Today, the Church begins a new liturgical season—Easter, the very heart of the Christian faith. It proclaims the fulfillment of God’s promise through the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, revealing His victory over sin and death.
Easter unfolds as a season of grace, inviting the faithful to reflect more deeply on the mystery that gives meaning to our hope and new life. Rooted in the witness of Scripture and celebrated in the life of the Church since the time of the Council of Nicaea, this sacred time draws us into the joy of the Risen Christ.
What is the Good News of Easter?
The Good News of Easter is that God fulfilled His promise by raising Jesus from the dead. This is the center of Christian faith and the reason for our hope (1 Cor 15:14). The first Christians believed and shared this truth with others. Because Christ is risen, He has conquered death and given us new life (Rm 6:9).
Why is Easter the most important feast?
Easter is the greatest celebration of the Church, known as the “Feast of feasts,” because it proclaims Christ’s victory over sin and death. It reveals the fullness of God’s saving work through Christ’s Resurrection (1 Cor 15:54-57).
Since the time of the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD, it has been celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon following the spring equinox. Even if the date changes each year, its meaning remains the same.
Did the Resurrection really happen? What is the empty tomb?
The Resurrection is both a real event and a mystery of faith witnessed in Scripture (1 Cor 15:3-8). Early Christians, including St. Paul, testified that Jesus died, rose again, and appeared to many. The empty tomb was the first sign that something extraordinary had happened. It helped the disciples begin to believe that Jesus had truly risen (Jn 20:6-8).
How are the Eucharist and the Paschal Mystery connected?
At the Last Supper, Jesus gave His Body and Blood to His disciples as a new covenant. This prepared them for His death and Resurrection, the core of the Paschal Mystery (1 Cor 11:23-26). In every Mass, this saving event is not just remembered but made present. Through His death and Resurrection, Jesus frees us from sin and leads us to new life (Rm 6:4).
When is the Easter Octave?
The Easter Octave begins on Easter Sunday and lasts for eight consecutive days. It ends on the Second Sunday of Easter (also called Divine Mercy Sunday).
During this time, each day is celebrated as if it were Easter Sunday itself, highlighting the importance of the Resurrection as one continuous feast. The liturgy remains especially joyful, with the Gloria, Alleluia, and other festive elements used throughout the octave.
Until when is the Easter Season?
The Easter Season lasts from Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday. It spans fifty days of celebrating the Resurrection of Christ.
Until when should the “Alleluia” be included in the liturgy and specific prayers?
The Alleluia is joyfully restored in the liturgy during the Easter Season and is proclaimed in its usual form before the Gospel Acclamation.
A double Alleluia is used in a special way during this time—particularly in the dismissal (e.g., “Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia!”) and in certain prayers. It is observed daily until Divine Mercy Sunday, and is used again on Pentecost Sunday as the Easter Season concludes.
After Pentecost, the Alleluia is no longer added in this form to dismissals and similar responses, marking the transition back to Ordinary Time.
What is the “Regina Caeli?”
The Regina Caeli is a traditional Marian antiphon prayed during the Easter Season which highlights the liturgical season’s message of hope, victory, and new life in Christ. Traditionally recited or sung morning, noon, and evening, it replaces the Angelus from Easter Sunday until Pentecost Sunday, reflecting the joy of the Resurrection.
The prayer begins with the words “Regina caeli, laetare, alleluia” (“Queen of Heaven, rejoice, alleluia”), and it addresses the Blessed Virgin Mary as the Mother of the Risen Lord. It expresses joy that Christ has risen, fulfilling His promise, and calls on Mary to intercede for us.
What does Easter mean for us today?
Easter reminds us that death, sin, and suffering do not have the final word, because Christ has already overcome them through His Resurrection (1 Cor 15:55–57). This gives us a living hope—not just for the future, but for our daily lives. It calls us to turn away from sin and to live a renewed life in God’s grace, walking in the light of Christ. At the same time, Easter sends us on a mission: to witness to this hope and share the joy of the Risen Christ with others.