Easter Season
March 31 – May 19, 2024
Easter Sunday is the greatest of all Sundays, and Easter Time is the most important of all liturgical times. Easter is the celebration of the Lord’s resurrection from the dead, culminating in his Ascension to the Father and sending of the Holy Spirit upon the Church. There are 50 days of Easter from the first Sunday to Pentecost Sunday.
The octave of Easter comprises eight days which stretch from the first to the second Sunday. It is a way of prolonging the joy of the initial day. In a sense, every day of the Octave is like a little Sunday.
The Easter season doesn’t end after the Octave of Easter. There are 50 days of Easter from the first Sunday to Pentecost. It is characterized, above all, by the joy of glorified life and the victory over death expressed most fully in the great resounding cry of the Christian: Alleluia! All faith flows from faith in the resurrection: “If Christ has not been raised, then empty is our preaching; empty, too, is your faith.” (1 Cor 15:14) (usccb.org)
Easter Resources and Reflections
As we enter into this very special time, here are some additional resources and reflections to read and share:
+ Pick up a copy of Matthew Kelly’s book THERE IS A VOICE WITHIN YOU. Listening to that voice is the difference between happiness and misery, wonderful memories and heartrending regrets. The Rocking Chair Prophet is a transformational story about reclaiming that voice and the unmitigated joy that comes from following it.
+ Activities for Families to Celebrate the 50 Days of Easter
+ Be Fearless, Be Joyful, Be Renewed: Living the Spirit of Easter
+ Finding God in Each Other – A Rebirth at Easter
+ Everyday Resurrections: A Meditation on Easter – Franciscan Spirit Blog
+ Easter reflection from The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB’s)
+ Videos on Formed.org
Have you checked out Formed.org, yet? Consider giving it a look! Formed.org provides Catholic content from to help parishes, families, and individuals explore their faith. During this Easter Season take some time to explore what’s available on Formed.org specific to Easter; for example, The Resurrection of Jesus, Divine Mercy, Ascension of Jesus, and Pentecost are a few great topics to consider.
All who come to our church, are welcome to join Formed.org – at no cost! Go here to sign up for your free Formed.org account
Go On An Eucharistic Pilgrimage
Walk with Jesus across the Golden Gate Bridge on Pentecost!
Sunday, May 19, 2024
Begins with 11 AM Mass at the Cathedral of St. Mary of the Assumption in San Francisco followed by a pilgrimage with the Blessed Sacrament across the Golden Gate Bridge to kick off the St. Junipero Serra Route of the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage. If you are interested in joining with others from OLG on the pilgrimage, contact Jamie in the OLG Church office [email protected] / 310.372.7077
The National Eucharistic caravan of pilgrims will begin their route in San Francisco and then cross the Rocky Mountains and the Great Plains on foot, covering over 2,200 miles! For more information about the National Eucharistic Pilgrimage, visit www.eucharisticpilgrimage.org.