Sarah Mitchell
Easter is a significant feast in the Christian calendar, commemorating Christ's Resurrection from the dead and his Ascension to heaven. For Catholics and other Western Christians, the Easter season extends beyond the day itself, lasting for 50 days from Easter Sunday to Pentecost, also known as Pentecost Sunday. This period is marked by joy and celebration, with the Alleluia being sung each day. The date of Easter varies each year, with Easter falling on April 9 in 2023 and April 20 in 2025, according to the Catholic and Western Christian churches.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Duration | 50 days |
| Starting day | Easter Sunday |
| Ending day | Pentecost, or Pentecost Sunday |
| Other names | Eastertide, Paschaltide |
| Liturgical color | White |
| Date in 2024 | April 9 – May 28 |
| Date in 2025 | April 20 – June 8 |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter Vigil
The Vigil consists of five parts. The first part is the Easter Proclamation, also known as the Exsultet, a hymn that celebrates the holy night. The second part is the Liturgy of the Word, where the Church meditates on the wonders the Lord God has done for his people from the beginning, trusting in his word and promise. The third part is the Rite of Baptism, which includes the consecration of the water of baptism and the bestowal of the sacrament of baptism. The fourth part is the memorial of the Lord's Death and Resurrection. The fifth part is the renewal of the baptismal vows by the whole congregation.
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Pentecost Sunday
The Catholic Church celebrates the Easter season, or Eastertide, for 50 days, from Easter Sunday to the feast of Pentecost, or Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost Sunday marks the end of Eastertide and is celebrated 49 days after Easter Sunday (50 days when inclusive counting is used). Pentecost is a Christian holiday that commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles of Jesus, Mary, and other followers of Christ in Jerusalem. This event is described in the Acts of the Apostles (Acts 2:1–31).
On Pentecost Sunday, the apostles received the gift of tongues, allowing them to speak in different languages and spread the word of God. This event is described in Acts 2:1-11:
> "When the time for Pentecost was fulfilled, they were all in one place together. And suddenly there came from the sky a noise like a strong driving wind, and it filled the entire house in which they were. Then there appeared to them tongues as of fire, which parted and came to rest on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in different tongues, as the Spirit enabled them to proclaim."
Pentecost is also referred to as "Whit Sunday", "Whitsunday", or "Whitsun". It is considered the "Birthday of the Church" or the birth of the Church, marking the beginning of a new, peaceful world. It is one of the Great Feasts in the Eastern Orthodox Church and a Solemnity in the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church.
The Monday after Pentecost is a legal holiday in many European, African, and Caribbean countries, and the Afterfeast of Pentecost lasts for one week, during which fasting is not permitted.
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The Octave of Easter
During the Octave of Easter, the Paschal Candle, a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ, remains in the sanctuary near the Altar or Ambo until Pentecost Sunday. The octave is a time when the Church comes together to rejoice in the resurrection of Christ, with each day being celebrated as a solemnity of the Lord.
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Ascension of the Lord
The Ascension of the Lord is a pivotal Christian feast day commemorating Jesus ascending into heaven to assume His place at the right hand of God the Father. This event is believed to have occurred forty days after the Resurrection, when Jesus ascended body and soul into heaven. The Ascension is a holy day of obligation.
The Ascension is derived from the Acts of the Apostles and the Gospels (Mark 16:19–20; Luke 24:50–53; Acts 1:6–12), with allusions in various other passages (John 6:62; Ephesians 4:7–10; 1 Timothy 3:16; 1 Peter 3:21–22). The Catechism of the Catholic Church (paragraph 665) states that "Christ's Ascension marks the definitive entrance of Jesus' humanity into God's heavenly domain, whence he will come again".
Historically, the Ascension was celebrated forty days after Easter Sunday, on a Thursday. However, in recent times, there has been a shift in some regions, including the U.S., to commemorate the Ascension on the seventh Sunday after Easter, to allow for a wider celebration. This shift from Thursday to Sunday is also reflected in the transfer of other feast days, such as the Feast of the Ascension being celebrated on a Sunday in some places.
The Ascension is a significant event in the Christian faith as it marks the completion of Jesus' earthly mission. It is connected to Pentecost, which occurred ten days after the Ascension and is considered the culmination of the Easter season. The Easter season, also known as Eastertide, lasts for fifty days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday, and is a time of celebration and joy for Christians worldwide.
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The Feast of Pentecost
The Catholic Church celebrates the Feast of Pentecost on the 50th and final day of the Easter season. It commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, as described in Acts 2:1–31, Acts 2:13, and Acts of the Apostles chapter 2. Pentecost is also considered the birthday of the Church, as Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit, preached his first homily, converting thousands of new believers.
The term "Pentecost" comes from the Koine Greek "pentekoste," meaning "fiftieth." It is a moveable feast, as its date depends on the date of Easter. Pentecost can fall anywhere between May 10 and June 13.
In the Roman Catholic Church, the dismissal with the double alleluia is sung at the end of Mass during Pentecost. The Paschal Candle, a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ, is removed from the sanctuary at the end of the day. "Veni Sancte Spiritus" is the sequence hymn for the Day of Pentecost, and "Veni Creator Spiritus" is sung during liturgical celebrations. Brass ensembles are often contracted to accompany the singing and provide special music at Pentecost services.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Easter season, also known as "Eastertide", lasts 50 days, from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.
The Easter season is a time of celebration, joy and exultation. It celebrates Jesus' victory over sin and death and salvation for mankind. During this time, the Paschal Candle, a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ, remains in the sanctuary near the Altar or Ambo until Pentecost Sunday.
In the traditional form of the Roman rite, Easter includes three parts: the season of Easter, Ascensiontide, and the octave of Pentecost. The first eight days of the Easter season, including Easter Sunday, are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord.
