The Season of Easter

It can seem that once Easter Sunday has passed easter is finished, but the celebration continues for fifty days.

Next Sunday is traditionally known as Low Sunday or White Sunday which refers to the white baptismal garment of the newly baptised. Divine Mercy Sunday is a new feast also celebrated on this day. It comes almost as an opportunity in which anyone who missed out on celebrating the mercy of Christ in Holy Week has another chance.

After forty days we celebrate the feast of the Ascension of Christ who returns to the Father to send us the Holy Spirit. We spend the novena (nine days) between Ascension and Pentecost praying for the Spirit like Mary and the apostles in the Upper Room. On the fiftieth day (which is the literal meaning of the word 'Pentecost') Easter ends. On that day Christ's Passover is fulfilled in the outpouring of the Holy Spirit.

Our celebration of Easter resonates throughout the rest of the year: full of gratitude for Christ's passion, joy in his resurrection and, strengthened by the Spirit, we continue our Christian journey.