This is Our Story
Today, Lent’s fourth Sunday, is called Laetare. Like Advent’s third Sunday(Gaudete), it is a break in a penitential season. These Sundays’ vestments are rose in color, a symbol of joy in the middle of a somber season. The name, Laetare, is translated “Rejoice”, and it is the introit’s opening word assigned to this Sunday, i.e. “Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her...”. It is also known in England as Mothering Sunday and is celebrated similar to our Mothers’ Day. Spring bulbs are given to mothers, and simnel cakes (from the Latin simila, a high grade flour) are baked on this Sunday. A visit to one’s cathedral, or “mother” church, is another reason for the name. The Sunday is also called Refreshment Sunday, since it provides a refreshing break halfway through Lent’s penitential themes. In France, it is call Mid-Lent Sunday (mi-carême). Finally, it can be called Rose Sunday, both because of its liturgical color and also because of the golden roses sent by popes to Catholic sovereigns on this Sunday. Dissimilar to other Lenten Sundays, Anglican churches place flowers on the high altar, and the organ is played as a solo instrument. ~Gil Haas
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