The Catholic faithful observes the Fourth Sunday of Lent on March 19, which is traditionally commemorated as a Sunday of joy and rejoicing.
Also known as Laetare Sunday, from the first words of the Introit in holy masses, “Laetare Jerusalem!” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem!), the Fourth Sunday of Lent highlights the nearness of the Resurrection of Christ on Easter Sunday.
The traditional theme for the Fourth Sunday of Lent is “Hope and Rejoicing.” Church hymns traditionally speak of joy, hope, and consolation.
“Lent is half over and Easter is near. The shift to a joyous mood is meant to encourage the faithful to persevere fervently to the end of this holy season as well as to focus on the hope and rejoicing that the Resurrection of Christ is near,” Church officials said.
Meanwhile, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle, pro prefect of the Vatican’s Dicastery for Evangelization urged the faithful to do more charity work this Lenten season.
“One of the disciplines of Lent is alms giving, acts of charity in addition to prayer and fasting. I urge the faithful to do more charity work, to help the poor and the needy for personal cleansing this Lent,” Cardinal Tagle said during a mass held at the Pontificio Collegio Filippino in Rome, Italy.
“The preparation for the season of Lent must not be limited to fasting and prayer. We must also do charity work. Alms giving must be a part of our Lenten journey,” the Church leader stressed.
Pope Francis, earlier, highlighted the three tenets of the Lenten season: fasting, prayer and alms giving. The Holy Father called on the faithful to be more compassionate and sensitive towards the poor and the needy.
The 40-day Lenten season culminates with the observance of the Holy Week, which begins on April 2, Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and ends on April 9, Easter Sunday.
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