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Easter lasts for a total of 50 days, from Easter Sunday until the feast of Pentecost, when the Holy Spirit came upon the apostles, Mary, and the first followers of Christ. This year, 2026, Easter was on April 5 and runs until Pentecost Sunday, May 24. Easter Sunday is the greatest Sunday of the year, and it marks the start of the “Easter octave,” or the eight days that stretch from the first to the second Sunday of Easter (also now known as Divine Mercy Sunday). The Church celebrates each of these eight days as solemnities of the Lord —...

On that first Easter the Greatest News the World has ever heard was declared - Jesus is Alive (no description other than the title)

God chose a small group of women to share the greatest news of all time. Why did Jesus appear to the women first instead of the disciples? One thing we see immediately is that Jesus valued and respected women. We also know from the Gospels that many of Jesus’ followers were women. They traveled with the disciples, financially supported their ministry, and served Jesus however they could. The main argument posited for the historicity of the appearance to the women, and the empty tomb for that matter, is that the early Christians would not have invented the story, since the...

In the vast tapestry of Christian traditions, few ceremonies hold the weight and antiquity of the Great Vigil of Easter. Rooted in the earliest days of the Church, this solemn ritual traces its origins back to the second century, embodying a profound journey from darkness into light. It begins with the Service of Light, where a new fire is kindled, illuminating the darkness and symbolizing Christ's triumph over death. The lighting of the Paschal candle and the exultant proclamation of the Exsultet further herald the arrival of Easter joy. This portion of the vigil invites worshippers to reflect on the...

This week, Christians around the world of all strands celebrate what we consider some of the most significant events in world history — the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ on behalf of the salvation for those who believe in the Lord.There are many historical reasons to believe in these events, which I’ve addressed in previous columns, such as this and this.Meanwhile, as a student of American history, I find it fascinating that, for the most part, the vast majority of our nation’s settlers and founding fathers also believed it.Here are some examples just from the founding era. Special...

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OK, I admit it. I have never liked the Easter Bunny. Of course, as a kid I did enjoy getting a basket full of malted milk chocolate eggs on Easter Sunday. But the idea that those delicious chocolate eggs with the rich creamery filling made by Cadbury were actually laid by a fat, white, clucking lagomorph—that was a bridge too far. Then, there was also the iconic lazy Easter Rabbit of Looney Tunes fame (Easter Yeggs, 1946), who tricked Bugs Bunny into delivering the eggs for him. Part of me rooted for Elmer Fudd when he said, "I'm waiting for...

Filming has begun on Mel Gibson’s long-awaited sequel to “The Passion of the Christ,” titled “The Resurrection of the Christ,” with Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen taking over the role of Jesus from Jim Caviezel.According to Variety, production started last week at Rome’s Cinecittà Studios, where Gibson also shot the 2004 original, which grossed $610 million worldwide and became one of the highest-earning independent films in history. The new project, produced by Gibson and Bruce Davey under their Icon Productions banner with Lionsgate as studio partner, will be released in two parts in 2027.Cuban actress Mariela Garriga (“Mission: Impossible – Dead...

Mel Gibson’s “The Resurrection of the Christ,” his long-delayed follow up to 2004’s “The Passion of the Christ,” has cast Finnish actor Jaakko Ohtonen (“The Last Kingdom”) in the role of Jesus, replacing original star Jim Caviezel. Mary Magdalene, a role held in “Passion” by Monica Bellucci, is being played in “Resurrection” by Cuban actress Mariela Garriga, who starred in the “Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning” films as Marie. Polish-born actor Kasia Smutniak (“Domina”) is replacing Maia Morgenstern as Mary; Peter is being played by Italy’s Pier Luigi Pasino, who stars in Netflix Italy original “The Law According to Lidia Poët”;...

Judge finds that Muslima arrested in New Mexico jihad compound has “mental disease,” unfit to stand trial DEC 1, 2019 9:00 AM BY ROBERT SPENCER Here we see the all-purpose “mental illness” deflection being used to aid a jihadi in evading responsibility for her crimes. It has happened many times before. What do you bet they all walk before this is over? Given the current political climate regarding jihad terrorism, this is quite possible, even likely. “Terrorism suspect hospitalized,” by John Miller, Taos News, October 24, 2019: A U.S. District Court judge in Albuquerque has ordered one of the five...

