Laetare is the first word — meaning “rejoice” — in the Latin text. On Laetare Sunday (as similarly with the Third Sunday of Advent's Gaudete Sunday) the Church expresses hope and joy in the midst of our Lenten fasts and penances. Golden Rose…Our Lady of Knock? Also on this Sunday in the Church, there is a tradition of the Golden Rose, a gold ornament, which popes of the Catholic Church have traditionally blessed annually. It is occasionally conferred as a token of reverence or affection

This Fourth Sunday of Lent, Laetare Sunday, is a time of celebration in the midst of the pentitential season of Lent. Laetare, a time of Joy and Hope, which we evidence in flowers, a particular color of rose vestments and candles, and even more full and upbeat music—all permitted by the Church during this Sunday as we focus on prayer, almsgiving and fasting in preparation of the ultimate joy that is Easter.

The season of Lent is a great time to renew our own commitment to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. To speak to Christ in the Sacrament, to be healed, forgiven and made clean—to be refreshed with His grace and favor and to return home to Him in and through His Church

Ars Celebrandi literally means, “the art of celebrating,” and is used in reference to the Sacrifice of the Holy Mass. The words “Ars Celebrandi” is also the title of a book by Fr. Paul Turner, a liturgical scholar, director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City, Mo, and rector of that City’s Catholic Cathedral, The Immaculate Conception. Fr. Turner will be in Hartford on March 28 and will speak to the prysbeterate (priests) of the Archdiocese regarding the artful and proper celebration of the Mass.

In the season of Lent, we turn to Prayer, Almsgiving and Fasting as the pillars of our Lenten spiritual exercises, which are meant not to place burdens on our day-to-day lives but rather call us into a deeper communion with Christ as we seek to align our lives of plenty with those who have insufficient food, shelter or any other daily necessity of life and Spirit.