TODAY'S CATECHISM
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WE BEGIN OUR CATECHISM IN THE NAME OF THE FATHER AND OF THE SON AND OF THE HOLY SPIRIT,
AMEN
TOPIC: LAETARE SUNDAY
=> INTRODUCTION/DEFINITIONS
=> ORIGIN OF LAETARE SUNDAY
=> LAETARE SUNDAY
=> WHAT HAPPEN ON LAETARE SUNDAY?
=> CONCLUSION
=> REFERENCE
INTRODUCTION/DEFINITIONS
Laetare Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Lent in the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar.
Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent’s Gaudete Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. It indicates a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter, just before we enter into the somber days of Passiontide.
Laetare Sunday, also sometimes called “Refreshment Sunday,” serves as a break, about midway through the penitential Lenten season, an opportunity for one day to "rejoice" and look forward, with hope, to Easter.
ORIGIN OF LAETARE SUNDAY
Laetare is a Latin word meaning “rejoice” The term is derived from the opening words of the Latin Mass, "Rejoice (Laetare) Jerusalem" (Is 66:10). The church is called to joyful anticipation of the victory to be won. This joyful theme provides lightening from the penitential emphasis of Lent.
Since the thirteenth century the celebrant of the Eucharist has been permitted to wear rose-colored vestments which express the change of tone in the Lenten observance. " This custom is not required in the Episcopal Church, but it is observed by some parishes with a traditional Anglo-catholic piety
Historically, the day was also known as "the Sunday of the Five Loaves," from the story of the miracle of the loaves and fishes . Before the adoption of the modern " common lectionaries", this narrative was the traditional Gospel reading for this Sunday in Roman Catholic,
Lutheran , Anglican, and Old Catholic churches.
The station church at Rome for this day was
Santa Croce in Gerusalemme , one of the seven chief basilicas ; the Golden Rose , sent by Popes to Catholic sovereigns, used to be blessed at this time and for this reason the day was sometimes called Dominica de Rosa.
LAETARE SUNDAY
The introductory word of the Introit is laetare, "Rejoice O Jerusalem." As it is Mid-Lent Sunday, rose vestments are worn, flowers are permitted on the altar, and the organ is played. On this day the Golden Rose is blessed. The day is referred to also as Mediana, Mid-Lent, Mi-Carême, Mothering, Rose, or Refreshment Sunday.
The day’s theme comes from the entrance antiphon reflecting on Isaiah 66:10-11: “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exalt and be satisfied at her consoling breast.”
Laetare Sunday is the Church’s way of giving us a “shot in the arm” as we approach the darkness and horror of the days through Good Friday and Holy Saturday. It’s an opportunity to savor and keep in the back of our minds what awaits us on Easter Sunday — the reality that Jesus Christ is risen from the dead, and that our hearts will always be filled with joy!
WHAT HAPPEN ON LAETARE SUNDAY?
Flowers 💐 are allowed:
The joy of Easter being around the corner is symbolized in a few other interesting liturgical possibilities. During Lent, the General Instruction of the Roman Missal forbids flowers adorning the altar. But on Laetare Sunday (as well as solemnities and feasts within the season), there’s a temporary halt to these penitential observations!
Marriage is Accepted:
At one time, marriages were generally forbidden during Lent, but Laetare Sunday was often associated as a day when marriages could be celebrated during the penitential season. While marriages are now only forbidden on Good Friday and Holy Saturday, Laetare Sunday is still a fitting day for those wishing to be married before Eastertide.
Vestments:
As we all know purple/violet color of vestments are used during lenten season, but on laetare Sunday rose color vestment is used.
The use of rose vestments probably stems from an ancient papal tradition of blessing golden roses which would be sent to Catholic heads of state in Europe on the Fourth Sunday of Lent.
Visitation:
there was a medieval tradition of visiting one’s “mother church” (the church where one was baptized) on this day. A family trip to see where mom and dad or the children began their journey of faith could make for a fine Sunday afternoon outing.
CONCLUSION
On this Sunday, we look with expectation to the great Solemnity of Easter for which we have been preparing ourselves as a Church during the Lenten season. By its anticipation of the joy of Easter, Laetare Sunday is meant to give us hope and encouragement as we slowly progress towards the Paschal Feast.
Being aware of traditions and customs it will assists us in celebrating the beauty of our faith. As you can see, there is much associated with Fourth Sunday of Lent. Take advantage of the richness of our Catholic traditions.
REFERENCE
=> The Holy Bible
=> Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC)
We have come to a conclusion on the topic LAETARE SUNDAY
Thanks for your participation, support and contributions. May the God in his infinite mercy continue to be bless and grant you more understanding of his words; in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen
PLEASE WE ARE ENCOURAGE TO CONTRIBUTE AND ASK QUESTIONS IN REGARDS TO THIS GREAT TOPIC.
