Gaudete Sunday

Rejoice In The Lord Always Again I Say Rejoice

On this, the third Sunday of Advent or Gaudete Sunday, we sense a definite mood change. The austerity of what can be a sombre though hope-filled penitential season is replaced by a shift of emphasis. We see a burst of colour appearing at the Mass today as rose-coloured vestments replace the violet and we are enjoined at the Introit to: Rejoice in the Lord and again I say rejoice or Gaudete in Domino semper, hence Gaudete Sunday.  But why this shift in emphasis? We are edging that bit nearer to celebrating the coming of Our Lord at Christmas, that is undeniably true, but looking at today’s Gospel we also see that we have built upon last week’s message of preparation in Luke’s Gospel and now we see John the Baptist actively proclaiming the Coming.  ‘I baptise you with water, but he who is mightier than I is coming.’ John the Baptist’s proclamation is sure and certain, filled with hope and, one must assume, wholly joyful. Can we also feel in the depths of our hearts such joy as we hear this news?

Categories: 

More News

War in Gaza must be ended not increased

August 14, 2025

On the feast day of Edith Stein, St Teresa Benedicta of the Cross, Cardinal Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster and President of the Bishops’...Read more

St John Henry Newman a ‘Doctor’ of the Catholic Church

August 12, 2025

Pope Leo XIV will officially declare Saint John Henry Newman, the most recently canonised saint from England and Wales, the 38th Doctor of the...Read more

Men's Breakfast 13 September

August 12, 2025

The next men’s breakfast will be on Saturday 13 September at 8.00am in the Parish Centre. Tickets are £10 each. Payment can be made...Read more

  •  
  • 1 of 300