrs. White symbolizes joy
and victory.
Red vestments have a couple of different symbolic meanings. It
sometimes signifies blood. This is why red vestments are worn on
Palm Sunday and Good Friday, and on the feast days of martyrs
(who shed their blood for the faith) and the Apostles. Other times
red signifies the fire of the Holy Spirit. This is why you’ll see the
priest in red on Pentecost or at a so-called Red Mass for lawyers.
During Advent and Lent, the color is purple or violet. This is to
symbolize penance.
Finally, on the Third Sunday of Advent and Fourth Sunday of Lent,
you may see the priest in pink or rose vestments. This symbolizes
the joy of anticipation for Christmas and Easter.
For further study:
Boston Catholic Website: http://bit.ly/1Iwag8X
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Notes
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