Laetare Sunday is the 4th Sunday of Lent, and the name Laetare Sunday is taken from the words of the introit, laetare Jerusalem, "rejoice with Jerusalem." There is a joyful tone at this halfway point in the Lenten season. The vestments are often rose-colored (pink). Traditionally, the Apostles Creed is "handed over" to the catechumens, the last step for those preparing for Baptism.
Laetare Sunday is also called Mothering Sunday, named because a person would visit his "mother church," another name for the church they grew up in, on this day. This day also became connected with visiting one's biological mother on Laetare Sunday. Various customs developed on this Sunday, including the baking of "mother cakes." These cakes are also called "simnel cakes," and sometimes the fourth Sunday of Lent is called Simnel Sunday.
The Sunday also goes by Refection Sunday, or Refreshment Sunday, named because of the Scripture reading of Joseph feeding his brothers. Finally, the fourth Sunday of Lent is called Rose Sunday because of the papal blessing of the golden rose, a floral spray blessed by the pope and given to a notable person or institution.
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| Thanks to Richard Cattley Saint Alban Episcopal Mission, Antigua, Guatemala
You are invited to join us for English services every Sunday at Noon. Casa Convento Concepcion, Antigua Guatemala, All are welcome. See welcome letter at the sidebar.  St. Alban English Mission, Antigua, Guatemala is an outreach project of The St. James English parish, Episcopal Diocese of Guatemala, IARCA .jpg) Bishop Armando Guerra Soria, Rector of St. Alban Mission, Bishop of Guatemala and Primate Emeritus of Central America
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