The pope traditionally blesses a rose on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, signifying the joy that awaits us in the Heavenly Jerusalem.
The Fourth Sunday of Lent marks the mid-point of this penitential season, and the Church celebrates it with "Rejoice" Sunday, known in Latin as Laetare Sunday.
It is a day when the Church puts aside the dark violet vestments of Lent and trades them for a brighter, rose-hued color.
To further cement this spirit of joy celebrated on the Fourth Sunday of Lent, the pope traditionally blessed a golden rose and sent it to political leaders and churches, as a sign of the pope's good-will.
Here is the blessing of this rose, as found in Dom Prosper Gueranger's Liturgical Year. It brings together all of these spiritual themes and highlights the joy that is to come in the Heavenly Jerusalem.
Read also :Here’s why popes give out a “Golden Rose”
Read also :Why priests wear “rose” and not pink
