I write this late Holy Saturday night after having presided over the Solemn Easter Vigil Mass. It was a splendid celebration: full of color, glorious music, beauty and the blessing of a Baptism and Confirmation of a new adult member of the Catholic Church, the Mystical Body of Christ.
The church was full, and so many added to the reverent celebration of this most blessed night.
This Easter we are especially blessed in that the entire Christian world is celebrating Easter at this moment: the Catholic and Protestant West, and the Catholic and Orthodox East all acclaim the Risen Christ.
One of my favorite Easter hymns is drawn from the Byzantine Liturgy:
Christ is risen gloriously from the dead, trampling down death by death, giving life to those in the tomb!
There is a beautiful tradition or pious belief that our Risen Lord would have never omitted to appear privately and tenderly to His Blessed Mother early on that Easter day. St. Thomas Aquinas said a beautiful practice is to recite the Regina Caeli… Queen of Heaven, rejoice! upon rising on Easter Day in union with Jesus.
As people were leaving the church tonight one woman remarked how moving she found the Mass, and then said God deserves it!
Indeed! All our talents, efforts, skill are all to serve His Glory.
A blessed Easter!