5, p. 774). Holy Week is the week before Easter Sunday, beginning seven days before with Palm Sunday. Easter is a season, seven weeks long—she could host her Easter celebration on one of the other five Easter Sundays before Pentecost. No, because whatever it meant for ancient pagans, for Christians Easter is the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. From Paul’s description of the Corinthian Christians’ behavior, it seems that they were having Bring Your Own Bottle and Food events when they gathered to celebrate the Eucharist, the result being that some in the community were pigging out while others went without. Gregorian chant, Latin hymns, and even modern praise and worship songs are all possibilities, depending on your tastes. The short answer is that nobody really knows. To the eleven disciples who had gathered in the Upper Room of Jerusalem. For Christians, though, a memorial of our Lord’s death isn’t complete without a commemoration of his Resurrection and a celebration of the divine love (agape) that binds us together as the mystical body of Christ. 741 "The Spirit helps us in our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes with sighs too deep for words. Colored eggs were used in rituals associated with a pagan god. Answer: No, because whatever it meant for ancient pagans, for Christians Easter is the celebration of Christ’s Resurrection. These 50 days from Easter to Pentecost are celebrated as one feast day, sometimes called “the great Sunday.” Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday after the first full moon of spring. 12:27). According to various sources, the name Easter has its origin with a goddess of the Anglo-Saxons named Eostre (also Estre, Estara, Eastre, Ostara, and similar spellings in various sources). What is the Chaplet of Divine Mercy? 10:16). Easter Reflection (2021) Preview All Easter Season Reflections (2021) Today’s Gospel Reflection. Leo I (Serino xlvii in Exodum) calls it the greatest feast (festum festorum), and says that Christmas is celebrated only in preparation for Easter. 11:26). It ends with Holy Saturday. March 28 - April 3, 2021. Music. The first Sunday in the week is called Palm Sunday and the second one (the day Christ arose) is called Easter Sunday or Resurrection Sunday. When I was preparing to be received into the Church in 1996, the RCIA leaders hosted an agape feast for the candidates and catechumens. What! An appropriate reading from the Gospels for an agape feast would be one of the post-Resurrection appearances of Christ to the disciples. See more ideas about catholic easter, catholic, easter. Unfortunately, Paul’s chastisement wasn’t as effective as he might have hoped, because the early Church Fathers felt the need to echo Paul’s frustrations with the behavior of Christians at agape meals, eventually culminating with the practice falling largely into disuse by the end of the third century. Indeed, in most European countries, the name for Easter derives from the Greek word Pascha, which itself is derived from the Hebrew Pesach, i.e., the word “Passover.” Thus, the term “paschal sacrifice” refers to Jesus’ one a acrifice, and “paschal candle” is another name for the Easter candle. Although many Catholics in the U.S. have begun in recent years to extend their Christmas celebrations through Epiphany, they sometimes forget that Easter also can be celebrated beyond its first day through Pentecost Sunday. “What do I do?” the bewildered matriarch exclaimed in a question submitted to Catholic Answers a few years ago. H oly Week is the week Christians celebrate the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. Many people think that Christmas is the most important day in the Catholic liturgical calendar, but from the earliest days of the Church, Easter has been considered the central Christian feast. Our Lord, as Paul reminded us a few chapters later, is no longer dead but risen indeed because otherwise, “your faith is futile and you are still in your sins” (1 Cor. He then explains that the goddess Easter, or Ishtar: As for Easter eggs, there’s nothing wrong with painting or hunting them on Easter—provided the real meaning of the day isn’t lost. During these days of pandemic, this art can both remind us of the restrictions early Christians faced in gathering to worship publicly and give us hope that we too eventually will be able to leave our modern “catacombs.”. “What do I do?” the bewildered matriarch exclaimed in a question submitted to Catholic Answers a few years ago. Paul was not entirely comfortable, however, with the first Christians’ celebration of agape feasts. This scenario would naturally draw the apostles’ ire because the example they set for their communities was for a sharing of resources among all Christians (Acts 4:32–35). No, I will not (1 Cor. In the Church’s Western tradition Easter has been celebrated on the first Sunday following the new full moon, which occurs on or immediately after the vernal or spring equinox. - Catholic Straight Answers What are some of the different Easter customs, like Easter eggs, bread, etc.? In order to properly celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection, the central feast of Christianity, the Church sets aside 50 days of joyful celebration. This walks through the Easter Vigil, and includes