THE EASTER SEASON

By Tim Claubaugh

Alleluia! The Lord has risen! The Easter Season is upon us! This year, the great 50 Day Feast of the Easter Season begins with Easter Sunday, April 12 and ends on Pentecost Sunday, May 31.

Some of the major feast days that we have during this time are:
Sunday, April 19 - Divine Mercy Sunday (with Divine Mercy service which includes Exposition, singing the Divine Mercy Chaplet and Benediction at 3:00)

Saturday, April 25 - St. Mark the Evangelist

Wednesday, May 13 - Our Lady of Lourdes (although this is not a major feast day, it is important to our parish since we are a Marian parish)

Thursday, May 14 - St. Matthias the Apostle (the apostle who was chosen by the other 11 apostles to replace Judas)

Sunday, May 24 - The Ascension of Jesus into Heaven

There are also dates of historical importance to St. Mary's that you can see here.



So, liturgically and musically speaking, what can we expect?

First the environment will be spectacular! Jeff Elchert and his crew always do a tremendous job on reflecting the sights and smells of the season with all their skills of time and talent that they so graciously give.

More music!
1) The prelude, opening song and Gloria will all return!
2) There will be a Sprinkling Rite that will be used occasionally in place of the Penitential Rite.
3) After the priest or deacon proclaims the Gospel, he will chant, "The Gospel of the Lord," and we will all respond by singing the "Alleluia!" again.
4) During the General Intercessions (the petitions) we will sing the response, "Risen Lord, risen Lord, hear our prayer."
5) At the 9:30 Mass, the Parish Choir will sing the "Regina Caeli" as the Marian Anthem at the end of communion. Click here to see the article on "The Four Marian Anthems."
6) There will be the addition of more instruments (flute and brass) at certain Masses.
7) And of course there are all those wonderful Easter hymns that we will be singing over the next 50 days! !