This Sunday is known as Laetare Sunday, which translates as Joy Sunday. In the antiphon for this Mass, which we actually are not using, we pray, “Rejoice, Jerusalem, and all who love her. Be joyful, all who were in mourning, exult at her consoling breast.” In the Prayer over the Gifts, at the beginning of the Eucharistic Prayer, we pray, “We place before you with joy these offerings….”
   
The symbolism of this day is the comparison of the darkness of Lent being illumined by the light of Christ’s Resurrection, which is coming soon. The priest wears pink, rather than purple/violet, which represents the color of early sunrise, which brings light and color to the nighttime sky.
   
We rejoice with anticipation of the celebration of Easter, the great Resurrection of Christ, who defeated the darkness of sin and death.
   
Laetare Sunday is very similar to Gaudete Sunday, on the Third Sunday of Advent. It, too, means to rejoice, and the priest wears rose to anticipate the victory of the Light, as Christ is born on Christmas.