This page was created by Lizza Ngbadu, CCH student, on her Faith in Action service
What is Easter?
Easter Sunday is the day that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. He was crucified , died on the cross and was buried in a tomb on a day that came to be known as Good Friday. Three days later he rose, a day that came to be known as Easter Sunday making him the first born from the dead and symbolizing the victory over sin and death. Easter Sunday is a passage from death to life.
Easter is the most important Christian liturgy, and is the longest of the special liturgical seasons of the Catholic Church. It extends all the way to Pentecost Sunday, the 50th day after Easter, and encompasses major feasts such as Divine Mercy Sunday and Ascension.
"Therefore Easter is not simply one feast among others, but the 'Feast of feasts', the 'Solemnity of solemnities', just as the Eucharist is the 'Sacrament of sacraments'. St. Athanasius calls Easter 'the Great Sunday' and the Eastern Churches call Holy Week 'the Great Week'. The mystery of the Resurrection, in which Christ crushed death, permeates with its powerful energy our old time, until all is subjected to him." --The Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1168 and 1169
A Mass is held at night , the day before Easter Sunday in celebration of the resurrection of Jesus. This is called the Easter Vigil. The vigil is divided into four parts : 1) Service of Light. 2) Liturgy of the Word. 3) Liturgy of Baptism. 4) Liturgy of Eucharist.
Often times the Easter vigil and the Easter Sunday Mass are confusing. The Difference between Easter Sunday Mass and Easter Vigil is that the Easter Vigil is always during the sundown of Holy Saturday, and Easter Sunday Mass is always celebrated on Easter Sunday itself. Both masses celebrate the resurrection of Christ, however, they do not have the same readings. You don’t have to attend both. If you attend the Vigil Mass then you do not need to attend the Easter Sunday Mass.
Here at St. Martha's the Easter Vigil Mass starts at 8pm and the Easter Sunday Mass at 9:00 am and 11:00 am
CANADIAN EASTER TRADITIONS
Easter is a widely celebrated Christian holiday that commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ. As a major religious and cultural event, it is observed in various ways across the world.
In Canadian tradition on Easter there are family gatherings, food, Easter egg hunts, the exchange of chocolate eggs and bunnies as well as gifts.
For example the Eggs hunt involves hiding eggs for children to discover them and an egg is used because it symbolizes new life, just as Jesus rose from the tomb, the egg symbolized new life emerging from the eggshell.
Easter is truly a joyous and exciting time of the year for everyone all together irrespective of their individual beliefs.
