Alleluia, He Is Risen

March 31, 2024

Easter is the most important celebration of the Church’s liturgical year. It celebrates the most important event in all of history—the Resurrection of Jesus from the dead. The Resurrection was Jesus’ victory over sin and death, winning our salvation. By believing in Christ Jesus and making the decision to follow Him as His disciples, His victory is ours.
   
This is what our Lenten observance has been about. In the early Church the season of Lent was for those who were preparing to receive the Sacraments of Initiation at the Easter Vigil. After three years of study of the faith, living the life of the community, and joining in ministry to the poor, they would take the 40 days leading up to the Sacred Triduum (Three Sacred Days), as a time of spiritual preparation, so that they would be ready to encounter Christ in the Sacraments of Initiation.

Later this time was extended to those who were already part of the Church, as a time to prepare to renew their baptismal commitments to Christ.
   
The week from Easter Sunday to Divine Mercy Sunday, on the Second Sunday of Easter, is known as the Octave of Easter. Octave means “eight” and specifically refers to the eight days between these great feasts.
—Fr. Mike Comer