Sanctus Simplicitus

In the middle of Lent comes the Sunday Laetare, also called “Rose Sunday”. Holy mother Church gives us a break during the middle of Lent on this Sunday changing from violet vestments to Rose. Laetare comes from the first words of today’s mass, “Rejoice, O Jerusalem!” This Sunday traditionally was known as Mothering Sunday which our American Mother’s Day is derived from. Typically it was to visit the “mother church” of the diocese on this day. A traditional dessert baked on this day is Simmel Cake, Simmel coming from the word similar meaning a like. This cake typically has traditional amounts of sugar and flour.

I wanted to turn this traditional cake into cookies so they could be given as gifts to several mothers. Once this creation was done I placed them in a clear plastic cup and wrapped some rose colored tissue paper around them and tied it off with a lavendar bow. Included with the cup was a gift tag featuring our Blessed Lady printed from Holy Reflections free printable holy cards next I glued a short history of Laetare Sunday on the back ( the file is below if you would like to use it.)

Saint Patrick watches over our Mothering Sunday treats as he and Saint Joseph are our Lenten Saints that guide us in these 40 days of prayer and fasting. Hopefully you had a blessed Mothering Sunday! (Find files for the Simmel Cake Recipe and Simmel Cookie Recipes below.)