Pastor's Corner Very Rev. Aaron M. Williams

Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent, takes its name from the Latin word which begins the entrance antiphon for this day. Laetare means “rejoice", and this Sunday is marked by a relaxation of the penitential character of the Lenten season. In Church, flowers may be used to adorn the sanctuary and the organ may be played.

We rejoice on this day as we look with expectation to the great Solemnity of Easter for which we have been preparing ourselves during the Lenten season. By its anticipation of the joy of Easter, Laetare Sunday is meant to give us hope and encouragement as we progress towards the Paschal Feast.

On both Laetare Sunday and Gaudete Sunday (the Third Sunday of Advent), clergy may wear rose vestments. The color rose is used as a sign of the joy which characterizes these two Sundays. The use of rose vestments is said to derive 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.

–Fr. Aaron