GREEN is worn during the liturgical season called Ordinary Time. Green is the color of life and of hope.
RED symbolizes the fire of God's love, and the blood of the martyrs. It is used on Pentecost and on other Masses of the Holy Spirit. It is also worn on the feasts of the martyrs.
ROSE is used on Gaudete Sunday (the 3rd Sunday of Advent) and on Laetare Sunday (the 4th Sunday of Lent). It symbolizes a lightening of the penance of these seasons, and reminds us that Christmas and Easter are not far away.
VIOLET is the color of prayer and penance. It is used during the two penitential seasons, Advent and Lent.
WHITE is the color of festivity and rejoicing. It is worn on major feast days during the year.