Michael Brooks
Easter is a significant Christian celebration commemorating Christ's Resurrection from the dead. It is a floating holiday in the Catholic Church, occurring on the first Sunday after the spring equinox and the first full moon of spring. The Easter season extends beyond Easter Sunday, lasting 50 days until Pentecost Sunday. This period symbolises joy, purity, and innocence, with the first eight days known as the Octave of Easter, celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter, is of utmost importance in Catholicism, reflecting on Jesus' final days and His Resurrection. It begins with Palm Sunday and includes Holy Thursday, commemorating the Last Supper, Good Friday, and Holy Saturday, culminating in the Easter Vigil.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Date of Easter | Falls on the first Sunday following the first full moon of spring |
| Date of Easter in 2025 | 20 April |
| Easter in Eastern Orthodox churches | Falls on the same day as Catholic and Western Christian churches in 2025 |
| Holy Week | The week before Easter Sunday |
| Holy Week in 2025 | 14-20 April |
| Holy Week days | Palm Sunday, Holy Monday, Holy Tuesday, Holy Wednesday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, Easter Sunday |
| Easter Triduum | Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Sunday |
| Ascension of the Lord | 40 days after Resurrection of the Lord on Easter Sunday |
| Pentecost | 50 days after the Resurrection of the Lord |
| Easter season | 50 days from the Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to Pentecost Sunday |
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What You'll Learn
The Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday
The Easter Vigil is the most important liturgy of public worship and Mass of the liturgical year in the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, and Anglican Communion. It is marked by the first use of the exclamatory "Alleluia" since the beginning of Lent. The Easter Vigil is also observed in the Reformed Church and Methodist congregations. The Vigil begins between sunset on Holy Saturday and sunrise on Easter Sunday outside the church, where an Easter fire is kindled and the Paschal candle is blessed and then lit. This candle, a symbol of the presence of the Risen Christ, will be used throughout the season of Easter and will remain in the sanctuary of the church or near the lectern. Once the candle has been lit, it is carried by a deacon through the nave of the church, itself in complete darkness, stopping three times to chant the acclamation "Light of Christ" (Lumen Christi), to which the assembly responds "Thanks be to God" or "Deo Gratias". As the candle proceeds through the church, the small candles held by those present are gradually lit from the Paschal candle, spreading the symbolic "Light of Christ" and diminishing the darkness.
The Easter Vigil follows the pattern of the Service of Light, Service of the Word, Service of Baptism, and Service of Communion. The Service of Light begins in silence outside the church building at night. A new fire is kindled, and each member of the congregation is given a candle. A greeting, opening prayer, and lighting of the Paschal Candle from the new fire then occur. The clergy and congregation then receive the new light from the Paschal candle and proceed into the church, as a hymn is sung. The unique aspects of the Easter Vigil include the recounting of the outstanding deeds of the history of salvation through seven readings from the Old Testament and two readings from the New Testament, as well as the blessing of baptismal water in the font and the initiation of adults or infants through baptism. The faithful are encouraged to meditate on these readings by singing a responsorial psalm, followed by a silent pause and a celebrant's prayer. The priest then sings the Alleluia before the Gospel, and a homily is delivered. If there are newly baptized adults, they may carry the gifts forward during the offertory, and the priest may offer them and their sponsors a special message as they prepare to receive Holy Communion for the first time. After Communion, the priest offers a final blessing and dismissal, including a final "Alleluia", before the Mass ends with a celebratory hymn.
Easter Sunday is the beginning of the Easter Season of the liturgical year and is the greatest of all Sundays. It is the celebration of Christ's Resurrection from the dead, culminating in his Ascension to heaven forty days later, which is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter. The first eight days of the Easter season make up the Octave of Easter and are celebrated as solemnities of the Lord. The Paschal Candle remains in the sanctuary near the Altar or Ambo until Pentecost Sunday, which occurs fifty days after the Resurrection of the Lord.
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Holy Week
Palm Sunday takes place one week before Easter and commemorates Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. Catholics carry blessed palm branches into church, symbolizing the crowd's welcoming gesture as Jesus rode into the city on a donkey. The Gospel readings recount the story of Jesus' death and Passion, inviting reflection on his sacrificial love and the profound significance of Holy Week.
Holy Thursday is the first day of the Easter Triduum, the three most sacred days in the Catholic faith. It begins with the Mass of the Lord's Supper, commemorating the Last Supper celebrated by Jesus and his disciples on the Jewish holiday of Passover. It is not a Holy Day of Obligation, but many Catholics attend Mass. During this Mass, the priest washes the feet of some parishioners, in memory of Jesus washing the feet of his disciples.
