Gaudete Sunday at CTK Parish

Gaudete Sunday at CTK Parish

December 15, 2013. Gaudete Sunday. Gaudete Sunday is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar, based on the Latin word Gaudete, which is the first word spoken by the priest in opening the liturgical celebration on this day. Gaudete means Rejoice! Today, the rose coloured candle on the advent wreath is lit, representing the message of joy because God is always with us. Rejoice for He sent us His only son, Jesus.


Time to light the rose coloured candle

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say, rejoice. Let your forbearance be known to all, for the Lord is near at hand; have no anxiety about anything, but in all things, by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God. Lord, you have blessed your land; you have turned away the captivity of Jacob.
— Philippians 4:4–6; Psalm 85 (84):1

Gaudete Sunday is also known as Joy Sunday, the beginning of the third week in Advent.

The season of Advent originated as a fast of forty days in preparation for Christmas, commencing on the day after the feast of St. Martin (12 November), whence it was often called "St. Martin's Lent"—a name by which it was known as early as the fifth century. In the ninth century, the duration of Advent was reduced to four weeks, and Advent preserved most of the characteristics of a penitential season which made it a kind of counterpart to Lent. Gaudete Sunday is a counterpart to Laetare Sunday, and provides a similar break about midway through a season which is otherwise of a penitential character, and signifies the nearness of the Lord's coming.

The spirit of the Liturgy all through Advent is one of expectation and preparation for the feast of Christmas as well as for the second coming of Christ, and the penitential exercises suitable to that spirit are thus on Gaudete Sunday suspended, as were, for a while in order to symbolize that joy and gladness in the promised Redemption.Gaudete Sunday


A break from the simplicity called for the previous weeks of advent


Adding to the solemness of the mass is the singing of the choir accompanied by the majestic sound of the church organ...feels like attending Mass at St. Peter's Square, Vatican City.

The Belen


Now in those days a decree went out from Caesar Augustus, that a census be taken of all the inhabited earth. This was the first census taken while Quirinius was governor of Syria. And everyone was on his way to register for the census, each to his own city. Joseph also went up from Galilee, from the city of Nazareth, to Judea, to the city of David which is called Bethlehem, because he was of the house and family of David, in order to register along with Mary, who was engaged to him, and was with child. While they were there, the days were completed for her to give birth. And she gave birth to her firstborn son ; and she wrapped Him in cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn.


CTK Parish does not fail to impress...even if the Belen characters are not complete, the use of "dayami" makes up for it (E for effort)..


We still see a very pregnant Mary in the Belen since traditionally we commemorate Jesus' birth on the 25th; the animals are silent witnesses in this grand event.

A Christmas draped in red


Wreaths and drapes cover majority of the church interior


More Christmas decor details