Easter is considered the Church’s most important feast. Although Christmas is the more popular feast, and a secular holiday as well, Easter celebrates the central truth of our faith as Christians. Jesus’ passion, death, and rising from the dead is known as the Paschal mystery. It is this holy mystery of our faith that is central to our lives as Christians.



Easter is a season of endless joy. By rising from the dead, Jesus conquered death forever. No longer is death the end of the story. Death for the followers of Jesus is only a transition into a new and better life with God forever. Life has won the victory! Eternal death has been overcome! There is great reason to celebrate and rejoice!

The Church’s word of joy is alleluia. During Lent the Church concentrates instead on the cross of Jesus and on how we can grow in our relationship with the One who gave his life for us. Lent has passed and we now return alleluia to our prayers, hymns, and liturgy so the joy of Easter can be expressed and celebrated once again.

Family Activity

	Decide how the new life we receive at Easter should change our attitudes, our conversations, and our actions.

	•		Decide as a family on a service project that will reflect the new life of Resurrection, such as a spring cleanup of a local park or the yards of the elderly or physically challenged in your parish.
	•		After the service project is completed, discuss the success or failure of the project and the feelings experienced while doing this act of service.

See the Liturgical Calendar on this site for additional information.
See also Catechist—Lent or Teacher—Lent for Liturgy.