What is Laetare? More about the 4th Sunday in Lent

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