What color vestments do priests wear during Advent and Lent?

Priests wear violet or purple vestments during both Advent and Lent. The color purple is chosen during these seasons to symbolize penance, sacrifice and preparation.

Although purple vestments are usually worn during Advent and Lent, rose or pink are occasionally worn in the middle of the season. These rose vestments symbolize joy. They are worn on the third Sunday of Advent, or Gaudete Sunday, and on the fourth Sunday of Lent, or Laetare Sunday.

In Episcopal churches, some priests wear blue during Advent. Blue vestments are not approved by the Catholic Church and are used by only a few congregations. In these churches, blue is chosen to differentiate Advent from Lent.