 The Easter season in the Catholic Church is often experienced as a quiet unfolding of joy. After the intensity of Lent and the solemn beauty of Holy Week, Easter arrives not just as a single day, but as a season—fifty days of celebration that stretch toward Pentecost. It is a time when the Church invites us to linger in the reality of the Resurrection, to let it sink in slowly, and to begin recognizing how it changes everything. At the heart of this season is a simple but profound truth: Christ is risen. This is not just a past event, but a living reality. In the Gospels, the apostles themselves needed time to grasp what had happened. Mary Magdalene comes to the tomb in grief and confusion, only to encounter the risen Jesus when He calls her by name. The disciples on the road to Emmaus walk alongside Him without recognizing Him at first, their hearts “burning within them” as He opens the Scriptures. Even Thomas, who doubts, is invited to touch Christ’s wounds and believe. These moments are deeply human. They remind us that faith often grows gradually, not all at once. During the Easter season, the Church gives us permission to be like those first disciples; learning, questioning, and slowly awakening to the presence of the risen Lord in our own lives. For many Catholics, especially those who might not be deeply immersed in daily spiritual practices, this season offers a gentle invitation rather than a demand. It doesn’t ask for dramatic change overnight. Instead, it encourages small acts of awareness: noticing grace in ordinary moments, returning to prayer even if it’s brief, or simply reflecting on where God might be present in the midst of daily routines. The Resurrection also carries a message of hope that is both personal and communal. In a world that often feels uncertain or heavy, Easter insists that suffering and death do not have the final word. This doesn’t mean that difficulties disappear, but that they are transformed. Just as Christ’s wounds were not erased but glorified, our own struggles can become places where God’s grace is revealed. As the Easter season progresses, the Church begins to turn its gaze toward Pentecost. If Easter is about the risen Christ, Pentecost is about the gift He leaves behind: the Holy Spirit. In the Acts of the Apostles, we see a group of followers who are still afraid and uncertain, gathered in an upper room. Then, at Pentecost, everything changes. The Spirit descends like tongues of fire, and those same disciples go out boldly, preaching and witnessing to the world. This movement; from fear to courage, from confusion to clarity, is what makes Pentecost so compelling. It reminds us that the Christian life is not meant to be lived alone or by our own strength. The Holy Spirit is given to guide, strengthen, and inspire us. Even for someone who feels only loosely connected to their faith, this can be a powerful idea: that God is not distant, but actively present and working within us. Looking ahead to Pentecost during the Easter season can shape how we live these weeks. It becomes less about passively celebrating something that happened long ago and more about preparing our hearts for what God wants to do now. This preparation doesn’t have to be complicated. It might be as simple as asking, “Where do I need courage?” or “What is God inviting me to do differently?” The beauty of this liturgical journey is that it mirrors the rhythm of real life. We move from moments of clarity to moments of doubt, from joy to uncertainty, and back again. Easter assures us that Christ walks with us through all of it. Pentecost promises that we are never without help. In the end, the Easter season is not just about remembering the Resurrection. It is about living in its light. It is about allowing that joy to take root, even if only in small ways, and trusting that it will grow. And as Pentecost approaches, it’s about opening ourselves, however imperfectly, to the transforming presence of the Holy Spirit. Together, these seasons remind us that faith is not static. It is alive, dynamic, and always moving forward, just as the Church moves from the empty tomb to the fire of Pentecost, carrying the hope of Christ into the world.
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 It’s the middle of April, and Easter Sunday has come and gone; we are officially in the “Easter slump.” That’s right, no more candy and dyed eggs, decorations have disappeared, laundry and chores are piling up, and kids are back at school - or even on spring break! Don’t forget though, Easter is a 50-day season leading us to Pentecost. So how do we keep up that holiday spirit all season long? Lucky for us, God knows exactly how quickly our bubbly happiness goes away after a big holiday on the calendar and wants us to realize that Easter joy lasts much longer than a day. Easter is a daily discipline that can be lived in the ordinary moments of our lives. Easter is for the tired and busy. Easter is for the overworked and underpaid. Easter is for the grieving and sick. Easter is not just one happy day when things go well. Here are some practical things to tweak during these 50 days to help keep the true joy going:
Queen of heaven, rejoice, alleluia. The Son whom you merited to bear, alleluia, has risen as he said, alleluia. Pray for us to God, alleluia. V. Rejoice and be glad, O Virgin Mary, alleluia. R. For the Lord has truly risen, alleluia. Let us pray. O God, who have been pleased to gladden the world by the Resurrection of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, grant, we pray, that through his Mother, the Virgin Mary, we may receive the joys of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. So keep going! I urge you to be intentional about your joy and consider one or more of these ways to remain celebrating all the way to Pentecost - and beyond! We are able to live out the hope of the risen Lord, so how will you rejoice this season?