Good Friday is a solemn day of suffering and sacrifice, covering Jesus' arrest, trial, and crucifixion. It is the only day of the year when no Mass is celebrated. Traditionally, there is no celebration of the Eucharist, and the church bells are silent. Altars are left bare, and the muted atmosphere is preserved until the Easter Vigil.
Holy Saturday remembers the day Jesus spent in the grave resting. The Easter Vigil takes place at the end of the day, outside the church, where an Easter fire is kindled, and the Paschal candle is blessed and lit. This candle will be used throughout the Easter season, reminding all that Christ is our life and light.
Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays, and Easter time is the most important of all liturgical times. It is a time of celebration and joy, marking the Resurrection of Christ and his Ascension to Heaven.
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The Last Supper
The Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke indicate that the Last Supper was a Passover meal, taking place on the 14th of Nisan, with the Crucifixion occurring the following day. The Gospel of John, however, suggests a different timeline, implying that the Last Supper occurred before the Passover festival.
The exact location of the Last Supper is not mentioned in Scripture, but it is believed to have been in Jerusalem. The owner of the house is not identified, but it is speculated that it may have been one of Jesus' disciples, such as Nicodemus, Joseph of Arimathea, or the mother of John Mark. The upper room where the supper took place was large and furnished as a dining hall.
During the Last Supper, Jesus shared profound words with his disciples, which are recorded in the Gospels and have become central to Christian theology and ritual. He blessed and broke the bread, offering it to his disciples and saying, "This is my body, which is given for you." He then passed a cup filled with wine, stating, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many." These words and actions instituted the Holy Eucharist, also known as Holy Communion, which is a sacred ritual for Christians, symbolizing the nourishment and community found in the Christian journey.
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The Ascension of Jesus Christ
The Ascension is detailed in the Bible in the first chapter of Acts, as well as in Luke 24:50-51. According to the Bible, Jesus and his disciples travelled to Mount Olivet, near Jerusalem, where Jesus promised his followers that they would soon receive the Holy Spirit. He instructed them to remain in Jerusalem until the arrival of the Holy Spirit, and as he blessed them, he began to rise from the ground and ascend into Heaven. As the disciples watched, a cloud hid Jesus from their view, and two angels appeared, promising that Christ would return "in just the same way that you have watched him go" (Acts 1:11).
The Ascension is considered a significant event in Christian doctrine, marking the end of Jesus' earthly ministry and the beginning of his new work as High Priest and Mediator of the New Covenant. It also holds symbolic value, indicating Jesus' deification and his exaltation to the right hand of God.
In Christian art, the Ascension is often depicted with Jesus blessing a group of people on Earth, symbolising his blessing upon the entire Church. The Feast of the Ascension is celebrated on the 40th day of Easter, which is always a Thursday, and is a major feast day in the Christian liturgical year.
While the Ascension is a key tenet of Christianity, modern interpretations have faced challenges due to scientific advancements that contradict the pre-scientific cosmology of Jesus' time. Nonetheless, theologians emphasise the importance of Jesus' resurrection and exaltation, which remain central to Christian doctrine.
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Pentecost
The Catholic Church celebrates Easter over a period of 50 days, from the Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to Pentecost Sunday. Pentecost, also known as Pentecost Sunday, is an annual feast that marks the end of the Easter season. It occurs 50 days after the resurrection of Jesus and 10 days after his ascension into heaven.
The name Pentecost comes from the Greek word "pentecoste", meaning 50th. This is also where the word pentagon comes from. In the Christian tradition, Pentecost is the celebration of the Holy Spirit coming upon the Apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Jesus, who were gathered together in the Upper Room. The Holy Spirit appeared as a strong, driving wind, filling the room, and tongues of fire rested on their heads, allowing them to speak in different languages so they could understand each other.
The events of Pentecost are described in Acts 2:1-12 of the Bible. Acts 1:4-5 states:
> "While staying with them, he ordered them not to leave Jerusalem, but to wait there for the promise of the Father. 'This,' he said, 'is what you have heard from me; for John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit not many days from now.'"
The Holy Spirit gave the apostles the gifts and fruits necessary to fulfill the great commission—to go out and preach the Gospel to all nations. Pentecost is considered the birthday of the Church, as Peter, the first Pope, preached his first homily and converted thousands of new believers.
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Frequently asked questions
The Catholic Easter season is 50 days long, from the Sunday of the Resurrection of Jesus Christ to Pentecost Sunday.
Holy Week spans the final eight days of Jesus' life, from Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday.
Palm Sunday is the first day of Holy Week.