the words to the Exsultet.. It is believed that she is the goddess of the dawn and was worshipped in the spring by pagans in Northern Europe and the British Isles. Rosary – Glorious Mysteries (with Scripture) Novena in preparation for Divine Mercy Sunday. What shall I say to you? . He sets up his discussion of the eucharistic institution by berating the Corinthians’ un-Christian conduct at their feasts: When you meet together, it is not the Lord’s supper that you eat. It is also called Passion Week or Easter Week. Because Easter is the day that Jesus rose from the dead. In the Eucharist, he said that “as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes” (1 Cor. Yes. As Saint Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 15:14, "If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain." See more ideas about easter activities, sunday school crafts, bible crafts. The Chaplet of Divine Mercy is a set of prayers used as part of … It’s hard to believe an answer if you don’t understand the question it is addressing. Decorations. Can we hold our clan’s Easter celebration on Palm Sunday or Holy Saturday instead?”. Catholic Questions and Answers – One of the best ways to learn is to ask questions. Perhaps the earliest known Christian celebration of Christ’s Resurrection is the agape feast. St. Paul wove these themes together in his meditation on the institution of the Eucharist. Get the Straight Answers from Fr. Honest Answers to Questions About Catholic Faith & Beliefs. (This will be the topic of Part Three.) The Venerable Bede, a seventh-century Anglo-Saxon historian, writes that the word Easter … It’s called “Don’t Waste Your Cross this Easter.” I start out by mentioning a fascinating conversation between Jesus and the mother of the Apostles James and John: We thank you for sharing your life with us, both in this meal and in all the ways you sustain us, through Christ, our Risen Lord.”. Yes. The refreshments were simple and called to mind foods that Christ and his apostles might have eaten at the Last Supper. A publication I read claims Easter has its roots in a pagan holiday and rituals and as such ought not to be observed by Christians. Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Gospel Reflection for Easter (2020) Further Reflection for Easter Sunday. In accord with the Gospels, Easter is unequivocally the solemn feast celebrating Christ’s Resurrection. The Jewish Passover (on which Christ was crucified) also coincided with such celebrations, yet this didn’t mean it was pagan. … Absolutely not! Easter is not part of Holy Week, but rather the beginning of the Easter season of the Liturgical year. 11:20–22). 740 These "mighty works of God," offered to believers in the sacraments of the Church, bear their fruit in the new life in Christ, according to the Spirit. The Easter Vigil liturgy is the most beautiful liturgy in the Roman Catholic Church. It’s common for skeptics of Christianity to claim that the word Easter comes from the name of a pagan deity called Ishtar, suggesting that the Christian faith has pagan roots. Holy Saturday. It’s a tradition in many religious houses to have someone read from Scripture while the community eats. — In the primitive Church Holy Saturday was known as Great, or Grand, Saturday, Holy Saturday, the Angelic Night, the Vigil of Easter, etc.It is no longer, like Maundy Thursday, a day of joy, but one of joy and sadness intermingled; it is the close of the season of Lent and penance, and the beginning of paschal time, which is one of rejoicing. Not all religions believe this. The theory holds that Easter was a pagan festival that Christians “baptized.” This false narrative rests on the use of the word “Easter” itself to designate the Solemnity of the Lord’s Resurrection. Easter is the principal feast of the ecclesiastical year. Here's a video I did on precisely that subject: By the Way . The fact that when it was first celebrated the feast of the Resurrection coincided with pagan celebrations doesn’t mean it was derived from them. Prayers. My personal favorite is Jesus cooking breakfast on the shore of the Sea of Galilee for the disciples and testing Peter’s faith. Mar 26, 2018 - Explore Sadlier Religion's board "Catholic Easter", followed by 758 people on Pinterest. “Some of my grown children want to spend Easter Sunday at home with their spouse and kids instead of coming to my house for the big extended family gathering I … Apr 4, 2020 - Explore susan marcano's board "Catholic - Easter Activities" on Pinterest. The Easter egg as a symbol of the season dates back to Medieval Europe and the Lenten practices of that time. Is Easter a pagan holiday? William Saunders on your questions about Catholicism and the Catholic Faith. As with the days of the week (the names of which are of pagan origin), any peculiarly pagan significance attached to Easter eggs was forgotten centuries ago. Readings. Answer Yes and No. Sort through your music catalogue and find the churchiest music you have on hand to play on a loop during your meal. That’s why Americans start carting their Christmas trees out to the curb on December 26. Let’s look at how Catholic families might put together an at-home celebration of our Lord’s Resurrection during this Easter season. “Some of my grown children want to spend Easter Sunday at