Grace Thompson
Easter is the most important liturgical time for Catholics, celebrating Jesus's resurrection from the dead, his victory over sin and death, and salvation for mankind. The Easter Vigil is the Mother of All Vigils, and Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays. The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost Sunday. During this time, the Easter candle is lit for all liturgical services and should be incensed whenever incense is used. The liturgical colour is white, and all penitential elements in the eucharist are eliminated.
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What You'll Learn
The Easter Vigil
The Liturgy of the Eucharist is similar to Mass as Catholics typically experience it. There are, of course, proper prayers (e.g. for the Prayer over the Gifts, the Preface, and the Postcommunion). At Communion, the first to be communicated are the newly baptised and those received into the Church.
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The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
The Gospels describe how Jesus was hastily placed in a tomb on Friday afternoon before the Sabbath, and that his body was missing when the women returned to anoint it with spices early on Sunday morning. The women were told by angels that Jesus had risen and that he would appear to his disciples in Galilee, as he had said he would.
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Easter Sunday
Easter is the most important liturgical time for Catholics. It celebrates Jesus's victory over sin and death and his salvation of mankind. It is God's greatest act of love to redeem mankind. Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays.
The date of Easter Sunday is movable and always falls on a Sunday between March 22 and April 25. It is celebrated on the first Sunday after the Paschal full moon, which is the first full moon occurring on or after the spring equinox (March 21). As a result, Easter will always fall between these dates.
The Easter Vigil is the "Mother of All Vigils". The Easter candle is lit for the first time from the new fire of the Easter Vigil and is placed in a prominent place in the sanctuary between Easter and Pentecost. It should be lit for all liturgical services in this season and should be incensed whenever incense is used. The colour of the vesture for the season is white, and the altar cloth or frontal should also be white. Liturgical hangings or banners should be made of white and contrasting colours and should reflect the season of new life, fulfilment, rejoicing and joy at the season. All penitential elements in the eucharist should be eliminated in this season of sung Alleluias, water, candles and lights. Most Catholics attend Easter Vigil at midnight, although the services can be lengthy because many sacraments are performed, such as baptisms and the Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults, during the Mass. Services during the daytime on Easter Sunday are shorter and well attended.
The season of Easter begins on Easter Sunday and lasts for 50 days until Pentecost. It is a time of joy and thanksgiving, celebrating Jesus's resurrection from the dead, his Ascension to the Father, and the sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. Each Sunday of the season is treated as a Sunday of Easter. The octave of Easter comprises the eight days which stretch from the first to the second Sunday. It is a way of prolonging the joy of the initial day.
Traditional family activities vary by region. In the United States, children often hunt for Easter eggs, which are often brightly dyed hard-boiled eggs, though they can be plastic eggs filled with candy or small denominations of money. Candy is a traditional gift for Easter as children often break their Lenten fasts with sweets. Adults tend to share bouquets of flowers, greeting cards, and may gather for a family meal. Such celebrations are often secularised and focused on children and family rather than the religious aspect of the holy day.
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Pentecost
The term "Pentecost" is derived from the Koine Greek word "pentecoste," meaning "fiftieth," as it occurs 50 days after Jesus's resurrection and 10 days after his ascension. It is a "'moveable feast,'" depending on the timing of Easter, and can fall between May 10 and June 13. The concept of the novena, or nine days of prayer, is associated with Pentecost, as Mary and the Apostles prayed together for nine days after the Ascension.
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, Pentecost holds the status of a Solemnity. It is considered the end and completion of the Easter season, marking the birth or "great beginning" of the Church. The week between Ascension and Pentecost is traditionally a time of preparation and expectation for the coming of the Holy Spirit. The liturgical colour for this season is white, symbolising new life, fulfillment, rejoicing, and joy.
The typical depiction of Pentecost in Western art includes the Virgin Mary seated prominently among the disciples, with flames above their heads. Sometimes, parting clouds, rays of light, and a dove are also included in the scene. The Orthodox icon of Pentecost depicts the Twelve Apostles in a semicircle, with the Virgin Mary seated in their centre, and the Holy Spirit descending upon them as tongues of fire.
In Russia, Mass-goers often carry flowers or green branches during Pentecost services. Pentecost is a legal holiday in many European, African, and Caribbean countries, and it is celebrated as a festival in various Protestant churches.
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Easter Traditions
For Catholics, Easter is the most important liturgical time, celebrating Jesus's victory over sin and death and his salvation of mankind. It is also known as Eastertide and is a fifty-day celebration, starting with Easter Sunday and ending with Pentecost Sunday, or the Solemnity of Pentecost.
The Easter Vigil is the "Mother of All Vigils", and Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays, commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The octave of Easter is the eight days from the first to the second Sunday, prolonging the joy of Easter. During this time, the Alleluia is sung at the conclusion of each Mass.
There are many traditions Catholics follow to celebrate Easter. Some attend morning mass, followed by an Easter breakfast hosted by the parish. Families may then attend community events such as parades, feasts, and festivals, or spend the day with loved ones.
In the home, families may greet each other with "Christ is risen! Alleluia!", to which the response is "Indeed, He is risen!". During Easter, the Regina Caeli prayer replaces the Angelus, traditionally prayed at 6 am, noon, and 6 pm. Families may also display bright and cheerful Easter decorations, flowers, and Easter lilies.
Eggs are a significant part of Easter traditions, with hard-boiled eggs decorated or wrapped and hidden for children to find during Easter egg hunts.
While traditions vary across the world, some notable examples include the Mardi Gras of New Orleans, the Easter Parade and Bonnet Festival of New York City, and the Royal Easter Carnival in Sydney, Australia.
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Frequently asked questions
Easter is the most important liturgical time for Catholics. It celebrates Jesus's victory over sin and death and his salvation of mankind. It is God's greatest act of love to redeem mankind.
The Easter season begins with the Easter Vigil, which marks the end of the paschal fast and the celebration of Holy Week. The season of Easter is 50 days, starting from Easter Sunday and ending with Pentecost Sunday.
The Easter Vigil is the "Mother of All Vigils". Most Catholics attend the Easter Vigil at midnight, and it is a lengthy service during which many sacraments are performed, such as baptisms.
There are several Easter traditions, including egg hunts, eating special Easter foods, and watching Easter parades. The Easter lamb is the most significant symbol of the feast, representing Christ with the flag of victory. Other symbols include the Easter Bunny, Easter lilies, and the Easter egg.
