Rejoicing together
On Sunday, March 10 we observe Laetare Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent in the Western Christian liturgical calendar. This Sunday has been a day of celebration within the austere period of Lent, and gets its name from the first few words of the traditional entrance verses in Latin, Laetare meaning Rejoice. On 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. Call it pink — or, more fittingly, rose — a traditional color on this day, indicates a glimpse of the joy that awaits us at Easter. Before we enter into the holy days of Passiontide, our music, prayers, and liturgical texts reflect this ‘mini” Easter. Rejoice!