Haus Jakob

THE EASTER CYCLE

II. EASTERTIDE

Eastertide begins at Easter and ends on the Saturday after Pentecost. It is a time of uninterrupted joy and feasts, during which we celebrate the mysteries of the Resurrection, the Ascension, and the Decent of the Holy Ghost on the Apostles and on His Church. The date of Easter, from which the date of all movable feasts is determined, is fixed according to the Jewish method and may vary between March 22 and April 25.

In the Liturgy of Eastertide, we commemorate the various appearances of our Lord, during which He instructed His Apostles and prepared them for the Descent of the Holy Ghost and His own Ascension.

The triumph and joy of Eastertide is reflected in the decoration of the sanctuary and the priest’s use of white vestments, symbolizing joy and purity. The Asperges me is supplanted by the Vidi aquam, which refers to the waters of Baptism. Every year at Easter the Church rejoices for a double reason: Christ is risen, and many of her children redeemed.

Until Ascension Day, the Paschal Candle shines in the sanctuary as a symbol of the visible presence of our Lord upon earth, and white vestments are used. The joyful repetition of “Alleluia, alleluia, alleluia,” which was omitted since Septuagesima, follows every Introit, Antiphon, Verse, and Response as a sign of joy and peace.

SOURCE: Roman Catholic Daily Missal (1962) 2004, Angelus Press, Saint Marys, Kansas, p. 595.