 A few weeks ago, DC had one of its first truly warm days of the year. I knew the weather was just a glimpse of the warmth of spring that was yet to settle in, which perhaps motivated my desire to soak up every ounce of sun that I could. I wore shorts and went for a long walk. I set up my hammock and read in the park. I reveled in the warmth and the joy it brought me after the darker, colder days of winter. Some signs of spring, like these warm, sunny days, will still ebb and flow until winter is fully behind us. But one of the surest, and one of my favorite, signs that spring is really on the way, is the flowers that begin to bloom. A few minutes into my walk on the warm day, something caught my eye. I gasped, shook my boyfriend’s arm, and pointed, excitedly exclaiming, “Crocuses!!” There is something that just delights me about seeing the flowers begin to pop up each spring. It seems that once I’ve noticed one small patch of flowers, new blooms are continually catching my eye. On my drive to work a few weeks ago, I noticed a patch of daffodils on the side of the road. And in that moment, an even deeper revelation came to me: “That’s how it should be with God’s work in our lives.” Once we begin to attune ourselves to God’s presence, to the big and small works He does in our lives, we often begin to notice Him more and more. This could be in big acts, but it can also be in the subtlest of ways. The flowers of spring remind me to keep an eye out for God and the ways He delights me every day. Even though we know that spring will return year after year, the long days of winter can sometimes feel unending. The bleakness of winter can make us want to hunker down and cozy up, and for some of us, may be a source of even deeper sadness or despair. In the midst of this, the blooms of springtime can be a symbol of hope, not just in creation, but in our own lives, too. A quote from the book, Hinds Feet on High Places (1955) by Hannah Hurnard, which follows a young shepherdess journeying to the “High Places,” captures this well. After a long traverse through the desert, she finally enters a verdant forest: She walked through the wood almost forgetting for a little that Sorrow and her sister [Sadness] also walked with her. Everywhere she looked it seemed that the unfurling green on the trees and the nesting birds and the leaping squirrels and the blossoming flowers were all saying the same thing, greeting one another in their own special language with a sort of ecstasy and calling cheerfully, 'You see, the winter has gone at last. The delay was not unto death but for the glory of God. Never was there a fairer spring than this. All things have become new. The old things have passed away.' I also can’t help but love the way that spring (at least in the Eastern Hemisphere) aligns with Easter time. We begin Lent with the trees still barren and the sun rising late in the morning. As Easter approaches, spring begins to put out her own decorations. These exterior signs carry their own meanings. In a similar way, I think about how the Church uses physical signs and symbols to draw us into worship and direct our attention to the changes of the seasons. In Lent, the priests wear purple and the church sanctuary may be sparsely decorated. When Easter comes, the altars are adorned with countless spring flowers. The liturgies are marked by joyous, triumphant music and the return of the Gloria and Alleluia. In a similar way, in my own little apartment, I try not to set up my Easter decorations until Holy Saturday. I know that not everyone makes this choice, but I like the small exterior reminders of Lent's call to simplicity and Easter’s joyful extravagance. As Christians, a necessary part of our spiritual lives is to embrace both joy and sorrow, peace and struggle, along with countless other juxtapositions. Our lives will have days of winter and days of spring. We know that Jesus rises on Easter morning, that he remains triumphant, and yet we still must journey through the forty days of Lent. As we enter into spring and the joyful 50 days of Easter, I pray that you will be able to notice and delight in God’s work, allowing each symbol of his love to draw you closer to him. AuthorErin Donn is a campus minister at an all-girls Catholic high school and lives in Washington, DC.
 Holy Week is one of the most meaningful times in the Catholic liturgical year. It invites us to slow down, reflect, and walk step by step through the final days of Jesus’ life. Even if you’re not deeply familiar with every reading, the rhythm of this week tells a powerful story. A story that moves from celebration to sorrow, and ultimately to hope. The week begins with Palm Sunday, which holds a bit of a paradox. At Mass, we hear about Jesus entering Jerusalem to cheers and praise. People wave palm branches and welcome Him as a king. It feels joyful, almost triumphant. But in the same liturgy, we also hear the Passion narrative - the story of His suffering and death. That shift can feel abrupt, but it’s intentional. It reminds us how quickly things can change, and it sets the tone for everything that follows. As the week continues, the daily readings become more intimate and reflective. We hear about betrayal, misunderstanding, and quiet moments between Jesus and His disciples. One theme that stands out is how “human” the people around Jesus are. Judas struggles with his choices. Peter insists he will be faithful but later denies even knowing Jesus. The other disciples are confused and afraid. It’s not hard to see ourselves in them. These readings gently invite us to reflect on our own moments of weakness, doubt, or hesitation. Even the apostles were human and made mistakes! Holy Thursday marks a turning point. The readings focus on the Last Supper, where Jesus shares a final meal with His disciples. This is where we see the institution of the Eucharist, which is central to our Catholic life. But just as important is the act of service that happens during this meal. Jesus washes the feet of His disciples, taking on the role of a servant. It’s a simple but powerful reminder that love is meant to be lived out in humility and action, not just words. Then comes Good Friday, the most solemn day of the week. The readings recount the Passion in full detail. There’s no attempt to soften the story, it’s raw and heavy. Jesus is betrayed, abandoned, mocked, and ultimately crucified. It can be difficult to sit with, especially in a world where we often try to avoid discomfort. But Good Friday invites us to stay present in that sorrow. It’s a moment to reflect on sacrifice, injustice, and the depth of love that chooses to endure suffering for others. What’s striking about Good Friday is the silence that surrounds it. There’s no Mass celebrated that day. The Church feels still, almost suspended in time. That quiet can be uncomfortable, but it also creates space. Space to think, to pray, or simply to sit with the reality of what the day represents. Holy Saturday continues that sense of waiting. The readings often recall the long history of salvation, reminding us that God has been at work across generations, even when it wasn’t obvious. It’s a day that doesn’t get as much attention, but it carries an important message: not every moment of faith is dramatic or clear. Sometimes, it’s about waiting in trust, even when we don’t yet see the outcome. Then, finally, we reach the Easter Vigil and Easter Sunday. The tone shifts completely. The readings proclaim that the tomb is empty and that death does not have the final word. After everything we’ve walked through during the week - the praise, the betrayal, the suffering–this moment feels earned. It’s not just a return to joy, but a deeper, more grounded kind of hope. What makes Holy Week so powerful isn’t just the events themselves, but how they mirror real life. There are moments of celebration, moments of failure, times of deep sorrow, and periods of waiting. But woven through all of it is the reminder that hope is never lost, even when it feels distant. You don’t have to be a biblical scholar to enter Holy Week. Simply paying attention to the readings, even in a small way, can open up new insights. Maybe it’s noticing a detail you hadn’t before or recognizing a part of yourself in one of the readings. Or maybe it’s just allowing yourself to sit with the emotions each day brings. At its heart, Holy Week is an invitation to reflect, to be honest, and to remember that even in the most difficult moments, there is the promise of renewal. That is a message that goes beyond any single week, offering something we can carry with us long after it ends.
