Easter is such a blessed time for us as Catholics. We fast and pray throughout Lent in an effort to bring us closer to Jesus. We make sacrifices to atone for the pain our sins have caused Jesus. When they remove the Eucharist from the Church at the end of the Mass of the Lord's Supper on Holy Thursday, the emptiness is so real that it is painful. On Good Friday, we remember our Lord's Passion and death through the Stations of the Cross, the Rosary, and reading the Gospel accounts of the day. We go to the Veneration of the Cross and kiss the feet of our Savior who has died for us. We cover our holy images with black cloth to remind us that our Lord has died. It is a day of somber reflection. Holy Saturday is also a day of quiet, although we do spend time readying ourselves for the celebration of Easter. We dye eggs and clean house. This year, the weather was so beautiful, we spent most of the day outside, just soaking it in.
Easter Sunday brings the news that He is risen! What a joy it is to watch my children sing Alleluia during Mass! We have prepared well and they truly know the meaning of that word. We feast and play with our family who have come into town to celebrate with us.
We celebrate the Octave of Easter all week. It's one big party (thus, all the candy)! Each day we pray the Divine Mercy Novena, begging the Mercy of God for the salvation of souls. This coming Sunday is Divine Mercy Sunday where we recall the message of Mercy that Jesus gave to Saint Faustina. It is a message of love that is beyond human understanding. We are truly blessed!