Gaudete Sunday is celebrated on the Third Sunday of Advent. The day takes its common name from the Latin word ‘Gaudete’ (“Rejoice”), the first word of the introit of this day’s Mass:

"Gaudete in Domino semper: iterum dico, gaudete. Modestia vestra nota sit omnibus hominibus: Dominus enim prope est. Nihil solliciti sitis: sed in omni oratione et obsecratione cum gratiarum actione petitiones vestræ innotescant apud Deum. Benedixisti Domine terram tuam: avertisti captivitatem Jacob."

This may be translated as:

“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.”
At the DTKC parishes on December 14-15, you will notice rose-colored vestments, tabernacle veils, and pink roses adorning the altar. Additionally, a string quintet will complement the music ministry at both the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses at St. James the Apostle and St. Elizabeth, respectively.

It is traditional to bless expectant mothers on Gaudete Sunday, as well. A blessing will be extended after all of the Masses on Gaudete Sunday weekend (December 14-15). Expectant mothers should proceed to the communion rail in front the Blessed Mother’s altar to receive a special blessing. 

For us, “rising from sleep” means arising from conformity with the world and with the times and having the courage to believe and to shake off the dream that causes us to bypass our true vocation and our best possibilities. Perhaps the Advent hymns we hear every year may be lights to us, indicating our path, making us look up and recognize that there are greater promises than those of money, power and pleasure. Being awake for God and for other people—that is the kind of “waking” that Advent has in mind, the wakefulness which discovers the light and brightens the world.