EASTER 2013
CHRIST HAS DIED! CHRIST HAS RISEN! CHRIST WILL COME AGAIN!
Easter is indeed the greatest of all Christian Feasts. So important is it that 50 days are needed to do it justice. These 50 days make up the Easter Season, they are thought by some as 50 small parts of one Great Easter Day, lasting from Easter to Pentecost Sunday.
Easter has two basic names. One comes from the word East where the Sun rose from darkness and death to life. The other comes the Hebrew word "pesach" and refers to "lamb" through which the Hebrew people were saved. We pray at the Eucharist, "Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the World. Have Mercy on Us." Jesus who has risen is the Lamb of God. After the resurrection Jesus was recognized by the Apostles in the breaking of the bread. (Luke 24:13-35) Daily our Eucharistic Prayer remembers the dying and rising of Christ. Easter in this way is always with us.
Of course Mary, the Mother of God is always remembered in the Eucharistic Prayer. A special Easter Season prayer dedicated to Mary is as follows:
Queen of Heaven, rejoice, Alleluia!
The Son who you did lay to rest in sorrow, alleluia!
Has risen as He said, alleluia!
Pray for us to God, alleluia!
Family Activities For the Easter Season
Plan a Spring walk (Emmaus Walk) with some of the family, recognize Christ in all of creation.
Read the Scriptures doing the 50 days of Easter.
Pray the Rosary especially the Glorious and Luminous Mysteries during the Easter Season.
Pope Benedict XVI reminds us throughout the Year of Faith
of the importance of evangelization. He wrote, "Conversion is never once and for all but is a process, an interior journey through the whole of Life." Our new Pope Francis continues to encourage us to keep the Year of Faith.
Journey with Mary reflecting on the mysteries of the Prayer of the Rosary. Invite your family and friends to pray the Rosary together.
Daily at the Father Peyton Center in North Easton, Massachusetts, our Family Theater Office in Hollywood, California, our Family Rosary Office in Albany, New York and in our other offices throughout the world the Mass and Rosary are prayed remembering all the intentions of families and friends. Please join us and light a candle and add your prayer intentions through Our Prayer Request.
For a family activity during this Eastertide, try some baking on catholiccuisine. Perhaps you could bring some baked goods to the local food pantry.
Try our Interactive Rosary .
Be an evangelizer expressing your understanding of Easter to those who inquire.
Explanation & History of The Rosary »
Learn about The Rosary (video) »