I was just in conversation with my American correspondent in the Diocese of Argyll about Liturgical Matters. It transpires that there is schism between us. It is my belief that the candles on an Advent Wreath should be red, with the possible addition of a white one in the middle at Midnight Mass. It is her belief that candles should be either all purple or three purple ones and a pink one.
My contention is that this purple and pink business is something which came to us from our colonial brethren not that many decades ago and that it is, like George Bush, something of which they should repent. My correspondent replied with the assertion that red candles on an Advent Wreath could never be, because “…red candles are common”.
This seems to confirm my view that although she may not be personally responsible for changing our candles from red to purple/pink, her co-countrypersons were. Anyone beg to differ?
If we could resolve differences such as this, we might be able to move to some kind of companion link with the Diocese of Argyll and the Isles one day, which would be quite exciting. We could go there for visits and exchanges, and maybe even share communion.
I’d remove the Advent wreath before Epiphany. I’d keep the crib, or at least the Holy Family (Mary, Joseph and the Bambino) visible until Candlemas.
I have just stumbled across this and am intrigued that the most comments have come not on any theology but on the colours of candles. Well here is a new take. In the last church where I served as Reader for many years we had many colours. The first Sunday candle was purple as we listened to the solemn message of the prophets. The old calendar had Advent 2 as Bible Sunday and we focussed on the word as we lit the red candle for the fire in the latern untop our feet which that word is. (Sorry about the grammar) Then on the third Sunday the mood lightens with the message of John Baptist and we lit a pink candle (anybody else still use pink vestments on that day?) The fourth Sunday in Advent focussed on the now very pregnant virgin, the great O of the antiphons, and the candle was blue.
Chew on that from a former SEC person, Church of the Good Shepherd , Murrayfield, Edinburgh
that was interesting Howard. Personally, as long as we got the pink candle (and rose vestments of course)on gaudete I think a blue candle on the fourth sunday could work well.
Fr Bluett is right! Purple candles for Advent ( a penitential seasn for which the liturgical colour is,,,purple) except for the third candle which, following the liturgical calendar again is pink for the Gaudete Sunday (the third Sunday). The central candle should be white or, if you’re feeling wild, gold for Christmas a major feast.
I’m sure Kelvin will be delighted to hear that he has Pope Benedict’s blessing for his red candles – they are what His Holiness himself uses. Pictures here of the Holy Father’s Advent Wreath:
http://cnsblog.wordpress.com/2008/12/05/not-all-advent-wreath-candles-are-purple-and-pink/
Is there a proper use for all the left over pink candles when you opt for purple and white?
While it’s hard to imagine why you would not choose pink for Gaudate Sunday, you could perhaps save them up and find a use for them on Laetare Sunday instead.
Failing that, I’m sure there is a six year old girl somewhere whom you could make very happy…
Even we at St.Silas have the right colours! Am hoping I get to do the pink one this year :-).
Red is far too Santa Clause ( a look that, for all his laudable bringing back of red papal slippers, Pope Benedict can occasionally and unfortunately lapse into)
Thank you Kimberly – that is helpful although my ten year old girl, when consulted, didn’t even glance up from her pink Nintendo.
My church has accumulated six quite large pink candles – too good to throw away but frankly not the sort of thing I want burning on the altar. If we are representative of only ten parishes in each diocese then there could easily be 3300 pink candles kept safely in British churches. An untapped resource but I’m not sure what for.
Keep them for the inevitable power outages.
Uh, I’ve been misquoted: I did not say “Your comment is awaiting moderation.” I’ve never been much of a one for moderation, especially not in religious matters. 😎