Why was Fr wearing white at Mass today . . .?

I gather from one of our parishioners that her eagle-eyed young son had commented on the white vestments I was wearing at Mass on Sunday.

First of all, I'm always delighted to hear that our children are taking such an interest in what is happening at Mass and secondly, I'm also always very happy to do my best to answer any queries so do please let me know if your children have posed any similar questions during or after Mass.

So, to the answer . . .

At different times in the Church's year, the priest will wear different coloured vestments to indicate which season it is; for example for most of the year, in what we call 'Ordinary Time', the priest will wear green vestments.

It is not only the priest's vestments that will be green, the tabernacle 'veil' (cover) will also be green and if there is a Deacon present his vestments will also be green.

Here is a simple list which gives the 'liturgical colours' and when they are used:

Green: Ordinary Time

White/Gold: Feasts; Christmas, Easter, Weddings, Baptisms etc.

Red: Feasts of the Lord’s Passion, Blood and Cross; Martyrs;
Holy Spirit (Pentecost, Confirmation)

Purple: Advent, Lent, Penitence, Funerals

White with blue: Feasts of Our Lady

Rose: Gaudete Sunday (3^rd Sunday of Advent) &
Laetare Sunday (4^th Sunday of Lent)

Sunday was the Solemnity of Christ the Universal King. A 'Solemnity' is a very special feast and so white vestments are worn, or sometimes even gold.

Next Sunday is the beginning of Advent which is also the beginning of the Church's year and the colour of the vestments will change again. I hope all our young people will be watching carefully to see which colour it will be!

In the pink . . . !

Well, we're definitely feeling 'in the pink' here in Banstead.

"Gaudete in Domino' So says the Introit for Gaudete Sunday. "Rejoice in the Lord always'.

Advent, like Lent is a penitential season, so normally I would be wearing purple vestments, but tomorrow, if you happen to be in the area, you will see me wearing a very tasteful pink chasuble, or, as we prefer to say at St Ann's, 'rose' vestments.

We've passed the midpoint of Advent and so we have a slightly lighter mood. This change gives us encouragement to continue with our spiritual preparation for Christmas.

As with the vestments, so with our Advent wreath; we shall be lighting the pink/rose candle.

Rejoice!