Celebrating Liturgical Seasons
Growing by Experiencing the Feasts and Seasons of the Church Year
Easter
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The Easter Vigil takes place on Holy Saturday, the evening before Easter Sunday. This is the night that "shall be as bright as day" as proclaimed by the Exsultet, an ancient church hymn as we joyfully anticipate Christ's Resurrection The Holy Saturday Liturgy begins with the Service of Light, which includes the blessing of the new fire and the Paschal candle which symbolizes Jesus, the Light of the World.
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Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays, and Easter Time is the most important of all liturgical times. Easter is the celebration of the Lord's resurrection from the dead, culminating in his Ascension to the Father and sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. There are 50 days of Easter from the first Sunday to Pentecost. It is characterized, above all, by the joy of glorified life and the victory over death.
This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it, alleluia!
With the whole Church we rejoice at the resurrection of Christ! |
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Saint Peter's Square
Sunday, 20 April 2025 Dear brothers and sisters, Happy Easter!
Today at last, the singing of the “alleluia” is heard once more in the Church, passing from mouth to mouth, from heart to heart, and this makes the people of God throughout the world shed tears of joy. From the empty tomb in Jerusalem, we hear unexpected good news: Jesus, who was crucified, “is not here, he has risen” (Lk 24:5). Jesus is not in the tomb, he is alive! Love has triumphed over hatred, light over darkness and truth over falsehood. Forgiveness has triumphed over revenge. Evil has not disappeared from history; it will remain until the end, but it no longer has the upper hand; it no longer has power over those who accept the grace of this day. Read More |
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EASTER SUNDAY
HOMILY OF HIS HOLINESS POPE FRANCIS READ BY CARDINAL ANGELO COMASTRI Saint Peter's Square Easter Sunday, 20 April 2025 Mary Magdalene, seeing that the stone of the tomb had been rolled away, ran to tell Peter and John. After receiving the shocking news, the two disciples also went out and — as the Gospel says — “the two were running together” (Jn 20:4). The main figures of the Easter narratives all ran! On the one hand, “running” could express the concern that the Lord’s body had been taken away; but, on the other hand, the haste of Mary Magdalene, Peter and John expresses the desire, the yearning of the heart, the inner attitude of those who set out to search for Jesus. He, in fact, has risen from the dead and therefore is no longer in the tomb. We must look for him elsewhere. This is the message of Easter: we must look for him elsewhere. Christ is risen, he is alive! He is no longer a prisoner of death, he is no longer wrapped in the shroud, and therefore we cannot confine him to a fairy tale, we cannot make him a hero of the ancient world, or think of him as a statue in a museum! On the contrary, we must look for him and this is why we cannot remain stationary. We must take action, set out to look for him: look for him in life, look for him in the faces of our brothers and sisters, look for him in everyday business, look for him everywhere except in the tomb. Read More |
Celebrate the Easter Season
All the Easter crafts, snacks, games, books, etc. couldn’t possibly all happen on actual Easter Sunday- it’s too much! But that’s ok because the Church, in her infinite wisdom, granted an entire season of Easter that lasts for 50 days, all the way through Pentecost!
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The Light of Christ
The word "Easter" comes from Old English, meaning simply the "East." The sun which rises in the East, bringing light, warmth and hope, is a symbol for the Christian of the rising Christ, who is the true Light of the world. The Paschal Candle, or Easter Candle, is a central symbol of this divine light, which is Christ. It is kept near the ambo throughout Easter Time, and lit for all liturgical celebrations.
Making your own Paschal Candle is a great way for people of ALL ages to learn about this custom. If you do not already have one, this might be a good time to set up a prayer table in your home. You could display your Easter candle there along with symbols of your baptism such as your baptismal candle, photos, water. |
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Renew Baptismal Promises
In Baptism, we are asked to walk by the light of Christ and to trust in his wisdom. We are invited to submit our hearts to Christ with ever deeper love. We Have Been Reborn as Children of Light.
During the Easter Vigil, those who are being initiated into the church profess their faith and are baptized and all of those in the assembly renew their baptismal promises. Renewing baptismal promises can also be done at home. |
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Decorate Your Home for Easter
It's not too late! It's just the right time. Bunnies, lambs, chicks, flowers, eggs, and don't forget the Alleluia! This free printable coloring sheet captures the essence of Easter with its stained glass and Easter lily design and here is a Jesus Lives! coloring page. Coloring pages are fun Easter activities before and after the (virtual) Easter egg hunt or on Easter Sunday.
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Handprint Lilies | How to Make an Easy Paper Lily
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Paschal Greeting
A traditional Easter greeting in the Western church is the exclamation “Christ is risen!” and the traditional response is “He is risen, indeed!” Teach your kids this traditional Paschal Greeting and use it through the Easter season. Kids love this kind of simple stuff, and it’s no extra work for you!
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Sing Alleluia!
Sing the Alleluia song! Sing any Alleluia song! Also, sing any Easter song. And never stop singing.
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Make a Resurrection Set
Display a resurrection set! Just like you have a nativity set during Christmas, have a resurrection set and display it somewhere prominent during the Easter season. Don’t have one? Make one!
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Printable Easter Countdown Calendar
The Easter season begins with Easter Sunday, and ends with Pentecost. In order to help your kids remember that the Easter season is an ongoing thing, print and color this religious Easter countdown calendar which starts on Easter Sunday, and ends on Pentecost Sunday.
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