 As Holy Week approaches, and billions of Christians worldwide prepare to unite themselves with Christ in his suffering and resurrection, we are reminded that, despite cultural differences, Christians are more alike than different under the same roof of God’s great Church. Holy Week stands as a reminder of God’s divine mercy, His power over death, and His great sacrifice for all mankind. In this article, I hope to introduce you to five customs from around the world that celebrate our Lord in ways you may not have heard of before! #1 Red Eggs Our first custom brings us to the source of dying easter eggs, a town in modern-day Mesopotamia, Taybeh of Palestine. The easter egg has been largely secularized by western culture, with its religious origins rendered almost completely obsolete, but in Taybeh, the meaning of the dyed egg is still alive and well. While the true origin of the egg is disputed, legends vary. One story holds that when Mary Magdalene proclaimed that Christ had risen to the Roman Emperor Tiberius, he replied that no one could rise from the dead any more than the egg in her hand could turn red. Miraculously, the egg turned red before their eyes. Other tales suggest Mary Magdalene was simply bringing a basket of eggs to the tomb for the women mourning there, and when she witnessed the risen Christ, the eggs turned red. Palestinian Christians still color eggs in remembrance of the passion and resurrection, though their palette has expanded to include various colors as dye became widely available. This year, when you partake in the tradition of dying eggs with your family, think of your brothers and sisters in Taybeh, performing the same ritual thousands of miles away. #2 Pussy Willow Branches Our next tradition brings us to Ukraine, where, due to a lack of palm branches in early spring, Christians used pussy willow branches on Palm Sunday, or Willow Sunday, as they call it. On this day leading up to Holy Week, pussy willow trees are blooming in Ukraine, a perfect replacement for the palm branch. During Mass, these soft branches are blessed and distributed amongst the congregation. After mass, they are kept in the home, usually pinned up behind icons to offer spiritual protection in the home all year round. Other branches are burned as fuel to bake paska, a traditional Easter dessert in Ukraine. Salix discolor—pussy willow—can be found all across Canada and the midwest United States. If you’re celebrating in the area, you may be able to locate some branches to join Ukraine in its old tradition, or even try your hand at baking paska. #3 Lord of Tremors Every Holy Monday, an enormous procession passes through the city of Cusco, Peru. The image of the crucified Black Christ is hoisted above the crowd as onlookers toss red petals, symbolic of His blood. The procession, attended by thousands of Christians every year, memorializes a devastating earthquake that took place nearly four-hundred years ago, on March 31st in 1650. The legend claims that, as a dangerous earthquake shook Cusco, only exposing a forgotten effigy of Christ in the doorway of the Cusco Cathedral was said to stop the tremors. Similar signs occurred over the next few centuries, the most recent earthquake in 1985. These incredible miracles led the statue to be dubbed Lord of Tremors. Ñucchu, vibrant red flowers previously used to venerate the pagan deity Wiracocha, are now used to decorate the statue of the Lord of Tremors. Every year, tourists flock to Cusco to witness the procession. If you don’t know where you’re celebrating Easter yet, it’s not too late to plan a trip! #4 Funeral for a Fish Perhaps the most bizarre lenten tradition was celebrated in villages all across Ireland. As the season for fasting and abstinence comes to a close on Holy Saturday, butchers that suffered from a lack of customers initiated the ‘funeral for a fish,’ in which a dead herring was dangled from a long pole and marched out of town. In some marches, the dead herring was beaten on the ground with its remains then eagerly tossed into the river. Other instances observed a ceremonious approach, with the tradition taking place after Easter mass. A joyful procession would march the herring to be thrown in the river, all the way accompanied by music and laughter. Customs surrounding the ‘funeral’ varied from town to town, but the moral was always the same: Christians were more than happy to be finished with their lenten diet. If you share the same dislike for fish as the Irish used to, perhaps this is a tradition you’d like to reintroduce to your local parish! #5 Penitensya In a disturbing yet beautiful display of devotion, Filipino Christians take to the streets on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday practicing self-flagellation as they march through the neighborhoods. Cloth blindfolds cover the penitents’ faces, maintaining their anonymity as they make their public sacrifice before hundreds of spectators. By the end of the ritual, visible skin is vibrant with blood, clothes stained bright red. The ritual is undertaken as a penance for sins, as well as a sacrifice to unite oneself with Christ in His long walk to Golgotha, for others as a display of gratitude for answered prayers. While Catholic bishops in the Philippines have warned against extreme sacrifice, instead urging the faithful to place an emphasis on prayer, the practice continues, drawing tourists from all over the world to witness the incredible acts of sacrifice. Whether Christians are out in the town beating dead fish, or searching for the eggs a rabbit hid, Holy Week unites our people and their beautiful (and sometimes unusual) traditions under one roof. What a blessing it is to see our Lord celebrated across the world. About the AuthorKyrien Keeton is a student at The Catholic University of America and the Section Editor for news at the independent student newspaper “The Tower.”
