The Third Sunday of Advent
Today, known as Gaudete Sunday (because Gaudete is the first word of today’s Introit), is one of only two days during the year when the priest wears rose-colored vestments – the other being Laetere Sunday, during Lent. Normally, the organ is not used during Advent and Lent, but it is permitted on these same two days, Gaudete Sunday and Laetere Sunday.
Our main consideration in choosing hymns for today is the liturgical season, which, of course, is Advent. English-language hymns are not permitted during a sung Mass but they are permitted for the processional and recessional (neither of which is during the Mass), so we will sing O come, O come, Emmanuel as the processional, and Hark, a Herald Voice is Calling as the recessional.
The offertory antiphon is quite short today, which leaves a bit of time for a longer hymn. The Schola will sing Rorate, Caeli Desuper.At the Communion, the mixed choir will sing a version of Veni, Veni, Emanuel that alternates between the Gregorian and a 4-part harmony.