13 December 2009

Pink:Rose::Purple:Violet

I think it's time for priests to man up and accept that the colour of the third Sunday of Advent is pink. If it's going to be "rose," then the other three weeks of Advent are "violet." But then we're getting all flowery, and how is that any better than pink and purple? And don't try "light red." Pink is as much light red as purple is blue-ish red. Or reddish blue... though the liturgical purple has more blue than red in the mix.

(Just for clarification for anyone who wishes to forget the pain of analogies: the title of this post is read, "Pink is to Rose as Purple is to Violet.")

Question to readers concerning the order of the candles on the Advent Wreath being lit. Is there a specification that reads that the candles must be lit beginning with the purple one directly across the circle from the pink one, then proceeding in order around the circle to light the pink one last (Fig. 1)? That is how my family and I have traditionally lit ours and seen it lit, but Mother of Sorrows lights theirs with the two next to the pink first, then the pink in the center, then the last purple across from the pink (Fig. 2). Diagrams attempted below for anyone in need of visual aid.

U = Purple
I = Pink
(Numbers designate order in which the candles are lit)

Fig. 1
---2,4U---
1U----- 3I
---2,4U---

Fig. 2

---1,2U---
4U----- 3I
---1,2U---

2 comments:

The Well Done Review said...

on advent wreaths: no idea, as i personally am not that into advent wreaths...or advent calendars with candy in them, i always thought those were a bit consumer-ish

(They don't use a wreath at Latin Mass or at Our Lady of Victory, which is quite convenient since i don't like 'em)

and to be fair, rose is a certain sort of pink...there's TONS of different horrible colors of pink...the pastel-sort, the magenta-sort, the bright highlighter sort...and we can all agree that these would be gaudy, horrible vestments

Persis said...

Interesting question regarding the Advent wreath. I guess I haven't ever really thought about if there is a "right" way or not. Did ask a few people and did some checking, there seems to be no "norm" for this, so I would not worry about it. To me what is important is that you and your family are participating in this ritual together, I won't speak for Him, but I do not really think that God cares how you do it, just the fact you are doing it is pleasing to Him!

Peace!