Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-04-02
"ROSE" SUNDAY.
Why Today is Specially Observed in
Catholic Churches

The Catholic churches of Washington and
elsewhere today celebrate one of the most
important epochs of the Lenten season, the
fourth Sunday of Lent, or "Laetare' Sun
day. on which the church interrupts her
Lenten mournfulness and the chants of the
mass speak of nothing but joy and conso-
lation. While the lay "mi-careme," as it
is popularity known, was observed last
Thursday. the church has appointed this
day for its own observance, fearing, it is
said, lest the Joy might lead to some in
fringement on the spirit Of penance. For
this day she bids her penitents to rejoice,
that they may all the more heartily perse-
we're in prayer to the end of the penitential
season. Years ago Lent was observed
even more religiously than nowadays, both
as to liturgy and fasting, and only on
"Laetare' Sunday was the peal of the or
gan heard
During Lent none but purple vestments
are worn by the Catholic clergy, except
today, when those churches that possess
them may robe In rose-colored raiment for
the mass. This is to commemorate the
blessing of the rose a custom that Is said
to have come down in the church from
about the fifth century, and is peculiar to
the fourth Sunday of Lent, which is also
called on this account rose Sunday. The
first blessing of the rose is said to have
taken place in the Basilica of Holy Cross
at Jerusalem, one of the seven principal
churches of the holy city. 1t was built in
the fourth century by the Emperor Con-
stantine, in one OF his villas, called SEES
scrius. The emperor's mother, st. Helen,
is said to have enriched it with precious
relics, and wished to make it the Jerusalem
of Rome, ordering great quantity of earth
taken from Mount Calvary to be placed on
the site. Up to the fourteenth century
of the popes-the ceremony of the golden
rose took place in this church, and since
the reigning pontif has been prisoner in
Rome 1t has taken place at st. Peters.
The ceremony of the golden rose has been
observed by all the pontiffs, and through
the thoughts suggested by the flower the
Catholic Church endeavors to inspire Its
children. In the middle ages, when the
pope resided in the Lateran Palace, having
first blessed the rose, he went on horse
back to the Church of the Station. He
wore the inter, was accompanied py an
the cardinals, and held the flower in his
hand Having reached the basilica, he
made discourse on the mysteries symbolic
ed by the beauty, the color and the fra
GRANGE of the rose. Mass was then cele-
brated. After the mass the pope returned
to the Lateran Palace. Surrounded by the
sacred college, he rode the immense plain
which separated the two baslllcas, with the
mystic flower still in his hand. When the
procession had got to the palace gates, II
there We're prince present 1t was his privi-
lege to hold the Stirrup and assist the pom
he received the rose which had received so
much honor.
In later years the ceremony has not
been quite so solemn, though the princi-
pal rites are observed. The pope blesses
the golden rose in the vestiary; he anoints
it with holy chrism, over which he sprinkles
a scented powder, as formerly; and when
the hour for mass has come he goes to
the palace chapel, holding the flower in
his hand. During the holy sacrifice 1t is
fastened to a golden rose-branch prepared
for il on the altar After the mass 1t is
brought to the pontiff, who holds 1t in his
hand as he returns from the chapel to the
vestiary. 1t is usual for the pope to send
the rose to some prince or princess as a
mark of honor; sometimes 1T Is city or
church that receives the flower. Last year
the pope presented the rose to Queen 1sa-
bella, mother of King Alfonso of Spain.
While, as stated, the liturgy of the
church does not obligate its priests to wear
rose-colored vestments today, the church
fortunate enough to possess such raiment
as these usually are will, robe its ministers
in them. St. Aloysius Church has a par
ticularly fine set, which will be worn at
the late service this morning.
Another name given to the fourth Sum
day of Lent is suggested in the days gospel
1.-THE Sunday of the Five Loayes.' The
primitive church proposed this miracle of
the multiplication of the loaves a SYM
boil of the eucharist. 1t is found frequently
represented in the paintings of the cata-
combs and on the bas-reliefs of the ancient
Christian tombs.