After Saturday evening, when the Easter vigil is celebrated in anticipation of the Lord’s resurrection, the Church rejoices in the gift of new life with this feast, the high point of the Church year.

Saturday night and Sunday, the Church marks the central moment of our salvation from death—the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Those who have been preparing to enter the Church are baptized at the Easter Vigil because the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is the very mystery that they are entering–it is the mystery that marks the life of anyone who has been baptized.

Sunday begins the Easter octave—a period of eight days, Sunday to Sunday—during which we celebrate the saving event of Jesus’ resurrection. According to the Church year, this whole week collapses into one single day, and the liturgy on each day of this week is a full-hearted, joyful celebration of Easter all over again. After the Easter octave, we will begin the Easter season, which lasts 50 days and culminates in Pentecost.

For the first time since Lent began, the Church proclaims “Alleluia!” The Easter proclamation begins in this way:

Rejoice heavenly powers!
Sing, choirs of angels!
Exult, all creation around God’s throne!
Jesus Christ, our King, is risen!
Sound the trumpet of salvation!

Rejoice, O earth, in shining splendor,
radiant in the brightness of your King!
Christ has conquered! Glory fills you!
Darkness vanishes forever!

Rejoice, O Mother Church! Exult in glory!
The risen Savior shines upon you!
Let this place resound with joy,
echoing the mighty song of all God’s people!

The reliquary chapel in the Basilica holds relics from the burial shroud that was left behind when the women and Jesus’ disciples found the empty tomb and first learned of his resurrection. The Siegfried Hall chapel contains a final station of the cross that depicts the resurrection (shown to the right), and the image of Jesus emerging from the tomb above comes from the tabernacle upon the altar in the Lady Chapel of the Basilica.

Our Holy Land virtual pilgrimage includes a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem—follow this link to see images from that church, including an image of the tomb where Jesus was buried and rose.

On this joyous feast of Easter, let us proclaim that Jesus is risen! He is truly risen! Alleluia!