A Note From Father Rob

This Sunday is a milestone on our Lenten journey: We have reached the half-way point! Half of the season of Lent is behind us, and we can see, just on the horizon, a sliver of light that is the Easter promise.

The Church has celebrated the half-way point of Lent for hundreds of years, as far back as the sixth century. So much so that this Sunday has several names. One of them is Laetare Sunday. Laetare is a Latin word meaning ‘rejoice,’ so this Sunday, the fourth Sunday in Lent, is “Rejoice Sunday.” It is meant to be a subdued celebration, indeed, but a celebration of the half-way point of Lent, nonetheless.

Historically, priests were allowed to wear rose colored vestments on this day, as opposed to the traditional violet or plain muslin vestments used during Lent. Also, this Sunday was considered a day of measured relaxation from the usual Lenten season disciplines and restrictions.

This Sunday is also known as Mothering Sunday. Since the Middle Ages in Great Britain, on this Sunday, the people were encouraged to attend services at their mother church, the church in which they were baptized and became children of the Church. Over the centuries, servants came to love this Sunday, as they were given time off to travel to and attend their mother churches back home with friends and family. Over the centuries, the day became a fixture with the Brits, who eventually made it a secular “Mother’s Day” as well, similar to the one celebrated in the U.S.

So, happy Mother Church Sunday to you. Just 21 more days to go!

Peace, Rob+