 We are in the time of the Upper Room, the Cenacle. The days between the Ascension of the Lord and Pentecost are liturgically the time when the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Apostles, and the disciples were together in prayer, awaiting the coming of the Holy Spirit. They did not really know what to expect. In fire and wind, the Holy Spirit came, and their lives were transformed forever. The world is also transformed and is transforming. The mission continues in the name of Jesus Christ! We are sent as apostles, as missionary disciples, out into the world. Hiding in a room, in our homes, even in a church is not our call. Instead, we go forth, going where the Holy Spirit moves us to go. We can do amazing things in the name of Jesus Christ. There is no need to wait until someone invites us. No, if we are baptized, and especially if we are confirmed, then we can go forth! We need to recognize, though, that we do not send ourselves. We are sent by Christ, in and through his Church. The community of faith that we call Church is where we go forth from and to which we return. The Church teaches us, forms us, heals and nourishes us through the Sacraments, and sends us on mission. The mission is not ours; it is Christ’s. We, as members of Christ’s Faithful, are called to live his mission until he comes again, just as the Apostles were told to do. In all of this, Mary, Queen of Apostles, is with us as our Mother and Queen. Her feast day is the day before Pentecost. She was the perfect disciple of Christ. St. Vincent Pallotti said of her: “We have most holy Mary, after Jesus Christ, the most perfect model of true apostolic zeal, and of perfect love” (OOCC I, 7). The Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity of the Second Vatican Council echoes this sentiment of Pallotti: “The perfect example of this type of spiritual and apostolic life is the most Blessed Virgin Mary, Queen of Apostles, who while leading the life common to all here on earth, one filled with family concerns and labors, was always intimately united with her Son and in an entirely unique way cooperated in the work of the Savior… All should devoutly venerate her and commend their life and apostolate to her maternal care” (4). Mary, Queen of Apostles, pray for us! May the charity of Christ urge us on! To learn more about Mary, Queen of Apostles, please click here. **This blog was originally published on May 19, 2021.**
 “Why are you standing there?” The angels who spoke these words to the astounded disciples now turn to ask us this question today. Perhaps, like the disciples after the Ascension, we too have been stuck looking up at the sky, wondering where Christ is. Our answers to the angels’ question are probably very legitimate. “I am standing here because I lost my job, because of isolation, because of sickness, because of racial and social discord, because of people’s differences, because I don’t know what else to do.” In this passage from today’s Gospel reading, which is the same as this upcoming Sunday’s, I remind myself that at least the disciples were looking up. They at least had their eyes fixed on Christ. That, in and of itself, is a good thing. But what God wants to convey through the angels after Jesus’ Ascension is that just seeing Christ or believing in him is not enough. A relationship with Christ results not in paralysis, but in action. “You will be my witnesses,” Jesus tells his disciples moments before he ascends to the Father. And it is by living out our relationship with Christ as witnesses that the world comes to know him and that our faith comes alive. Witnessing to our faith and accompanying others on their faith journeys shake us out of our paralysis and help us overcome our fear. Jesus is not conveying that hardship, suffering, or unrest will be absent from our lives, but that these no longer have the power to paralyze and trap us. His Resurrection has changed the narrative. And as the Easter season comes to a close, Jesus is calling us not only to believe in him, but to act— to have our lives transformed by the knowledge of the Resurrection and to live boldly and faithfully as a result. At this point, however, the disciples are still focused on earthly things. Just before Jesus’ Ascension, they ask him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?” Many of us have similar questions. “Lord, at this time will I get my job promotion? As this time, will my addiction be healed? At this time, will our family be reconciled?” These are valid, important questions of the human heart. Questions that long for answers, for resolutions, for miracles. Jesus’ response seems mystifying and even unrelated: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses.” While the disciples are still caught focusing on the restoration of Israel and victory over their oppressors, Christ promises more. So much more, in fact, that they are unable to grasp it without the gift of the Holy Spirit, whose coming we celebrate on the Feast of Pentecost on May 23rd. It is why Jesus chose to ascend at this time. He had spent 40 days teaching and opening the Scriptures to his disciples after his Resurrection, but they still could only fathom human goals and objectives. Jesus knows his ministry has come to an end and that a new chapter of the Church will begin with the promised Advocate, the Holy Spirit. After he answers them, Jesus compels his disciples to look up to the heavens as he begins to ascend to the Father. He is physically showing them the needed disposition of their hearts and minds in order to receive the Holy Spirit: they should be considering heavenly things and a heavenly goal. But then, moments later, they are startled to hear: “Why are you standing there looking at the sky?” It can be tempting at times to separate ourselves from the reality of the here and now by over-spiritualizing things or being preoccupied with the past or future. The disciples are left looking up (very understandably), but this looking up and clinging to Jesus in his physical form distracts them from the action to which he has called and chosen them: to be his witnesses to the ends of the earth. This balance between living in the world but not of it can be difficult to grasp and practice. It’s important first to consider where you find yourself today. Are you asking the Lord to restore the kingdom to Israel? Are you standing looking at the sky? Many of us are somewhere in between. Below are 6 practices that help ground me in Christ and deepen my ability to witness to his love:
