Easter celebrates Jesus being raised from the dead. The Resurrection is the central mystery of the Christian faith.
In order to properly celebrate Jesus' Resurrection, the central feast of Christianity, the Church sets aside 50 days of joyful celebration. 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.
Pentecost
The coming of the Holy Spirit is celebrated on Pentecost. With this feast the Easter season ends.
Pentecost celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the disciples 50 days after Jesus' Resurrection. As such, Pentecost is our celebration of the "birthday of the universal Church."
Sunday Connection—Weekly Background and Activities in Preparation for the Sunday Scriptures
These resources are provided to help you and your family or faith formation group to better understand the Gospel message and grow in your faith.
Easter Resources to Browse
Why Does Easter Fall on a Different Day Each Year?
The Day of the Resurrection
The Easter Candle
Finding God in Each Other: A Rebirth at Easter (PDF)
Finding God in Yourself and Your Gifts (PDF)
Jesus Is Alive
Jesus Rises From the Dead
The Mission of the Resurrection
Easter Egg Customs
Post-Resurrection Appearances
Story of Emmaus
An Intergenerational Event—Mary: The Yes That Changed the World
Books for the Season
Wisdom in the Waiting—Spring's Sacred Days: Stories from The Farm in Lucy
By Phyllis Tickle
One of America's most respected authorities on religion reflects on the framework of rural family life through the liturgical year.
Inner Compass: An Invitation to Ignatian Spirituality
By Margaret Silf
Inner Compass meets you where you are in your spiritual journey. This book is designed to help readers discover God for themselves, using the transforming Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.
Six Weeks with the Bible Series
Series Editor Kevin Perrotta
For busy adults who want to study the Bible but don't know where to begin, Six Weeks with the Bible provides an inviting starting point. Each guide is divided into six concise, 90-minute segments that introduce one book of the Bible. All biblical text is printed in the guides, which means no additional study aids are required.
Loyola Kids Book of Everyday Prayers
By Catherine Odell and Margaret Savitskas
This delightful collection of prayers encourages young readers to pray and to create their own prayers while learning about saints, biblical figures, and other devoted Christians. Ages 8 to 12.