On Sunday, March 10, the church will celebrate Laetare Sunday, also known as Rose Sunday. It is a day of rejoicing. The name Laetare Sunday, the fourth, or middle, Sunday of Lent, comes from the first words of the Introit at Mass, “Laetare Jerusalem.” 

“Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning; exult and be satisfied at her consoling breast.”

The verse comes from the 66th chapter of Isaiah, and in Latin, the imperative verb “rejoice” is rendered “laetare” — hence the name.
During the first six or seven centuries, the season of Lent comprised only thirty-six fasting days. The four days preceding the first Sunday (starting on Ash Wednesday) were afterward added, to make up forty days’ fast.

In a strict sense, the Thursday immediately preceding Laetare Sunday is the midpoint of Lent, and it was at one time observed as such. Today, the special signs of joy that were once permitted on this day, which were intended to encourage the faithful in their course through the season of Lenten penance, are transferred to the following Sunday.
 
Similarly to Gaudete Sunday in Advent, the use of flowers on the altar and of the organ at Mass beyond supporting the singing of the choir and congregation are allowed. Rose-colored vestments are used instead of the traditional violet throughout Lent. The Church rejoices that the promise of Christ’s resurrection is drawing near, and will be celebrated in full on Easter, which Catholics anticipate as Lent continues.

It is customary for the Blessing of Expected Mothers on Laetare Sunday. It draws upon the joy and rejoicing of John the Baptist’s leaping in the womb as is found in the Gospel account of Luke: “When Elizabeth heard Mary's greeting, the infant leaped in her womb, and Elizabeth, filled with the holy Spirit, cried out in a loud voice and said, ‘Most blessed are you among women, and blessed is the fruit of your womb.’”

The contrast between Laetare and the other Sundays is emphasized and is emblematical of the joys of this earthly life, restrained rejoicing mingled with a certain amount of sadness.

At the Downtown Kenosha Catholic parishes of St. James and St. Elizabeth, we celebrate Laetare Sunday in the following ways:

• The clergy wear rose-colored vestments
• Pink roses will adorn the altar
• Blessing of Expectant Mothers after all weekend Masses
• Anyone woman wishing to receive this blessing should proceed to the communion rail in front of the Blessed Mother’s side altar
• The use of instrumental organ music during prelude, recession/postlude, and interludes during Mass
• The singing of an entrance hymn beyond the strict use of the Introit antiphon
• Accompanied Eucharistic Acclamations, which are used throughout Holy Week and the Easter Season: A Community Mass by Richard Proulx
• Orchestral music at the 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. Masses (Cantor & Organ at 4:00 p.m., 5:30 p.m., 7:30 a.m., and 1:00 p.m.)
  • Prelude: Vorspiel: Allegro moderato from Violin Concerto No. 1 in G minor, Op. 26 (Max Bruch, 1838-1920). The piece begins slowly, with the melody first taken by the flutes, and then the solo violin becomes audible with a short cadenza. This repeats again, serving as an introduction to the main portion of the movement, which contains a strong first theme and a very melodic, and generally slower, second theme. The movement ends as it began, with the two short cadenzas more virtuosic than before, and the orchestra’s final tutti. 
  • Postlude: Vivace from Concerto for Two Violins in D minor, BWV 1043 (J. S. Bach, 1685-1750). If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, Bach deeply flattered Vivaldi. The German master’s unquenchable thirst for musical knowledge extended to Vivaldi’s concertos, which were written in an Italian style he learned through emulation — sometimes by literally copying Vivaldi’s scores. Bach’s D Minor concerto for two violins is a prime example of his refined, German version of Vivaldi’s Italian style, incorporating the characteristic alternation of fast-slow-fast pacing and the textural contrast between the ripieno and the concertino of duo-violins. 

Rejoice next Sunday and be joyful! Easter, and the celebration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, will soon be here.