Letter from the Pastor
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March 15, 2026Are we there yet? How much longer? Questions we ask when we are on a journey. The Church, in her wisdom, knew we would need a break and encouragement during our 40-day journey. On the Second Sunday of Lent we heard about the Transfiguration, a glimpse of the glory of Christ and the glory that waits for those who are faithful. Two Sundays later (today), we are told to rejoice, we are half-way there. Both in Advent and Lent are Sundays when the penitential tone eases, and we are given a brief, welcome reprieve. The two Sundays are Gaudete Sunday, falling in the middle of Advent, and Laetare Sunday, falling in the middle of Lent.
These Sundays offer a pause in the austerity of the seasons, a moment of relief from the spiritual disciplines we have taken on ourselves. They shift the somber mood toward a more joyful anticipation. This pause is not a complete break from the season’s focus but rather a beautiful reminder that our preparation and penance have a purpose: they lead us toward the celebration of Christ’s birth at Christmas and His Resurrection at Easter.
Falling on the fourth Sunday of Lent, approximately halfway through this season, Laetare Sunday offers a pause. Easter is almost here! It is a lightening of the somber mood. Today heightens our sense of anticipation and reminds us of the joy the Lord brings, even in seasons of waiting and preparation. Laetare Sunday also speaks of the balance between repentance with forgiveness, weeping with laughter, suffering with joy. Even as we prepare for the Passion and Death of the Lord, we do so with the joyful anticipation of the Resurrection. Laetare Sunday takes its name from the Prophet Isaiah which is used in the opening antiphon of Mass: “Rejoice with Jerusalem and be glad for her, all you who love her; rejoice greatly with her, all you who mourn over her.”
Laetare means “rejoice,” not a quiet, understated rejoice, but an enthusiastic command: Rejoice! Right in the middle of Lent, we as a people are urged to rejoice! This powerful scripture sets the tone for the entire day and serves as a beautiful reminder that even in times of repentance and self-denial, there is hope. Flowers are allowed in Church.
The organ can be played more joyfully. Laetare Sunday invites us to pause, reflect on how far we have come, and find the strength to renew our spiritual disciplines as we press on toward Easter. Laetare Sunday goes by many names: Refreshment Sunday, Mid-Lent Sunday, Mothering Sunday, and Rose Sunday. Before Vatican II, it was called “the Sunday of the Five Loaves,” as the Gospel reading for the day was the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
In England, Laetare Sunday has a beautiful tradition known as “Mothering Sunday.” On this day, people would return to the church of their baptism, their “mother church.” Those who made this journey were said to have gone
“a-mothering.” In medieval times, Mothering Sunday was a cause for great celebration. Domestic maids and butlers were given the day off to visit their mother church, which meant a rare opportunity to reunite with family and friends. Often, it was the only occasion families could gather, as servants were seldom granted days off. It was customary for children and young people to pick wildflowers along the way to church and present them to their mothers.
Laetare Sunday is also called Rose Sunday because the rose-colored vestments are worn in place of the usual penitential purple of Lent. That shift in color, from purple to rose, represents joy breaking through amid the penance. It is a visual reminder of the hope and light that the Resurrection of Christ brings to the world. It also was the day the Pope would bless and give out the “Golden Rose” to places or people who were given a high honor from the Pope. So, you can relax this Sunday from your usual Lenten Penance to give you the strength and resolve to finish off strong. Yes, we are almost there!
This Tuesday is the Solemnity of Saint Patrick. St. Patrick is the patron saint of our Church in New York. It is celebrated as a Sunday. We will have our Solemn Mass in his honor on Tuesday at 9:00 AM followed by hospitality in Toner Hall. All are invited to attend.
Two days later we will celebrate the Solemnity of Saint Joseph, the patron of the Universal Church. And the third solemnity of Lent will be March 25th, the Annunciation of the Lord to Mary.
On Sundays and solemnities, you can relax your Lenten penances to celebrate in a muted way the joy of the day.
Reminder: there will be no 5:30 Sunday evening Mass next week due to our town’s parade. If you wish to march with St. Margarets, be at Pfizer parking lot by 12:30 PM