Does anyone know the difference between why/when the Pope wears the red vestments vs. the white vestments? I have seen him in both, but do not know the significance of the colors. Thank you.

-- M Madigan (mmadigan@royaldoultonusa.com), March 29, 2004

Answers

Liturgical Colors:

White:

The symbol of innocence and triumph (Apoc.3,5) It is used on all feasts of the joyful and glorious mysteries of our Lord's life (e.g. Christmas and Easter), on the feast of our Blessed Mother, on the feasts of angels and of all saints who were not martyrs.

Red:

The color of blood, is used on all feasts of our Lord's Cross and Passion, on the feasts of the Apostles and of all martyrs. Red is also used on Pentecost and in Masses of the Holy Spirit, in memory of the tongues of fire of the First Pentecost.

Purple:

A symbol of penance and expiation. It is used during the penitential seasons of Advent, Septuagesima and Lent, and on fast days and vigils. Green:

The color of budding and living vegetation, it is the symbol of hope. It is used on the Sundays after Epiphany and after Pentecost.

Rose:

This color is permitted, in place of purple, on the third Sunday of Advent (Gaudete) and on the Fourth Sunday of Lent (Laetare), when the Church tempers the sadness of the penitential seasons with an invitation to rejoice in the goodness of God our Saviour.

Gold:

Vestments made of real cloth of gold are permitted in place of white, red and green vestments

Black:

The color of death and mourning. It is used for the services of Good Friday and for Masses for the Faithful Departed. (White or Purple may substitute for Black, and usually do.)

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), March 29, 2004.

Green

Used for ordinary time.

-- Bill Nelson (bnelson45-nospam@hotmail.com), March 29, 2004.