The Season of Easter
The Season of Easter is the great festival of faith and lasts 50 days, beginning with the Great Vigil that proclaims, with the new fire and the dawn, that Christ has risen.
"Alleluia!" we cry, "Christ is risen indeed!"
Through the fifty days, we sing "Alleluia!" again and again, unable to contain the joy of our salvation. The Sunday readings examine the appearances of Jesus -- to the disciples, and Thomas; on the road to Emmaus; by the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus prepares his followers for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the days when he will leave them to ascend to his heavenly Father.
On the fortieth day, the Church observes Ascension Day, when we commemorate Christ's ascension -- being taken up -- into heaven, together with the admonition from the angels, not to stare uselessly into heaven, but rather meet together and wait for the Spirit.
On the fiftieth day, literally, Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, which in many ways is the "birthday" of the church. It marks the day when the disciples, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, go out into the world to preach the resurrection of Christ.
The Symbols of Easter
The Empty Cross: The triumphal victory of Jesus Christ over the powers of death are represented by the empty cross. The cross has become the principal symbol of the Christian faith.
The Christus Rex: This is Latin for "Christ the King" and depicts Christ wearing full eucharistic garments, with his eyes open and often, a crown on his head.
The Lily: It's whiteness indicates the purity of the resurrected life, white also being the liturgical colour of the Easter season. The trumpet-shaped blossom also reminds us to proclaim "Christ is risen!" Other spring flowers are often displayed at Easter.
The Egg and Bunny: These secular symbols are reminders of spring, being traditional signs of fertility
The Season of Easter is the great festival of faith and lasts 50 days, beginning with the Great Vigil that proclaims, with the new fire and the dawn, that Christ has risen.
"Alleluia!" we cry, "Christ is risen indeed!"
Through the fifty days, we sing "Alleluia!" again and again, unable to contain the joy of our salvation. The Sunday readings examine the appearances of Jesus -- to the disciples, and Thomas; on the road to Emmaus; by the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Jesus prepares his followers for the coming of the Holy Spirit and the days when he will leave them to ascend to his heavenly Father.
On the fortieth day, the Church observes Ascension Day, when we commemorate Christ's ascension -- being taken up -- into heaven, together with the admonition from the angels, not to stare uselessly into heaven, but rather meet together and wait for the Spirit.
On the fiftieth day, literally, Pentecost, we celebrate the coming of the Holy Spirit, which in many ways is the "birthday" of the church. It marks the day when the disciples, emboldened by the Holy Spirit, go out into the world to preach the resurrection of Christ.
The Symbols of Easter
The Empty Cross: The triumphal victory of Jesus Christ over the powers of death are represented by the empty cross. The cross has become the principal symbol of the Christian faith.
The Christus Rex: This is Latin for "Christ the King" and depicts Christ wearing full eucharistic garments, with his eyes open and often, a crown on his head.
The Lily: It's whiteness indicates the purity of the resurrected life, white also being the liturgical colour of the Easter season. The trumpet-shaped blossom also reminds us to proclaim "Christ is risen!" Other spring flowers are often displayed at Easter.
The Egg and Bunny: These secular symbols are reminders of spring, being traditional signs of fertility
