Halftime!

Congratulations!


We made it!
Well, at least we have made it thus far.
We have come to the halfway point in Lent, 2019.
Thursday of the Third Week in Lent marks the halfway point between Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, and Holy Thursday, the ending of Lent.
And, of course, reaching this mid-point also means that Sunday is Laetare Sunday, Laetare coming from the Latin word meaning to rejoice.
In the middle of Lent we can already see the greatest of our days looming on the horizon and so,  even now, with still more of Lent to come, we cry out, "Rejoice!"
That also means that in some places, at least, the somber violet vestments will be set aside and a giddy rose-colored vestment will be the order of the day.
That rose color, by the way, really comes from a very ancient tradition of ours. Dating back to the eleventh century almost every year on Laetare Sunday, the pope would bestow a very ornately crafted golden rose on some individual, institution, church or such. It is a very significant honor. The most recent has been in 2017 when Pope Francis bestowed the Golden Rose to
The Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of Aparecida in Brazil.
Actually, this Golden Rose was given in October of 2017 rather than on Laetare Sunday and it seems that in recent times the tradition of the Golden Rose has often become separated from Laetare Sunday.
But the award still bears the title "Laetare."
There is another, more local Laetare Award. This one has been given since the late 1800's by the University of Notre Dame. Originally, it was meant to be a reflection of the Laetare Rose given in Rome. However, again in more recent times this award has also become separated from Laetare Sunday. It is now a part of the commencement ceremonies in the spring at Notre Dame. (This year's recipient has not yet been announced.)
Last year Notre Dame presented the Laetare Award to Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J., herself a child of immigrants, acknowledging her work among the immigrants at the Mexican/United States border and by this also acknowledging our duty as Christians to compassion.
"Scripture comes to life and our faith becomes flesh, " Sr. Norma Pimentel said, "It is not until you find yourself in front of the face of the immigrant child or mother that you will understand this. It is a moment of realizing that we are all one human family."
Words of wisdom!
So, with Notre Dame giving its Laetare Award at the time of the commencement and with the Vatican  at this point not having announced a recipient for a Laetare Rose this year, we come to Laetare Sunday.
Rejoice!
And if you can look back on the first half of Lent and feel pleased with your journey thus far, or better yet, if you can look back and believe that the Lord is truly pleased with your journey thus far, go out and buy yourself a rose and enjoy it this weekend!
Or at least give yourself a great big smile!
And Rejoice!
It's Laetare!


Added item: THE ARCHDIOCESE OF DETROIT OBSERVES ROSE SUNDAY