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Our priest wore white. But he did wear blue at the Advent Mass before Christmas.

While visiting family for Thanksgiving, we went to a church in NJ that Sunday for an Advent Mass during which the priest wore blue. The choir wore blue too, and even the lectors had clothing that featured blue in it - I mean a really strong bright blue. It almost looked consciously coordinated, something like, "We do *blue* here, so there!" (It also struck me as odd that the choir occupied the first several rows of pews in the church, with the choir conductor and piano/organ right there too).

I don't get it - why blue for the priest vestments? If it is some symbol of disobedience, then where did it come from as such a symbol to latch onto? Why would blue vestments even be made by vestment companies if the color itself isn't permitted?

Why would blue vestments even be made by vestment companies if the color itself isn't permitted?

From CatholicLiturgy.com

Can blue replace violet as the liturgical color during Advent?

Blue is not a normal liturgical color and has only been given special use in Mexico for Marian feasts and is also frequently used in conjunction with white on Marian feast days elsewhere. Advent is a season of penance, meant to prepare the faithful for the coming of Christ. There is not any document allowing for the replacement of violet with blue during Advent.

According to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal:

"Traditional usage should be retained for the vestment colors.

a.White is used in the offices and Masses of the Easter and Christmas seasons; on feasts and memorials of the Lord, other than of his passion; on feasts and memorials of Mary, the angels, saints who were not martyrs, All Saints (1 November), John the Baptist (24 June), John the Evangelist (27 December), the Chair of St. Peter (22 February), and the Conversion of St. Paul (25 January).

b.Red is used on Passion Sunday (Palm Sunday) and Good Friday, Pentecost, celebrations of the Lord's passion, birthday feasts of the apostles and evangelists, and celebrations of martyrs.

c.Green is used in the offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.

d.Violet is used in Lent and Advent. It may also be worn in offices and Mass for the dead.

e.Black may be used in Masses for the dead.

f.Rose may be used on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and Laetare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent).

The conference of bishops may choose and propose to the Apostolic See adaptations suited to the needs and cultures of peoples."--n. 308

I don't get it - why blue for the priest vestments? If it is some symbol of disobedience, then where did it come from as such a symbol to latch onto?

Blue vestments were worn during Advent in the Sarum Rite, which was the most widely used liturgy in England before the Reformation. Why modern American Catholic priests would wear blue is a mystery to me.