Laetare Jerusalem: et conventum facite omnes qui diligitis eam: gaudete cum laetitia, qui in tristitia fuistis: ut exsultetis, et satiemini ab uberibus consolationis vestrae.

Be joyful, O Jerusalem: and come together all you that love her: rejoice with joy, you that have been in sorrow: that you may exult, and be filled from the breasts of your consolation.

Laetare is milk-joy Sunday. It is the Mother's Day of the Church, remembering the Church as our Mother and the Blessed Mother herself, who is both the mother of God and of all believers. It is the fourth full week of Lent in the West, and just past the half way point. The austerity of the altar is relieved a little with the adornment of roses, the flower of the Theotokos, and the rose vestments. This is one of the Western Traditions that I would love to see in a unified Church. Much like Forgiveness Vespers from the East and the Imposition of Ashes in the West are both such powerful practices, I think this set of readings and prayers and the reinforcement of the earliest Church teachings on the Church as Mother and devotion to our Blessed Mother are powerfully presented in this little lightening of the fast by permitting dairy.

I arise today through a mighty strength, the invocation of the Trinity, through belief in the Threeness, through confession of the Oneness of the Creator of creation.

Tuesday is the feast of Saint Patrick. We actually have several feasts this week, and then next week have the feast of the Annunciation, a few of which permit us to enjoy fish. There is so much to read about Saint Patrick's life and his confession is available online, as well. We have so much to learn from the lives of our elder brothers and sisters in the faith and we should model our faith on theirs. I encourage you to read about their lives and read their words.

The feast of Saint Joseph is also this week, who is a particular patron of our family. We love the Holy Family, and Rich especially loves Saint Joseph. I love that the feast of Saint Joseph is the first day of the "week" which ends with the feast of the Annunciation. It is fitting that the bethrothed share this week.

• Sunday
  Breakfast: Apple Bourbon French Toast, Milk and Coffee
  Dinner: Church bringing Grilled Black Bean Chimichangas, Parish brings Sides/Salads/Fruit, Ice Cream
• Monday
  Breakfast: Granola Bars, Mandarin Oranges, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Moroccan Spiced Vegetable Soup with Cous Cous, Lenten Bougatsa me Krema
• Tuesday - Feast of Saint Patrick
  Breakfast: Lenten Apple Oatmeal Muffins with Cashew Butter, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Colcannon Fish Pie, Steam Sautéed Carrots and Peas with Garlic and Dill, Italian Ice
• Wednesday - Feast of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem
  Breakfast: Hashbrowns, Sliced Avocado and Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Fried Cauliflower with Parsley and Pine Nuts, Taratoor, Rice Pilaf, Fruit
• Thursday - Feast of Saint Joseph
  Breakfast: Black Bean and Sweet Potato Breakfast Burritos with Salsa, Mandarin Oranges, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Samaak bi Taratoor, Sayadiyeh, Cumin Roasted Carrots, Arugula and Cucumber Salad with Pomegranate Pips
• Friday - Feast of Saint Cuthbert
  Breakfast: Peanut Butter Toast with Honey, Fruit, Tea with Honey
  Dinner: Instant Pot Aloo Gobi, Rice, Fruit Plate
• Saturday
  Breakfast: Potato and Vegetable Hash with Salsa, Fruit Plate, Tea and Coffee
  Dinner: Šalša and Linguine, Salad, Fruit Plate

What is on your menu this week? If you want a recipe, ask and I will provide it as soon as I can. If there are any starred recipes, I will follow up separately with a weekly recipe round up on Saturday.

Labels: Church Year, Faith and Morality, Family, Fasting as a Family, Homemaking, Laetare, Lent, Menu Plans, Prayer Requests, Tales from the Kitchen