The Forth Sunday of Lent

Laetare Sunday

Laetare Sunday (laetare meaning rejoice) marks the half way point in lent meaning twenty days of fasting (or going without the chosen Lenten sacrifice) have gone by.

Introit:

'Laetare Jerusalem et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam; gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis, ut exsultetis et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae. Psalm: Laetatus sum in his quae dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus.'

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Rejoice ye with Jerusalem; and be ye glad for her, all ye that delight in her: exult and sing for joy with her, all ye that in sadness mourn for her; that ye may suck, and be satisfied with the breasts of her consolations. Psalm: I was glad when they said unto me, We will go into the house of the Lord.

Mothering Sunday

It is also, for the UK, a day in honour of the 'Mother Church' by making a visit to the church where first baptized. There is also a special celebration of the Virgin Mary, Mother Nature and her gifts and a day of gratitude towards our own mothers.

This has become more generally known as 'Mother's Day' but the tradition of the 'Simnel cake' as a treat for this day has been dated back to the 17th century.

Sandro Botticelli (1480 - 1481)

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