Easter Sunday and the Easter Season
The Three Days of the Easter Triduum continue until the evening of Sunday. At the same time, the Church begins the Fifty Days of Easter, the time of rejoicing that ends on Pentecost.
This Is the Day the Lord Has Made
V/. This is the day the Lord has made;
R/. let us rejoice and be glad. Alleluia.
Christ Is Risen, Alleluia!
V/. Christ is risen, alleluia!
R/. Christ is truly risen, alleluia!
Easter Sequence: Victimae Paschali Laudes
Christians, to the Paschal Victim
offer your thankful praises!
A Lamb the sheep redeems;
Christ, who only is sinless,
reconciles sinners to the Father.
Death and life have contended
in that combat stupendous:
the Prince of life, who died, reigns immortal.
Speak, Mary, declaring
what you saw, wayfaring.
“The tomb of Christ, who is living,
the glory of Jesus’ Resurrection;
bright angels attesting,
the shroud and napkin resting.
Yes, Christ my hope is arisen;
to Galilee he goes before you.”
Christ indeed from death is risen,
our new life obtaining.
Have mercy, victor King, ever reigning!
Amen. Alleluia.
Blessing of Easter Foods
The custom of blessing food for Easter arose from the discipline of fasting
throughout Lent and the special Easter Fast during the Easter Triduum. Easter was
the first day when meat, eggs, and other foods could again be eaten. According to custom, food may be blessed before or after the Easter Vigil on Holy Saturday or on Easter Sunday morning for consumption at the first meal of Easter, when fasting is ended and the Church is filled with joy.
Christ is risen. Alleluia. He is risen indeed. Alleluia.
God of glory,
the eyes of all turn to you
as we celebrate Christ’s victory over sin and death.