After the sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary came to see the tomb. And behold, there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord descended from heaven, approached, rolled back the stone, and sat upon it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing was white as snow. The guards were shaken with fear of him and became like dead men. Then the angel said to the women in reply, “Do not be afraid! I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified. He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay.

– Matthew 28:1—6

Easter fulfills the paschal mystery: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This is one mystery. His death and resurrection are so closely tied that their individual meanings are incomplete. It is through his death that he could rise and conquer sin and death.

Easter begins at sunset on Holy Saturday. It is the third and final day of the Easter Triduum and celebrates Jesus Christ’s rising from the dead. He is risen!

Easter Vigil

The Easter Vigil is the Great Service of Light. “It is the Church’s biggest and most important liturgical event,” Rev. Peter Klein explains in The Catholic Source Book. “It begins in the darkness of Holy Saturday evening, at the fire where the new Easter candle is lit. During the procession into the dark Church, all the members of the congregation light candles to symbolize the light of Christ that overcomes sin and darkness.”


The congregation sits in the dark and listens to three to seven readings from the Old Testament.

• Genesis 1:1—2:2
• Genesis 22:1-18
• Exodus 14:15—15:1
• Isaiah 54:5-14
• Isaiah 55:1-11
• Baruch 3:9-15, 32—4:4
• Ezekial 36:16-17a, 18-28

After the Old Testament readings, the candles on the altar are lit, the lights turned on, and all sing the Gloria as the church bells are rung. It is tradition for people to bring bells to this Mass to ring during the Gloria.

Afterward, the letter of St. Paul to the Romans 6:3—11 is read. Then, we listen to the Gospel from the appropriate lectionary cycle.

• Year A (2011, 2014, 2017): Matthew 28:1—10
• Year B (2012, 2015, 2018): Mark 16:1—8
• Year C (2013, 2016, 2019): Luke 24:1—12

After the Liturgy of the Word, those being initiated into the church through the Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults come forward to celebrate the first two of the sacraments of initiation – Baptism and Confirmation – according to ancient tradition: among the rest of the Church community. They celebrate the third and final sacrament of initiation – the Eucharist – during the Liturgy of the Eucharist with the whole community, as one Body in Christ.

Easter and Our Sacramental Life

It is through Christ that we are freed of and strengthened against sin. The paschal mystery makes possible the sacraments through which God graces us. We each celebrate only one baptism, whether it is in the Catholic Church or another Christian religion. Our baptism wipes out our original sin, and brings forgiveness of all sins, venial and mortal. We receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit when we are confirmed within the Catholic Church. Our venial sins are forgiven when we receive the Eucharist, and we are strengthened by Christ. Through the sacrament of Reconciliation, we recognize and admit our sins, and receive help when needed.

Through all of the sacraments, we receive God’s grace. Without the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, our sacramental life would not be possible, for Jesus instituted these sacraments (CCC #1114). How appropriate that new members of the Catholic faith join the community on Easter!

Easter Sunday is not the end of Easter. It is the first day of the 50-day Easter Season, which concludes at Pentecost.

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures; that he appeared to Cephas, then to the Twelve. After that, he appeared to more than five hundred brothers at once, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep. After that he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one born abnormally, he appeared to me. For I am the least of the apostles, not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me has not been ineffective. Indeed, I have toiled harder than all of them; not I, however, but the grace of God (that is) with me. Therefore, whether it be I or they, so we preach and so you believed.

– 1 Corinthians 3-11

By the grace of God . . .

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