[maryz]

Isn't this one of two days in the Latin Rite calender where Priests are allowed to wear rose colored vestments instead of purple? Just wondering. You know, to "lighten" things up.

Yes, but WHY? Why is this? And why can't we answer right off the tops of our heads like we should be able to.

Right -- rose used to be the liturgical color for Gaudete (rejoice) Sunday (third Sunday in Advent) and Laetare (rejoice) Sunday (fourth Sunday in Lent) when we were called to, well, rejoice even in the midst of sorrow. I haven't seen rose vestments in decades, though the advent candles still have the rose candle for the third week (though I wouldn't know why if I hadn't gone to decent Catholic schools in the late 50s and early 60s -- before the deluge, so to speak.

[VermiciousKnid]

Believe it or not, our parish DOES have rose vestments, though they are decorated with Kente cloth stoles (in an odd rose and purple pattern)-- don't ask me why, because the North Shore of Long Island isn't exactly an enclave for African immigrants.

Regards,