Happy Easter!

Easter Tuesday this year is the feast of St. Gemma and our 14th anniversary of reception into Church. We love celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord for 50 days! The Easter Vigil is one my most favorite liturgies as we recount salvation history and prophecies. We begin in the dark and as the Paschal Candle is lit, the light of Christ spreads throughout the sanctuary. Our deacon chants the Exultet so beautifully! Favorite bits:

O truly necessary sin of Adam,

destroyed completely by the Death of Christ!

O happy fault
that earned so great, so glorious a Redeemer!

The sanctifying power of this night
dispels wickedness, washes faults away,
restores innocence to the fallen, and joy to mourners,
drives out hatred, fosters concord, and brings down the mighty.

I always find it fascinating that although our Lord Jesus prepared his disciples for the horror of Good Friday, they forgot that He told them He would rise from the dead. They were astonished, confused to be at the empty tomb. Unbelievable, yet TRUE!

 

Our pastor spoke about what a strange religion it is, from God becoming a Baby, born of a Virgin Mother, who allows Himself to be tortured and put Himself to death, who rises, and gives a way to remain with us substantially--His Real Presence in the Eucharist. We celebrate this because it's TRUE!!! And if it's true, nothing else matters. Watching grown men and women make their desire known, to be part of the biggest family on earth, that of the Catholic Church, fills me with so much joy. They have taken the same journey we have--of questioning, of studying, of accepting by faith all the truths of the Catholic faith. Alleluia!!! A most blessed Eastertide to all. And if you have little ones, might I recommend Ten Easter Eggs by yours truly?