Laetare Sunday

This weekend, the Church is celebrating the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also known as Laetare Sunday. This is a special celebration for the Roman Catholic Church during the Lent season because it marks joy in a penitential time. The word Laetare comes from Latin and means rejoice. This name came from the first word of the antiphon of the Mass of that day which says Laetare, Ierusalem (rejoice Jerusalem). This expression is taken from the prophet Isaiah (Is. 66:10), and it is an invitation to rejoice and hope.

This Sunday is like Gaudete Sunday which is celebrated on the third Sunday of Advent. Hence, in both Sundays, Laetare and Gaudete, the Church uses the rose color.

The rose color indicates a glimpse of joy that awaits us on Easter before we go to celebrate the Passion and Death of Our Lord Jesus Christ. In other words, Laetare Sunday reminds us that we are close to the sacred mysteries of the Passion, Death, and Resurrection of our Lord. Therefore, the Church wants to express hope and joy in the middle of penance, fasting, and the rest of the Lenten observances.

“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!” (simplycatholic).

Let us celebrate and rejoice in this time of Lent as an anticipation of joy at the Easter festivities.

Remember, The Parish that we dream is the parish that I help to build.

God bless you, and may the Blessed Virgin Mary be with you always!

Fr. Jorge Ramirez