Laetare Sunday

Rejoice, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation. Psalm: I rejoiced when they said to me: "we shall go to God's House!


Sunday is "Laetare Sunday" taken from the first word of the introit of the Mass, "Rejoice!"  It is like a little oasis during Lent.  Some actually call it "Refreshment Sunday." The solemn violet is placed aside for the day for the subdued joy of rose as shown to the side. No, it's not pink! It's rose! Flowers can be placed on the altar for the first time since before Ash Wednesday. The pipe organ is free to play! The night is long spent. The bright dawn of Easter draws near. We have been journeying now for 4 weeks through the desert of Lent.  Today, we get a glimpse of our destination, Jerusalem.  

Today is also called "Mother Sunday."  If you noticed from the introit, we rejoice over Jerusalem, Our Mother: the holy place that will be the setting for the next 3 weeks, the Passion, Death and Resurrection of our Lord.  During the time of Christ, pilgrims would now be close to Jerusalem and coming to her to celebrate the Passover Feast. When they would see the city from a distance, they would errupt in great joy! They would sing the Psalm, "I rejoiced when they said to me: Let us go to the House of the Lord!" On this day, since about the 11th Century, a custom arose in England and Europe to journey to the "Mother Church" of the Diocese, the Cathedral to celebrate this day. This also is the Church's "Mother's Day" for you would honor your mother on this day to remind us of the introit above.  

The dawn of Easter is slowly rising. The "red rosy fingers of dawn" are starting to climb on the horizon. I hope you see the rose color in your Church today.  We only get to see it twice a year: today and the 3rd Sunday of Advent.  It is such an ancient and lovely custom.  If your priest does not have rose vestments, buy them for the Church! If the parish has them, ask to use them! These little customs for us carry such a deep meaning.  Why not celebrate these customs! Priests: You get enough of violet during Lent! One day will not kill you!

Celebrate this day! Loose up from the Lenten fast for the day! Eat some chocolate! Call your mother! Rejoice a bit before we head into the Solemn Passion and stand in sorrow in the shadow of the Cross! But, today, Laetare!