Gaudete Sunday (pronounced /ɡaʊˈdɛteɪ/) is the third Sunday of Advent in the liturgical calendar of the Western churches, including the Roman Catholic Church, the Anglican Communion, and liturgical Protestant churches. It can fall on any date from 11 December to 17 December. The Latin Gaudete is translated as Rejoice, the first word of the introit of this day's Mass: Rejoice
in the Lord always, and 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. There is a song called Gaudete usually sung on Gaudete sunday.
On Gaudete Sunday rose-coloured vestments may be worn instead of violet,
(or in the Anglican tradition and some Lutheran traditions, Sarum blue)
which is prescribed for every day in the season of Advent. This
tradition, previously informally observed in the Anglican Church, was
formally noted as an option in the Church of England in the Common Worship liturgical renewal.[1] In churches which have an Advent wreath,
the rose coloured candle is lit in addition to two of the violet (or
blue) coloured candles, which represent the first two Sundays of
Advent. During the otherwise penitential season of Advent, the readings on the third Sunday emphasize the joyous anticipation of the Lord's coming.
Steeleye Span
The Electric folk group Steeleye Span had a hit in 1973 (No. 14, UK singles chart) with an a cappella recording of the song. Guitarist Bob Johnson heard the song when he attended a folk-carol service with his father-in-law in Cambridge, and brought it to the attention of the rest of the band.
Lyrics:
Gaudete, gaudete!
Christus est natusEx Maria virgine:Gaudete! Tempus adest gratiae,Hoc quod optabamusCarmina laetitiaeDevote redamus. Deus homo factus estNatura mirante,Mundus renovatus estA Christo regnante. Ezechielis portaClausa pertransiturUnde Lux est ortaSalus invenitur. Ergo nostra contioPsallat iam in lustro,Benedicat DominoSalus Regi nostro.