In the Roman Rite, since Pius V, colors are five in number:
-
white,
-
red,
-
green,
-
violet, and
-
black.
Rose color is employed
only on Laetare and Gaudete Sundays.
Blue is prescribed in some dioceses of Spain
for the Mass of the Immaculate Conception.
White
is the color proper to the feasts of Our Lord, the feasts of the Blessed Virgin, angels, confessors, virgins and women, who
are not martyrs, the Nativity of St. John the Baptist, the chief feast of St. John the Evangelist, the feast of the Chains
and of the Chair of St. Peter, the Conversion of St. Paul, All Saints, to consecration of churches and altars, the anniversaries
of the election and coronation of the pope and of the election and consecration of bishops; also for the octaves of these
feasts and the Offices de tempore from Holy Saturday to the vigil of Pentecost; it is used for votive Masses when the feasts have white, and for the nuptial Mass; also in services in connection with the Blessed Sacrament, at the burial of children,
in the administration of baptism. Holy Viaticum, and matrimony.
Red
is used the week of Pentecost, on the feasts of Christmas Passion and His Precious Blood, the Finding and Elevation of the
Cross, the feasts of Apostles and martyrs; and in votive Masses of these feasts. It is used on Holy Innocents if the feast
occurs on Sunday and always on its octave.
Green
is employed in Offices de tempore from the octave of the Epiphany to Septuagesima,
and from the octave of Pentecost to Advent, except on ember-days and vigils during that time, an d on Sundays occurring within
an octave.
Violet
is used during Advent and from Septuagesima to Easter, on vigils that are fast days, and on ember-days, except the vigil of Pentecost and the ember-days during the octave of Pentecost. Violet is also used
for Mass on rogation-days, for votive Masses of the Passion and of penitential character, at the blessing of candles and of
holy water. The stole used in the administration of penance and of extreme unction and in the first part of the baptismal
ceremonies must be violet.
Black
is used in offices for the dead, and on Good Friday.
