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. These prayer celebrations will help participants share prayer during this holy season.

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


"Stations of the Resurrection" Prayer Celebration Notes

Focus		Expressing joy in the Resurrection
Materials		Prayer table, Bible, candle, seven Easter symbols, holy water, music, liturgy
Reading		John 14:6-17
Music		"We Have Been Told," "We Are Called, " "With Hope and Healing" [Meditation], Blest Are We CD 7-8; "Jesus is Risen," Barbara Bridge (OCP Publications), "We Walk by Faith," "Eye Has Not Seen," Marty Haugen (GIA Publications)
Preparation		Together with participants, select 7 symbols of the Resurrection to be placed at seven 'stations’ around the room [e.g., butterfly, Easter egg, flower bud, empty cross, white cloth, lit candle, a heart, Easter lily]. Decide at which station each symbol is to be placed. Choose instrumental music to play softly during the blessing. Select a leader, cross bearer, and seven readers. Print out and photocopy liturgy, "Stations of the Resurrection." Depending on the size of your group, it may be appropriate for just the cross bearer to move from station to station.
Adaptation		Participants could sing a song refrain at each station. Do not rush this celebration; allow significant pauses between each station.
Additional Materials		For a full year of liturgies, from which this one was adapted, see Prayer Celebrations, Middle School Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-30570-1 Used as a resource for this liturgy, see also Jesus Did Not Celebrate Christmas – A Guide for Christians to Jewish Holidays Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-9709574-0-8 Blest Are We CD, Level/Grade 7-8 Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36394-9 Blest Are We Song Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Words and melody for students; contains music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36617-4 Blest Are We Accompaniment Book for Grades 1-8, School Edition Contains accompaniment music for grades 1-6 (school) and 7-8 (parish and school) Call RCL Benziger at 1-877-ASK-4-RCL (1-877-275-4725). ORDER NUMBER: 0-382-36618-2