Posted on 03/26/2006 3:44:39 PM PST by sionnsar
Today is Laetare Sunday, the Fourth Sunday of Lent. In the UK it is till called "Mothering Sunday" because of the fact that in the 16th century, the faithful returned to their "mother church" or Cathedral for a service to be held on the 4th Sunday of Lent. Anyone who took this "mini-pilgrimage" was said to have gone 'a-mothering.'
Since people each returned to a central location, families that had been seperated (remember there were no cars or trains) were reunited. This custom existed into the 19th century in a more secular form: servants were allowed on this weekend to go home and visit their family.
Also associated with this Sunday are the traditional Simnel Cakes baked to celebrate the reunification of families and a refreshing break from Lent.
In some places, this Sunday is the only time during Lent in which Christian marriage may be solemnized. And let's not forget the rose vestments. Rose colored vestments apparently have two different explanations. The first is the that the color of rose comes from the floral gifts given to mothers on account of sons being able to see the mothers once again upon reunification with their families. The other more likely origin comes from the tradition of the Golden Rose. On this fourth Sunday of Lent, the Pope would bless the "Golden Rose" to be sent to Catholic kings and queens. This Sunday became known as "Dominca de Rosa," and eventually rose colored vestments were introduced to complement the theme.
All that being said, have a happy, refreshing, and holy Laetare, Mothering, Refreshment, Rose Sunday.
Papal
Laetare (Rejoice) Sunday is the day that since we have passed the halfway point of Lent the Church looks forward to the joy of Easter. Its called Rose Sunday for two reasons. First, priests may wear rose-colored (practically pink) vestments today. Second, its the day of the blessing of the golden rose in St. Peters, a ceremony that was already called an ancient ceremony in 1051. The intricately fashioned solid gold roses were once sent to Catholic monarchs. Now they are bestowed on shrines.
A rose comes from a thorny stem yet has beauty and a sweet smell. This is a symbol of the way Christians faith blossoms in Lent from sacrifice.
Pope John Paul II awarded four golden roses; Pope Benedict XVI has awarded seven.
Pope Benedict XVI has given roses to shrines in countries he has visited. For instance, in 2008, the year of his U.S. visit, he bestowed the golden rose on the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C.
Traditional Anglican ping, continued in memory of its founder Arlin Adams.
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Speak the truth in love. Eph 4:15
Our former Parochial Vicar was moved to the Vocations office for the Archdiocese. We always knew he was destined for Higher Things . . . .
Of course, our new Parochial Vicar is pretty cool too. He's an Air Force veteran, he likes old movies and military history. He and my husband have a great time looking over hubby's extensive collection of old war movies . . . of which I would say that there are FAR too many, except that he doesn't complain about my books which are everywhere. Or my dogs, which are everywhere too (at least their hair is. I glanced down at my choir robe today and found that even though the robe hasn't been home and the dog hasn't been to church, it was covered in Yellow Lab Hairs.)
And our other Parochial Vicar (the one who's been there the longest) is a remarkable man too. He's Irish-born, a bit quiet and shy, a bit wary of us loud excitable Americans, but extremely learned and very interesting to talk to once you get him uncorked. And he preaches a mean homily -- and he celebrates in such a reverent way that it's obvious that he Really Believes. I mean Really.
Our new Rector... well, we've had a string of Rectors who were much the same in their beliefs so there's no contrast here... but it is interesting to have our service elevated a notch or three by a former Baptist. There is something to say for converts: they don't automatically accept things the rest of us take for granted and they sometimes see things we overlook.
The past year or so has been interesting -- we seem to be experiencing an influx of former Episcopalians and other Christians who've been looking for a church like ours. (And there are precious few in the Seattle area.)
As my daughter says (only half kidding): "I have Convert Zeal! Stand back and let me work!"
Our Ladies' Guild is hosting a talk by Fr. David Dye, who is a former Episcopal priest, now a Catholic priest.
He is also the moving party in getting a decommissioned and derelict church (a simply gorgeous one, over 100 years old) moved from Buffalo NY to the suburb of Atlanta where his congregation was housed first in a rather depressing office park, then in a temporary Prayer Barn.
Existing thread on the topic here.
There is NOTHING like this building anywhere in Atlanta or environs, except possibly the Swan House or a few older county courthouses.
LOL, I have seen that so often I just remain humbled. After all, (for a wee small example) Cranmerian English has been part of my life all of my life. I am imbued with it; I can not even imagine (nor do I want to imagine) life without it.
As a Gaelic-speaker, you know the power of language...
Meanwhile I just have to console myself with lots of 16th c. Anthems and motets.
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