Significance of the Advent Candles
The four Advent candles, three Violet and one Rose are usually placed
in an Advent wreath of evergreen. The candles are lit for each of the four Advent Sundays.
Advent is traditionally considered a season of penitence and fasting,
to prepare for Christmas, and its liturgical color is purple - the
Violet candles reflect this, and also the sorrow we feel for not
loving Jesus enough. The Rose candle is lit on the 3rd Sunday (Gaudete Sunday)
in joyful anticipation of Christmas.
The evergreen and the circle (wreath) symbolize that God is Eternal and always with us.
There are several traditions associated with each candle,
but the usual sequence is:
First Week of Advent -The Patriarchs,
Second Week of Advent - The Prophets,
Third Week of Advent - St. John the Baptist, and
Fourth Week of Advent - The Blessed Virgin Mary.
It is customary to have a white candle in the centre of the Advent Wreath -
This candle represents Christ and is lit on Christmas Day.
