Lent is the season of preparation for Easter. Originally, it was the time when converts to Christianity were prepared for their baptism on Easter Day. In time, the whole church took on the season of fasting and spiritual preparation. The Fourth Sunday of Lent is often referred to as Refreshment Sunday or Laetare Sunday (from the Latin introit). In some churches, the liturgical colour becomes pink, and the severity of the fast is lessened for the Sunday. In Britain, this day is the traditional day for Mothering Sunday. See also the Wikipedia article on Lent.