| Laetare Sunday | |
|---|---|
 Rosechasuble worn on Laetare Sunday(priest in middle) in contrast withdark violet worn on other Sundays of Lent(other priests around him) or in a situation where Rose is not available. | |
| Observed by | Western Christianity |
| Liturgical color | Rose |
| Type | Christian |
| Observances | Church services;feasts/parties |
| Date | Fourth Sunday ofLent (21 days beforeEaster Sunday) |
| 2024 date | March 10 |
| 2025 date | March 30 |
| 2026 date | March 15 |
| 2027 date | March 7 |
Laetare Sunday (Church Latin:[leˈta.re];Classical Latin:[lae̯ˈtaːre];English:/liːˈtɛəri/) is the fourth Sunday in the season ofLent, in theWestern Christianliturgical calendar. Traditionally, this Sunday has been a day of celebration within the austere period of Lent. This Sunday gets its name from the first few words (incipit) of the traditional Latin entrance verse (Introit) for theMass of the day."Lætare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem") is Latin fromIsaiah 66:10.
The term "Laetare Sunday" is used by mostRoman Catholic,Lutheran, andAnglican churches.[1] The Latinlaetare is an imperative: "rejoice!"
Lætare Jerusalem et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam; gaudete cum lætitia, qui in tristitia fuistis, ut exsultetis et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae. Psalm:Lætatus sum in his quæ dicta sunt mihi: in domum Domini ibimus.
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.
This Sunday is currently also known asMothering Sunday,[4]Refreshment Sunday, mid-Lent Sunday (in Frenchmi-carême) andRose Sunday (either because thegolden rose sent by Popes to Catholic sovereigns used to be blessed at this time, or because the use of rose-colored rather than violetvestments was permitted on this day).[5]
Historically, the day was also known as "the Sunday of the Five Loaves", from the story of themiracle of the loaves and fishes. Before the adoption of the modern "common lectionaries", this narrative was the traditionalGospel reading for this Sunday in Roman Catholic,Lutheran,Anglican, andOld Catholic churches.[6]
Thestation church at Rome for this day wasSanta Croce in Gerusalemme, one of the seven chiefbasilicas; theGolden Rose, sent by Popes to Catholic sovereigns, used to be blessed at this time and for this reason the day was sometimes calledDominica de Rosa.[7]
On Mothering Sunday, Christians have historically visited their mother church—the church in which they received thesacrament ofbaptism.[8][9]
In Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran and Old Catholic churches flowers may appear on thehigh altar and theorgan may be played as a solo instrument. Priests are given the option to wearrose-coloredvestments atMass held on this day in place of the violet vestments normally worn during Lent.[10] The term "rose" is used to describe this lighter shade of the color violet in theRoman Rite.[11]
The Sunday is considered a day of relaxation from normal Lenten rigours; a day of hope withEaster at last within sight. Traditionally, weddings (otherwise banned during Lent) could be performed on this day,[12] and servants were released from service for the day to visit theirmother church, the place in which they received the sacrament of baptism (hence 'Mothering Sunday').
Laetare Sunday is the date on which the recipient ofUniversity of Notre Dame'sLaetare Medal is announced.[13]
Laetare Sunday is exactly 21 days before Easter Sunday, amoveable feastbased on the cycles of the moon. The date can be any between 1 March and 4 April inclusive; occurrence in April is considered to be uncommon; the last occurrence was on 3 April 2011 and the next will be on 4 April 2038, after which it will not occur again until 1 April 2057 – occurrences in April are printed in the below list inbold type. The earliest occurrence of Laetare Sunday in the twenty-first century was on 2 March 2008,[14] and the latest will be on 4 April 2038.
Laetare Sunday occurs on these dates in the twenty-first century:
In England, Mothering Sunday is a day to honor both your mother church and your own mother. In the past, young people working away from home visited their mothers and the churches where they were baptized on Mothering Sunday.
Mothering Sunday—In England children away from home at school or work were permitted to go home to visit their mothers and/or to visit their cathedral or mother church on this fourth Sunday of Lent. Today, many cathedrals and "mother" churches invite all who had been baptized there to return "home" to worship.
| Sundays of theEaster cycle | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | Fourth Sunday of Lent March 30, 2025 | Succeeded by |
