Laetare Sunday

[oopsorganist]

Did anyone sing any Marian hymns this morning?
I noticed that our Mass sheet said "Mothering Sunday" which I have not noticed before. What does Laetare mean?
We sang "Lead Kindly Light" well, no, only one person sang it, but not entirely at the same time as the organ. Sigh. It used to be a parish favourite but maybe we have not had it for a long time. I will check my records.

[docmattc]

Laetare is the first word of the Introit (Entrance Antiphon) for today:
Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite, omnes qui diligitis eam... Rejoice Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her...

Fortunately, we were spared Marian hymns, although we did start with "Be still for the presence of the Lord" for reasons which escape me- its odd being a person in the pew after nearly 20 years involved in the music!


Whilst Mothering Sunday has Christian origins (or even earlier), there is nothing to suggest it in the given texts of today's liturgy, so I feel its inclusion in the Mass should be limited to one suitable intercession.

[oopsorganist]

Thanks for that info doc
You didn't see it as your duty as a person in the pew to complain about choice of hymns then?
Tee hee hee hee

[docmattc]

You didn't see it as your duty as a person in the pew to complain about choice of hymns then?

I've only been in the parish 2 months, and I'm waiting for somebody at least to say hello before I start complaining!

[Lakelark]

The designation of Mothering Sunday derives, I believe, from English post-reformation practice. It is said that on this day apprentices were given time off to go home and see their mothers. And that was on the grounds of the Epistle reading - the obscure passage Galatians 4.22-31. That was the Epistle in medieval times, and was retained by the Book of Common Prayer. It speaks of "the Jerusalem which is above, and is free, and is the mother of us all".

But there is more. Docmattc quotes the beginning of the Introit. It goes on: "that you may exult, and be satisfied at the *beep* of your consolation." That is a straight translation of the Vulgate version. But the Authorised Version reads, "that you may suck, and be satisfied with the *beep* of her consolations". More Mothering imagery there! However, the Anglican rite abolished the Introit in 1552, so this verse would not have formed part of the liturgy. If I have a few minutes later, I will look up the Hebrew original: it might clarify things.

How strange! I have just looked at the preview of my post, and it has edited out two instances of a perfectly acceptable word, indicating the lactatory glands of the female. How puritanical can you get? For "beep" read "l. glands of the f."

[Lakelark]

Further to my post above:

Isaiah 66.11 - Vulgate has "exsultetis" = "that you may exult". The Hebrew Masoretic text has a part of the verb with the root ayin-lamedh-ayin, meaning "suck". It seems that Jerome read this as ayin-lamedh-samekh, meaning "exult".

Just thought you'd like to know.

[Southern Comfort]

I've only been in the parish 2 months, and I'm waiting for somebody at least to say hello before I start complaining!

You're not at English Martyrs, then, I take it?