Four weeks of Advent leading up to Christ Incarnate’s entry into the world ... a dreamer like that other Joseph in the Book of Genesis. Then the third week: Joy! Gaudete Sunday. Yes, let us rejoice!

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The three purple candles will be lit on the first, second and fourth Sunday of Advent. The pink candle will be lit on the third Sunday of Advent, known as Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete means ‘to ...

Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, O.P., reflects on John 3:16 and explain why the Fourth Sunday of Lent is different than the other Sundays of the liturgical season of Lent.

It starts on the Sunday nearest to 30 November and ends on the fourth Sunday before 25 December. An advent wreath with four candles lit. The fifth candle is lit on Christmas day.

Churches decorate their sanctuaries with liturgical Advent colours in purple or royal blue. The season's joy is further emphasised by switching the colour to rose on the third or fourth Sunday.