Laetare Sunday (from the Latin verb laetari, meaning "to be joyful") is a name formerly often used, and less commonly used today, to denote the fourth Sunday of the season of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar. This Sunday is also known as Mothering Sunday, Mid-Lent Sunday, and Rose Sunday. The term "Laetare Sunday" is used predominantly, though not exclusively, by Roman Catholics.
In the Roman Catholic Church and some High Church Protestant traditions, priests are given the option to wear rose-coloured vestments to Masses held on this day, in place of the purple vestments normally worn during Lent. The Gospel reading for this Sunday recounts the miracle of the loaves and fishes.
This is also the Sunday when Roman Catholics are given a "reprieve" from things each gives up for lent.
This date can fall anywhere between March 1 and April 4.
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