Laetare Sunday
| Laetare Sunday | |
|---|---|
Rose chasuble worn on Laetare Sunday (priest in middle) in contrast with dark violet worn on other Sundays of Lent (other priests around him) or in a situation where Rose is not available. | |
| Observed by | Western Christianity |
| Liturgical color | Rose |
| Type | Christian |
| Observances | Church services; feasts/parties |
| Date | Fourth Sunday of Lent (21 days before Easter Sunday) |
| 2025 date | March 30 |
| 2026 date | March 15 |
| 2027 date | March 7 |
| 2028 date | March 26 |
Laetare Sunday (Church Latin: [leˈta.re]; Classical Latin: [lae̯ˈtaːre]; English: /liːˈtɛəri/) is the fourth Sunday and "half-way point" in the season of Lent, in the Western Christian liturgical calendar. Traditionally, this Sunday has been a day of celebration within the austere period of Lent. This Sunday gets its name from the first few words (incipit) of the traditional Latin entrance verse (Introit) for the Mass of the day. "Lætare Jerusalem" ("Rejoice, O Jerusalem") is Latin from Isaiah 66:10.
The term Laetare Sunday is used by Catholics in the Latin Church, and some Lutheran, and Anglican denominations. The Latin laetare is an imperative: "rejoice!"