Refreshment Sunday

On these days, the fast was allowed to be relaxed, hence the name "Refreshment Sunday".

The suicide bomber went after travelers enjoying tea and refreshments Sunday in a tent near Iskandariyah, 30 miles south of Baghdad.

The other names attributed to this festival include 'Simnel Sunday', 'Refreshment Sunday' and 'Rose Sunday'.

Of these, the better known is Laetare Sunday, and if reference is made to a single "Refreshment Sunday" or "Rose Sunday" it is usually this Sunday that is meant.

Because there is traditionally a relaxation of Lenten vows on this particular Sunday in celebration of the fellowship of family and church, the name Refreshment Sunday is sometimes used, although rarely today.

It was first consecrated on Refreshment Sunday 30 March 1253 by Bishop Richard of Chichester, who preached his last sermon on that occasion, saying that he had always longed before his last day to "consecrate one church at least in honour of Blessed Edmund."

It was originally made for the middle Sunday of Lent, when the forty day fast would be relaxed, Laetare Sunday, also known as Refreshment Sunday, Mothering Sunday, Sunday of the Five Loaves, and Simnel Sunday - after the cake.