The Catholic Church interrupts her Lenten mournfulness this Sunday, the fourth or the middle Sunday of Lent, in observance of “Laetare Sunday,” traditionally celebrated as a Sunday of joy and rejoicing.

So-called from the first words of the Introit at mass today, “Laetare Jerusalem” (Rejoice, O Jerusalem), priests wearing rose-colored vestments, instead of violet, will lead chants of the mass which speak of joy, hope, and consolation.

Musical accompaniment, which has been silent during the preceding three Sundays, will be used during the Eucharistic celebration, which is celebrated like Gaudete Sunday in Advent. The Gloria will be sung, while Church altars, which are not decorated with flowers during Lent, will be adorned with flowers to signify rejoicing.

In Rome, Italy, the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI will bless a golden rose “representing Christ in the shining splendor of His majesty.”

The golden rose is customarily conferred on churches, shrines, cities, or distinguished persons as a token of esteem and paternal affection.

“The shift to a joyous mood is meant to encourage the faithful to persevere fervently to the end of this holy season, as well as to focus on the hope and rejoicing that the Resurrection of Christ, which will be celebrated on Easter Sunday is near,” Church officials said. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Solana in HD Centre
The Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) welcomed Saturday European Union dignitary Javier Solana's joining the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue (HD Centre), a Switzerland-based independend mediation group that is a member of the International Contact Group (ICG) for the Mindanao peace process.

Solana held many prominent positions in the European bloc, including serving for 10 years until last year as EU's high representative for Common Foreign and Security Policy (CFSP) last year.

An HD Centre statement on its website, which the MILF reported on Luwaran.net, said Solana has joined the HD Centre in Geneva, Switzerland, as honorary president.

Mohagher Iqbal, peace panel chair of the MILF in the 13 years old negotiation with the Philippine government, cited the possibility of Solana, former Spanish foreign minister and secretary general of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), helping the peace talks. Iqbal said the EU leader's "affiliation with HDC will definitely add to its clout and prestige by bringing in someone who is not only well-respected in the European Union but also in global diplomacy." (Edd K. Usman)

Inter-faith dialogue
The Philippine National Police (PNP) has tapped the services of at least 5,000 of its personnel to secure the delegates and the venue of the two-day interfaith dialogue in Pasay City starting on Tuesday.

Chief Superintendent Leonardo Espina, PNP spokesman, said the lawmen will provide security to foreign delegates from 105 countries who have already confirmed their attendance to the Special Non-Aligned Movement Ministerial Meeting (SNAMMM) on Interfaith Dialogue and Cooperation for Peace and Development on which is hosted this time by the Philippines.

The SNAMMM is the biggest inter-governmental meeting in recent years, and the first of its kind ever to be hosted by the Philippines.

It aims to promote interfaith dialogue and cooperation to cultivate a culture of respect, tolerance, understanding and harmony among people of different faiths, cultures and religions.

Over 105 delegations, including 24 foreign ministers and 19 deputy ministers from NAM-member and observer countries and guest organizations, are expected to participate in the event which will be held from March 16-18 at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City. (Aaron Recuenco)