By considering these practices, it is my hope that, renewed by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, we will enter into Ordinary Time ready to be Christ’s witnesses to the ends of the earth. Christ calls us each to so much more than simply remain standing. For more resources on living as missionary disciples, please click here. **This blog is a repost from May 13, 2021.** **This image is from: https://young-catholics.com/3256/the-feast-of-the-ascension-year-b/**
 “She said yes!” is commonly heard in engagement stories, echoing the excitement and joy of making the decision to have one’s life forever complemented with another in marriage. As we prepare to celebrate the Solemnity of the Annunciation on Saturday, the Church rejoices in Mary’s acceptance of God’s place for her in His divine plan of the salvation of mankind. Of course, Mary’s “yes” to God is not the only such instance in Scripture; on the contrary, each protagonist’s story within its pages involves his or her responding to the will of God throughout history, from God’s command to “be fruitful and multiply” to Adam and Eve through his instruction to the exiled St. John the Evangelist to “Write, therefore, what you have seen, what is now and what will take place later.” Just like each person in Scripture, we too can share in the delight of accepting God’s will for us through our faith and the surrendering of our personal desires and wants to Divine Providence. Every book of the Bible recounts at least one instance of God calling a prophet, judge, king, or another figure, no matter their status, to a higher purpose. I particularly enjoy the story of the boy Samuel, whom God called three times before the future judge and prophet, finally understanding Who kept waking him, answered. All of these accounts are more than nice stories—they serve to illustrate the different ways of answering God’s call as well as how God continues to guide us after we answer. The biblical theme still rings true today: “I have called you by name, and you are mine.” On the occasion of the Annunciation, Mary’s “yes” undoes Eve’s “no” to God. Through Mary, the Word was made flesh and she became the new “Mother of the Living” (CCC 489). This motherhood extends to us all! As a result of Mary’s “yes,” she became a tabernacle of the living God now made man. Christ’s complete embrace of humanity during His earthly ministry still affects us today. We are called to allow Him to more fully enter into our lives just as He did in the Virgin’s womb. By creating space for Christ, as Mary did, we are enabled to fully surrender to the Divine Will; our “yes” to God can then echo Mary’s crucial response, “Behold, I am the handmaid of the Lord. May it be done to me according to your word.” How shall we respond? At the Archdiocese of Washington’s Rite of Election this past month, I was blessed to observe over a thousand adults, teens, and children be presented to the Cardinal in order to be baptized or confirmed as Catholics in the Archdiocese of Washington this Easter. They, like Mary, have said “yes!” to God’s invitation. It’s a beautiful witness to see the participants’ formal expression of their desire to become Catholic before their loved ones, sponsors, and the Church. The Rite of Election kicks off a final period of intense spiritual preparation much like our experience of Lent, in which they are called to follow the Lord. As baptized members of Christ’s Body, we are called to offer our support, love, and prayers for these catechumens and candidates as each continues his or her faith journey, that all may strive to remain close to the Lord Who has called them to Himself. Our “yes!” does not occur in a vacuum. Even the already baptized are called to be a light for each other as each of us experiences darkness in our lives. No matter our insecurities or doubts, no matter our past failings or unworthiness, God still continuously calls to us, ever lovingly, ever patiently, ever gently, ever earnestly. Mary had her own questions when the archangel Gabriel dramatically announced God’s plan for her. If you’re like me, you want all the details before making a decision! But, as we read throughout scripture, one’s trust in God is never misplaced. God can—and does—do great things through us if only we allow ourselves to be like “a little pencil in the hand of a writing God.” May we, then, always share the Good News of Christ’s Resurrection, the hope that we share as we receive Communion, as we journey to the Cross, and as we profess—and experience—God’s love. By the grace of God and the support of each other, may we, at every moment of our lives, join with the whole Church and the heavenly host to praise God for His mercy and goodness: “‘Our Savior, Jesus Christ, has destroyed death, and brought us light and life!’ No wonder we [reply], ‘Alleluia!'” (Cardinal Timothy Dolan) **This blog was originally published on March 23, 2017.**
 In St. Peter’s speech at Pentecost he proclaims, “But God raised him up, releasing him from the throes of death, because it was impossible for him to be held by it.” (Acts 2:24) The truth of St. Peter’s words is made manifest in the liturgical rhythm of the Church year. Just as our Lord could not be held by the grave, the celebration of Easter cannot be held to just one day. In her beauty, the Church does not stop at the Octave of Easter either, but offers the faithful an entire liturgical season—50 whole days—to glory in Jesus’ resurrection. As Pope St. John Paul II declared, “We are an Easter people.” But once the beautiful liturgies of the Octave are behind us, the Easter lilies are removed from the churches, and the carrot cake has all been eaten, how are we to be an Easter people? One good place to begin is entering into the celebration of the liturgy. I have a distinct childhood memory of attending Easter Sunday Mass while my family was away on spring break. During the homily the priest invited everyone to exclaim ‘alleluia!’, and then do it again because we weren’t enthusiastic enough. As an unobservant and not-the-best catechised child, the purpose of this exercise was lost on me. But now, as a frequent daily Mass attendee I am much more aware of the forty long, alleluia-less days of Lent and more fully appreciate the significance of proclaiming alleluia together with renewed vigor on Easter and in the days that follow. During Lent many of us are motivated to make more time for Mass or prayer in our lives, which are beautiful practices to continue through the Easter season and beyond. Throughout the Masses of the Octave, the Victimae