Gaudete Sunday: Why Catholics Rejoice in Advent

Gaudete Sunday is the Third Sunday of Advent, a moment of joy in the middle of a season of waiting. Its name comes from the Latin word for “rejoice,” drawn from the opening antiphon at Mass.

What the Church celebrates

Christian joy does not mean pretending life is easy or that every prayer is already answered. It is confidence that the Lord is near and keeps his promises. Advent's hope is grounded in Jesus, not in positive thinking or a guarantee that our circumstances will change quickly.

The biblical roots

Philippians 4:4–7 calls Christians to rejoice because the Lord is near and to bring their anxieties to God in prayer. Isaiah 35 pictures a desert blossoming and the weak receiving strength. John the Baptist, still waiting in prison in Matthew 11:2–11, asks Jesus whether he is the one to come; Jesus points to healing and good news as signs of the kingdom. Read in Scripture: Philippians 4:4–7; Isaiah 35:1–10; Matthew 11:2–11.

How Catholics observe the day

A priest or deacon may wear rose-colored vestments, and the Advent wreath's third candle is often rose. These customs mark the day's joy; they do not change the season into Christmas early. Catholics can practice hope by encouraging someone who is lonely or burdened. A feast or solemnity does not automatically make a weekday a holy day of obligation. Check the <a href="/holy-days">Catholic holy days calendar</a> for the date and local Ascension setting.

What to Say

“Gaudete Sunday reminds us that Christian joy can live alongside waiting and hardship because the Lord is near.”

The Bottom Line

Rejoicing in Advent is not denial; it is hope in the faithful God who comes to meet us.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is it called Gaudete Sunday?

Gaudete means “rejoice,” the first word of the day's traditional entrance antiphon.