Why do priests wear rose-colored vestments during Laetare Sunday

As the Catholic Church celebrates Laetare Sunday, some priests wear rose-colored vestments. But why do they wear this color in the middle of Lenten Season?

Lent comprises five Sundays; the fourth Sunday is called the Laetare Sunday.

Missionary Dominican priest Fr. Paul Reagan Talavera O.P. said during Laetare Sunday, Catholics are reminded of the goal of Lent, which is a “preparation for Easter.”

“It comes from the entrance antiphon of the Mass. So kapag tinignan natin yung Misa (if you would observe the Mass), for that day, the entrance antiphon starts with rejoice Jerusalem,” Talavera told GMA News Online.

“Laetare means rejoice in Latin, or sa Tagalog, yung magalak o matuwa,” he added.

Preparation for Easter

The rose-colored vestments can be worn on two occasions: the Laetare Sunday during Lent and the Gaudete Sunday during Advent.

Meanwhile, the liturgical color during the Lenten Season is purple, which symbolizes penance and the faithful’s return to the Lord.

“Properly speaking, it's actually rose color, and the reason for that is, in a sense, medyo pumupusaw yung pagka-purple (the purple is fading),” Talavera said. “Wherein, it reminds us of the joy that will be coming, which is actually Easter.”

He explained that the Catholic faith is “anchored” on the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

“That's why we are called Easter people. But of course, before going to Easter Sunday, we have to pass through what we call the Holy Week, particularly Good Friday, because it is through the sacrifice of our Lord on the cross that we are saved,” Talavera said.

Wearing rose-colored vestments is an option, and priests can still wear purple vestments since Laetare Sunday is within the Lenten Season.

However, Talavera said if priests have rose-colored vestments, it is proper to use them.

He also clarified that while priests can change the color of their vestments, the altar linens strictly remain white.

Emulate Jesus Christ’s humility, obedience

In celebrating Lent, particularly the two Sundays closest to Easter, Talavera called on Catholics to have humility and obedience like Jesus Christ during his account in the Garden of Gethsemane before his crucifixion.

“Lalo na ngayong mga panahon ito na nakikita natin maraming mga taong nagkakamali, maraming mga kasalanan at pagkakamali na nagpapatuloy dahil ayaw umamin ng kasalanan,” Talavera said.

(Especially in these times where we see many people making mistakes, and it keeps on repeating because they do not admit their sins.)

“It takes a lot of humility and obedience in order for us to accept our fault, accept the difficult mission that is entrusted to us,” he added.

As the Catholic Church celebrates the Jubilee Year, Talavera also reminded the faithful to be a pillar of hope.

“We are being reminded by Pope Francis that as we journey, na huwag mawawala yung attitude natin ng pag-asa (let us not lose hope), and we do not journey by ourselves; we journey with others,” Talavera said.

This year, Laetare Sunday will be celebrated on March 30.   — BAP, GMA Integrated News