paschali laudes, an ancient chant, may be recited before the Gospel. Whether you attend Mass and hear the chant or simply take time to meditate on it each day, it is a beautiful tool for reflecting on the Paschal mystery in our lives and offering extra praise to the Lord: “The sheep are ransomed by the Lamb; / and Christ, the undefiled, / hath sinners to his Father reconciled.” Just as Lent is a time of remembering our mortality, Easter can be a time of remembering our Eternal life. Another liturgical tool to draw on is the Liturgy of the Hours, the communal prayer of the Church. In Morning Prayer throughout the Octave, we use the same psalms and canticle of Easter Sunday morning for all eight days. Particularly striking is the Canticle of Daniel (Daniel 3:57-88, 56), in which we pray that all things on Heaven and Earth bless the Lord: Let us bless the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Let us praise and exalt him above all forever. Blessed are you, Lord, in the firmament of heaven. Praiseworthy and glorious and exalted above all forever. Whether you are able to pray Morning Prayer, or any of the other hours, in community or humbly pray them alone, you are still raising your prayers with all the faithful throughout the Earth and elevating them through Jesus to the Father. Throughout the Easter season, the first readings at Mass are taken from the Acts of the Apostles. Practically this makes sense since Acts recounts the events following Jesus’ death and resurrection. But there is also a spiritual significance to reading from this book during the Easter season. Just like His first disciples, we aren’t meant to keep our alleluias and joy in the Lord’s resurrection and salvation confined to our churches or to ourselves, but to proclaim them to the world. It took a little encouragement for the apostles to do this, and so it may for us, but we too can say with St. Peter: “He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. To him all the prophets bear witness, that everyone who believes in him will receive forgiveness of sins through his name.” (Acts 10:42-43) The Easter season is a grace-filled time to unite ourselves to this age-old mission of the Apostles and share the Good News of Jesus. The Catechism of the Catholic Church tells us that, “Beginning with the Easter Triduum as its source of light, the new age of the Resurrection fills the whole liturgical year with its brilliance.” (Paragraph 1168) At the Easter Vigil, the faithful are invited to renew their baptismal promises and remember the light of Christ that is within them. As we make our way through the Easter season, let us glorify Christ in the liturgy and let the brilliance of the Eternal Light shine forth from our churches and our hearts.
 The time of the Paschal Triduum and the Easter season are almost upon us. How has the time of Lent been? It is meant to be one of ongoing conversion to Christ – metanoia. The Triduum offers us a deeper time of conversion. The Gospel readings of those days give us much to reflect on our own discipleship of Christ. On Holy Thursday, during the Mass of the Lord’s Supper, we experience table fellowship, the first Eucharist, and the witness of Christ in service to his Apostles through the washing of the feet. It is an example that we are called to follow. During the Commemoration of the Passion of Our Lord Jesus Christ, we hear of the betrayal of Judas, the denial by Peter, the suffering of Jesus, and the grief of those at the foot of the Cross, especially the Blessed Virgin Mary. In what occurs, we consider the ways in which we have not lived for Christ and how we can unite our suffering to his on the Cross. At the Easter Vigil, in the announcement of the angel to Mary Magdalene and the women at the tomb, we learn about the possibility of eternal life given to us all through the Risen Christ. On Easter Sunday, we see and believe, as the disciple whom Jesus loved did, the hope of the Resurrection. In this hope, we proclaim the Risen Christ as Savior of the world! Metanoia, ongoing conversion, is a patient journey that leads to our true joy, deeper encounter with the Risen Christ! May the charity of Christ urge us on! May you have a blessed Paschal Triduum and a joyous Easter! In God, the Infinite Love, Fr. Frank
“Peter and his companions had been overcome by sleep, but becoming fully awake, they saw his glory and the two men standing with him.” -Luke 9:32
Twice in the Gospels we hear of the trio of disciples sleeping at pivotal moments in Christ’s life and ministry: at the Transfiguration – in this Sunday’s Gospel – and in the Garden of Gethsemane during Christ’s Agony. Both times, Christ is in deep prayer. And both times, Peter, James, and John are “overcome by sleep.” I get it. The group of men have just hiked up a mountain. It would have been normal to rest after such a grueling endeavor. Similarly, in the Garden, Jesus took the three disciples to pray after the Feast of the Passover—a long, filling meal complete with wine. I think of all the times I’ve napped after a holiday meal and sympathize with Peter, James, and John. In these scenes, they are so human. They become tired and rest their eyes. And yet, because of their physical tiredness, they miss out on God’s glory. In this week’s Gospel for the Second Sunday of Lent, Jesus is transfigured and his three beloved disciples are offered a glimpse of the glory to come—not only the glory of the Resurrected Christ, but the glory that awaits all men and women who allow themselves to be transformed by his grace. This Lent, I find myself asking, “Am I asleep with his disciples? What’s causing me to shut my eyes to God’s glory?” These questions are what have guided my Lenten journey as I discern how to grow in holiness this season. Each year, the Church in her wisdom asks us to reflect on what is making us spiritually sluggish and helps us prepare for Easter through prayer, fasting, and almsgiving. By ramping up in these three Lenten tenets, we can grow in our ability to see God’s will and the Holy Spirit at work in our lives. Had the Apostles been awake throughout the entirety of Christ’s Transfiguration, they would have basked longer in this glory—fear and confusion would not have gripped them. Lent calls us to wake up, to be alert, not only for the Easter celebration, but for God’s invitation to greater holiness throughout our lives. Pope Francis highlights Lent as the continuation of the “journey of conversion.” This journey is a lifelong one. And yet, seasons such as Lent, which focus on an even greater