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Easter Sunday

"This is the day which the Lord hath made; let us celebrate it with transports of joy" (Office of the Church).

Jesus confounded all His enemies by clothing in glory and splendor that Body which had been the Victim of the cruelty of man. Christ's triumph over death is the most conclusive proof of His Divinity and the foundation of our faith: "If Christ be not risen again your faith is vain" (1 Cor. 15).

And "God has given us the victory through Our Lord Jesus Christ. He has raised us up together with Christ and has made us sit together in the heavenly places" (Eph. 2.6).

Eastertide begins at Easter and ends on the Saturday after Pentecost. It is a time of uninterrupted joy and Feasts, during which we celebrate the Mysteries of the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the Descent of the Holy Ghost upon the Apostles and also on His Church. The date of Easter, from which the date of all movable feasts is determined, is fixed according to the Jewish method and may vary between March 22 and April 25.

In the Liturgy of Eastertide, we commemorate the various appearances of Our Lord, during which He instructed His Apostles and prepared them for the Descent of the Holy Ghost and His own Ascension.

Until Ascension Day, the paschal candle shines in the sanctuary, as a symbol of the visible presence of Our Lord upon earth and white vestments are used. The joyful repetition of "Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia," which was omitted since Septuagesima, follows every Introit, Antiphon Verse, and Response as a sign of joy and peace.

Updated Wednesday, March 12, 2003