Religion: Easter celebrations

Religious celebrations definition

A series of enactments or systems of beliefs that have a beginning, middle and end. Their purpose is to remember importance religious events and key beliefs.

• Easter Vigil

• Christmas

Religious rituals definition

A religious ritual is any repetitive and patterned behavior that is prescribed by or tied to a religious institution, belief, or custom, often with the intention of communicating with a deity or supernatural power.

• praying before a meal

• praying before bed

• Going to mass on a Sunday

Religious traditions definitions

A tradition is a custom or belief that has existed for a long time

• Sabbath is a day of rest (on Saturday)

Holy Week

Holy week occurs betrween Palm Sunday and Easter Sunday. It is the most sacred time, as we enter into the passion of Christ (his crucifixion, death, resurrection through liturgical celebration and personal conversion)

The Easter Triduum

The Triduum refers to a period of three days (Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Saturday) of religious observance. Lent practices serve as preparation for the Triduum.

Easter Sunday

Easter Sunday symbolises the fulfillment of faith as Christians as, through Jesus’ death, Christ destroyed human’s bondage to sin. Through his resurrection, he promised human’s new life in heaven and on Earth.

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What is the importance of the Easter Vigil to Catholics?

• First official celebration of the Resurrection of Jesus

• Culmination of a 40 day long observance of Lent (excluding Sundays) which is a solemn practice wherein participants give upa habit/item as a form of self-denial

Who is involved in the Easter Vigil celebration? 

• Priest begins celebration outside in the dark, lighting Paschal candle and lighting congregation’s candles

• Before Easter Proclamation, priest gives candle to one of ministers and blesses the incense at the Gospel during mass

• Wanting Baptism: with godparents, led by minister with Easter Candle; other ministers, deacons and priest follow

Why is the Easter Vigil held? 

• Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus

• New Members are Baptised into the Church / current members can renew their Baptismal vows

• Joyful atmosphere: Christians rejoice in the hope of new life and resurrection and salvation of Christ marked by hymns of praise, Exsultet prayers and Easter Greeting

How is the Easter Vigil celebrated?

• Body and Blood of Christ

• Creating unity within the Church

• Partipation in the mystery of Christ’s death and resurrection in the promise of Salvation

What is the Service of Light?

• Service of Light is the first even of the Easter Vigil

• Held on the night of Holy Saturday til lEaster Sunday

• Holy water fonts drained, lights out, tabernacle empty

• Service begins outside the Church

• Fire lit and blessed

• Paschal candle is prepared and lit by the priest

• Candle processed through the Church, deacon lifts candle at 3 different times singing the Light of Christ

• Everyone lights their candle from the Easter candle

• Paschal candle symbolises Christ (light of the world)

What is the Liturgy of the Word?

• Liturgy of the World includes multiple Scripture readings that recount events from salvation history (Creation till Resurrection)

• Nine readings provided (7 OT, 2 NT)

• Only 3 OT readings must be read, including Exodus 14

• Readings help people meditate on the works of God for his people since the beginning

• Gloria sung before the reading of the Epistle of the Romans

• Alleluia is sung before the Gospel

What is the Baptismal Liturgy and the Renewal of Baptismal Promises?

• Traditional time initiating catechumen and those into the Church through Baptism, Confirmation and First Communion

• Easter water is blessed

• New members are brought into the Church through Baptism

• Baptised people who havent received other sacraments of initiation

• After. faithful water blessed with water and all renew their Baptismal promises

• Renewal of Baptismal promises allows those who have already received Baptism to renew their vows, stating they are still committed to Christ and the Church

What is the Liturgy of the Eucharist?

The mass continues with special prayers inserted during the Eucharist Prayer. The whole church is called to join at the sacrificial table that Christ prepared for humans through his death and resurrection. The Mass ends with “the Mass is ended, go in peace, alleluia, alleluia.” “Thanks be to God, alleluia, alleluia.”