Gaudete(Joy) Sunday

The third Sunday of Advent in the Roman Catholic calendar is Gaudete Sunday. Derived from the Latin introit antiphon "Rejoice (Gaudete) in the Lord always", Gaudete Sunday signifies a day of joyous anticipation as the celebration of Christmas approaches. Since this Sunday brings a lighter tone to the traditional Advent observance, the priest and deacon wear rose-colored vestments instead of the deeper violet/purple ones typical of Advent and Lent (more on that during when Lent comes around). This Sunday is also known as "Rose Sunday."
The Advent theme centers on the anticipation of Jesus' coming in three ways: his initial arrival, his current presence, and his ultimate return. Gaudete Sunday's readings specifically focus on rejoicing in the Lord, delving into John the Baptist's mission and its connection to Advent. According to theologian Thomas Aquinas, happiness is humanity's ultimate goal—an eternal contemplation of God through the intellect. In contrast, joy, stemming from the virtue of charity (love), is not a virtue itself, but a fruit of the virtue of love. The joy highlighted on Gaudete Sunday and in the Gospels is a supernatural joy of the intellectual appetite or spirit, distinct from sensory pleasures and free from sorrow. 







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