| On Easter Sunday we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus
from the dead. On this day the disciples saw the empty tomb, and the risen
Jesus began to appear to them. Easter celebrates our belief in life after
death. It ranks first among the feasts of the church.
The Easter Sunday Mass differs a bit from others. The new paschal candle
is lighted and stands near the ambo. Having omitted the Glory to God throughout
the season of Lent, we sing it again. The Easter sequence is said or sung
after the second reading. During Lent we sang a different acclamation before
the Gospel, but now we sing “Alleluia” again. In the United States the
creed may be replaced with the renewal of baptismal promises and the sprinkling
of holy water on this day.
There are small changes to the eucharistic prayer. If you are alert,
you will hear during the preface that Christ became our paschal sacrifice
“on this day.” If the priest is using Eucharistic Prayer I, he announces
that this is the day of the resurrection of the Lord and that the community
prays especially for those newly baptized at the Easter Vigil.
At the end of the Mass, the deacon or priest adds two “alleluias” to
the words of dismissal, and you respond, “Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.”
Attendance is strong on Easter, as all those who profess faith in Christ
join together in a single celebration. Many worshipers like to dress up
for the occasion. The main Easter liturgy is the Easter Vigil on Saturday
night, and all Catholics should make every effort to participate in it.
But Easter Sunday remains a popular choice for affirming one’s faith in
the risen Christ.
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This bulletin insert originally appeared in Ministry
& Liturgy, a pastoral planning resource used by the worship leaders
in your parish as an aid for better liturgy. Copyright © 2006, Resource
Publications, Inc. 160 E. Virginia St. #290, San Jose, CA 95112, (408)
286-8505. This article may not be reproduced in any form without permission
from the publisher. For permission e-mail
info@rpinet.com.
Paul
Turner, pastor of St. Munchin Parish in Cameron, MO, holds a doctorate
in sacramental theology from Sant' Anselmo University in Rome.
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