As we as students return from spring break this week, we are not only entering into the final portion of the school year, but we are also entering into a new religious season. The Easter season begins on Easter Sunday and concludes with Pentecost, this year on May 21. This season celebrates Jesus’ incredible life, and all that he did for us– from his Resurrection on Easter Sunday to his ascension. Let’s take a look at some key facts about the Easter season, as well as what we will be doing here at Rosary to celebrate the season.
The Easter season, or Eastertide, lasts 50 days, making it the second-longest liturgical season (behind Ordinary Time), and it well-deserves this title, as it is one of the most important times of the year for the Church. The ears of Mass-goers will be ringing with “hosannas,” “alleluias” and “amens” for long after Easter Sunday due to all of the ways that Jesus is celebrated at Mass during this season. Mass changes in multiple ways following Jesus’ resurrection. For instance, priests begin to wear white vestments rather than the purple ones worn during Lent. Additionally, the Gloria and the Alleluia return to the liturgy lineup, after a long break during the Lenten season.
The Easter season also involves two important dates: Divine Mercy Sunday and the Ascension. Divine Mercy Sunday, celebrated the Sunday after Easter, is a holy day of obligation and a feast day that celebrates the canonization of St. Maria Faustina Kowalska on April 30, 2000. The Ascension took place 40 days after Jesus’ resurrection and will be celebrated this year on May 14. Before leaving his Disciples and his friends, Jesus gave them final instructions, hinting at Pentecost in the future: “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you.” (Acts 1:8) Jesus blessed his Disciples one last time, and then ascended into Heaven, a cloud finally hiding him from their sight.
Directly following the Ascension, two angels appeared to the Disciples and explained that Jesus would come back in the way that he left. The Ascension exalts Jesus as king, seating him at the right hand of God, and shows us that we can all follow Jesus into Heaven one day. Thanks to the wonderful things that the Ascension contributes to the Easter season, this liturgical season celebrates our riddance from sin and our ability to enter into Heaven, with Jesus looking and smiling down on us.
Royals celebrated the entrance into the Easter season with the Mass of the Resurrection, which was celebrated on Tuesday, April 14. Royals sang out loudly along to the worship songs, celebrating Jesus’ triumph over death, which gave us the beautiful holiday and season of Easter. Fr. Ian celebrated the Mass and gave a wonderful homily, asking Royals to ponder how they can live out their faith and how they can place their trust fully in Jesus.
The Royals had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus’ Resurrection apart from school as well. Sophomore Emilia Cantos shared the highlights of her Easter season so far: “I celebrated Easter this season by going to mass and having dinner and lunch with my family and cousins,” Emilia continued, “And through this, I have connected further with God by feeling His presence in my family and reflecting on His sacrifice for us.”
For another sophomore, Kayla Boner, the season has brought a desire to become closer to God and to live out her identity as a Catholic: “On Easter Sunday, my family and I attended a mass to celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection, then gathered with more family for dinner and a prayer.” Kayla said, “This Easter season so far has helped me grow closer to God by reminding me of the importance of His sacrifice and encouraging me to pray more to grow my relationship with God. It has also encouraged me to want to help others more often.”
Lastly, Molly Burke ’27 shared how her relationship with God has grown in Easter seasons past, “I celebrate Jesus’ Resurrection on Easter Sunday by going to the sunrise service at my church in the morning and then having brunch and spending time with my family after. It has helped me to get closer to God because every year on Easter, I am reminded of how much God loves me, so much so that he died on the cross for my sins.”
If you would like to learn more about the Easter season and the events that it encompasses, Hallow, thedivinemercy.org and biblestorieshub.com have some great resources:
Easter 2026: The Complete Guide to the Catholic Season of Easter | Hallow
What is Divine Mercy Sunday? | The Divine Mercy
The Ascension Of Jesus Explained (Meaning + Why It Matters Today)
Now that the Easter season has begun, let’s all celebrate Jesus’ great sacrifice for us by living each day to the fullest, serving him and reaching out to others as the Body of Christ.
Diane D'Alba • Apr 17, 2026 at 1:55 pm
Beautiful story