Liturgical Vestment Colours

The vestments worn by the priest in Church originated from the style of clothes worn by citizens of the Roman Empire in the early days of Christianity. In the beginning, the clothes worn for ecclesiastical purposes were the same as those worn in the secular world. As the Roman Empire fell, secular dress changed over time. However, the style of some Roman garments was retained within the Church for the celebration of the liturgy. As time went on and the Church grew and spread, these garments, vestments, were changed and altered in their exact design according to fashion and to suit particular needs. Hence the vestments worn today originate in design from those clothes worn in Roman times and the earliest times of Christianity. The use of different colours of Vestments also developed over time. Although the Mass is the same essentially at heart, there are many different occasions on which the Mass will be said, hence the use of different colours. White or gold vestments are used for three major types of occasions. Firstly, they are used on all feast days of Our Lord and the Blessed Trinity. So this includes the major feast days of the Church year such as Christmas, the Epiphany, Easter, Ascension, Corpus Christi, The Holy Trinity, Christ the King, to name some of the main occasions. Secondly, white and gold are also used for all festivals of Our Lady, which includes some major occasions such as The Assumption, The Immaculate Conception and many more feast days dedicated to Our Lady. Thirdly, white and gold are used on feast days of Saints who are confessors or virgins, but not for Saints who were martyrs. White and gold vestments are also used on occasions such as Nuptial Masses and Baptisms. Red represents two separate themes liturgically. Firstly, the Holy Spirit is represented by red. So red vestments are worn at Pentecost, as well as for confirmations and any other Masses of the Holy Spirit. Secondly, red is used for all saints who were Martyrs. Purple is used for all penitential occasions. It is there used throughout the season of Advent, the four weeks preparation for Christmas. It is also used for the weeks of Lent which lead up to Easter. Black vestments may be used for All Souls, along with requiem masses and funerals. Sometimes, purple or white vestments may also be used for these occasions, depending on local custom and preference. Rose pink vestments may be used on Gaudete Sunday, and Laetare Sunday. These are the third Sunday of Advent and the fourth Sunday of Lent respectively. They represent Sundays at mid-way points through these penitential periods, where there is a slight relaxation of the penitential theme.

Green vestments are worn most often on Sundays of the Church year, as green is worn on every occasion which is not one of the above feasts or seasons. Vestments today are made in many different styles, fabrics and designs, but the liturgical colours prescribed by the Church as noted above remain a constant requirement, no matter what the shape or style of the Vestment.