I unknowingly publicly disagreed with a priest last week! *Whoops!*
In my talk to women at my church on a Sunday night, I discussed the purple of Advent, and how I had read in an old 1956 (Newland) book about its symbolism. You read earlier this week that purple symbolizes repentance. I’ve always struggled with the purple of Advent, a time of joyful anticipation and light in the darkness, seemingly contradicting the purple of Lent, a sorrowful, sacrificial, almost painful season. I was soothed to read this in The Year and our Children:
[Lent's] penance is heavy with sorrow, bitter and painful with the knowledge of our sins. We are sinners in Advent, too, but the emphasis is differently placed. The emphasis is on our longing, our need — not only for the great graces of the feast of His Nativity, for the renewing in our hearts of the mystery of His birth — but our need to be ready for the glorious moment of His Second Coming. This penance is a chastening, a cleansing, a hurrying and a waiting, a longing and an aching that is at the same time both painful and sweet. Like the family waiting for the baby to come, we could all but die with the waiting – for His birthday, and His coming again in glory.
Ah. I am pleased to read both that we sinners in Advent can have a joyful sort of penitence, and also that even writers in the 50s used lots of dashes and partial thoughts. !! 
I shared this idea in my talk and pointed out that in the 50s, folks weren’t so afraid to talk about things like sacrifice and temptation. I encouraged the women to find ways to sacrifice and practice self-discipline during Advent, as I do with my son and his little manger.
That week my son, who is schooled in the colors of the Church year (red, purple, green and white) wondered why the altar cloths and Advent candles were blue. I coached him to ask our priest, who explained that there is some controversy about Advent colors, but that it’s recommended by (I can’t remember – US Bishops? Someone…) to use the lighter tones of blue so that people don’t think of the sorrowful penance of Lent. *Gulp* This was after I had already told his female congregants differently.
Don’t worry, it gets much worse.
THEN he said that he covered that issue in his homily on Sunday…the day I gave my talk. *Gulp*Gulp*Gulp* “You weren’t at Mass here, were you?” he said.
Nope. Clearly. I thought. (We were visiting my family up north and of course did attend Mass there.)
Well, shucks. I’m kind of enjoying the joyful, preparatory penitence of Advent. I know I could use (a lot) more self-discipline. I know I’m a sinful being. I know I need to get to Confession at least during Advent and Lent every year.
Have you written a time in your calendar for Advent Confession/Penance/Reconciliation? This Saturday, perhaps? Make the time.
Here is a quote a dear friend shared with me that I need to be reflecting on this season. It is the reason for our sacrifices and penance, even if the church is decorated in blue!
“Discipline aids in focusing on that which God desires for us, rather than that which we desire for ourselves.”
Find all the Advent Daily Dose reflections here.
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Twitter: keeperhome
// Dec 10, 2009 at 11:46 am
I love the focus on both joyful anticipation AND repentance. We need to have that continually… joy in what Christ has done for us and yet humility and thankfulness at what He has accomplished on the cross. We’re always sinful, as you say, and that should be reason for us to look to the Cross in every celebration. If we don’t see our need for the Cross, then how can we appreciate the Savior as fully?
I really liked that quote. I think that’s exactly what Advent and Christmas create in me… a deep longing… come, Lord Jesus! Blessings, Katie!
Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home´s last blog ..Celebrate with Joy: Week 2
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Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home
Twitter: keeperhome
Reply:
December 10th, 2009 at 11:50 am
Oops, wrote thankfulness for His accomplishment at the Cross, but was really thinking about repentance in my head.
Silly fingers!
Stephanie @ Keeper of the Home´s last blog ..Celebrate with Joy: Week 2
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Don’t worry, you and Mrs. Newland were right. Your pastor is wrong.
There is a thread on Catholic Answers which covers this pretty well, including citing the actual Liturgical documents which authorize vestment colors. http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=203106
Blue is a liturgical abuse introduced after Vatican II.
I’m curious why is was “much worse” to have to tell your pastor you were traveling one weekend? What is the problem with that? Strange.
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Katie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 9:20 am
Mary Ann,
Thanks for the clarification — Katie
Oh, I was tongue-in-cheek joking that it was worse that he had actually PREACHED on it the same day my talk contradicted him, not that it was bad to be traveling. Just bad that I didn’t hear his homily to be able to adjust my own.
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Twitter: Happylhomemaker
// Dec 10, 2009 at 10:02 pm
Not to stir the pot or anything, but you are technically correct. The only places approved for blue vestments are eastern orthodox churches & some areas of Spain for Marian holidays. I’m pretty sure that was discussed on Catholic Answers last week. I also found this article with the source of the approved roman catholic vestments: http://forums.catholic.com/showthread.php?t=203106. Blue is NOT mentioned as approved in the US.
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Twitter: rcwant2be
// Dec 10, 2009 at 11:45 pm
non catholic question (I’ve considered converting because I leave mass feeling good…)
I didn’t think confession existed anymore. It does? Tell me more please.
tonya´s last blog ..rcwant2be: last load of dishes in the hotpoint. ~half are still dirty. i haven’t even met the kitchenaid & I’m in looooooooooooooooooooove.
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Katie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Tonya,
Confession is one of the 7 Sacraments with a capital S. They’re totally integral to the faith, – it’s here to stay!
Communal confession, where everybody is absolved with one swoop of the priest’s hand, is no longer allowed unless in an emergency (war, for example). One needs to have a moment to talk personally to the priest.
The very bare bones of Confession:
The priest by his ordination stands in for Christ and has the power to absolve us from our sins, which is a step further than forgiveness. Absolution means the sin never existed in the first place; you are cleansed completely.
Part two is that our sins affect others around us, even people we don’t know (think of pollution created by me affecting someone across the ocean in a negative way; such as it is in the spiritual world too). Therefore, we need to be forgiven by someone who stands for the community.
That’s a really brief overview that I hope both makes sense and is theologically sound! It’s a beautiful gift, really, and one that keeps me grounded.
Katie
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Hi Katie,
Great post- reminders to get to Confession are always good!
Hmm. Personally, I’m for violet. Why? Both the Roman Missal and the General Instructions for the Roman Missal state that violet is the official color for both Advent and Lent, but the bishops’ conference for a nation may petition on grounds of cultural meaning (does blue have a special meaning for our culture?) for an exception to use blue in Advent, and when this exception is granted it is for a nation, not as an option for individual priests. To my knowledge, the USCCB has not done so and I believe that blue had been used by some priests for several years without permission. . . I’m confused. The issue for me would be not so much which color but obedience to Rome. Correct me if I’m wrong?
Anyway, a blessed Advent to all as we meditate on and anticipate the Nativity of Our Lord!
We really enjoyed your visit yesterday! Clare is excited to make use of her gifts!
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Katie Reply:
December 11th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Linds,
Thank you so much for adding to the discussion…I’ll be uncomfortable now when I see that blue, but it’s not my place to correct a priest…I will just PRAY for his clarity.
Loved to see you guys, too!!
Katie
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