Third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete Sunday)
On Gaudete (Rejoice) Sunday, the Catholic Liturgy offers the faithful a joyful pause from the penitential note of Advent. Vestments are rose-coloured, the Gloria is sung, and flowers decorate the altar. The entrance antiphon of the Mass is taken from the Letter of St. Paul to the Philippians, “Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice” (Phil 4:4).
See also:
Mass Readings
First Reading – Zep 3:14-18a
Shout for joy, O daughter Zion! Sing joyfully, O Israel! Be glad and exult with all your heart, O daughter Jerusalem! The LORD has removed the judgment against you he has turned away your enemies; the King of Israel, the LORD, is in your midst, you have no further misfortune to fear. On that day, it shall be said to Jerusalem: Fear not, O Zion, be not discouraged! The LORD, your God, is in your midst, a mighty savior; he will rejoice over you with gladness, and renew you in his love, he will sing joyfully because of you, as one sings at festivals.
Responsorial Psalm – Is 12:2-3, 4, 5-6. (R.6)
R. Cry out with joy and gladness: for among you is the great and Holy One of Israel.
God indeed is my savior;
I am confident and unafraid.
My strength and my courage is the LORD,
and he has been my savior.
With joy you will draw water
at the fountain of salvation. R.
Give thanks to the LORD, acclaim his name;
among the nations make known his deeds,
proclaim how exalted is his name. R.
Sing praise to the LORD for his glorious achievement;
let this be known throughout all the earth.
Shout with exultation, O city of Zion,
for great in your midst
is the Holy One of Israel! R.
Second Reading – Phil 4:4-7
Brothers and sisters: Rejoice in the Lord always. I shall say it again: rejoice! Your kindness should be known to all. The Lord is near. Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Gospel – Lk 3:10-18
The crowds asked John the Baptist, “What should we do?” He said to them in reply, “Whoever has two cloaks should share with the person who has none. And whoever has food should do likewise.” Even tax collectors came to be baptized and they said to him, “Teacher, what should we do?” He answered them, “Stop collecting more than what is prescribed.” Soldiers also asked him, “And what is it that we should do?” He told them, “Do not practice extortion, do not falsely accuse anyone, and be satisfied with your wages. ”Now the people were filled with expectation, and all were asking in their hearts whether John might be the Christ. John answered them all, saying, “I am baptizing you with water, but one mightier than I is coming. I am not worthy to loosen the thongs of his sandals. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and fire. His winnowing fan is in his hand to clear his threshing floor and to gather the wheat into his barn, but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.” Exhorting them in many other ways, he preached good news to the people.
Featured Saints
Blessed Maria Victoria Fornari Strata, widow (†1617). A model of prayer and obedience from her youth. After her husband’s death, she founded the Order of the Celestial Annonciades in Genoa, Italy, to honour the Blessed Virgin in the mystery of the Annunciation.
St. Virginia Centurione Bracelli, widow (†1651). Daughter of the Doge of Genoa, Italy, she founded and directed the Work of the Sisters of Our Lady of Refuge of Mount Calvary, to help those in need. Her motto was: Serve God in the poor.
St. Valerian, bishop and martyr († fifth century). Bishop of Abbenza (present-day Africa) who at the age of eighty, was attacked by Arian Vandals and left in the streets to die of exposure when he refused to submit to their demands.
St. Maria Crocifissa Di Rosa, virgin (†1855). Founded the Institute of the Handmaids of Charity in Brescia, Italy.
Blessed Marino, abbot (†1170). Promoted the splendour of the Liturgy in the Benedictine Abbey of Cava de’ Tirreni, Italy, and demonstrated admirable fidelity to the Pope.
Blessed Charles Steeb, priest (†1856). Born in Germany to a Lutheran family, he converted and was ordained a priest. He founded the Institute of the Sisters of Mercy of Verona, Italy.
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