Easter, the feast of Christ's Resurrection, is the central celebration of the Christian liturgical year. The Resurrection is the foundation of our faith, hope, and courage. Through Jesus' Resurrection we, too, will rise from the dead one day, both body and soul.

See Liturgical Calendar–Seasons–Easter for additional background information and prayer.


"Alleluia" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Celebrating new life.
Materials Needed		Prayer table, Bible, candle, cut-up activity page copies, crayons or markers, craft sticks or unsharpened pencils, and music Click here to print the new life activity page.
Suggested Reading		Mark 16:1-7
Suggested Music		"Alleluia," "You Have Put On Christ," Blest Are We Music CD 2; "Resucucitó/He is Risen," Kiko Argüello, "Jesus is Risen," Barbara Bridge (OCP Publications)
Preparation		In order to remain true to the liturgical season, you may wish to celebrate Easter with your group after Easter break. Before the prayer celebration, discuss with the children signs of new life. These signs include bunnies, chicks, and butterflies. Reproduce enough copies of the activity page so that there is one new life symbol for each child. Have them color their symbols and then glue sticks to the back of them so they will be able to hold them up during the liturgy. Children will not need copies of the liturgy. You can write the response, "Alleluia! Alleluia!" on the chalkboard or have them repeat it after you.
Adaptation		Have the children decorate eggs to celebrate Easter. Distribute hard-boiled eggs, markers, and Easter stickers to the children. You may want to provide small baskets (or make them from paper cups and ribbon) for the children to take their eggs home.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see: Prayer Celebrations, Primary Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30567-1 / 9780382305672 Blest Are We Music CD 2 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36653-0 / 9780382366536 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8 Words and melody for children; contains music for grades 1-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 / 9780382366178 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8 Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-8. Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2 / 9780382366185