Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday

Today is the Fourth Sunday of Lent. Adapted from The Liturgical Year by Abbot Gueranger This Sunday, called, from the first word of the Introit, Laetare, is one of the most solemn of the year. The Church interrupts Her Lenten mournfulness; the chants of the Mass speak of nothing but joy and consolation; the organ, which has been silent during the preceding three Sundays, now gives forth its melodious voice; the deacon resumes his dalmatic, and the subdeacon his tunic; and instead of purple, rose-colored vestments are allowed to be used. These same rites are practiced in Advent, on the third Sunday, called Gaudete. The Church’s motive for introducing this expression of joy into today’s liturgy is to encourage Her children to persevere fervently to the end of this holy Season. The real mid-Lent was last Thursday; but the Church, fearing lest the joy might lead to some infringement on the spirit of penance, has deferred Her own notice of it to this Sunday, when She not only permits, but even bids Her children to rejoice! The Station at Rome is in the Basilica of the Holy Cross in Jerusalem, one of the seven principal churches of the Holy City. ...

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