Tucker Carlson interviews Shroud of Turin expert, proving the resurrection of Jesus is realProtestant Bible scholar and author Jeremiah Johnston explained in detail why the famous Shroud of Turin was Jesus Christ's actual burial cloth.Tucker Carlson interviewed a Bible scholar who highlights the authenticity of the Shroud of Turin, proving Jesus’ resurrection from the dead.In a recent interview with Carlson, Protestant Bible scholar and author Jeremiah Johnston explained in detail why the famous Shroud of Turin was Jesus Christ’s actual burial cloth and how it proves the resurrection.Johnston said that the shroud, which has been extensively studied, shows “pre-mortem and...

Academy Award-winning director Mel Gibson's sequel to what many consider to be the greatest and most financially successful faith-based films of all time — "The Passion of the Christ" — has finally been given a significant update. And it's good news for fans of Gibson and the original film. "The Passion" isn't just getting one sequel, but two, both of which will be released within months of each other. Lionsgate Films announced the release on Wednesday. "The Resurrection of the Christ" will be released in two parts.Part one will hit theaters on Good Friday, March 26, 2027. Part two will...

Question: If Jesus ascended to heaven 40 after being risen from the dead, where was he all this time Answer: Jesus spent his post-Resurrection period on earth ministering to his apostles and other disciples. This can be seen in various biblical accounts, including John 20—21, Luke 24, Matthew 28, Mark 16, and Acts 1. The 40-day formation period between the Resurrection and Ascension inspired the Church to use this period for new Catholics, who typically come into the Church at Easter, to deepen their formation. It’s called Mystagogy, which typically extends the RCIA period until Pentecost. Jesus reigns with the...

When most people hear "Easter," they think of a single Sunday filled with lilies, hymns, and maybe a few chocolate eggs. But in the Church's liturgical calendar, Easter is far more than just a day—it's a whole season. In fact, Easter lasts for 50 days! That’s right—Easter is a season, not just a Sunday. Easter Sunday kicks off a 50-day celebration known as Eastertide or the Great Fifty Days, which runs from Easter Sunday to Pentecost Sunday. This season is meant to be a joyful, ongoing reflection on the resurrection of Jesus Christ and what it means for the world....

JERUSALEM - Local Roman soldier Plinius was given his guard assignment for the weekend and was delighted to see he'd been entrusted with guarding the tomb of "some Jewish carpenter guy," as he'd be able to get some shut-eye and have a nice, relaxing weekend. Plinius pumped his fist and gave a little "Yeeeah boy" under his breath after his commanding officer told him he would be guarding the tomb of "this Jewish dude" who had apparently been causing some trouble. "I'm glad they didn't put me where the action is - I really needed some downtime," Plinius said to...

Some modern Americans claim to not fear death. On November 15 last year, boxer Mike Tyson told a 14-year-old girl interviewing him that he has no fear of what happens after he dies. When he was asked about his legacy after his death, Tyson told her: “It means absolutely nothing to me. I’m just passing through. I’m gonna die and it’s gonna be over. Who cares about legacy after that?”

I am lying deep in the dank darkness of a dried up well, unable to climb out on my own, with one tiny, faint ray of light shining from far, far above. But God, happy in himself, beyond the holy blue sky he has created, has sent down his only Son, to let a drop of his own blood drop into my dry and dirty, deep, deep darkness, to cleanse me of my filth, and bring me out of my deep well, to bring me up into his profound, peaceful happiness.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals.’ Become sober-minded as you ought, and stop sinning; for some have no knowledge of God. I speak this to your shame” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34). Trusting in the fact of Christ’s resurrection and looking forward to our own rising from the dead ought to stimulate us toward sanctification. Like any essential teaching of Scripture, the doctrine of the Resurrection can be studied and discussed from an academic standpoint only. When that happens, we usually acquire a factual understanding of the topic and perhaps some appreciation of how the doctrine supports our faith—but...

‘She’s much more who she is,’ her husband told EWTN News, following Tammy’s ‘investigation of Catholicism.’Psychologist and author Jordan Peterson spoke about Easter as the “core story of humanity” in an interview with EWTN News In Depth hours before his wife, Tammy, joined the Catholic Church this Easter at Holy Rosary Church in Toronto. Tammy Peterson’s faith was formed through praying the Rosary while she struggled against a rare form of cancer. Peterson is known for his biblical lectures on Genesis and Exodus in particular, which often appeal to both Christian and secular listeners. When asked by EWTN News correspondent...

Many people, including Christians, view the Resurrection only as a great historical event. They pause once a year to reverently remember the death and resurrection of Christ. However, the resurrection is also a force, a power that belongs only to God. The death and resurrection of Jesus was much more than just something that happened one time. It was an historic demonstration of God’s attitude and power. When we come to a place where we die to our own dreams and preferences and possessions and agendas – when we let it all fall into the ground and just pass...