Topic: What do the different colors in the church represent?

Source of this posting: Moderator response to emailed question

Date originally posted: March 10, 2002

Moderator who originally posted this source: J. Ruffo

Question:  What do the different colors in the church represent?  I know they have something to do with the liturgical year.  What do the colors mean?

Answer:

Dear Skepam, 

Liturgical colors vary with liturgical seasons, feasts, and other circumstances: 

Green: is used during the “ordinary times” of the year, this color symbolizes hope and growth.  Think of the green of the outdoors. 

Violet or Purple: is used during the seasons of Advent and Lent.  It can also be used at a funeral Mass.  This color symbolizes penance. 

Red: Is used on Palm Sunday, Good Friday, Pentecost, feasts of the Passion of Our Lord, the Apostles, Evangelists, and martyrs.  Think ‘blood’ here.  Symbolizes sacrifice. 

Rose (some people call it pink): Can be used on the 3rd Sunday of Advent and the 4th Sunday of Lent, a brighter color amidst a darker penitential purple, symbolizing rejoicing, or the anticipated joy of Christmas or Easter. 

White (you could substitute gold here on special occasions): is used during the Christmas and Easter seasons, joyful feasts of Our Lord, feasts in honor of Mary, angels, and saints who are not martyrs.  Can also be used at funeral Masses.  Symbolizes purity and integrity of faith. 

 Father John