EASTER

Easter

Easter is the greatest Feast of the liturgical year, the climax and center of the Catholic Liturgical Calendar. It celebrates the glorious Resurrection of the Lord Jesus at the Masses. The day of Easter, which varies from year to year, is celebrated on the Sunday that follows the first full moon after the vernal equinox, the day in Spring when there is a 12-hour day and a 12-hour night (March 20). (The Council of Nicea in A.D. 325) Easter can be as early as March 22nd and as late as April 25th. The Easter Season begins with the celebration of the Easter Vigil on Easter Sunday and ends 50 days later with Pentecost Sunday.

Ascension of the Lord

The Ascension of Our Lord, which occurs 40 days after Jesus Christ rose from the dead on Easter, celebrates the resurrected Jesus being taken up to Heaven in his resurrected body, in the presence of eleven of his apostles.

Pentecost

Pentecost is held on the seventh Sunday after Easter and celebrates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples of Jesus after His Ascension, as described in the Acts of the Apostles. Pentecost is sometimes described as the "Birthday of the Church."

Trinity Sunday

Trinity Sunday is the Sunday after Pentecost. Trinity Sunday celebrates the doctrine of the Trinity, the three Persons of God: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit. The Sundays following Pentecost, until Advent, are numbered from this day.