Seasonal & Weekly Resources

The Many Days of Easter

Most of us think of Easter as one day – a day when we get all dressed up (normally!), go to Mass (normally!), hunt for Easter eggs, bite the ears off our chocolate bunny, and have a special dinner. But we, as Church, are called to celebrate Easter for 50 days (just not with candy and eggs every day).

The Church reminds us that the whole Easter Season is like one glorious Sunday, during which we celebrate the thrill of knowing that Jesus’ resurrection has made it possible for us to share his life forever. The Resurrection teaches us that our death, like Jesus’ death, will not be the end. Instead, it will be the step into a new life that will go on forever. That’s the Easter message, and it’s such good news for all of us that it deserves a lifetime of celebration.

Reflection question: What are some ways that you can keep the Resurrection front and center, especially over the next 50 days? Talk with your family about the importance of Easter (the Resurrection) and brainstorm ways to make Jesus the focus.

Activity: We have Advent calendars, counting the days from December 1st until Christmas, so how about creating your own Easter Season calendar? Maybe take that Easter candy and put a piece in each of 50 eggs, opening one every day until Pentecost…or 50 jelly beans in a jar…

Prayer: Speaking of jelly beans. I have often used the Jelly Bean Poem/Prayer at Easter to teach children the Bible story of Jesus Christ. Each color of candy has a sentiment which shares about the love of Jesus Christ. It is a prayerful poem of hope, a message we should all take to heart now more than ever.

Jelly Bean Gospel
Red's the blood that Jesus shed,
White's the perfect life He led,
Black is for the times I sin,
Green, new life I've found in Him,
Pink, for flowers near His grave,
Blue's the world He came to save,
Purple, temple veil, now torn,
Orange, the sky on Easter morn,
Yellow is my happy grin
To know that Jesus rose again!

I hope that you'll enjoy this treat
Of jelly beans, so small and sweet.
The news they share is short, but true:
Jesus died, ‘cause He loves YOU.
So empty the bag, and when you do,
Remember His tomb is empty, too!

Below, you will find a 4-minute video about Easter itself and a great 16-minute video about the Easter Season which is 50 days!

You will also find two short videos about Divine Mercy which we celebrate the 2nd Sunday of Easter (the first Sunday after Easter Sunday) which is April 11th this year.