attention to prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, often spur us deeper and further on this journey towards Christ. As Pope Francis encouraged in his 2019 Lenten message: Let us not allow this season of grace to pass in vain! Let us ask God to help us set out on a path of true conversion. Let us leave behind our selfishness and self-absorption, and turn to Jesus’ Pasch. Let us stand beside our brothers and sisters in need, sharing our spiritual and material goods with them. In this way, by concretely welcoming Christ’s victory over sin and death into our lives, we will also radiate its transforming power to all of creation. The goal of Lent is not only Easter, but Christ Himself. This Lent, may our participation in prayer, fasting, and almsgiving help us shake off the drowsiness that shuts our eyes to God’s glory. For more resources to accompany you throughout your Lenten journey, please click here. Questions for Reflection: Am you asleep with Christ's disciples? What’s causing you to shut your eyes to God’s glory?” **This blog was originally published on March 12, 2019.**
Alleluia! How exciting it is to be in the Easter season. After forty days of Lent and then the reflective and prayerful experience of Holy Week, walking along with Jesus on the road to Gethsemane, we finally made it to the joy of the Resurrection on Easter Sunday. One of the beautiful gifts of our faith is that the celebration keeps going. We continue to celebrate the Easter season for many more weeks, and we are called to do just that: celebrate!
I grew up in a family of celebrators and I have, fortunately, married into a family of celebrators. I remember growing up as a kid and partaking in many family celebrations from Christmas and Easter to birthdays and anniversaries to graduations and, sometimes, for no real reason at all besides wanting to be together. I am grateful for these times because they really shaped me and have made me who I am today. Whatever adversity life throws at me, I genuinely try to find the good and find ways to celebrate, even if it might be challenging. During these celebrations, which I now carry on with my own family, there was always food. My grandma was an excellent cook, a talent which she passed on to her children. We shared dishes from our Polish heritage, meals filled with delicious home-cooking, including fried chicken, mashed potatoes, or food brought in from one of our favorite local restaurants. The food was always plentiful, and the conversation and laughter, particularly from my grandma, was often as comforting as the food. As we hear in the story of the Road to Emmaus during the Easter season, Jesus is walking along with two of his apostles who do not recognize that it is him. It is not until he breaks bread with them that they recognize that he is truly risen. There is a unique beauty in sharing a meal with those we love. Meals together nourish us physically, but also spiritually and emotionally. Spending time with those we love and celebrating being able to be together is a gift, a gift that, just a few years ago, seemed like something we would not be able to have again. It is important to take time to acknowledge the gift of being together and celebrate the sacrifices we all make in order to do so. As we continue through the Easter season, I encourage you to find reasons to celebrate Christ’s Resurrection, especially with those around us. Share a meal, make an invitation to a friend to join you for Mass, pray together, experience the beauty of nature in spring, or simply enjoy time spent with a friend or a loved one or a stranger. We can experience the joy of the Resurrection in a more profound way when we are able to do so with others.
 The hope of the Resurrection is the cause of our rejoicing during the Easter season. The Risen Christ offers us peace, as he did to the frightened disciples locked in the Cenacle or Upper Room. The Cenacle itself becomes then a place of deeper community that leads to mission. The mission Christ gives is not our own. It is his. We share in it. We go forth as witnesses of the Risen Christ from the community, are sent by the community, and return to the community. This must be done in integrity through not only saying what we believe but living it. Pope Francis recently provided some reflection on this: “Many Christians only say they believe, but they live something else, as if they did not. And this is hypocrisy. The opposite of witness is hypocrisy.” (General Audience on March 22, 2023) No one wants to be accused of being a hypocrite. Few of us will perfectly live the life of faith. Witnessing Christ is not about being perfect, but by being perfected by him through ongoing conversion of heart and mind. This is accomplished through the grace of the Sacraments provided by the community of faith, the Church. As St. Vincent Pallotti taught, we are called to cooperate with this grace so that we can witness the Risen One more authentically to the world as apostles. May the charity of Christ urge us on! Blessed Easter, Fr. Frank
 “Rejoice! Hidden within your life is a seed of resurrection, an offer of life ready to be awakened.” -Pope Francis The world in which we live is filled with distraction and noise. I realized this in a deeper way as a new mom nursing my newborn at all hours. During those late night feedings, I needed something to keep myself awake and found myself gravitating towards my phone more and more. It was easy to hold and look at in the dark, and I found it nearly impossible to concentrate on reading a book, let alone holding it open as my newborn moved about. By the time Lent rolled around, I had been watching online TV episodes, checking my various social media feeds consistently, or scrolling through house listing websites. In our culture, this type of electronic consumption is easy to fall into. And while these sites or activities are not necessarily wrong or evil, I felt that I was more and more consumed by things of this world. In prayer, I felt the Lord asking me to be consumed with Him rather than by materialism, technology, or my own desires. What we consume defines who we are and what we become. What started out as a way to keep myself awake in those exhausting first weeks and months of motherhood had become a small addiction. What if instead, I used those minutes and hours to pray, to be still with my thoughts, to be present to my son? I had a quiet Lent. Formally, I gave up “scrolling.” I did not look at social media feeds, online shopping websites, or TV shows. I also limited my