home with their spouse and kids instead of coming to my house for the big extended family gathering I host every year for the holiday. If you want to combine an agape meal with a traditional Easter feast, you could serve pita bread, hummus, grapes, olives, and other Mediterranean-style finger foods and dips as appetizers before dinner. The Easter Bunny is a symbol of Easter that is popular in western culture, especially with children. Although agape feasts are still celebrated in some non-Catholic Christian communities, they are all but unknown today among Catholics. Food. Catholic Answers is a media company dedicated to sharing what the Church really teaches, and we are the world’s largest source for reliable information about the Catholic Church’s doctrine, tradition, and beliefs. Shall I commend you in this? The fact that when it was first celebrated the feast of the Resurrection coincided with pagan celebrations doesn’t mean it was derived from them. You could use your usual table blessing to open the meal as a means of providing continuity for those gathered, and then close the meal with a special Easter table blessing: Leader: “Blest are you, Lord our God, who gathers us together in Jesus’ name. Mark 16:14 ... but later, … The term Easter, inserted here by our translators, they borrowed from the ancient Anglo-Saxon service-books….” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary, Vol. It is the center of the greater part of the ecclesiastical year. Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? All of that is a preamble for what I really want to share… my first* article as a Catholic Answers apologist. I was sympathetic to my inquirer’s distress but pointed out that there was no need to celebrate Easter during Holy Week. If you have family members who are musically inclined, you could ask them to play a few pieces on their instrument of choice. According to folklore, the Easter Bunny hides Easter eggs for children to find on Easter morning. In our culture, most people assume a holiday is “over” once the first day of the holiday passes. A few years ago, a singing family went viral on YouTube when they recorded themselves on Easter night performing “One Day More” from the musical Les Miserables. Easter is the celebration of Christ's resurrection from the dead. The good news is, the Easter egg in Christian tradition has a much humbler origin, and nothing to do with ancient pagan practices. Prayer meditation for Easter. If this is true, shouldn't we stop calling the day we celebrate Christ's Resurrection Easter and stop hunting eggs on that day. Cor. Some historians suggest that it came from the phrase hebdomada alba, Latin for “white week,” used to describe the white garments new Christians wore when they were baptized during Holy Week.In Old German, the word became esostarum and, eventually, Easter.. Opening and closing the meal with grace would frame your meal with uplifting minds and hearts to God and reminding everyone why you have gathered. But they can still celebrate Easter at home. Of course, this year families must navigate Covid-19 restrictions and won’t be able to gather with extended family during this Easter season. This dating was established by the Council of Nicea in A.D. 325. DIRECTIONS So it is with good reason that agape feasts are no longer part of public liturgies in the Catholic Church. Of the bread that is broken and cup that is blessed, “is it not a participation in the [body and] blood of Christ?” (1. Put your children to work re-creating some of the artwork in the Christian catacombs, either copying pieces you can find online or inventing their own catacombs art in the style of the ancient Christians. Consequently, a faithful Catholic must never discount the spiritual exercise of confession, from beginning to end: to take the time to diligently examine one’s conscience, to have contrition (i.e. Easter Vigil Through Octave of Easter. Catholic Answers is an apostolate dedicated to serving Christ by bringing the fullness of Catholic truth to the world. But no matter how prevalent this contention has become, it has no basis in history or reality. As Catholics we believe this. 15:17). At the Easter Vigil Mass, the new fire is blessed, the paschal candle is lit, and the beautiful Exultet is sung. The Easter Octave The first eight days during the Easter season are called the Octave of Easter. Funeral feasts were popular in the ancient world, and this type of gathering is believed to be one of the inspirations for Christ’s Last Supper. Interestingly, the most significant summary of our Catholic faith was written by St. Thomas Aquinas (called the Summa Theologica – Summary of Theology) and is set up in a question and answer format. But that doesn’t mean that Catholics may not reclaim this tradition for home celebrations of Easter. The opening verses set the theme for the Easter celebration: That she evidently didn’t realize that celebrating the holiday on a day following the first Sunday of Easter was an option is quite understandable. It is celebrated on Sunday, and marks the end of Holy Week, the end of Lent, the last day of the Easter Triduum (Holy Thursday, Good Friday and Easter Sunday), and is the beginning of the Easter season of the liturgical year. 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