consumption of music and movies. I felt that I had truly entered a desert and made an ongoing “silent retreat” without completely removing myself from the world. I was becoming a “contemplative in action” and realized that even as a parent and married person, I could still carve out time for Christ each day through silent reflection. Instead of consuming media, I prayed and I was silent. I used my phone only for Scripture reading or Catholic reflections. I prayed the Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet. I read spiritual books. I thought of all the friends and family that had asked for my prayers. I offered up this media fast for them and for the needs of the world. This was hard. I noticed how many times my hand gravitated towards the screen. I noticed how much time I had spent behind one. Now that I have emerged from the season of Lent, I can’t help but wonder how I’ve changed. In his homily at the Easter Vigil this year, Pope Francis spoke of the changed faces of Mary Magdalene and the other Mary after they visited Christ’s tomb. The two brave women ventured out in the early hours of the morning “pale and tearful” and “walked like people going to a cemetery.” They had not yet encountered the Risen Lord. When they arrived, they were met with miraculous, life-changing news: “He has been raised just as he said!” The women leave rejoicing and run immediately to tell the disciples, to evangelize. Their faces are completely transformed. This leads me to reflect, “How has my face transformed this Easter season? Have I emerged from the tomb of Lent rejoicing?” Lent and Easter are about transformation—going from the tomb to new life. Christ is raised from the dead and extends this life to us all. He has opened the doors to our salvation. We don’t have to wait for death to experience this new life. By being consumed by Christ Himself, through prayer and most powerfully through the reception of the Eucharist, we are enabled to become Christ-bearers and share the joy of new life with all we encounter. Pope Francis invites us to experience and live this transformation in our everyday lives, saying: The heartbeat of the Risen Lord is granted us as a gift, a present, a new horizon. The beating heart of the Risen Lord is given to us, and we are asked to give it in turn as a transforming force, as the leaven of a new humanity. In the resurrection, Christ rolled back the stone of the tomb, but he wants also to break down all the walls that keep us locked in our sterile pessimism, in our carefully constructed ivory towers that isolate us from life, in our compulsive need for security and in boundless ambition that can make us compromise the dignity of others. After 40 days of penance and sacrifice, it’s tempting to go back to our old ways—to “carefully constructed ivory towers” and a “compulsive need for security.” “We can grow accustomed to living with the tomb,” Pope Francis cautions. This Easter season, we must decide to leave the tomb: to stay present, to pray, to choose to be consumed by God. I have learned that in so doing my life is made richer and more meaningful. When consumed by God, I am better able to be present to and love others. As we continue our victorious journey through the Easter season, I invite you to consider how your life has changed as a result of your Lenten journey. Have you emerged from the tomb? How has your face changed? For more resources on Lent and Easter, please click here. **This post was originally published on 5/2/2017**
It’s amazing to think that we have wandered with Jesus in the desert for nearly forty days now. I have taken this Lenten season to feel more connected with Jesus and strengthen my relationship with him in prayer. This past Sunday, the Church celebrated Palm Sunday, which commemorates Jesus’ journey into Jerusalem and marks the first day of Holy Week, one of the most important times in our faith. The rest of this week consists of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday, and Easter, all of which are wonderful times to reflect on the strength and love shown by Jesus during his final days, his Death, and his Resurrection.
The Gospel for this past week is one that I always find interesting to hear, as it gives a lot of insight into some of the traditions that we see during our usual Sunday services. For example, in this Gospel we hear about the Body and Blood of Christ at the Last Supper, “While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, ‘Take and eat; this is my body.’ Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, ‘Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins. I tell you, from now on I shall not drink this fruit of the vine until the day when I drink it with you new in the kingdom of my Father (Mt 26:14—27:66).” While not the direct translation said during Mass, this is something that we hear every time we are at church, something that is just ingrained in the flow of Mass, yet here, in one of the most important readings in our faith, we see how it first began. I like to imagine myself as a fly on the wall during the Last Supper. How did the apostles react? What was their body language? Were they scared, confused, or excited to be with Jesus? Jesus knew what he was about to face on the Cross; he knew about his eventual Death and Resurrection. Yet, he knew his work before those events was not done; he had to continue to preach to the apostles. In hindsight, probably no one would’ve expected him to do that; he was facing death! Nowadays, people will say, “If you knew you only had one week left before you died, what would you do?” The usual answers are things like going on a fancy vacation, winning the lottery, and completing items on one’s bucket list, but the reality is that most of us don’t know when our time will come. On the contrary, Jesus did know what his fate would be when he entered Jerusalem. He knew the importance of his death on the Cross, and he knew it was important for him not to stray from his intentions. The strength shown by Jesus in this Last Supper is one that few could’ve shown, and it is important for us to recognize as we continue through Holy Week. As we finish up our 2023 Lenten season, I hope that you all have taken some time to deepen your relationship with Christ and reflect on the importance of the season in your own heart. May these last few days of Lent guide you through some of the darkest days of our Church into the glory of the Resurrection. I hope you all have a wonderful Easter celebration!
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